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Yungang Grottoes
The grottoes are located at the foot of Wuzhou Mountain 16 km west of Datong. Hewn out of cliffsides in a honeycomb pattern, they were built some 1,500 years ago during the Northern Wei dynasty when Buddhism was thriving. They stretch for a whole kilometer from east to west. Within four decades, a thousand grottoes and some one hundred thousand Buddhist statues were completed together with large numbers of niches and colorful decorations.
Today 51,000 statues remain, the largest 17 meters high and the smallest two centimeters. Each has an expression of its own. Whether massive or tiny, all are meticulously carved.

Hanging Temple
Built on the cliff of the Golden Dragon Canyon at the foot of Mt. Heng. The temple has a history of more than 1,400 years. The only one of its kind and with the features of singularity, exquisiteness and being breathtaking, it heads the list of China’s ancient buildings. Xu Xiake, the famous traveler of the Ming Dynasty, described it as the most magnificent sight under heaven.

Sakya Pagoda
The Sakya Pagoda in Yingxian County was built in the Liao Dynasty. Standing lofty and firm, it has a history of nearly 1,000 years. With the most beautiful shape and finest structure, it is the earliest and largest wooden pagoda, still in existence in China.

Mount Wutai
Wutai, as its name indicates, consists of five platform-shaped peaks. Called the East, West, South, North and Central platforms, they stand at altitudes of over 2,500 meters above sea level.
The mountain contains as many as 48 temples, which began to be built there during the years 25-220 AD. Hundreds of monks can be seen performing active duties in the temples.
It is a tourist area combining natural landscape, historical relics, ancient architecture, arts, Buddhist culture and folk customs, making it an ideal summer resort.

Nine-dragon Wall
Datong is known as the "Home of the Dragon Walls". Five dragon walls built in the dynasties of Ming and Qing have been preserved. The Nine-dragon Wall was originally a screen wall in front of the gate of the palace of Prince Dai, Zhu Gui, the thirteenth son of Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty. They dragon wall, beautifully built, looks magnificent. It ranks first among the dragon walls of the same kind in China.

 

 

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Last modified: July 13, 2011