#datong

The enchanting charm of Datong in 3 days

#summerbreak We decided to take a long weekend trip somewhere not too far from Beijing and landed on Datong. Located in the northern part of China's Shanxi province, and only 2h30 from Beijing via high speed train, the ancient city of Datong offers a splendid glimpse into the country's rich history, incredible architecture, and breathtaking natural beauty. In this post I’ll walk you through our 3-day journey, highlighting the must-visit attractions and historical landmarks that make Datong an unforgettable travel destination. Day 1: We arrived in the afternoon and made our way to the Datong Grandmother Bridge Yunxi Health Hotel. The hotel was affordable and offered us a very comfortable stay. The hotel has a fantastic spa which served as a proper treat after all the walking we endured! We explored the old city area on foot. Datong has/is undergoing a massive tourist revamp and the city was absolutely buzzing! We found a little BBQ spot where we enjoyed an ice cold beer and some delicious BBQ. Day 2: In the morning, we left for the awe-inspiring Yungang Grottoes , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and marveled at the thousands of ancient Buddhist statues carved into the cliffs. Side note-You can purchase food, drinks and souvenirs at the grottoes. In the afternoon we visited the old city area where history comes alive amongst the ancient wooden houses, traditional courtyard gardens, and serene temples. It was so much fun to wander through the narrow alleys, discovering hidden gems. We made sure to explore the drum tower and Nine Dragon Screen. Day 3: We made our way to the Hanging Temple, perched precariously on the side of a cliff. This architectural wonder dates back over 1,500 years. Be sure to check the WeChat mini program well in advance for reservations! We then embarked on a memorable adventure to Hengshan Mountain, one of the Five Great Mountains of China, and enjoyed a scenic cable car ride to the top, where a stunning landscape of panoramic views and serene Buddhist temples awaited us. That night we walked along the towering fortifications of the ancient Datong City Wall, which dates back to the Ming dynasty, and explored the alley ways and festivities on offer. Datong really is worth the visit!!! #datong #trips #temples #chinatravel #summervacation #china

Datong in the Winter.

We stayed in Datong for 1 full day during January 2023. The temperature ranged between-10 and -20 so was pretty chilly and you need lots of layers. There are two main activities/ attractions in Datong, the Yungang Grottoes and The Hanging Temple. the Yungang Grottoes are close to the city about a 20min taxi from the centre and definitely worth a visit. The Hanging Temple is further away and requires a 1hr to 1hr and half taxi. Which our hotel helped organise. but this is definitely worth doing the Temple is just magical.#2023travelwish #datong

Datong's Ancient City Wall At Night!

Datong's city wall was built in 1372 (early stage of Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644). Towering to 14 meters high with a perimeter of 7270 meters and 4 main gates, 4 turrets, and 46 watch towers. During the Ming Dynasty, the ancient wall was designated as one of the nine military towns along the Great Wall of China, defending against the steppe nomads from the north. #china #ancient #ancientWall #citywall #datong #shanxi #traditional #architecture #traditionalArchitecture

Datong ancient city is Ming dynasty's architecture. The whole city is square, inside with many restaurants, shops and Palace of Prince. There is performance inside palace twice a day at 4:30 and 20:30. Must wear a ancient costume and take photos in walking street. Datong is near many attractions such as Hanging temple and Yuangang buddhas caves. #datong #shanxi #china Getting There - take train to Datong train station Attractions - datong ancient town, hanging temples Hotels - Lavende hotel

#datong #citywall Datong city wall is amazingly beautiful during the nighttime We were lucky to be there with no people at all Mysterious and shiny The visit is free, you can walk around the whole city if you have that much power of course