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Datong Guide Shanxi Province

Destination Datong: A Tale of Two Dynasties 大同

Daniel Allen

Buddha statue, Datong, China.
Buddha statue, Datong, China

Many people are put off by their first impression of Datong, a large industrial city in the north of Shanxi Province near the border with Inner Mongolia.

However, those who take time to look past the coal mines, power stations and huge locomotive factory soon discover some fascinating and picturesque ancient sites, remnants of the city's glory days as the capital of two dynasties.

Datong History

In 386 CE the Turkic Tuoba people took advantage of troubled times in China to establish their own dynasty, the northern Wei, and subsequently took Datong as their capital.

Although this was a very turbulent period in Chinese history, the Wei became devout Buddhists, and some important cultural sites were constructed during their relatively short rule.

The finest of these are the Cloud Ridge complex of cave temples at Yungang (Yungang Shiku), and the Hanging Temple (Xuankong Si), both a short distance from modern day Datong.

A second period of greatness came with the arrival of the Mongol Liao Dynasty, also Buddhists, who made Datong their capital in 907. Incorporated into the Jin in 1125, the Liao left a small legacy of statues and some fine temple architecture, notably the central Huayan temple (Huayan Si) and a wooden pagoda (Yingxian Mu Ta), the oldest in China, in the nearby town of Yingxian. The Yingxian Pagoda dates from 1056 during Liao Dynasty (947-1125) and stands within the grounds of Fogong Temple.

Datong remained important to later Chinese dynasties for its strategic position just inside the Great Wall, south of Inner Mongolia, and the tall city walls date from the early Ming Dynasty.

Buddha statue, Datong, China.
Buddha statue, Datong, China
Buddha statue, Datong, China.
Hanging Temple, Datong, China

Cloud Ridge Caves

Most of the sites in Datong worth seeing can be covered in two days. The CITS office just inside the main entrance to the train station offers good value tours to the Cloud Ridge Caves, Hanging Temple and wooden pagoda.

Huayuan Temple, Datong, China.
Huayuan Temple pagoda, Datong, China

Huayuan Temple

The Huayuan Temple can easily be reached on foot. Another increasingly popular activity (not for the claustrophobic) is to head underground to view an operating Chinese coal mine first hand. The coal mine tour (Jing Xia You) can also be organized by the Datong CITS office - call ahead to book places (0352 510 1326).

A great Datong restaurant is the reasonably-priced Yungang Fengwei Mianshi Guan on Yingbin Dong Lu. Sample the delicious stewed eggplant (shao qiezi), corn cooked with pine nuts (songren yumi), Shanxi hotpot (huoguo) and fried noodles (chao lamian). For an even cheaper option head to the Yungang Hotel opposite for some top jiaozi.

This year check out one of China's rough diamonds - Datong's heritage and handy location make it the perfect Beijing getaway.

Pagoda, Datong.
Yingxian Wooden Pagoda the oldest in China
Datong statue.
Detail from inside Fogong Temple
Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business.
Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business
Statue, Datong.
Buddha Statue
Hanging Temple, Datong, China.
Hanging Temple

Datong Transport - how to get to Datong

  • Trains N208/205, K708/705 leave Beijing late Friday, arrive Datong early Saturday (h/s sleeper 4/600 RMB)
  • Trains N206/207, K706/707 leave Datong late Sunday, arrive Beijing early Monday (h/s sleeper 4/600 RMB)
  • Regular buses Beijing - Datong (4/5 hours) - 90 RMB each way
  • Pedicabs, local buses and taxis all cheaper than Beijing

Top Attractions in Datong

  • Cloud Ridge Caves (Yungang Shiku) - 8.30 am-5.30 pm, Bus No.3, 60 RMB ticket
  • Hanging Temple (Xuankong Si) - 8 am-6.30 pm, minibus then taxi 20 RMB, 60 RMB ticket
  • Wooden Pagoda (Ying Xian Mu Ta) - 8 am-6.30 pm, minibus 10 RMB, 60 RMB ticket
  • Huayan Temple (Huayuan Si) - 8:30 am-5:30 pm, south side of Da Xi Jie, Bus No.4, 20 RMB ticket
  • Coal Mine Tour (Jing Xia You) - Call CITS for reservations (tel. 0352 5102265), 150 RMB ticket
Yugang Caves, China
Yugang Caves
Yugang Caves, Datong
Yugang Caves

Accommodation in Datong

There are numerous hotels and guest houses to choose from in Datong. Top of the range accommodation includes the 4-star Datong Garden Hotel, the Datong Hotel, also 4-star and the Datong Meijing Hotel, a boutique hotel with flat-screen TV and ensuite shower and bath in every room.

Hanging Temple, Datong.
Hanging Temple
Hanging Temple roof, Datong, China.
Hanging Temple roof

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