Sight Overview
A city shrouded in coal particles all year round, Datong understandably does not leave a pleasant impression on most travelers. However, the interesting attractions here will probably offset the polluted air that you will inhale.
The city itself has a few sights that are only so-so (Mama huhu). There are some fair restaurants here, and the old quarters of town, within the ancient town walls and intersected by Da xijie/Da dongjie and Da beijie/Da nanjie, would be worth investigating if you have time on your hands. Most of the city sights are held within these four, largely disappeared walls, notably a 600-year-old Nine Dragon Screen and two large Buddhist complexes called the Huayan Temple and the Shanhua Temple.
It is not the city’s sights, however, but the areas outside that are of deep cultural interest. Obvious in this category is the Yungang Buddhist Caves, which is of comparable beauty only with its cousins in Dunhuang, Luoyang and Tianshui. This 1km cave complex holds over 50,000 statues.
The other main sight, which can be done on a CITS tour with the Yungang Grottoes, is the Hanging Monastery, which clings to a rock face of the sacred Hengshan mountain range. An inventive architectural design, an innovative religious mixture and some incredible gorge views make this monastery fantastic.
Sight Index
Gold Medals or silver Medals indicate Sights recommended by Lonelychina.
| Hanging Monastery (Xuankong si) | Huayan Monastery (Huayan si) | Nine Dragon Screen (Jiulong bi) |
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