Datong｜The Buddhist Scroll and Frontier Charm of the Ancient Capital

Datong Travel Guide: The Buddhist Scroll and Frontier Charm of the Ancient Capital Datong, once the capital of the Northern Wei dynasty and a key frontier town during the Ming and Qing dynasties, boasts the grandeur of millennium-old grottoes, the daring Hanging Temple, and the weathered ancient city walls, along with the chewy knife-cut noodles and hearty lamb offal soup. From the compassionate gaze of the Yungang Buddha to the Liao-Jin legacy of Huayan Temple, from the vast volcanic fields to the magical earth forest, Datong, known as the "Buddhist Dragon City," invites you to travel through time and touch the diverse pulse of Chinese civilization! 1. Must-Visit Attractions: Grottoes, Ancient Architecture, and Natural Wonders • Buddhist Treasures: Grottoes and Temples • Yungang Grottoes (5A Scenic Area) 🏛️ World Heritage Highlights: ◦ Recommended Key Caves: Cave 20 (Open-air Giant Buddha), Cave 5 (17-meter seated Shakyamuni statue), Cave 6 (Buddha’s life story in "comic strip" style). ◦ In-depth Experience: Visit the "Yungang Museum" inside the park to learn about the grottoes’ excavation history; the night light show (open in peak season) adds mystery. 📸 Photo Tips: Shoot the main caves in the morning with front light; in the afternoon, capture the side profile of the Cave 20 Buddha. Drones are prohibited! 🎫 Tickets: 120 RMB (peak season April-October), 100 RMB (off-season), optional electric cart 15 RMB. • Hanging Temple (Mount Heng Scenic Area) 🏔️ Heavenly Chanting in the Air: ◦ Architectural Marvel: Supported by only 27 horizontal beams embedded in the cliff, Li Bai inscribed the word "Magnificent." Climbing requires courage (entrance fee 100 RMB + Hengshan ticket 45 RMB). ◦ Safety Tips: Limited visitors in peak season; recommended to arrive before 8 AM; those afraid of heights can admire from afar, and photos from Jinlong Gorge below are equally stunning. • Huayan Temple 🕍 Liao-Jin Royal Temple: ◦ Mahavira Hall: The largest surviving Liao-Jin Buddhist hall, with a 4.5-meter high roof ridge ornament; ◦ Bhikkhuni Scripture Hall: Houses the "Eastern Venus" Bodhisattva with hands clasped and teeth showing, exquisite celestial pavilions. 🎫 Tickets: 50 RMB, free during morning chanting (6:00-7:30), where you can listen to sutra recitations. 2. Ancient City and Frontier Style • Datong Ancient City Wall 🏮 Epic Night Tour: ◦ Cycling Around the Wall: Rent a bike (30 RMB/90 minutes), 7.2 km wall overlooking ancient temples and residences, Yongtai Gate barbican light show (20:00). ◦ Free Wall Access: Scan QR codes at entrances like Heyang Gate and Yongtai Gate to reserve. • Shanhua Temple 🌿 Tranquil Tang Dynasty Style: The most intact Liao-Jin temple in China, with solemn Five-direction Buddhas in the Mahavira Hall, no admission fee and few tourists. • Datong Volcanic Cluster 🌋 Geological Wonder: ◦ Jinshan: Hike the volcanic crater and collect volcanic pumice; ◦ Langwoshan: Wooden boardwalk tour with views of dense volcanic cones; 🚗 Transport: 30 km from city center, recommended to drive or charter a car (200 RMB/car). 2. Datong Cuisine: Carb Feast and Frontier Passion 1. Must-Try Classics • Knife-Cut Noodles: 🍜 The "Eastern shaved noodles" with rich braised meat sauce, "Xi Jin Dao" offers an elegant environment, served with a braised egg and dried tofu, about 15 RMB per person for a full meal. • Lamb Offal Noodles: 🌶️ "He Laoren Lamb Offal" features fresh spicy red oil, paired with crispy fried dough, a winter warming must-have. • Shaomai Dumplings: 🥟 "Longjuxiang" Hundred-flower Shaomai (lamb, three fresh fillings, vegetarian), a basket of 12 served with brick tea to cut the grease. 2. Snacks and Night Markets • Huangmi Cold Cake: Purple Clay 369 coarse grain season, cool and sweet with osmanthus honey. • Hunyuan Cold Noodles: Chili oil + broad beans + dried tofu, "Xiaosifu Cold Noodles" (Hunyuan branch) is the most authentic. • Night Market Recommendations: ◦ East Drum Tower Street: grilled skewers, spicy rabbit heads, Hunyuan cold noodles stalls; ◦ Ancient Style Street Night Market: bowl cakes, oat dumplings, sea buckthorn juice. 3. Souvenirs • Yanggao Dried Apricots: thick flesh, sweet and sour taste; • Guangling Dried Tofu: five-spice and spicy flavors, vacuum packed for convenience; • Copper Hotpot Model: mini version of Datong copperware, available in craft shops inside the ancient city. 3. Transportation Guide: Convenient Choices Bridging Past and Present • External Transport: ✈️ Airplane: Datong Yungang Airport (15 km from city), limited flights, can transfer via Taiyuan/Beijing; 🚄 High-speed Rail: Datong South Station (2 hours from Beijing, 1.5 hours from Taiyuan), taxi to city about 20 RMB; 🚗 Driving: Erguang Expressway connects well, friendly for Taiyuan/Beijing drivers, parking near ancient city 5-10 RMB/hour. • Inner-city Transport: 🚕 Taxi: starting fare 7 RMB, short distances between attractions in the ancient city; 🚌 Bus: Tourist line 603 (Datong South Station - Yungang Grottoes), fare 2 RMB; 🚲 Shared Bikes: Hello/ Qingju cover the ancient city, ride along the city wall and old alleys. 4. Accommodation Recommendations: From Ancient Courtyards to Design Hotels • High-end Options: 🏨 Datong Wangfujing Supreme Hotel: next to the south gate of the ancient city, heated pool + Yungang-themed afternoon tea; 🏯 Datong Yungang Grand Hotel: Northern Wei style design, walking distance to Huayan Temple. • Ancient City Style: 🛏️ Datong Pipa Old Inn: thousand-year-old historic house, legendary site of "Zhaojun Leaving the Frontier," rustic courtyard; 🌿 Datong Lanchi Courtyard: Siheyuan-style homestay, listen to the ancient city’s evening drum sounds. • Cost-effective Choices: 🏢 All Seasons Hotel (Datong Ancient City Branch): smart home features + free laundry, ideal for business travelers; 🏡 Datong Youth Hostel: backpacker hub, convenient for carpool tours to volcanic cluster/Ying County Wooden Pagoda. 5. Travel Tips and In-depth Experiences 1. Best Seasons: ◦ May to October: pleasant climate, peonies bloom at Huayan Temple, volcanic cluster lush green; ◦ Winter: stunning snow scenes at Yungang Grottoes, fewer tourists, hotel prices drop sharply. 2. Ticket Discounts: ◦ Hold the "Datong Tourism Pass" (100 RMB) for unlimited annual access to Yungang Grottoes, Hengshan, and 11 other attractions; ◦ Half price for students and seniors over 60, free for children under 1.2 meters. 3. Pitfall Warnings: ◦ Illegal taxis: beware of fixed-price black taxis at train station/airport, recommend using Didi or metered taxis; ◦ Shopping tips: many fake "antiques" and "jade" around scenic spots, shop rationally; ◦ Dining traps: some restaurants in the ancient city are overpriced and low quality, prioritize old shops with local queues. 4. Nearby Extended Trips: ◦ Ying County Wooden Pagoda (1-hour drive): world’s tallest wooden pagoda, mystery of standing for a millennium; ◦ Ulanqab Volcano (2-hour drive): spacesuit photo ops, stargazing the Milky Way at night; ◦ Yanmen Pass (2.5-hour drive): "China’s First Pass," site of the Yang Family generals’ stories. Datong, an underestimated thousand-year-old royal city. Here, you can greet the Buddha at Yungang Grottoes in the morning, trace the patterns of Ming bricks on the ancient city wall in the afternoon, and soothe your rumbling stomach with a bowl of knife-cut noodles at dusk. When the city lights come on and the drum sounds at Yongtai Gate begin, you will realize: the depth and vitality of this frontier ancient capital far exceed your imagination.🏮🗿