This Datong travel guide introduces you to one of northern Shanxi’s hidden gems. Datong, once the capital of the Northern Wei dynasty, is home to the world-famous Yungang Grottoes, the gravity-defying Hanging Temple, and other remarkable cultural sites. A must-visit for travelers seeking authentic Chinese heritage beyond the usual Beijing–Xi’an route.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most important Buddhist cave art sites in the world.
This complex contains over 51,000 stone statues carved into sandstone cliffs.An magnificentand spiritual experience.
An architectural wonder of an ancient temple that seems to defy gravity—built over a cliff face on Hengshan Mountain.
Approximately 1,500 years old, this temple is a mixed complex of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism.
Since Ming Dynasty, this temple is a mixed complex of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism.
The Huayan Temple is a serene Buddhist temple complex in downtown Datong. The temple is a good example of religious architecture from the Liao Dynasty.
Chinese flatbread (烧饼 shaobing): crispy fried bread usually stuffed with meat or green onion
Pickled vegetables (泡菜): traditional fermented side dishes that accompany these fried breads respectively with noodles and rice.
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May to October (for pleasant weather and clear views)
Datong Yungang Airport (DTN) or high speed train from Beijing or Taiyuan
Stay: Either in a city centre hotel or a heritage style guesthouse for a true local experience.
While hardly where it’s at for most traffic, Datong is very much worthwhile. Datong is not on par with Beijing or Xi’an, however it is a rewarding travel experience.
Datong offers a unique travel experience whether you are exploring sacred grottoes, beneath a temple stacked into a cliff or asking yourself “What’s Datong really like?”
If you consider yourself a traveler, Datong will leave you inspired.
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Detailed travel guides, itineraries, travel tips - for exploring some of the best places in China. If you are planning your first trip to China, or heading back, the blog covers everything from the must-dos and undiscovered locations, to cultural customs and the best months to visit.
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