Datong

» Shan Xi

Datong Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Today's Datong weather forcast

The city of Datong is wedged between the Inner and Outer Great Wall, at the junction of Shanxi Province, Hebei Province and the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region. Datong is the second-largest city in Shanxi Province, covering an area of 14,000 square kilometers and containing a population of 3.07 million.

History

Datong leapt into historical importance thirteen years after the leaders of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534), a Turkic minority called the Toba who took advantage of strife and division within the country to seize power, made Datong their capital in the year 398 AD. Though the period was one of strife and warfare, and the Wei never fully consolidated their hold on power, the Northern Wei, who became fervent Buddhists, made some notable cultural achievements, the finest of which was a magnificent series of cave temples at Yungang, just west of the city, still one of the most impressive sights in northern China. Over the course of almost a century, more than fifty caves were completed, containing over fifty thousand statues, before the capital was moved south to Luoyang, where construction began on the similar Longmen Caves. A second period of greatness for Datong came with the arrival of the Mongol Liao dynasty (also Buddhists) who made Datong their capital in 907. They were assimilated into the Jin in 1125, but not before leaving a small legacy of statuary and some fine temple architecture, notably in the Huayan and Shanhua temples in town, and a wooden pagoda, the oldest in China, in the nearby town of Yingxian. 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.

Scenic Spots

There are many marvelous ancient sites, remnants of the city's glory days as the capital city of two non-Han Chinese dynasties. Though most visitors today are attracted by the Buddhist sites, Datong is also the closest city to Heng Mountain, one of the five holy mountains of Taoism, whose most spectacular building, the almost unbelievable Hanging Temple, is firmly on the tour agenda. The list of must-sees therefore includes Heng Mountain, Yungang Grottoes, Huayan Temple, Nine Dragon Screen, Hanging Temple, Yanmen Pass and Guangyin Hall.

Economy

The simple fact that Datong is located in Shanxi automatically says something about its economy: it produces large amounts of coal. The city, however, produces more than energy, and in recent years has promoted significant growth in its automobile and light machinery sectors.

Natural Scene

• Mt. Hengshan

Historical Site

• Yungang Grottoes
• Hanging Temple
• Wooden Pagoda
• Huayan Temple
• Nine Dragon Screen
• Shanhua Temple
• Niangzi Pass
• Yanmen Pass
• Pingxing Pass

Datong Highlights

Great Wall attraction highlights

The Great Wall of China is a series of stone and earthen fortifications in China, built, rebuilt, and maintained between the 6th century B.C. and the 16th century to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire during the rule of successive dynasties.

• Great Wall at Badaling
• Great Wall at Mutianyu
• Great Wall at Juyong Pass
• Jiayu Pass
• Great Wall at Simatai
• Great Wall at Huangyaguan
• Great Wall at Jinshanling
• Shanhai Pass
• Laolongtou
• Great Wall Museum
• Overhanging Great Wall
• Niangzi Pass
• Great Wall at Hushan
• Pingxing Pass

city highlights

• Beijing
• Dunhuang
• Datong
• Jiayuguan
• Qinhuangdao
• Dandong
• Daixian
• Yangquan

Five Great Mountains attraction highlights

The Five Great Mountains, associated with Taoism, refer to Mt. Taishan in the east (Shandong), Mt. Huashan in the west (Shaanxi), Mt. Hengshan in the south (Hunan), Mt. Hengshan in the north (Shanxi), and Mt. Songshan in the center (Henan). According to Chinese mythology, the Five Great Mountains originated from the limbs and the head of Pangu, who is the first being and creator of the world.

• Mt. Songshan
• Mt. Taishan
• Mt. Huashan
• Mt. Hengshan
• Mt. Hengshan

city highlights

• Xi'an
• Dengfeng
• Datong
• Taishan
• Hengyang

Datong FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. Are there any tips about the weather in Taiyuan?

  Food

1. What should I note when eating in Shanxi?

  Shopping

1. What speciality products does Shanxi have?

  Travel

1. Some tips on touring around temples on Mt. Wutaishan

• Are there any tips about the weather in Taiyuan?

  Shanxi province is located on the Loess Plateau and is windy and dusty. So you had better not dress in light color. Besides, the air is dry and you should take good care of your skin, and drink more water, or else your lips will be chapped.

- Top -



• What should I note when eating in Shanxi?

  The soil in Shanxi province is alkaline, so we strongly recommend you to drink a spoon of local mature vinegar before your three meals a day because the local vinegar could reduce the alkalescence and prevent intestinal disease.

  Proper diet is important. Do not eat too much. Eat more vegetables, fruits and drink more water in order to adapt yourself to the plateau-climate. You had better not smoke or drink.

- Top -



• What speciality products does Shanxi have?

  Pingyao beef, Pingyao lacquerwork, Shanxi mature vinegar, Shanxi red date, "Fen jiu" (a kind of famous Chinese hard liquor), mushrooms and tropaeolum of Mount Wutaishan and so on.

- Top -



• Some tips on touring around temples on Mt. Wutaishan

  The mountain area is scattered with many famous temples which are the highlights of Mt. Wutaishan tour. There are several aspects tourists should pay attention to, such as:

  • Monk in these temples should be styled "Shifu" or "Fashi" while the abbot styled "Zhanglao," "Fangzhang," or "Shanshi (Chan master)." All the forms of address show the respect for the monks. Monk in lamasery should be addressed as "lama," meaning great master. Do not call them "Heshang" or "Chujiaren" or even other insulting name.
  
  
  • When meeting monks in these temples, you should salute them by putting the palms together and lowering your head slightly or you can put upright one of your hand before chest and lower your head. Never shake their hands, embrace them, touch their heads or other unsuitable action.
  
  
  • When talking with the monks, you should not speak of killing, marriage and eating meat in order to avoid arousing their antipathy. Don't speak loudly, discuss casually, lampoon, touch the Buddhist figures or leave any mark on statues. You may stand and look silently or leave quietly if you come across the Buddhist ceremony. Take care of your kids lest naive children behave impolitely.
  
  
  • No smoking in the temples. Do not leave litter. Taking photographs is not permitted.
  
  
  - Top -