[2024 Datong Attraction] Travel Guide for Huayan Monastery (Updated Sep)

A Super Detailed Two-Day Tour Guide to Datong

Datong is a great weekend getaway destination for people from Beijing, Tianjin, and the surrounding areas. This time, taking advantage of the workday plus the off-season double buff, the experience concludes: Datong is worth a special trip! 🎈 Yungang Grottoes: Recommendation Rating⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The murals and Buddha statues of the four major grottoes are unparalleled, and a thousand-year dialogue makes the trip worthwhile. Special reminders: 1. The grottoes open at 9 am, don't go too early or you'll freeze! It's still quite cold in the morning now. 2. Tickets are 100, half-price for students at 50, make sure to bring your student ID. 3. The museum is not open. 4. Yungang Grottoes mini-program, search will redirect to Lijiang guide, which automatically explains based on your geographical location. 5. Generally, photography inside the caves is not allowed. 🎈 Huayan Temple: Recommendation Rating⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Tickets are 35. A thousand-year-old temple, the moment you step into the Mahavira Hall, you will definitely feel that the trip was worth it. You can climb to the top of the Huayan Pagoda! The underground palace contains relics, and the history of the Tripitaka is the oldest! 🎈 Shanhua Temple: Recommendation Rating⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An ancient architectural complex with a hundred years of history, the Tang Dynasty style will refresh your senses, as if the heyday of the Tang Dynasty was just yesterday. 🎈 Ancient City Wall⭐️⭐️⭐️ Following the principle of 'since we're here, let's do it', if you have enough energy, go up and take a look. The sightseeing car is not necessary. 🎈 Nine Dragon Screen⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Old stuff, very big! Free! 🎈 Fahua Temple⭐️⭐️⭐️ Free! The front is beautiful, the inside is new, come out in 5 minutes. 🚞 Itinerary: Day1, Yungang Grottoes — Huayan Temple — Lunch (Zini 369) — Shanhua Temple — Ancient City Wall — Nine Dragon Screen — Fahua Temple — China Sculpture Museum — Dinner at Longjuxiang Day2, Follow a one-day group tour, Hanging Temple — Hengshan — Yingxian Wooden Pagoda — Datong City Area — Dinner at Xijindao 🌳 Some suggestions: 1. Datong is really worth a detailed visit, if you have enough time you can go to a few more attractions. 2. The overall cost of living in Datong is low, and the local customs are simple. The phenomenon of overcharging tourists should not be too serious. In particular, jaywalking is a serious issue in Datong, so pay attention to traffic safety. 3. Besides the Yungang Grottoes, I highly recommend Huayan Temple, Shanhua Temple, and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda! They are truly ancient buildings that have stood for a thousand years, friends, what else can you say but 'impressive'? 4. The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda I visited with a group included a guide, and I think this is the attraction that most deserves a guided tour! If you go there on your own, be sure to hire one, because the guide will explain in great detail and make you feel passionate and slightly regretful. 5. For Hengshan, take the bus to the mid-mountain and then climb up. It takes one hour to climb up and 40 minutes to come down. To be honest, the scenery is just average. 6. Personally, I feel that the 100 ticket for the Hanging Temple is a bit expensive, and going up just means being pushed around by the crowd. 🌳 Shanxi may not have a high profile, but it is truly worth a visit. You will feel the charm of ancient Chinese architecture, and it will definitely leave you with lasting memories!

When it comes to Shanxi Datong, many people know that the coal industry is very developed. In fact, this city is also the capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty, and it is also the capital of the Liao and Jin Dynasties. The long history of building a city has left Datong with a lot of cultural and architectural heritage, and Huayan Temple is one of them. Huayan Temple was built in 1038 AD, which is the northern emperor-Liaozhongxi seven years. In the early days, it was the royal ancestral temple of the Liao Kingdom. It was not open to ordinary people. Because you are the royal ancestral temple, the architectural community of Huayan Temple is laid out and constructed according to the specifications of the palace. The temple is from west to east, and more than 30 buildings are arranged on the two main lines of the south and the north. Standing on a high point, the panoramic view of the temple is quite a bit like the Beijing Forbidden City. Because it was a Buddhist temple built during the Liao Dynasty, the Buddha statues in the temple reflect the aesthetics of the time. Compared with the thin winds of the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Buddha statues carved in the Liao Dynasty were partial and strong. Huayan Temple is the best-preserved Liaojin temple complex in China. It was destroyed in various periods due to war and other reasons. It has undergone several re-constructions and has its current appearance. Many dynasties in China have changed, and you sing me to the stage, and finally the East-West fusion, East and North culture. Looking at China, there are countless ancient temples, but there are not many historical scales close to Huayan Temple.

On the inner walls of the temple, there is a vivid picture of the story, which is a fairy story of the clouds. They have different expressions and different looks, only indicating the difference in identity between costumes and headwear. The gems in the rhyme of the clouds, the two worlds fly together. Long bowed to the golden body and prayed for a lifetime. No worries, no worries, and the heart is old with Cangshan. Sitting in lotus, accepting the dignified Buddha of worship and prayer. For thousands of years, he sat quietly here, his eyes wide open, and his compassionate tenderness. For thousands of years, he silently listened to the deep desires of his followers, the unsatisfactory realities in the real world, and the secrets of his heart. Then he used his compassionate eyes to penetrate the darkness to bring dawn, and to resolve the troubles and sorrows. .

Listening to Zen Buddhism, Zen tea, this is the bliss of life.

This temple is located in the ancient city of Datong. It was originally built in 1038 AD, which is the seven years of Liaozhongxi. After that, it was unfortunately destroyed in the war. Although the war destroyed the "recorders" of many civilizations, the foundation still exists. In 1140, because of the need to rebuild Buddhism, Huayan Temple was reborn. There are more than 30 buildings in Huayan Temple. The synchronous is distributed on the two main axes of the north and the south. It has a unique layout style and gives visitors a sacred and steady impression. The whole temple has these main tourist attractions: First, the Shanghuayan Temple consists of the Daxiong Hall, the Shanmen, the Temple, the Guanyin Pavilion, the Tibetan Pavilion and the hatchback; second, the Huayan Temple is The Bojiajia Tibetan Temple is the center, and it is composed of the surrounding Liao Dynasty statues, Shijing Building, pavilion-style Tibetan cabinets and Tiangong Pavilion. Third, the Huayan Pagoda is made of 100 tons of pure copper. Because it is a monastery, it must be inseparable from the Buddha. Therefore, the tower contains a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva, and Jiaozuo Bodhisattva carved with centuries-old incense sandalwood. It is a treasure of Huayan Temple.

Religion seems to always have the effect of healing people's hearts. It will iron up your impetuousness and anxiety, together with your unattainable expectations, to make you calm and tolerant, and let you stand on the ground and be down to earth. I walked through temples in many places, in the north of the south, and in foreign countries. I was disappointed and even got something, but this time Huayan Temple and Shanhua Temple gave me a lot of surprises. Huayan Temple was built in the Liao Dynasty, and was destroyed in the war. The Jin Dynasty was rebuilt. In the middle of the Ming Dynasty, Huayan Temple was divided into Shanghuayan Temple and Xiahuayan Temple, each of which opened its own gates and formed its own pattern before recombining. The main temples of the entire temple are all facing the east, which is related to the religious beliefs and living customs of the Qidan people who worship the sun and the east. There are three main places in the temple that surprise me.

Nowadays, the temple of Huayan Temple is magnificent and magnificent. Although the upper and lower two temples are connected together, they are still centered on one main hall. Shangsi is mainly composed of Jinjian Daxiong Hall. It is divided into two courtyards, including Shanmen, Puguangming Hall, Passing Hall, Guanyin Pavilion, Wenshu Pavilion and the hatchback. The layout is strict, high and low, and orderly. The lower temple is built on the central axis of the Bojiajian Tibetan Temple, Huayan Square Tower and Guanyin Temple. It is simple and leisurely. The nearly 500-square-meter Qianfodi Palace under the Huayan Tower is made of 100 tons of pure copper. It is a model of high-rise relics and thousands of Buddha statues. It is a perfect example of the perfect combination of tradition and reality. Standing on the top floor of the pagoda, you can overlook the entire Huayan Temple.

Huayan Temple is located in the southwest of Datong Ancient City. It was built in the 7th year of Liaozhongxi (AD 1038) and was named after the Buddhist classic Huayan Jing. The temple sits west to the east, and more than 30 single buildings such as Shanmen, Puguangming Hall, Daxiong Hall, Bojiajia Tibetan Temple, and Huayan Pagoda are arranged on the two main axes of the north and the south. The layout is rigorous and the scale is grand. It is the earliest in China. Preserving a complete Liaojin Temple complex

Today's Huayan Temple was rebuilt on the original site according to Mr. Liang Sicheng's notes and manuscripts. Liang Sicheng discovered a Song version of "Building French", which introduced the ancient Chinese architecture and construction methods. In order to penetrate this ancient book, Liang Sicheng portable Lin Huiyin and Mo Zongjiang came to Datong by train and starry night to inspect the building. The first stop is Huayan Temple.

Days of travel: 1 day Per capita consumption: - With whom: - Travel method: Self-driving Day 1 This is a long travel, it is recommended to read under wifi, local tyrants! Copyright Notice The copyright of this travel document and all pictures and video works belongs to the author of the article, Rain God Hades. Without the authorization of the person, no individual or organization may copy or reproduce the contents of this article, and I will pursue his legal responsibility. If you need to publish or use it for other commercial purposes, please contact the author to discuss the authorization. Huayan Temple is located in the ancient city center in the center of Datong City. The location of the temple is basically the center of Datong City, which shows the special significance of this ancient temple to the city. Today it is also the largest ancient temple in Datong. Huayan Temple was first built in the Liao Dynasty. At that time, the area under construction was already very large. Later, this great temple was once subjected to war, and it was repeated several times. . After each Nirvana, this ancient temple grew by a point, so that the more it was rebuilt, the larger the area. Later, the temple was too big and it was too big to manage. Then Huayan Temple was divided into two, one was called Huayan Temple, and the other was called Huayan Temple.

Huayan Temple is located in the ancient city center in the center of Datong City. The location of the temple is basically the center of Datong City, which shows the special significance of this ancient temple to the city. Today it is also the largest ancient temple in Datong.

Datong Huayan Temple is a temple full of royal aristocratic atmosphere. It overlooks from a height, its magnificent scale and beaded red facade, much like the Forbidden City in Beijing. Huayan Temple was built by the Liao Kingdom Royal Family in 1038, and the name of the temple was taken from the Buddhist classic "Hua Yan Jing". In the ancient times, the Northern War continued, Huayan Temple was once destroyed. In 1140, that is, Jin Tianyu three years, Huayan Temple experienced reconstruction. In the subsequent Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, Huayan Temple was repaired. However, due to the war, the scale of the Huayan Temple after the restoration was not as good as the initial construction. In 2008, Huayan Temple experienced the last revision and completely restored the grandeur of the Liao period. Huayan Temple sits west to east, and more than 30 buildings including Shanmen, Zangzhen Building, Square Wooden Pagoda and various halls are arranged on the north-south main axis, with strict layout. Among them, the Daxiong Hall is one of the largest Buddhist temples in the Liao and Jin Dynasties, with an area of 1,559 square meters. Because the hall is constructed with a reduced column structure, the interior space is extremely open, and dozens of Qing Dynasty giant murals remaining in the four walls are solemn. Lost beauty. Small Raiders: Datong Railway Station and Long-distance Bus Station have cars arriving at Huayan Temple. Self-driving can directly locate Datong Huayan Temple. It is worth noting that the opening hours of Huayan Temple in summer and winter are different, and the opening hours in summer are 8

Overlooking Huayan Temple Square | Antique Street is called "Xiasipo Street", also known as "Shelly Square". It is called "Xiasipo Street" in Ming and Qing Dynasties. Beiwei and Liaojin have always been called "Shelley Square".

Datong | Huayan Temple

Huayan Temple Travel Guide Basic Information - Location: Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province Opening Hours: 8:00-18:30 (Specific hours may vary depending on the season or event) Tickets: Huayan Temple tickets are 50 yuan/person during peak season and 40 yuan/person during off-season Transportation Guide Self-driving: There is a parking lot, convenient for self-driving tourists Public transportation: You can take bus No. 38, 61, etc. to Huayan Temple in Datong Huayan Temple: It is recommended to enter from the Shanmen Gate and visit the Hall of Universal Light, the Hall of Great Heroes, the Moon Gate, and the Hall of Bhagavad Gita in turn, and finally climb the Huayan Pagoda. Precautions Respect religious culture, maintain quiet and clean, and do not touch Buddha statues and cultural relics at will Pay attention to personal belongings and abide by the regulations of the scenic spot Surrounding attractions There are Datong Ancient City Wall, Drum Tower, Nine Dragon Wall, etc. around Huayan Temple

Explore Shanxi Datong Huayan Temple | I rarely use the word "impressive" to describe a place.

Datong Huayan Temple is named after "Huayan", which means "the flower of compassion will surely bear the fruit of solemnity" and is closely related to the Huayan Sutra and Huayan Sect. Huayan Temple was first built in 1038, the seventh year of the Chongxi reign of the Liao Dynasty. The temple faces west and east, which is said to be because the Khitan people worshipped the sun and "regarded the west as the most honorable". From the Ming Dynasty onwards, Huayan Temple was divided into the Upper Temple and the Lower Temple, which are still in use today. The Upper Temple is to the north, and the main hall, Daxiong Baodian, is a Jin Dynasty building. The Lower Temple is to the south, and the main hall, Bogajiao Hall, is a Liao Dynasty building. The remaining buildings were built in the Qing Dynasty and modern times. 🌈What to see at Huayan Temple: 1️⃣ The 1,000-square-meter polychrome murals in the Puguangming Hall were completed by teachers and students of the Central Academy of Fine Arts. The murals are simple and elegant, with vivid images that complement the ancient hall. They are a must-see for photography enthusiasts. 2️⃣ Daxiong Baodian: The main hall of the Upper Huayan Temple, the glazed tile chiwen on the roof, the north side is the original Jin Dynasty, the south side is the Qing Dynasty, the largest and oldest existing glazed chiwen. 3️⃣ Bogajiao Hall: Most of the murals in the hall are original Liao Dynasty, and there are also 31 original Liao Dynasty sculptures. 4️⃣ Huayan Tower: There is a 100-ton pure copper underground palace, the largest copper palace in China, with over 1,000 Buddha statues, which is particularly impressive. Tips: ⚠️ Huayan Temple is closed at 17:00, so be sure to plan your time and allow at least two hours to enter. 📸 The murals in the Puguangming Hall are a popular photo spot, and there are a lot of people. To get a photo of five people, either go before 9:00 or after 18:00. 📍 Address: No. 459, Xia Temple Slope Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province 🚗 Transportation: Huayan Temple is located in the ancient city of Datong, 200 meters from Huayan Temple Bus Station, 12 minutes by car from Datong Railway Station, and 20 minutes from Datong South Railway Station. 💰 Tickets: 50/person, opening hours 8:30-17:00

Check-in | Huayan Temple, Datong.

Huayan Temple in Datong, Shanxi Province, is a Buddhist temple with a long history and profound cultural heritage. The temple attracts thousands of tourists with its solemn architectural style, exquisite carving art, and unique religious atmosphere. As soon as you enter Huayan Temple, the first thing that comes into view is the tall mountain gate. The brick walls on both sides of the mountain gate are like screens, with exquisite Buddhist patterns carved on them, delicate and vivid. Through the mountain gate is the main building of the temple - the Daxiong Baodian. The Daxiong Baodian is magnificent, with glazed tiles on the roof, shining in the sun. The Buddha statues in the temple are solemn and solemn, awe-inspiring. Walking in Huayan Temple, you can also see exquisite murals and pagodas. These murals depict Buddhist legends and stories, with bright colors and exquisite composition. The pagoda is even more exquisitely carved and exquisite in craftsmanship, fully demonstrating the superb skills of ancient craftsmen. In addition, Huayan Temple is also famous for its food culture. In the temple restaurant, you can taste local specialties, such as fried cakes, shabu powder, noodles, etc., with a unique taste and delicious taste. In addition, there are many snacks and cakes brought by many believers when they come to fulfill their vows, which are mouth-watering. When visiting Huayan Temple, it is recommended that tourists understand its historical background and cultural connotation in advance, so as to better appreciate its unique charm. At the same time, you can also arrange a certain time for sightseeing and worship, and feel the tranquility and solemnity of the temple. Huayan Temple in Datong is a temple worth visiting. Here, you can appreciate the ancient Buddhist culture, exquisite architectural art, and unique food culture. At the same time, you can also feel the tranquility of the soul and the power of tranquility. Whether as a tourist or a believer, you can find inner peace and tranquility here.

Shanxi Datong Ancient Architecture: Huayan Temple and Shanhua Temple, the treasures of Liao and Jin architecture.

The Liao Dynasty was destroyed by Buddhism, and the Jin Dynasty was destroyed by Confucianism. The ancients of the Liao and Jin Dynasties also interpreted this sentence in architecture, and made beauty to the extreme, it can be said: "It is enough to die in the evening if you hear the truth in the morning." The Daxiong Hall of Huayan Temple, with the charm of the Tang Dynasty, is a magnificent single-volume hall with a large opening, located on a high platform, which is awe-inspiring. Entering the hall, the gods and Buddhas of the Liao Dynasty, the tenon and mortise caisson, have passed through a thousand years and are still calm and confident. Shanhua Temple is located in the southeast of Huayan Temple, the south gate of Datong Ancient City, simple and square, the main hall, the Three Saints Hall and Puxian Pavilion are all ancient buildings of the Jin Dynasty. Among them, Puxian Pavilion is the oldest pavilion remains in China, which is particularly precious. There are many ancient temples in Datong Ancient City, which still show the prosperity of Buddhism here for more than a thousand years since Emperor Daowu of the Northern Wei Dynasty moved the capital to Pingcheng. The ancient city has convenient transportation and many gourmet snacks. The city wall repaired in recent years has also added a lot of glory to Datong.

Huayan Temple: Follow Wukong to Datong.

🏯Huayan Temple is located on Qingyuan Road on the west side of Datong Ancient City. It is the only paid attraction in the ancient city. I bought a ticket for CNY 50 and entered this ancient temple from the side door next to the Heavenly King Hall. ✔️Unlike the common north-south design of temples, Huayan Temple faces east. Some people analyze that it may be related to the identity of its builder, the northern nomadic people. Huayan Temple was built in the eighth year of Liao Qingning (1062). It was destroyed by war at the end of Liao and was rebuilt during the Jin Dynasty. Liao was founded by the Khitan people, who respected the east and respected the sun very much. ✔️Huayan Temple is a royal temple. Its main hall is large and imposing. Opposite the Heavenly King Hall is the Puguangming Hall, which enshrines the Huayan Three Saints. The center is Vairocana Buddha, and the left and right are Manjusri and Samantabhadra. Vairocana Buddha is Dari Rulai, one of the Five Buddhas, and the supreme deity of Esoteric Buddhism. ✔️Further back is the Daxiong Baodian. There is another mountain gate here, with the plaque "Shang Huayan Temple" hanging above. The main hall is built on a high platform, with a width of nine rooms and a depth of five rooms. It is the largest existing ancient wooden religious building with a magnificent momentum. A pair of glazed tile ridges on both sides of the main ridge of the main hall are as high as 4.5 meters, which are the largest tile ridges in early Chinese architecture. The hall enshrines the Five Buddhas, and the murals and ceiling paintings around the hall are all art treasures. ✔️Standing on the platform of the Daxiong Baodian, you can see the towering Huayan Pagoda on the south side, and countless swallows flying and circling in the sky. Huayan Pagoda is the second largest square wooden tower in the country, second only to Yingxian Wooden Tower, and is also a landmark building in Datong Ancient City. The base of the pagoda is made of 100 tons of pure copper, enshrining more than 1,000 large and small Buddha statues, known as the Thousand Buddha Underground Palace. What's even more rare is that this pagoda allows you to climb the tower. Put on shoe covers, come to the top of the tower along the narrow and steep stairs, and overlook the ancient city of Datong, which is indeed a beautiful scenery. To the east of the pagoda is the Bojiao Jiaozang Hall, built in the seventh year of Liao Zhongxi (1038). Its age is earlier than that of Daxiong Baodian and is a sutra hall. Huayan Temple was divided into two temples by later generations, the upper temple on the north side and the lower temple on the south side. Bojiao Jiaozang Hall is the main hall of the lower temple. The main hall is five rooms wide and four rooms deep, with a hipped roof. There are 31 Liao Dynasty clay sculptures enshrined in the hall, which are treasures. Among them, a Bodhisattva with clasped hands and exposed teeth is known as the Oriental Venus. ✔️Including the Daxiong Baodian in the upper temple, the statues in the main hall all give people a dusty feeling. Some people say it is caused by natural oxidation and incense smoke. ✔️There is a Guanyin Hall near the exit, which is a Ming Dynasty building with an eleven-faced Guanyin statue enshrined in the hall. This eleven-faced Guanyin actually refers to the crown with eleven faces worn on the head of the Bodhisattva, which is very special. The murals on the wall are the thousand-handed and thousand-eyed Guanyin statues, watching all things in the world and saving all beings. 💰Cost: Ticket CNY 50

The hotel next to Huayan Temple in Datong is next level

Stayed in an incredibly beautiful hotel in Datong! The atmosphere here is full of vibes Definitely gives a sense of ancient style time travel! Right outside the window is Huayan Temple The street view of the ancient city is all in sight ✔️Excellent location Right in the center of the ancient city, very convenient transportation Huayan Temple is right across the street, you can see the beautiful scenery from the lobby Comes with a super large viewing platform to fully enjoy the magnificent view of Huayan Temple A few minutes walk to Nine Dragon Wall and Shanhua Temple All major internet-famous restaurants are within reach, very convenient for checking in ✔️Unique decoration style, meticulously designed The ancient style courtyard design is full of charm, showcasing Oriental aesthetics The room is very clean overall, with separate dry and wet areas in the bathroom Also thoughtfully prepared disposable toiletries, toilet seat covers, and bathtub covers The floor is also equipped with a washing machine and dryer, perfect for those with cleanliness concerns The restaurant offers a wide variety of food, including local specialties and snacks 📍Location: Datong - Pingcheng District - Qingyuan Street PS: Free parking is available for guests, so no worries for those driving

Datong!! Ancient City! This hotel is already next level

I always wanted to check in at Datong, Shanxi, and finally went there. ✅ Stayed at this super nice homestay near the ancient city. The environment is no different from a five-star hotel, and the night view of the ancient city from the window is absolutely stunning. ✅ The room environment is just like a five-star hotel! Looking out from the room window, the ancient city walls and blue tiles have a very special feel. The room design details are evident. The facilities are comprehensive and the area is large. The mini fridge is well-stocked with drinks, fruits, and snacks. The toiletries are of high quality, and there are branded slippers and everything. ✅ The location is just minutes away from the ancient city! The location of the homestay is unbeatable, very close to the ancient city, Yungang Grottoes, and Huayan Temple. You can get a taxi within five minutes anytime. The homestay also provides free bicycles, making it very convenient for sightseeing and dining!

Datong｜A Glimpse of a Thousand Years, an Unmissable Treasure Temple

This time, traveling to Datong, I finally checked in at Huayan Temple, which attracted me with its exquisite murals. My most direct feeling was 'shock,' and I truly love this extreme Chinese aesthetics from the bottom of my heart! Although Huayan Temple is considered one of the must-visit attractions in Datong, the number of tourists was not as overwhelming as imagined. It's still quite easy to take beautiful photos without people. Here are a few spots I personally like👇🏻 📷Puguangming Hall Murals This is the photo spot that attracted me! Each mural has a different theme! You can take environmental portraits with small people or use doors and Buddha statues as foregrounds to shoot close-ups of the murals. I suggest coming here early in the morning, otherwise, if you want to take beautiful photos without people, you will have to queue (for a long time). 📷Mahavira Hall I particularly like the iconic wooden sign Located on the main road of the entire temple, unfortunately, when we came here, it was already crowded, so we gave up on taking portraits. If you want to take hot photos here, I suggest coming here directly after shooting the murals. 📷Moon Gate next to Mahavira Hall Standing on the high platform in front of Mahavira Hall and looking back, you can see the Moon Gate without anyone, allowing you to take layered photos of people and ancient buildings. 📷Huayan Pagoda On the west side of Huayan Temple, because it is off the main road, there are not many tourists, and you can still take large scenes of the pagoda without people. You can also stand at the corner of the first floor of the pagoda and use a telephoto lens to shoot scenes with the ancient temple as the background. Huayan Temple is much more exquisite than what I saw in the photos! If you have the chance, you must see these exquisite murals with your own eyes!

Datong Travel Guide

Datong Self-Driving Tour | 3 Days 2 Nights In-Depth Tour Guide 🚗🏞 📅 Itinerary Overview: Friday: Depart in the morning, arrive in Datong in the afternoon, check into the hotel, and explore local cuisine in the evening. Saturday: Yungang Grottoes - Hanging Temple - Mount Heng. Sunday: Huayan Temple - Datong Ancient City, return in the evening. 🚗 Travel Mode: Self-driving is the best way to explore Datong. Although the road is bumpy, it offers high freedom. 🏨 Accommodation Recommendations: Jianguo Puyin Hotel Flagship Store Datong Yongtai Branch: 65㎡ deluxe room, 2-meter king-size bed, close to the ancient city. 🍽 Food Exploration: Zini 369: Sweet and sour pork and chicken wings, go early to avoid the crowd. Dongfang Shaved Noodles: Beef noodles, no need to queue. Xiaoxifen Cold Noodles: A delightful surprise behind the Hanging Temple. Longjuxiang: Avoid, try other foods. Sea Buckthorn Ice Bread: Heshengcai and Daweihuang, two flavors. 🏞 Scenic Highlights: Datong Ancient City: Commercialized, crowded, choose according to personal preference. Hanging Temple: Buy tickets in advance, enjoy the morning tranquility. Mount Heng: The scenery before reaching the top is beautiful, cable car or hiking, multiple options. Huayan Temple: Tranquil in the ancient city, every corner is a good photo spot. Yungang Grottoes: Crowded, but the beauty of the grottoes is worth a visit. 🛍️ Specialty Recommendations: Heshengcai Sea Buckthorn Ice Bread: Remember to refrigerate, a delicious treat during the trip. 📝 Notes: The road is bumpy, drive safely. Drivers with Jin B license plates may not follow the rules, stay calm. Get up early to avoid the crowd and enjoy a peaceful travel experience. 🌟 Datong, a city with a long history, spend 3 days and 2 nights driving through the ancient city and nature, experiencing different local customs. From the thousand-year-old carvings of the Yungang Grottoes, the magnificent scenery of Mount Heng, to the tranquility of Huayan Temple, every step is an exploration of history and an appreciation of culture.

Immerse yourself in the stunning Liao Dynasty sculptures and travel through time at the ancient temples of Datong

The ancient city of Datong, with a history of over 2,300 years of establishment and more than 1,700 years of urban development, contains a profound historical charm. In this land where frontier customs and agricultural-pastoral civilization converge, the Huayan Temple, one of the earliest and most well-preserved Liao-Jin temple complexes in China, is undoubtedly a treasure. The temple's Daxiong Hall, known as the 'Hall of Four Dynasties,' encompasses the foundation of the Liao Dynasty, the hall of the Jin Dynasty, the statues of the Ming Dynasty, and the murals of the Qing Dynasty, a unique example in the country. The Huayan Temple in the ancient city of Datong, a site for the transmission of the Huayan school, one of the eight major Buddhist sects, was founded during the Liao Dynasty and named after the Buddhist scripture 'Avatamsaka Sutra'. Unlike most Buddhist temples in China, which face south with the entrance to the north, The Huayan Temple, facing east with the entrance to the west, reflects the Khitan people's lifestyle during the Liao Dynasty, 'Esteeming the east and dwelling in pursuit of the sun.' After more than a thousand years, it has been imbued with Chinese culture from different periods, Making every plant and every tree in the Huayan Temple permeated with The culture and art of various historical eras. This layering faithfully records The historical changes since the temple was built. Exploring the secrets of Huayan Temple is a pursuit of its ephemeral history. Standing in front of the gate of the Daxiong Hall of Huayan Temple, your first reaction is likely to be—big! It is one of the largest existing Liao-Jin wooden structures, with the base alone being over four meters high, and the pair of glazed chi (spire) on the roof is a massive 4.5 meters. Standing under the eaves, one feels the huge brackets and lotus-petal-shaped kun (arch) doors forming waves, surging towards you layer by layer. Entering the hall, the grandeur becomes even more apparent. A major feature of Liao-Jin architecture is the use of 'column reduction' to create open spaces, which, compared to the Song-style architecture of the same period, inherits more of the bold style of the late Tang Dynasty, making it even more majestic. The Baojiao Scripture Depository, equivalent to the 'scripture depository' within the temple, has a similarly simple and robust appearance but contains a universe within: wooden wall cabinets and heavenly pavilions stand around three walls, with extremely delicate carving techniques, exuding a 'grain of sand, a world' aesthetic. The Bodhisattva statues inside the hall are the most distinctive, some with heads adorned with gilded crowns derived from the noble headwear of the Liao Dynasty, some in armor, reflecting the importance the nomadic nations placed on the military. These Bodhisattvas' postures are not as serene and solemn as we commonly see; particularly, one 'Bodhisattva with joined palms and exposed teeth' in the hall has a graceful figure and slightly parted red lips, resembling the 'girlish posture' of innocence and vivacity. To seriously tour Huayan Temple, you need at least two days. Stepping out of the Huayan Temple gate is a large square, where food, drinks, entertainment, and everything else is readily available. I chose the Huazhu Yunke Xuan Inn, a chain brand I always trust. The relaxed atmosphere of the guesthouse is created by the interaction of the layout, furnishings, colors, materials, and light and shadow, forming an effortless and naturally comfortable feeling. Tea, incense, and flowers blend into the space, along with the display, cultural sentiments, and memories of the ancient city, diffusing into every corner of the guesthouse. The interior, primarily made of wood, has a warm and natural texture, and when paired with fabrics and rattan-woven lamps, it conveys a slightly traditional, retro temperament.

Datong Two-Day Tour Guide

🏞【Destination Guide】 Datong is known as the 'Capital of Three Dynasties and a Key Town of Two Dynasties', and is referred to as the 'Northern Lock'. During the Northern Wei, Liao-Jin, and Ming-Qing periods, the cultures of the imperial city, frontier fortress, and Buddhism were all presented here, forming a distinct regional cultural characteristic. 🚗Transportation Guide: There are many high-speed train services from Beijing to Datong, and it only takes two hours to arrive, making it possible to visit Datong over a weekend. Depart from Qinghe Station on Saturday G2529, arriving in Datong at 9:28 am; return to Beijing on Sunday G2528, arriving at Qinghe Station at 9:28 pm. 🛏Hotel Information: Datong Hotel. Located in the center of Datong city, it has hosted many national leaders, has a large garden, and parking is very convenient, although the facilities are a bit old now. 🗓Itinerary: Day One: Datong Museum, Huayan Temple, Datong Ancient City night view. Day Two: Yungang Grottoes in the morning, continue exploring the Ancient City of Datong in the afternoon. 🌟Must-visit local spots: Yungang Grottoes: A landmark attraction of Datong, hailed as a 'treasure house of ancient Chinese carving art'. The stone Buddha statues here are lifelike and have been well-preserved for thousands of years, which is truly astonishing. Datong Ancient City: The ancient city has four gates: East Huyang Gate, South Yongtai Gate, West Qingyuan Gate, and North Wuding Gate. Above each gate, there is a gate tower, and outside the gates, there are barbicans, moon cities, and moats. On the city walls, there are 10 ancient buildings such as gate towers, Wenchang Pavilions, and arrow towers, 12 watchtowers, and 1 corner tower. Shanhua Temple: The Heavenly King Hall of Shanhua Temple is the largest existing Jin Dynasty Buddhist temple gate hall in China. The biggest highlight here is the statues of the Four Heavenly Kings built during the Ming Dynasty. Huayan Temple: It is one of the more complete preserved Liao Dynasty ancient architectural complexes in China. There are many Ming Dynasty statues and Qing Dynasty murals in the temple, with the biggest highlight being the 'Palms-together, Teeth-exposed Bodhisattva' statue in the Baoji Scripture Hall. Datong Museum: It is a national first-class museum and a cultural display window of Datong. 🍽Food Guide: Dongfang Shao Mian: A chain restaurant, I ate there twice this time, lunch on the first day and breakfast on the second day. The knife-shaved noodles are very authentic, and you can choose from five kinds of sauces, along with various side dishes, worth a try. Longjuxiang Shaomai Restaurant and Zini 369 Coarse Grain Season near the Drum Tower, the dishes are basically foolproof, feel free to order, the only downside is that it's crowded, so you need to go early to queue up. 📝Tips: All the attractions within the ancient city can be reached on foot, and cycling is more energy-saving. The night view of the ancient city wall is worth seeing, the most beautiful in China after Xi'an. The waiting time for dining places inside the ancient city is quite long, so plan ahead. The Yungang Grottoes are a bit far from the city center, we took a taxi to save time. The bus takes about 1.5 hours, you can take routes 3, 10, or 12 to get there.

Huayan Temple in Shanxi

Huayan Temple is located in the western part of Datong City, Shanxi Province. With its towering halls and majestic presence, it is one of the important temples of the Huayan sect during the Liao and Jin dynasties in China. Currently, the upper and lower temples are connected as one entity, yet each centers around its own main hall. The upper temple is centered around the Jinkai Daxiong Treasure Hall, divided into two courtyards, with a mountain gate, a passing hall, Guanyin Pavilion, Ksitigarbha Pavilion, and two winged corridors. Operating Hours Peak Season (April 1st to October 31st): 8:30 to 17:30; Off-Season (November 1st to March 31st of the following year): 8:30 to 17:00. Transportation Bus: Take bus number 18 and get off at Huayan Street station. Free Admission Period (currently not free) From July 14, 2020, to December 31, Datong's Huayan Temple scenic area offers free admission to tourists nationwide from Monday to Friday during working days. Weekends and public holidays are charged normally. Ticket Prices: Peak Season: (April 1st to October 31st every year) Full price ticket 50 RMB/person, half price ticket 25 RMB/person; Off-Season: (November 1st to March 31st of the following year) Full price ticket 40 RMB/person, half price ticket 20 RMB/person.

The millennium ancient temple Huayan Temple, admire the Oriental Venus up close

Huayan Temple Datong, Shanxi 💰Average cost per person: Admission Ticket🎫50/person ❤Recommended reason: Huayan Temple, an ancient temple from the Liao Dynasty, is majestic with the grandeur of a royal temple, set in a beautiful environment with birds singing and flowers fragrant. The sculptures and murals are exquisitely unparalleled, and are highly artistic. The world-famous smiling Bodhisattva, known as the Oriental Venus, is fascinating to observe up close and to understand the deep cultural significance behind it. 🌟Highlights: Taking photos is very photogenic, haha, remember to keep it beautifully as a souvenir.

Shanxi Datong! Truly shocked by the 'Chinese aesthetic' of our ancestors!

Shanxi Datong! Truly shocked by the 'Chinese aesthetic' of our ancestors! As the saying goes, 'For ground relics, look to Shanxi,' Shanxi boasts numerous Buddhist temples that have stood for over a thousand years, truly a spiritual homeland for ancient architecture enthusiasts! Shanxi·Datong is like a great hero who is modest about his skills and reputation, you will never understand her unless you get close! Transportation: You can choose to fly directly to Datong Yungang Airport, or fly to Taiyuan and then take the high-speed train 3 Days 2 Nights Itinerary Recommendation: Day1: Datong Ancient City - Shanhua Temple - Huayan Temple — Yungang Grottoes Day2: Tulin - Yong'an Zen Temple - Hanging Temple Day3: Datong Art Gallery - Datong Museum

Always immersed in the ultimate aesthetics of our ancestors!

Until I came to Shanxi to see the cultural relics on the ground of Shanxi Compared to natural landscapes, historical and cultural landscapes are more likely to shock people's hearts. The aftereffect of this trip to Shanxi is really strong As the province with the most and best-preserved cultural relic buildings, every ancient architectural site in Shanxi really gives a solid cultural impact Every corner here is worth our heartfelt experience. Below I recommend several absolutely beautiful spots in Shanxi, make sure to like and save! Huayan Temple A well-preserved Liao and Jin dynasty architectural complex, it is one of the only three remaining Liao dynasty temples in China, with magnificent and exquisite murals, and the solemn and dignified ancient temple is the best travel destination to experience ancient culture and art Shanhua Temple Also a Liao and Jin dynasty temple, the temple is quiet and peaceful, with the Hall of Three Saints and the Four Heavenly Kings, and a garden within the temple Ying County Wooden Pagoda A millennium architectural marvel in Datong, the entire wooden pagoda was built without a single nail or iron, standing tall for a thousand years using traditional mortise and tenon craftsmanship. Now the pagoda is increasingly leaning and only the first floor is open for visitors, and eventually, it is destined to collapse, so you must come and see! Yungang Grottoes One of the four major grottoes in China located in Datong, Shanxi, the grottoes stretch for a kilometer along the mountain and were excavated by the Northern Wei royal family, with a strong historical background Jinci Temple in Taiyuan Jinci is the only architectural complex that combines the essence of Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasty architecture and is known as the 'Museum of Chinese Ancient Architecture'. It is a museum of a thousand years of historical traces. Visiting Jinci in Taiyuan, you might lose interest in other museums! Taiyuan Ancient County Town The filming location of the movie 'Man Jiang Hong', taking photos on the city wall overlooks the entire ancient city atmosphere Pingyao Ancient City A two-thousand-year-old ancient city, it is one of the four best-preserved ancient cities in China, with its Jin merchant culture and ancient buildings fascinating everyone Shuanglin Temple Exquisite colored sculptures, the ancient art colored sculptures of Shanxi are among the most exquisite in China. Shuanglin Temple preserves various Buddha and Arhat colored sculptures from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The temple is simple and solemn, and you must come to experience it! If possible, consider hiring a guide for your visit, as you might not feel the cultural heritage just by looking. A guide's explanation can make you feel a lot!

Datong Huayan Temple

Huayan Temple, also known as the Great Huayan Temple, is divided into upper and lower courts. There are two theories about the time of its establishment: one is that it was built during the late Northern Wei Dynasty, and the other is that it was built during the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Huayan Temple is one of the larger and better-preserved Liao and Jin Buddhist temples in China. Due to the religious beliefs and residential customs of the Khitan people, who worshiped ghosts and the sun and considered the east as superior, the entire temple faces east from the west. The upper temple is located in the northwest, while the lower temple is slightly to the southeast. The Mahavira Hall of the upper temple was reconstructed on the original site from the Jin Dynasty, using the Liao structure. The mountain gate, offering hall, Guanyin Pavilion, Ksitigarbha Pavilion, side corridors, archway, bell tower, and drum tower are relics from the Qing Dynasty; the lower temple's Tripitaka Hall is the original Liao structure, with the mountain gate, Arhat Hall, and side rooms being relics from the Qing Dynasty. The Tripitaka Hall is the scripture hall of Huayan Temple, established in the seventh year of Liao Chongzhao (1038). It is five bays wide and eight trusses deep, with a single-eave nine-ridge top, and a spacious front. It is an original Liao Dynasty structure. Inside the Tripitaka Hall, there are exquisite Liao Dynasty mural galleries, finely crafted, which Liang Sicheng called a 'unique treasure in China.' The style of the Buddha statues in the hall is graceful, and the bodhisattvas are serene and dignified, with a slight smile on their compassionate faces. Especially notable is the 'smiling bodhisattva,' whose figure is graceful and beautiful, with a slightly open mouth as if about to smile, known as the 'Venus of the East,' and is a rare artistic treasure in China. 📍Address: No. 459, Xia Si Po Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province 🈺Opening Hours: 8:30—18:00 (Entry until 17:30)

Huayan Temple is definitely the most worthwhile experience this time

My goodness!!! OMG!!! Jesus!!! It's really super shocking. About an hour and a half after entering, I suddenly became bewildered, wondering why I hadn't seen any other temples (because Huayan Temple is so large, we were actually inside all the time and hadn't gone out yet). The hugely popular photo-taking mural wall on the internet is truly stunning and exquisitely beautiful. I suggest that you really learn about the related stories before going, otherwise, you won't understand it. After viewing the murals, you can visit the underground palace to see the sarira, but for friends who are afraid of heights (like me), I don't recommend going up the tower, it's really scary. The stairs are nearly vertical, and there's nothing special at the top of the tower. The mural photos are really beautiful!!!