Things to do in Zuoyun

An impressive works of art. Must visit when you are in Datong.

The glazed tile roof ornaments in the main hall are magnificent. Although the lighting inside the hall is dim, the murals are full of detail when you look closely. Climbing the Huayan Pagoda and overlooking the ancient city offers a very pleasant view. The entire temple has a very quiet atmosphere, and a peaceful walk around it brings a sense of tranquility. There were many tourists taking photos inside the temple, but the order was well maintained.

The North Line cableway is temporarily closed; you'll need to take a cable car to the South Line. It's spectacular, and the cable car makes climbing the Great Wall much easier for elderly people—it's a very quick way to get there. The South Line is generally flat, making it very suitable for the elderly and children.

It's definitely worth a visit. Huayan Temple in Datong Ancient City was built during the Liao, Jin, and Northern Wei dynasties. The architecture is magnificent and simple, and it's remarkably well-preserved. The Buddha statues inside are solemn and dignified, with vivid depictions. The murals, though hundreds of years old, remain remarkably vibrant. We are grateful to the people of Datong for protecting them so well.

A less-visited but high-quality tourist attraction, located not far south of the Yungang Grottoes. While the Yungang Grottoes have long queues, this place offers a peaceful retreat. It mainly consists of three parts: a coal museum, a mine shaft, and industrial relics in the courtyard. The coal in the mine is currently not being mined as a strategic reserve and is specifically for visitors; the safety facilities are complete. It was a very unique experience. We were fortunate to have a guide who was a former miner, and his explanations were rich and insightful, imbued with the cultural spirit of Datong.

The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda has a long history, and one can feel the weight of history at a glance. The two-layer foundation makes the wooden pagoda stable, and 24 thick wooden pillars have guarded the pagoda for thousands of years. One cannot help but admire the wisdom and craftsmanship of the ancients.

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.