Datong Travel Guide
Datong, also known as Yunzhong and Pingcheng, is located in northern Shanxi Province at the heart of the Datong Basin. It is the second largest city in Shanxi and one of China’s first national historical and cultural cities, recognized as one of the country’s nine ancient capitals.
To the north lies Mount Heng, where the iconic Welcoming Pine greets visitors. At its base, the Jinlong Gorge features the Hanging Temple, a breathtaking structure perched on a cliff over 50 meters above the ground, giving the appearance of flying through the air. Its wooden construction and unique artistic style are remarkable. Another cultural gem is the Yungang Grottoes, a grand complex filled with Buddha statues and stone carvings, one of China’s four major grotto art treasures, hailed as a “miracle in the history of Chinese art” that shines with Northern Wei culture.
Datong is also home to numerous Liao and Jin Dynasty cultural sites, such as Huayan Temple, Shanhua Temple, Guanyin Hall, Jueshan Temple Pagoda, and Yuanjue Temple Pagoda, which provide insight into these historical periods. Even the remnants of Datong’s ancient city walls evoke a strong sense of borderland history, reflecting its past role as a strategic military town.
If you’re planning to visit the Hanging Temple soon, here are a few tips:
1️⃣ Make sure to wear warm clothing!
2️⃣ If you have mobility issues, I wouldn’t recommend climbing; the Hanging Temple doesn’t have a return path, so you’ll have to finish the entire route, which involves a lot of up-and-down climbing.
3️⃣ If you’re afraid of heights, it’s best to skip the climb. You can see the ground below for most of the journey; while it’s not extremely high, the visual impact can be quite strong.
4️⃣ In some areas, the handrails are very low and in some places, there are no handrails at all, so be sure to pay attention to your safety and remember to wear gloves.
I’ve heard for a long time that Shanxi has the most historical sites in China, and my first visit was truly enjoyable! There were so many delicious foods to try! I had Xi Jin Dao Knife-cut Noodles (喜晋道刀削面), Zi Ni 369 (紫泥369), Feng Ling Ge Shumai (凤临阁烧卖), and Ming Yue Xuan Hot Pot (明月轩火锅). I even bought the Ice Cream Bun from He Sheng Cai (合笙财) three times—it was so good! I had an amazing time hanging out with my friends!