Datong, Shanxi Province - Harmony and unity among nations.
Datong, Shanxi is a famous historical and cultural city
1. Recommended attractions:
- Yungang Grottoes: Located at the southern foot of Wuzhou Mountain, 16 kilometers west of Datong City, Shanxi Province, it is a world cultural heritage, a national 5A-level tourist attraction, and the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units. The grottoes were carved into the mountain, stretching 1 kilometer from east to west. There are 254 existing caves of various sizes, 45 main caves, and more than 59,000 statues. They showcase Buddhist art from the 5th to 6th centuries and represent the highest level of world sculpture art in the 5th century. The carvings are exquisite, magnificent, and breathtaking. Opening hours are 8:00 - 18:00 (October 1 - October 7: 7:00 - 18:00).
- Datong Ancient City: It was once the capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty. There are many popular attractions in the city, such as Huayan Temple, Drum Tower, and Sipailou. The ancient city wall is magnificent and can be climbed for free during the day. There is a light show around 19:00 in the evening. You need to buy a ticket of 10 yuan per person to climb the city wall to watch the light show. The ancient city has a unique architectural style and is full of historical charm, allowing people to feel the charm of an ancient city.
- Huayan Temple: Located at No. 459, Xiasipao Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City, it was built in the seventh year of Chongxi Period of Liao Dynasty (1038 AD). It is one of the earliest and best-preserved temple complexes of Liao and Jin Dynasties in my country. The temple faces west and east, with more than 30 individual buildings including the mountain gate, Puguangming Hall, Mahavira Hall, Bhagavad Gyaltsen Hall, and Huayan Pagoda arranged on the two main north-south axes, with a rigorous layout and a grand scale. It was announced by the State Council as the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units and is also a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.
- Hanging Temple: Located between the cliffs of Cuiping Peak on the west side of Jinlong Gorge in Hengshan, Hunyuan County, it was built in the late Northern Wei Dynasty, more than 1,500 years ago. It is a unique temple that integrates Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. The building is ingenious, hanging on the cliff, and is famous for its "oddity, hanging, and ingenuity". After visiting the Hanging Temple, the poet Li Bai wrote the word "spectacular" with his brush. Opening hours vary according to the month.
- Hengshan: One of the Five Great Mountains of China, located in Hunyuan County, Datong City, it has magnificent scenery and rich Taoist culture. Starting from the Hanging Temple, you can visit scenic spots such as Hengshan Mountain, the Northern Mountain, and Huixianfu. The ticket price for Hengshan is 45 yuan per person.
- Shanhua Temple: commonly known as Nan Temple, it was listed as one of the first national key cultural relics protection units by the State Council in 1961. The temple faces south and has the mountain gate, the Three Saints Hall and the Main Hall arranged along the central axis. In front of the Main Hall are the Manjusri Pavilion and the Samantabhadra Pavilion on the east and west sides, connected by corridors, forming a complete layout that is symmetrical and staggered. It is a relatively complete and large-scale Liao and Jin Buddhist temple that has been preserved to date.
- Nine Dragon Wall: Located in the ancient city of Datong, it is the largest and earliest existing Nine Dragon Wall in China, with a history of more than 600 years. The nine dragons on the wall are of different shapes and lifelike, reflecting the superb carving art of ancient times.
- Jinhua Palace National Mining Park: You can learn about the history and culture of coal mining and experience the fun of being a "little miner".
2. Food recommendations:
- Datong Sliced Noodles: It is the iconic delicacy of Datong, famous for its unique noodle-slicing technique and rich sauce. The noodles are chewy and the sauce is delicious, leaving a lasting aftertaste.
- Datong Sheep Offal: The sheep's head, hooves, heart, liver, intestines, lungs and other internal organs are stewed together with vermicelli. It tastes delicious and is not greasy. It is one of the most representative traditional delicacies of Datong.
- Hunyuan jelly: A specialty of Hunyuan County, Datong City, it is made from potato starch. It is smooth and refreshing, and paired with spicy seasoning, it tastes sour and spicy, making it a great summertime treat.
- Assorted Copper Hot Pot: It has a rich variety of ingredients, including seafood, meat, vegetables, etc., which are stewed in a copper hot pot. It is steaming hot and delicious. It is a traditional specialty dish of Datong.
- Braised meatballs: one of the eight great dishes of Datong, the meatballs are golden and crispy, and have a mellow taste after being braised. It is a very popular traditional delicacy.
- Lingqiu Smoked Chicken: It is one of the four "smoked treasures" of Shanxi. The chicken is smoked and fragrant, with a slightly charred and crispy skin and tender and juicy inside.
3. Accommodation suggestions:
- High-end accommodation: Datong Yungang Hotel, which provides five-star services and facilities; Datong Wangfu Supreme Hotel, which has a superior location and convenient transportation, can provide a luxurious travel experience.
- Mid-range accommodation: Jianguo Feimian Hotel (Datong Dongxin International Branch), which is not far from the high-speed rail station and the ancient city, convenient for travel, and also offers smart guest control and late check-out services; Jinjiang Hotel, which is moderately priced and close to the museum and the ancient city.
4. Transportation Guide:
- Arrival in Datong: Datong Yungang Airport is a major aviation hub, connecting to many cities in China; Datong Station and Datong South Station are major railway hubs, with high-speed trains directly connecting to cities such as Beijing and Xi'an.
- City transportation: Datong has a well-developed bus network that covers major scenic spots and commercial areas. Taxis and online car-hailing services are also convenient and suitable for short-distance travel. If you want to arrange your itinerary freely, chartering a car or driving yourself are also good options.