中國大同最好玩的10個地方｜Visit Datong, China｜Shanxi Province Travel Guide
Where in China would you most like to visit? Please subscribe to my channel Today we’ll explore Datong City, Shanxi Province Datong is approximately 350 kilometers from Beijing Just 2 hours by high-speed train Friends who have visited Shanxi know Shanxi’s greatest treasures aren’t its landscapes But its exceptionally preserved Exquisite cultural relics and ancient architecture As the Southern Capital of Dai State in history Capital of Northern Wei Secondary capital of Liao and Jin dynasties This treasure-class ancient capital of China Is impossible not to be captivated by its millennium-old charm The majestic ancient city walls The exquisite Huayan Temple Yungang Grottoes—masterpiece of stone carving art Xuankong Temple clinging to cliffs The dreamy, bustling ancient-style street: Dongnanyi Wenying Lake—urban oasis Shanhua Temple Nine-Dragon Wall Dai Prince’s Palace Northern Wei Mingtang These pearls polished by time Rival Beijing, Xi’an, Luoyang, and Nanjing Let’s explore the wonders of Datong, Shanxi 1. Yungang Grottoes Located on southern Wuzhou Mountain, 17km west of Datong Carved into cliffs stretching 1km From east to west Grand scale, majestic momentum Construction began under Northern Wei Emperor Wencheng Around 460 AD Sculpted over 150 years Embodies artisans’ dedication and wisdom 45 major caves preserved 209 subsidiary caves Over 1,100 niches On walls, in niches Each statue lifelike 59,000+ statues total Some colossal, others delicate Caves vary in shape and size Like entering a mystical art sanctuary Artistic styles across eras intertwine Majesty of early “Tanyao Five Caves” 15-meter main Buddha Bold Western Regions style Fused with Xianbei people’s spirit Mid-period pagoda pillars, Buddhas, apsaras, caissons Intricate ornate decorations Reflect Northern Wei’s imperial zenith Late caves shift to refined elegance Layered garment textures Delicate serene faces Increasing Han cultural elements Initiating sinicized Buddhist art After millennia of weathering When sunset gilds the cliffside Buddha Its half-open eyes gaze upon crowds In this moment, Yungang’s eternity Guards civilization’s flame 2. Shanhua Temple Within Datong’s ancient city Founded in Tang Kaiyuan era (713-741) Originally Kaiyuan Temple Rebuilt after Liao-Jin wars Renamed “Shanhua” in Ming Dynasty Meaning “spreading kindness, universal teaching” Architecture and sculptures Synthesize Song, Liao, Jin essence Forming unique artistic style Grand and imposing Bold and vigorous Structures unfold along central axis Tiered elevation, symmetrical layout Heavenly King Hall, Three Sages Hall, Mahavira Hall All Liao-Jin era architecture Beyond precious architecture Existing statues, murals Hold priceless historical/artistic value Especially the Jin Dynasty clay sculptures In Mahavira Hall The temple’s essence Figures express vivid emotions Graceful lines Harmonious colors Exquisite craftsmanship Truly breathtaking Amid Datong’s cultural treasures Shanhua Temple stands quietly Awaiting those who truly understand 3. Dongnanyi Within Datong’s ancient city Where ancient alleys meet modern trends Chinese-style heritage quarter In every Chinese city When night falls You’ll find corners bursting with Beautiful nightlife and vibrant energy Dongnanyi is Datong’s prime night destination Crisscrossing lanes Antique charm Entering Dongnanyi Ancient structures illuminated Like stepping into historic Datong Narrow winding alleys Twisting paths Like urban veins Heritage buildings Infuse deep historical atmosphere Grey-tiled walls, wood-carved windows Showcasing ancient wisdom/aesthetics Creative boutiques offer Unique souvenirs to cherish Food stalls with tempting aromas Daoxiaomian, lamb offal soup, shaomai, liangfen Bubble tea fragrances Lure you for a cup Leisurely evening hours Strolling Dongnanyi lanes Amid lively sounds Savoring authentic Datong flavors Experiencing local life 4. Xuankong Temple In Hunyuan County, Datong Wooden frame structure South-north horizontal layout Mahavira Hall, Taiyi Hall, Guandi Hall, Qielan Hall South Tower, North Tower From afar Appears to grow from cliff crevices Like natural extension Building on treacherous cliffs Hides profound Engineering wisdom Closer inspection Reveals temple nested in cliff recess Overhanging rock above Acts as natural umbrella During rainstorms Water cascades off rock into valley Preventing erosion Ascending the temple Narrow walkways Creaking wooden planks underfoot Looking down 50+ meters above ground Knees tremble involuntarily Holding breath, inching forward “Speak not too loud, lest gods be disturbed”*
*Classical Chinese poem reference Awe-inspired reverence Original construction Avoided river floods below Sanjiao Hall 90m above ground This extreme approach Ensured safety from “flood beasts” Rare temple merging Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism In turbulent times Its location Manifests transcendence beyond conflict Embracing coexistence and peace 5. Wenying Lake 4.33 million sq.m water area 10km shaded lakeside trail Greenery fills the vision Datong’s northern landscape holds such beauty Formerly a reservoir For flood control/water supply Inland Datong long suffered Water scarcity, sparse greenery Harsh sandy droughts plagued the city Later, due to lakebed leakage Yu River cutoff Lake dried up for over a decade Its rebirth began In 2009 Datong launched “One River-Three Reservoirs-One Lake” water system After years of renovation Wenying Lake reemerged as ecological park Trees, shrubs, flowers Diverse flora Crucian carp, silver carp, grass carp, carp Thrive in the lake Shaded trees, clear water Lakeside strolls Wind rustling through leaves Absence of noise Vast shimmering surface Wooden boardwalk into lake Leaning on railings Perfect spot for sunset embrace Dusk deepens Awakening Datong’s enchanting nightscape 6. Huayan Temple Within Datong’s ancient city Liao-Jin imperial temple Datong’s landmark and soul Oriented west-east Mountain Gate, Puguang Hall, Mahavira Hall Bojia Scripture Depository, Huayan Pagoda 30+ structures along dual axes Exquisite Liao sculptures Precious murals Giant glazed chiwen ornaments Preserve unique Liao-Jin architecture Majestic and solemn Walking through Each hall astonishes with unparalleled beauty Bojia Depository’s intricate comb-like structure Brackets, eaves, railings, tiles, ridges Perfectly integrated Sculptures evoke Buddhist cosmic grandeur 29 Liao painted sculptures on altar Bodhisattvas: graceful postures Full rounded faces Gentle smiles Serene elegance and wisdom Platform, stone steps, railings Frame exquisite Mahavira Hall Hexagonal bell/drum towers Single-eave hip roof Eaves, brackets, beams—soaring wings Exemplify ancient architectural aesthetics Grey tile covering Yellow-green glazed edges Ridge’s glazed chiwen Adds classical elegance Peerless Liao-Jin wooden architecture Astonishing sculptural art Architecture and civilization gloriously displayed More than a temple— A three-dimensional history museum An awe-inspiring art sanctuary Symbolizing “Western Capital” Datong’s past glory 7. Datong Museum An extraordinarily impressive museum Situated by Wenying Lake Datong’s cultural icon Architecture integrates Datong volcanoes Yungang, dragon wall elements Twin “S” curves like soaring dragon Symbolizing ethnic fusion Astonishing even externally Entering the museum Time-travel to Northern Wei “treasure vault” Lacquer Screen from Sima Jinlong’s Tomb Museum’s top treasure Silk-thread details like Gu Kaizhi’s masterpieces*
*Refers to “Admonitions Scroll” techniques Colors remain vibrant after 1500 years Inscriptions: authentic Northern Wei calligraphy Dual artistic/paleographic value Vivid crimson undimmed by millennia First-class nationally restricted artifact Pinnacle of Northern Wei art Earliest surviving wooden lacquer paintings Nobleman’s 1500-year-old tribute to his wife Originally five panels Three preserved here Sima Jinlong Tomb figurines Formidable military array Northern Wei battalion (1500 years old) Cavalry in front Infantry and attendants center Heavy cavalry rear These elite troops Laid foundation for Sui-Tang golden age Liao Huayan Temple glazed chiwen Epitome of classical aesthetics Removed during 1992 Bojia Depository renovation Exquisite craftsmanship, brilliant glaze Millennia of heritage Breathtaking magnificence Northern Wei blue glassware Sima Jinlong Tomb stone coffin bed Liao yellow-glazed peony/chrysanthemum jar Mid-Late Spring Autumn coiled-serpent bronze ding Yuan Moon Palace porcelain pillow Gilt wooden dragon mural Millennium-colorfast lacquer paintings Datong Museum Presents 170,000 artifacts Showcasing Central/Western cultural fusion Narrating northern China’s ethnic integration 8. Dai Prince’s Palace Built for Zhu Gui—13th son of Zhu Yuanzhang Enfeoffed as Dai Prince Arrived at his fiefdom Datong (1392) Residential palace Used from Ming Hongwu 25th year (1392) Damaged in Ming Chongzhen 17th year (1644) Destroyed Qing Shunzhi 6th year (1649) Existed 250+ years Current reconstructed palace Chengyun Hall, Cunxin Hall, Changchun Palace Three halls along central axis Blue-yellow glazed tiles resplendent Chengyun Hall’s high base: “Nine-Five Supremacy”*
*Imperial symbolism Recreated prince’s throne Sundial, bronze crane “Miniature Forbidden City” Interconnected corridors Harmonious structures Front court, rear chambers, side rooms Manifest royal dignity Enhanced by Nine-Dragon Glazed Screen Wall Adding mystique and nobility Morning bells Drumbeats at dawn signal opening Palace gates slowly part “Guards” in feiyi uniforms* welcome
*Ming ceremonial attire Visitors begin time-travel journey 9. Yuhe Park 4 million ㎡ urban green lung Along Yuhe River in Datong Riverside-focused ecological corridor Entering the park Winding fitness trails Diverse tree species Shrubs, flowering plants Transformed into lush oasis Full of vitality From barren to splendid Metamorphosis over a decade 5.5km riverside boardwalk Flowers bloom year-round Here Jog at sunrise Breathe fresh air Total relaxation Sports enthusiasts find Basketball courts Tennis courts, futsal cages Table tennis facilities For every activity At night The park transforms Twinkling lights Glistening river Musical fountain dances to rhythms Colorful lights interplay with water Creating dreamlike romance Night isn’t for resting— But for mortal revelry 10. Dreamlike Datong*
*Performance title Mobile immersive experiential Live performance Step into the scroll, dream through millennia Plot weaves revenge in turbulent times With besieged city’s life-death separation Ingenious spatial design No fixed seating Audience moves through layered spaces With each scene shift Immersion deepens emotionally After visiting Yungang Grottoes Echoes of millennia resonate Visual impact and historical weight Soul-stirring awe
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今天帶您走進山西省大同市，大同距離北京約350公里，高鐵只需2小時就可以直達，山西最值得看的寶藏不是錦繡山川，而是那些保存完好，精美絕倫的文物古建。雲岡石窟，懸空寺，大同古城，古城牆，華嚴寺，善化寺，文瀛湖等。
Today, we’ll take you into Datong City, Shanxi Province. Located approximately 350 kilometers (about 220 miles) from Beijing, Datong is just a 2-hour high-speed rail ride away. While Shanxi boasts magnificent landscapes, its true treasures lie in its exquisitely preserved cultural relics and ancient architecture. Must-see attractions include the Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Temple, Datong Ancient City, ancient city walls, Huayan Temple, Shanhua Temple, Wenying Lake, and more.
