Must-sees in Datong and things to do

Yunggang Grottoes
One of the most remarkable religious and historical works of art in Datong and probably in the whole of China is the Yunggang Grottoes last minute China travel deals. It’s a collection of more than 50,000 statues and 252 caves that were carved in celebration of Buddhist art, infused by the influence of Chinese culture, especially around the early times of Datong.
The Grottoes used to have wooden temples at the front until they were destroyed because of a war. The caves are made up of different sizes, though they are clustered. They have their own windows and doors. Because of the unimaginable feat, the Yunggang Grottoes is now officially part of UNESCO World Heritage List.
Hanging Monastery
Monasteries are aplenty in China, and they are found everywhere, even in the mountains and near bodies of water such as rivers. What makes the Hanging Monastery very different from all the others is that it’s found right at the edge of the cliff, giving the feeling that it’s really hanging. The main foundation of the monastery is right within its bedrock while the crossbeams, which were made of wood, had to be attached to holes that had been carved in the cliffs. The monastery now stands about 75 meters from the ground and is around 6,500 years old. Aside from Buddhism, the monastery also practices Taoism and Confucianism, making it more interesting and unique.
Shanhua Temple
Shanhua Temple is one of the most famous temples Shanxi and is found in Datong best tours of China. Its construction lasted for more than 4 centuries as more buildings, halls, and pavilions had been added. The last few were built during the Jin Dynasty around 12th century. The temple covers about 14,000 square meters and has three main halls, namely, Da Xiong Bao Dian, Hall of Three Saints, and the Gate.
Nine Dragon Screen
Another highlight of the temple is the Nine-dragon Screen, which is an attraction on its own. It is considered to be the most elaborate and the oldest of all the wall screens found all over the country. It measures 45 meters in length and 2.09 meters in width. The height is 8 meters. The glazed wall is made up of several colors such as black, white, green, and blue, giving a perfect contrast to the rather structured patterns of the temple popular China tour package. The screen, moreover, showcases nine swirling but powerful dragons.
What to Do
1. Visit the Red Flag Square. Every night the Red Flag Square comes alive as most of the locals come here to talk or showcase their culture through certain performances. This is also one of the most opportune times to get to know more about their history and way of living. Don’t expect them to learn proper English—some of them may not be able to speak the language at all—but they are more than happy to learn some words from you. They may also invite you to some games like kick ball.
2. Join their festivals. Datong celebrates various kinds of festivals such as Jin Merchant Shehuo, International Tourist, and Buzha Dance, where performers wear a special kind of mask.
tags: travel to China