Datong & Pingyao Classic 4-Day Tour: Yungang Grottoes + Hanging Temple + Pingyao Ancient City (Historical Sites · Shanxi Merchant Culture)

Welcome to Datong, one of China's Ten Great Ancient Capitals. This famous historical and cultural city in Shanxi Province, China, is well worth a visit. After arriving in Datong, first head to the Yungang Grottoes, a World Cultural Heritage site and one of China's Four Great Grottoes (along with the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, and the Maijishan Grottoes in Tianshui). Carved more than 1,500 years ago during the Northern Wei period, it was the first grotto complex funded by the imperial family, and the most magnificent of the Four Great Grottoes. The Yungang Grottoes were built against the mountain, stretching about 1 km from east to west and divided into three zones—east, central, and west—with 45 main caves and more than 59,000 statues. The largest is 17 meters tall, and the smallest only 2 centimeters. Strolling through them, you will see three types: great Buddha caves (such as Caves 16-20), Buddha hall caves (such as the paired Caves 5-6, 7-8, and 9-10), and pagoda caves (such as Caves 1, 2, and 39). More importantly, you can clearly see the evolution of Buddhist art from the Gandhara style step by step toward Chinese localization. The most famous are the Five Caves of Tanyao (Caves 16-20), carved by the eminent monk Tanyao on the emperor's orders, with the five great Buddhas corresponding to four Northern Wei emperors and one crown prince (Cave 17). The open-air great Buddha of Cave 20 is the symbol of Yungang, blending Han and Gandhara styles, and was exposed only because an ancient earthquake caused the cave's eaves to collapse. The Buddha in Cave 18 wearing the "Thousand-Buddha Robe" is believed to represent Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei, Tuoba Tao, who once ordered the suppression of Buddhism—a very compelling story. The mid-period caves of Yungang (such as the paired caves among Caves 5-13) represent the peak of carving art, often enshrining two Buddha statues in the same niche, behind which lies the subtle history of the "Two Sages" (the emperor and Empress Dowager Feng) holding power side by side. The late-period caves, carved after the capital was moved to Luoyang in 494 AD, are mostly small folk caves, with slender Buddha figures and flowing drapery—the very source of the "slender and pure" style. If time permits, we especially recommend seeing: Cave 12 (the Music Cave), Cave 5 (the Buddha known as the "most beautiful smile"), Cave 3 (the huge unfinished cave), and Cave 9 (like a museum of world architecture). Optional Activities at Your Own Expense (worth considering if you have plenty of time) 1. Yungang Grottoes Museum: located within the Yungang Grottoes scenic area, closed on Mondays. 2. Datong Coal Museum (Jinhuagong National Mine Park): located across the river from the Yungang Grottoes, fairly close by, where you can learn about Datong's coal culture. If you happen to go on a Monday, it is advisable to check whether it is closed before setting out. After visiting the Yungang Grottoes, you will return to the Datong Ancient City, praised as "one dynasty's capital, three dynasties' splendor, two dynasties' key town," and freely explore this ancient city with a long history. The central axis of this ancient city has remained unchanged for more than 1,600 years since the Northern Wei—running north-south from Yongtai Gate, the Drum Tower, the Four-Post Archway, and Kuixing Tower all the way to Guding Gate, about 2 km in total. It links not only historic sites but also the historical threads from the Northern Wei, Liao-Jin, to Ming-Qing periods. Travel Tips Every year during the Spring Festival, Datong holds the Ancient Capital Lantern Festival, when thousands of lanterns light up the city walls and streets—extremely lively. You can contact our customer service to book a Datong Spring Festival tour, taking you to see traditional performances, eat delicious snacks, and shop for exquisite handicrafts, experiencing an authentic Chinese New Year. Free Time Suggestions 1. Datong Ancient City Walking Tour (half day): explore the Datong Ancient City Wall (Ming dynasty remains), Huayan Temple (a filming location for Black Myth: Wukong), the Nine-Dragon Screen (a glazed spirit wall, very photogenic), the Prince Dai's Mansion (the Ming prince's "little Forbidden City")... walking through it all is like flipping through a living history book. 2. Datong Evening Performance (optional in peak season, at your own expense): watch a live performance of "Great Harmony Under Heaven," right in the Prince Dai's Mansion. The elegance of the Ming dynasty 600 years ago is rekindled by lights, song and dance, and storytelling—truly stunning. How to Get There 1. By plane: Datong Yungang International Airport (DAT), about 18 km from the city center and about 36 km from the Yungang Grottoes. Major Chinese cities have direct flights to Datong, such as Beijing (1 hour), Shanghai (2.5 hours), Chengdu (2.5 hours), Xi'an (2 hours), Chongqing (2.5 hours), Wuhan (2 hours), etc. Note that some routes do not operate year-round, so it is advisable to check flight schedules in advance before booking. 2. By high-speed rail: Major Chinese cities have direct high-speed trains to Datong. Datong South Station has high-speed trains to Beijing (2-2.5 hours), Xi'an (6 hours), Taiyuan (2-2.5 hours), Pingyao (3-3.5 hours), and other places. Please contact our customer service to book tickets.

This morning, depart from Datong and drive about 80 kilometers (about 2 hours) to visit the Hanging Temple. The Hanging Temple is located on Mount Heng, the Northern Sacred Mountain. It was first built in 491 AD (mid-Northern Wei dynasty), more than 1,500 years ago. It was once as famous as the Yungang Grottoes, and today many people rank it among the "Top Ten Most Dangerous Buildings in the World." As the first of the Eighteen Scenic Spots of Mount Heng, the Hanging Temple has always been an unmissable place in Shanxi. The great Tang poet Li Bai once wrote the two characters "Spectacular" here, and it is said that after writing them he felt they were not enough, so he added another dot; the Ming dynasty traveler Xu Xiake also left the words "A Wonder of the World." The Hanging Temple was originally named "Xuankong Pavilion"—"Xuan" taken from Daoism and "Kong" from Buddhism. Later, because it "hangs" on the cliff face, and "xuan" is homophonous with "xuan" meaning suspend, it gradually came to be called the Hanging Temple. Interestingly, this is one of the very few existing temples in China that combines Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism. Looking closely, this earliest existing and best-preserved wooden cliffside architectural complex in China is famous worldwide for its three features: "suspended, wondrous, and ingenious." It is supported by 30 conspicuous wooden pillars (for earthquake resistance) and hidden crossbeams embedded in the rock face (the true load-bearing structure). The highest Hall of the Three Teachings is about 90 meters above the ground, and has hung on the steep cliff for more than a thousand years. Walking inside the temple, you will find it small but refined. The entire temple covers only 921 square meters, is about 32 meters long, and consists of 40 pavilions, housing more than 80 bronze, iron, clay, and stone Buddha statues. Its layout can be summarized as "one temple, two towers"—the north and south towers are connected by a suspended sky corridor, which is also the most thrilling and photogenic part of the Hanging Temple. The passage is very narrow, with wooden and stone steps above and below, carved with lotus patterns, implying "rising step by step." Standing in the Hanging Temple, you will surely admire the ancients' wisdom in choosing the site: above is an overhanging cliff that blocks rain, and rocks on both sides block the wind. Only about 3 hours of sunlight reach it each day, minimizing wind and rain erosion. The coexistence of the Three Teachings at the Hanging Temple: true "Great Harmony" The most special thing about the Hanging Temple is that it "invites" the three major religions into one temple 1. Chunyang Palace: enshrines the Daoist immortal Lü Dongbin. 2. Leiyin Hall: enshrines the Buddhist Shakyamuni. 3. Hall of the Three Teachings: Laozi, the Buddha, and Confucius sit together in one hall. Travel tips 1. The passages in the Hanging Temple are extremely narrow and the steps are steep. It is not recommended for those with a fear of heights, the elderly, or infants to go up. 2. Queues are long in peak season, so please wait patiently. 3. Only the morning light is good each day, so it is recommended to go in the morning for photos. Afterward, drive 55 kilometers (about 1 hour) to the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, which is known together with the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Eiffel Tower as the "Three Great Wonders of the World." Its full name is the Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple. It was first built in 1056 (Liao dynasty) and is one of the most famous existing Liao dynasty wooden structures in China. The pagoda is 67.13 meters high, equivalent to a 20-story building, and is certified by Guinness World Records as the "world's tallest wooden pagoda." The most amazing thing is that the entire pagoda uses not a single iron nail; it relies entirely on thousands of wooden components interlocking through mortise-and-tenon joints (like Lego blocks). Over a thousand years, it has withstood more than 40 earthquakes and more than 200 artillery strikes, and still stands today—a miracle. Why is it a little tilted? Careful visitors may notice that the wooden pagoda leans slightly. This is mainly because in the 1930s, local gentry removed some internal supporting walls and structures for "appearance" and "lighting," causing the pagoda to begin tilting. In 1933, Mr. Liang Sicheng made a special trip to survey it, discovered the problem, and proposed a restoration plan. Unfortunately, since then the pagoda has continued to tilt at a rate of about 2 millimeters per year. At present, to protect the ancient pagoda and visitor safety, it is no longer possible to climb the pagoda; only the first floor can be visited. Must-see highlights: dougong brackets and plaques Even if you cannot climb the pagoda, standing beneath it is impressive enough. The pagoda has 54 types of dougong brackets, 240 sets in total, the greatest variety among ancient buildings, so it is called a "Museum of Dougong." More than 50 plaques hang on the pagoda, each a calligraphic treasure. Among the most worth seeing are 1. Third-floor plaque "Sakyamuni Pagoda": Jin dynasty (1195), the oldest. 2. Fourth-floor plaque "A Wonder of the World": inscribed by Emperor Wuzong of Ming, Zhu Houzhao (1508). 3. Top-floor plaque "Supreme Divine Craftsmanship": inscribed by Emperor Chengzu of Ming, Zhu Di (1406). Interesting point: five stories outside, nine inside From a distance, the wooden pagoda appears to have only five stories, but inside there are four hidden levels, nine in total. Entering the first-floor hall, you first see an 11-meter-high painted Sakyamuni statue, and then you can look up to observe a very advanced "sleeve structure"—the outer layer is formed by 24 columns forming an outer tube, the inner layer by 8 columns forming an inner tube, connected in the middle by dougong brackets and beams. This structure is also common in modern skyscrapers, yet Liao dynasty craftsmen used it a thousand years ago. If the timing is right, in the evening, when the setting sun falls on the pagoda body, thousands of swallows circle and return to their nests around the pagoda—that scene is quiet and ancient, as if the wooden pagoda itself is speaking softly. Afterward, take the high-speed rail from Datong to Pingyao (about 3 hours), and stay overnight in Pingyao.

Today, you will spend a full day slowly exploring Pingyao Ancient City. Pingyao Ancient City has a history of about 2,800 years (first built during the reign of King Xuan of the Western Zhou Dynasty). It is one of China's best-preserved ancient county towns from the Ming and Qing dynasties and the birthplace of Shanxi merchant culture. It was inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1997 and is the stop many people most look forward to when visiting Shanxi. The entire city is shaped like a divine turtle—the six city gates symbolize the turtle's head, tail, and four feet, while the four main streets, eight small streets, and seventy-two lanes inside the city resemble the patterns on a turtle's shell. In traditional Chinese culture, the turtle is a symbol of longevity and good fortune. You can climb the ancient city wall from Yingxun Gate and overlook the layout of this northern ancient city. The city wall is tall and complete, and together with the six city gates and barbicans, it makes the city seem like an impregnable fortress. From the 19th century to the early 20th century, Pingyao was China's "financial center" and was known as "Little Beijing." Strolling through Pingyao, weaving between simple gray-brick walls and heavy old wooden doors, you can trace that glorious era of "remittance throughout the world" and feel the legend of Shanxi merchants who "dominated Eurasia for nine thousand li and ruled the business world for five hundred years." Must-Visit Attractions in Pingyao Ancient City 1. County Government Office—Watch a "County Magistrate Holding Court" The Pingyao County Government Office is the largest and best-preserved ancient county government office in China. If the timing works out, be sure to watch a free court trial performance (about 20 minutes; please check the day's performance times on site). The actors wear Qing Dynasty official robes, strike the gavel, and shout "Wei Wu," which is quite interesting. Through the large collection of official artifacts here, you can glimpse how ancient officials worked and handled cases. 2. Rishengchang—China's First Draft Bank Rishengchang was founded in 1823 and was China's first draft bank (an ancient bank), praised as the "country grandfather of modern banking." At its peak, it opened 35 branches across the country, with business reaching as far as Europe, the Americas, and Southeast Asia, truly achieving "remittance throughout the world." Today it has been converted into the China Draft Bank Museum. Facing north with its back to the south, it is divided into the central courtyard and east courtyard and is the most complete and imposing representative of Ming and Qing draft bank architecture. The museum houses a large number of account books, drafts, and seals from that time. It is a living textbook of Chinese financial history and an excellent place to learn about Shanxi merchant culture. 3. Xietongqing—Explore the Underground Vault (optional if time permits) If time is ample, you can turn into Xietongqing (founded in 1856). It is now called the China Money Shop Museum, and its most attractive feature is its huge underground vault—you can go down and see with your own eyes where real gold and silver were stored back then. 4. China Escort Agency Museum—How Was Silver Transported? How did the money from draft banks get safely transported from one city to another? It relied on escort agencies. Here, you can learn about the stories of the ten great escort agencies and ten great escorts of the time and see the weapons, hidden weapons, and escort boxes used to protect shipments. 5. Ming-Qing Old Street—China's "Wall Street" Finally, leave some time to wander freely along Ming-Qing Old Street. This street was once China's "financial street." Today, both sides are lined with old gray-brick houses selling vinegar, liquor, paper cuttings, cloth shoes... It is lively, but if you listen carefully, it seems you can still hear the sound of draft bank clerks clicking abacuses more than a hundred years ago. Optional Performance in Pingyao: "Encore Pingyao" If you still have energy in the evening, a live performance of "Encore Pingyao" is highly recommended. It lasts about 90 minutes and is closed on Mondays (be sure to confirm in advance whether there is a performance that day and the specific session). Directed by the famous director Wang Chaoge, the story tells of Zhao Yishuo, the owner of a Pingyao draft bank in the late Qing Dynasty, who spent his entire fortune and hired 232 escorts to travel abroad to protect the descendant of a manager far away in Russia. It allows you to immersively experience the Shanxi merchants' spirit of valuing righteousness over profit and putting integrity first.

Today, you will travel by car to visit two treasures hidden in the Jinzhong region: the Wang Family Compound, known as the "Folk Forbidden City," and Zhangbi Ancient Fortress, known as "China's No. 1 Astrological Village." [Wang Family Compound] is a complex of residences built by the Wang family over more than 300 years during the Ming and Qing dynasties, praised as the "Folk Forbidden City." It perfectly embodies the saying "home is a courtyard, the courtyard is a city" — rather than a courtyard, it is a fully functional fortress. At its peak, the Wang Family Compound covered about 250,000 square meters, extremely grand in scale. Built along the mountain, it occupies high ground, and various defensive designs are hidden within the courtyards. Because the Wang family both traded and held official positions, the residence combines the grandeur of an official mansion with the warmth of a common dwelling — strict separation between men and women, masters and servants, with every brick and tile inscribed with rules. What to see? Architectural layout: Courtyards within courtyards, high walls linked to high walls — it's easy to get lost inside. You can feel what a "deep mansion and large courtyard" really means. Three carving arts: The brick carvings, wood carvings, and stone carvings of the Wang Family Compound are superb. Doors, windows, beams, columns, wall corners... almost every carvable surface is covered with patterns of auspicious birds and beasts, opera stories, and auspicious flowers. Every cut reflects the refinement of the old Shanxi merchants. Next, head to [Zhangbi Ancient Fortress], known as "a city above ground, a city below ground," located in Jiexiu City, renowned as the "Hometown of Glazed Art." It is a miniature fortress built deep in the mountains. The most amazing thing about Zhangbi Ancient Fortress is: an above-ground fort and underground tunnels — one of the most complete ancient military defense villages in China. China's No. 1 Astrological Village The fortress's name comes from Zhang and Bi, two of the Twenty-Eight Mansions. The layout of the entire village secretly corresponds to the stars, hence it is called "China's No. 1 Astrological Village." The ground buildings correspond to the Twenty-Eight Mansions in the sky, forming the wonder of "Kuixing in heaven, Zhangbi on earth." Locals say that walking into Zhangbi is like stepping into the starry sky — a romantic saying, but you can indeed feel the ancients' obsession with "a star in heaven, a city on earth." Highlights of Zhangbi Ancient Fortress 1. Underground Great Wall: 10 kilometers of ancient tunnels Beneath the fortress lies about 10 kilometers of ancient tunnels (explored so far), dating back about 1,600 years. Originally a military stronghold, villagers later used them to escape wars. The tunnels are interconnected, with traps, ventilation holes, observation posts, ambush positions, drainage ditches... even meeting rooms and storage rooms. You can crawl through an open section, bending over and touching the walls, to personally experience the ancients' wisdom for "survival." 2. Above ground: temples built on the city wall Zhangbi is very small, only 0.12 square kilometers, yet it has 16 temples — most built on top of the city wall. Main highlights include: Zhenwu Hall, Erlang Temple, Guandi Temple, etc. Standing on the wall, turn your head and there's a temple; turn again and there's a tunnel entrance — this mixed style is unique. 3. Glazed roofs: glowing art Jiexiu has been famous for glazed ware since ancient times. The temple roofs on the Zhangbi Ancient Fortress wall are covered with exquisite glazed ridge ornaments — flying dragons, phoenixes, running auspicious beasts, blooming peonies, warrior figures... After hundreds of years of wind and rain, they remain brightly colored and sparkle in the sunlight. After the tour, your 4-day Datong-Pingyao trip will come to an end. Extension suggestions 1. If you wish to extend your trip and explore other famous attractions in Shanxi, such as Taiyuan, Mount Wutai, etc., we can assist you in arranging the itinerary. 2. If you plan to continue exploring other Chinese cities, such as Beijing, Luoyang, Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Shanghai, please feel free to let us know.