4 Days Classic Datong Tour

Pick up at flight/train station arrival and help you to check in your hotel. The rest of the time will be free on your own or take an optional evening tour depending on your interests and arrival time.

A day dedicated to the city highlights. We start from the most important site of Yungang Grottoes and spend two hours or more here. Yungang Cave is one of the most supreme achievements of Buddhist cave art in China. The remains of this wonder comprise of 252 caves and niches with over 51,000 ancient statues and celestial beings, all were built by the top artists 1500 years ago. Each is unique and beautifully painted with mixture of Chinese character and influences of designs from Indian, Persian and Greek that swept along the Silk Road.

In the afternoon, we visit Huayan Temple, a nearly 1000-year old Buddhist Temple, located right in the downtown of Datong city. There are beautiful artistic sculptures, frescos and inscriptions in the ancient architectures. Huayan pagoda also provides a very good overview over the whole old city at its highest balcony. Then take a brief visit of Ancient City Wall that was reconstructed from its remains.

Today we drive about 1.5 hours out of Datong southwards to Hangying Monastery, a beautiful architectural wonder with history over 1,500 years. It was built on the west cliff of Jinxia Gorge, more than 60 meters above the foot of Mt. Heng. The whole complex based on the support of wooden pillars inserted into the side of the cliff, and rock at the back of the building, seemingly hanging on the cliff face. The temple was built for religious purpose and it is the only existed one hosting worship for the Taoists, Confucians and Buddhists.

To make the most of this area, we drive extra 70km to Ying Xian county. Here stands the world’s tallest Wooden Pagoda. In the eyes of architects, it is a marvel that the pagoda was built without the help of a single nail, screw or bolt. And it has survived from all the natural disasters for nearly a century.

On the way back, visit the marvelous landscape of earth forest, 20km south of Datong. Hundreds of earth columns and earth walls forms a unique scenery in the area of 3km from north to south, and 1km from east to west.

Transfer you to the airport/train station after breakfast.

Bullet trains connect Datong conveniently with Beijing, Taiyuan and Pingyao.