Things to do in Datong

Liu Jing's explanation was professional and solid, with a profound foundation. She explained things in a clear and detailed manner, taking into account the historical background and highlights. She explained the grotto statues, the history of the Northern Wei Dynasty, and the background of the murals very clearly. There were many details that I would not have noticed on my own. I learned a lot!

It truly deserves to be called an outstanding representative of ancient Chinese wooden architecture! Exquisite craftsmanship, magnificent scale, and having withstood earthquakes, strong winds, and wars for thousands of years, it stands tall and is truly breathtaking!

It’s truly breathtaking beautiful, the temple is surrounded by canyon and ihangijg at cliff and looks very stunning, the walk out the temple CNA gets scary if you afraid of heights.

Huayan Temple in Datong is an ancient royal temple from the Liao and Jin dynasties, uniquely situated facing east. The main hall is majestic and imposing, while the Bojia Teaching Hall is a precious original Liao dynasty structure. Inside, the smiling Bodhisattva with hands clasped and teeth bared is a masterpiece, and the celestial pavilions are exquisitely crafted. Climbing the Huayan Pagoda offers panoramic views of the ancient city. The ancient buildings and painted sculptures showcase the ingenuity of the ancients, creating a serene and profound atmosphere. A visit to Datong is definitely worthwhile.

The mottled Ming Dynasty city walls bear witness to six centuries of wind and frost, with autumn sunlight filtering through the crenellations. Deep within the city's alleys, the Liao Dynasty statues of Huayan Temple smile with lowered brows, while the eaves of Shanhua Temple cast shadows of clouds. The aroma of knife-cut noodles wafts from time-honored shops, the clinking of coppersmiths echoes through the alleys, and old-timers play chess by the city walls, fanning themselves with palm-leaf fans. This is not just an empty shell of an ancient city for taking photos; it is a metropolis that has lived for a thousand years in the border region—ancient buildings retain their soul, the everyday life nourishes their roots, and every step reveals the profound weight and gentleness of northern Shanxi.

Shanhua Temple, located in the ancient city of Datong, Shanxi Province, is commonly known as the South Temple. It was among the first batch of national protected sites. Originally built during the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty, it was destroyed by fire and rebuilt by Master Yuanman during the Jin Dynasty. It was named Shanhua Temple during the Zhengtong era of the Ming Dynasty. It retains four original Liao and Jin Dynasty buildings: the Liao Dynasty Mahavira Hall (with the Jin Dynasty Twenty-Four Deities painted sculptures inside, which are masterpieces of Liao and Jin sculpture, especially the auspicious goddess), the Jin Dynasty Heavenly King Hall (the largest Jin Dynasty hip-roofed mountain gate in China), the Three Saints Hall (famous for its magnificent sloping arches and Jin Dynasty vermilion tablet), and the Puxian Pavilion. The whole temple faces south and has a complete layout. It is the best-preserved Liao and Jin Dynasty temple complex in China and was highly praised by Liang Sicheng. There are also remnants of the Ming Dynasty Five Dragon Wall in front of the temple.

Long walk but it's okay for the fresh air and beautiful view .

The evening performance was fantastic, especially the final iron-flower display, which brought the atmosphere to a fever pitch. The building's architecture follows a courtyard-style layout, with seven courtyards in total. The temperature in Datong is pleasant in the evening, and there were far fewer people than during peak tourist season, making for a great viewing experience. Highly recommended.

One of the three major Nine-Dragon Walls, it's definitely worth a visit. The venue is rather small; it's actually only one side, so you can see the whole thing from the outside. However, there are explanations inside, so if you want to learn about the history, it's worth going in.

During the Spring Festival, the lantern festival and traditional song and dance performances were impressive and charming, and the crowds were quite large, making it very lively. There were also float parades, allowing you to see the performers up close. The ancient city wall is very long, and if you like walking, you can walk and practice on it.