Popular Datong Attractions
Can't decide how to spend your time in Datong? Start with this list of Datong City's most popular attractions to get started planning your trip to Datong, Shanxi Province of China.
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Datong Ancient City Wall
The Ancient City Wall of Datong has beared significant strategic importance since ancient times, particularly since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Therefore, countries at that time took the city defense construction very seriously. The city's military history specifically includes a history of city defense.The city wall was built as a clay building by the Northern Wei state (386-534) during the Southern and Northern D...
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Datong Nine Dragon Wall
Located in central Datong City, Shanxi Province in China, the Nine Dragon Wall was built during the regime of the first Emperor of Ming Dynasty. With 45.5 meters long, 8 meters high and 2.02 meters wide, the Nine Dragon Wall in Datong is known as the largest and oldest Nine Dragon Wall existing in China. It is constructed as a screen wall in front of the mansion of the 13th son of the first Emperor of Ming Dynasty, Zhu...
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Yungang Grottoes
Situated at the southern foot of Wuzhou Mountain, some 16 km west of Datong City, the Yungang Grottoes, or Yungang Caves, carved in A.D. 460, are a treasure house of art as the Ajanta Grottoes of India and the mammoth Buddha sculptures at Bamyan in Afghanistan. The Yungang Grottoes were carved on the face of a low ridge, stretching one kilometer from east to west; they contain 254 niches and some 51,000 statues. Yungang...
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Upper Huayan Temple
The Upper Huayan Temple is one of the parts of Huayan Temple. Situated in the southwest of Datong City, Huayan Temple is one of the biggest temples in China built in Liao Dynasty. The Huayan Temple was divided into two parts: The Upper Huayan Temple and Lower Huayan Temple which has their own entrance and architecture respectively and were renovated and enlarged several times to its present form. In 1963, the two separate...
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Lower Huayan Temple
The Lower Huayan Temple is located in the southeast of the Upper Huayan Temple. It is constructed in 1038. Compared to the splendid upper temple, the lower one is smaller but has a far more solemn appearance. A variety of Buddhist scriptures are stored there. The Trinity Buddhas, that is the Past Buddha, the Present Buddha and the future Buddha, are enshrined and worshipped here, sitting on the Lotus Seat. Twent...
