Datong, Shanxi Excellent 3-Day Tour: Yungang Grottoes + Datong Ancient City + Hanging Temple (Black Myth: Wukong Footsteps)

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, our driver will meet you at the airport/train station exit and escort you to the hotel for check-in and rest. After that, you can arrange your time freely and explore the city at your own pace. If you have any travel suggestions, please feel free to consult your guide at any time. Travel Tips Every year during the Spring Festival, Datong hosts the Ancient Capital Lantern Festival, when thousands of lanterns light up the city walls and streets and alleys, creating a lively atmosphere. 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 or full day): Explore interesting old landmarks such as the Nine-Dragon Wall (a glazed screen wall, very photogenic), the Prince Dai Residence (the Ming Dynasty prince's "mini Forbidden City"), the Drum Tower, the Bell Tower, the Four-People Archway, the Fahua Temple (with a white lamaist pagoda), and the Guandi Temple (with wooden structures left from the Yuan Dynasty)... Walking through them is like flipping through a living history book. 2. Datong Museum and Culture Tour (half day or full day): Visit the Datong Museum (a national first-class museum, on the same level as the Palace Museum), the Datong Art Museum, the Chinese Sculpture Museum, the Liang Sicheng Memorial Hall, and more. Most museums are closed on Mondays, so check clearly before going out to avoid a wasted trip. 3. Datong Nighttime Performance (available in peak season, at your own expense): Watch a live performance, "Datong of the World," right in the Prince Dai Residence. The elegance of the Ming Dynasty from 600 years ago is reilluminated by lighting, song and dance, and storytelling, which is stunning. Arrival Suggestions 1. By plane: Datong Yungang International Airport (DAT) is about 18 kilometers from the city center and about 36 kilometers 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), and Wuhan (2 hours). Note that some routes do not operate year-round, so it is recommended to check flight schedules in advance before booking tickets. 2. By high-speed rail: Major Chinese cities have direct high-speed rail services 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.

Today, you will embark on a unique architectural journey through the ancient city of Datong, visiting three filming locations from the game Black Myth: Wukong — the Yungang Grottoes, Huayan Temple, and Shanhua Temple. If time permits, you can also ride a bicycle on the Datong Ancient City Wall (at your own expense), watch the sunset, and enjoy the evening breeze. In the morning, first head to the [Yungang Grottoes], a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China's Four Great Grottoes (alongside the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, and the Maijishan Grottoes in Tianshui). Carved over 1,500 years ago during the Northern Wei Dynasty, it was the first grotto complex funded by the imperial family and is the most magnificent of the four. The Yungang Grottoes are built along the mountain, stretching about 1 kilometer from east to west, divided into three zones — east, central, and west — with 45 major caves and over 59,000 statues. The largest is 17 meters tall, while the smallest is only 2 centimeters. As you stroll through, 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 Buddha 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 under imperial order. The five great Buddhas correspond to four Northern Wei emperors and one crown prince (Cave 17). The open-air Buddha in Cave 20 is the symbol of Yungang, blending Han and Gandhara styles, and was exposed only because an ancient earthquake caused the cave's eave to collapse. The Buddha in Cave 18 wearing the "Thousand-Buddha Kasaya" is believed to represent Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei, who once ordered the persecution of Buddhism — a very powerful story. The mid-period caves at Yungang (such as the paired caves among Caves 5–13) represent the pinnacle of carving art, often enshrining two Buddhas in the same niche, reflecting the subtle history of the dual rule of the "Two Sages" (the emperor and Empress Dowager Feng). The late-period caves, carved after the capital moved to Luoyang in 494 AD, are mostly small folk caves with slender Buddha figures and flowing drapery — the origin of the "slim and pure" style. If time allows, we especially recommend seeing: Cave 12 (the Music Cave), Cave 5 (the Buddha known as the "most beautiful smile"), Cave 3 (the unfinished giant cave), and Cave 9 (like a world architecture museum). Optional activities (at your own expense, if time permits) 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, relatively close by. You can visit to learn about Datong's coal culture. If visiting on a Monday, it is advisable to check whether it is closed before departure. This afternoon, you will return to the [Datong Ancient City], known as "a capital of one dynasty, a glorious city of three dynasties, a key town of two dynasties." The central axis of this ancient city has remained unchanged for over 1,600 years since the Northern Wei Dynasty — running north-south from Yongtai Gate, Drum Tower, Sipailou, Kuixing Tower all the way to Guding Gate, about 2 kilometers in total. It not only links historic sites but also connects the historical threads from the Northern Wei, Liao-Jin, to Ming-Qing dynasties. The first stop is Huayan Temple, built in 1038, the ancestral temple of the Liao imperial family. Mr. Liang Sicheng once called it a "unique treasure under heaven." Its most distinctive feature is that it faces east instead of south — because the Khitan people worshipped the sun, "the rising sun in the east, Buddhism coming from the west." The temple covers 66,000 square meters, with over 30 buildings arranged along two north-south axes. The pair of 4.5-meter-high glazed chiwen (dragon-head ornaments) on the main hall's ridge (now Ming Dynasty relics) are the largest pair in Chinese ancient architecture. Don't forget to visit the Bhagavati Sutra Hall to find the Bodhisattva with palms together and teeth showing, known as the "Oriental Venus." The 43-meter-tall Huayan Pagoda is China's second-largest pure wooden square pagoda (after the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda), and beneath it lies a Thousand-Buddha Underground Palace made of 100 tons of pure copper. The second stop is Shanhua Temple, one of the largest and best-preserved architectural complexes from the Liao-Jin period in China. Unlike Huayan Temple, Shanhua Temple follows Han tradition, facing south. Along the central axis you will see: the Mountain Gate (Jin Dynasty), the Three Sages Hall (Jin Dynasty), and the Great Buddha Hall (Liao Dynasty). In front of the temple is a Ming Dynasty Five-Dragon Screen, and inside the mountain gate are the Four Heavenly Kings, symbolizing peace and prosperity. The Three Sages Hall houses Shanhua Temple's greatest treasure — the Zhu Bian Stele — and the largest existing slanted-arch lotus-shaped corner support. The Twenty-Four Devas painted sculptures in the Great Buddha Hall each have different expressions and postures, representing the highest level of Jin Dynasty sculpture. The octagonal caisson ceiling in the hall is a masterpiece of Liao Dynasty small woodwork. If time permits, we recommend: cycling on the Datong Ancient City Wall (at your own expense) If you still have energy, consider renting a bicycle and getting up on the Datong Ancient City Wall. The existing wall was rebuilt on the ancient city ruins during the Ming Dynasty, retaining a complete defensive system: four main gates — Heyang in the east, Yongtai in the south, Qingyuan in the west, and Wuding in the north — each with two smaller gates, plus barbicans, crescent walls, arrow towers, corner towers, and a moat. A full circuit is about 7.2 kilometers. If you time it for sunset, overlooking the entire ancient city from the wall, that sense of traveling through time is unforgettable.

This morning, depart from Datong and drive about 80 km (about 2 hours) to visit the Hanging Temple. The Hanging Temple is located on Mount Heng, the Northern Sacred Mountain. First built in 491 AD (mid-Northern Wei period), it has a history of more than 1,500 years. It was once as famous as the Yungang Grottoes, and today it is rated by many as one of the "Ten Most Dangerous Buildings in the World." As the first of the Eighteen Scenic Spots of Mount Heng, the Hanging Temple has always been a must-see 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 it was not enough, so he added another dot; the Ming dynasty traveler Xu Xiake also left behind the inscription "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" (hang) is a homophone of "xuan" (mysterious), it gradually came to be called the "Hanging Temple." Interestingly, this is one of the very few surviving temples in China that combines Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism. Up close, this earliest surviving and best-preserved wooden cliffside architectural complex in China is famous worldwide for its three features: "hanging, wondrous, and ingenious." It is supported by 30 conspicuous wooden pillars (for earthquake resistance) and hidden crossbeams embedded in the rock face (which bear the real weight). The highest hall, the Hall of the Three Teachings, is about 90 meters above the ground, and has literally "hung" on the steep cliff for over a thousand years. Stepping inside the temple, you will find it small yet 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. The layout can be summed up 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 spot in the Hanging Temple. The passage is very narrow, with wooden and stone steps above and below, carved with lotus patterns, symbolizing "rising step by step." Standing inside the Hanging Temple, you will surely admire the wisdom of the ancients in choosing this site: above is an overhanging cliff that blocks the rain, and on both sides are rocks that block the wind. It gets only about 3 hours of sunlight each day, minimizing wind and rain erosion. Three Teachings Coexist at the Hanging Temple: A True "Great Harmony" The most special thing about the Hanging Temple is that it "invites" three major religions into one temple. 1. Chunyang Palace: dedicated to the Daoist immortal Lü Dongbin 2. Leiyin Hall: dedicated to 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 afraid of heights, the elderly, or infants. 2. Queues are long during 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. In the afternoon, drive 55 km (about 1 hour) to the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, which is known along with the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Eiffel Tower as one of the "Three Great Wonders of the World." Its full name is the Sakyamuni Pagoda of the Fogong Temple. First built in 1056 (Liao dynasty), it is one of the most famous surviving Liao dynasty wooden structures in China. The pagoda is 67.13 meters tall, 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 bricks). Over a thousand years, it has withstood more than 40 earthquakes and over 200 shellings, and still stands today—a true miracle. Why is it a bit tilted? Observant 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 the sake of "appearance" and "lighting," causing the pagoda to begin tilting. In 1933, Mr. Liang Sicheng made a special trip to survey and measure it, and after discovering the problem, proposed a restoration plan. Unfortunately, the pagoda has continued to tilt at a rate of about 2 millimeters per year. At present, to protect the ancient pagoda and ensure visitor safety, climbing the pagoda is no longer allowed; 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 most types of dougong in any ancient building, earning it the name "Museum of Dougong." More than 50 plaques hang on the pagoda, each a calligraphic treasure. 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 actually four hidden levels, nine in total. Entering the first-floor hall, you first see an 11-meter-tall painted statue of Shakyamuni, and then you can look up to observe a very advanced "tube-in-tube structure"—the outer layer is formed by 24 columns making up the outer tube, and the inner layer by 8 columns forming the inner tube, connected in between by dougong brackets and beams. This kind of structure is also common in modern skyscrapers, yet Liao dynasty craftsmen were already using 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 softly speaking. After the tour ends, your 3-day Datong Wukong Ancient Architecture Journey will come to an end. Itinerary Extension Suggestions 1. If you would like to extend your trip and explore other famous attractions in Shanxi, such as Pingyao, Mount Wutai, Taiyuan, etc., we can help you arrange 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.