Recently, the tourism market boom has swept in like a storm, and Datong, Shanxi Province has become the center of this storm. According to statistics, during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, the number of tourists received by A-level scenic spots in Datong City soared, with a year-on-year increase of 17.63%, and major scenic spots were crowded with people. As a famous historical and cultural city, it has rich tourism resources and unique natural scenery.
1. Special attractions
Yungang Grottoes Location: No. 1 Yungang Town, Yungang District, Datong City, Shanxi Province. Scale: Stretching about 1 kilometer from east to west, there are 45 main caves and more than 51,000 statues of various sizes. History: It was built in the middle of the Northern Wei Dynasty and took more than 60 years to complete. It is one of the largest grottoes in China and a world-famous art treasure house. Features: It integrates Chinese and Western art styles, with majestic statues and rich and colorful content.
Hanging Temple Location: Hunyuan County, Datong, Shanxi. History: Built in 491 AD, it is famous for its spectacular scenery located on a cliff. Features: The construction of the Hanging Temple demonstrates the outstanding skills and bold innovation of ancient architects.
Huayan Temple Location: Pingcheng District, Datong City. History: Built in the Northern Wei Dynasty, it is one of the most famous Han Buddhist holy sites in North China. Features: The temple preserves precious Liao and Jin Buddhist temples, exquisite Liao and Ming statues, and the “Heavenly Palace Pavilion” praised by Mr. Liang Sicheng as a national treasure.
Datong Ancient City Wall and Ancient City Location: Datong City Features: The towering Datong City Wall has witnessed the vicissitudes of the ancient capital. The Drum Tower, Four-row Building and other iconic buildings in the ancient city, as well as the bustling antique streets and alleys, are a good place to appreciate history and culture.
Datong Museum Location: No. 506, Taihe Road, Pingcheng District, Datong City. Collection: The museum currently has more than 170,000 cultural relics, with the most exciting ones being those from the Northern Wei, Liao and Jin dynasties. Features: Visitors can appreciate the essence of Pingcheng’s history and culture here.
Hengshan Location: Hunyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi Province. Features: The northernmost of the Five Sacred Mountains, with magnificent natural landscapes. Climbing the mountain will allow you to overlook the vast scenery of the Datong Basin and experience the profound Taoist cultural heritage.
Nine Dragon Wall Location: South of Dongjie Road in Datong City Features: Built in the late Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, the wall is 8 meters high and 45.5 meters long. The nine dragons are vivid and lifelike, reflecting the superb carving skills of ancient China.
Shanhua Temple Location: Located in the southwest corner of Datong City. History: First built during the Kaiyuan Period of the Tang Dynasty, it is one of the most complete temples in the Liao and Jin Dynasties. Features: The architecture and colored sculptures in the temple absorb the essence of the Song, Liao and Jin Dynasties, forming the unique artistic style of Shanhua Temple.
Datong Volcanoes National Geopark Location: Mainly distributed in the eastern part of Datong Basin. Features: One of the largest volcanoes in China, providing valuable resources for studying geological history and natural evolution.
2. Local cuisine
Datong’s food is not only diverse but also unique, including traditional noodles and snacks as well as innovative special dishes. These foods not only meet the taste needs of local people, but also attract many tourists to come and taste them.
Sliced noodles are known as the “king of noodles” and are one of the five famous noodles in China. Ingredients: The main raw material is flour. During the production process, the dough needs to be cut into thin slices and then cut into noodles. Taste: The noodles are wide and thick, chewy, smooth on the outside and chewy on the inside, and the more you chew, the more fragrant it becomes. Cultural value: It represents the noodle culture and eating habits of Shanxi.
Hunyuan Liangfen is a special snack in Hunyuan County, Datong City, and is deeply loved by local people. Ingredients: Made with potato starch, dried bean curd and broad beans as the main ingredients. Taste: Clear, smooth and refreshing, the taste is like pig skin jelly, and it tastes cool. Ingredients: The ingredients are exquisite, with the addition of unique lotus beans, dried bean curd and chili oil, making the taste unique and rich.
Datong Sheep Offal One of the oldest traditional snacks in Datong. Ingredients: Made from sheep’s head, hoof, heart, liver, intestines, lungs, blood and other ingredients. Taste: Steaming hot, red and white, oily but not greasy, mellow and delicious. Efficacy: It has the function of dispelling cold and warming the stomach, suitable for consumption in winter.
Datong Yellow Cake A common Han Chinese cake in Datong. Ingredients: The main ingredient is yellow rice flour. Taste: It has the four characteristics of “yellow, soft, chewy, and fragrant”. It tastes soft and delicious. How to eat: Dip it in meat and vegetable sauce.
Oat noodles are a common type of noodle in northwest Shanxi. Ingredients: Made from roasted oatmeal ground into flour. Ways to eat: Can be mixed cold or heated with toppings, tastes delicious. Varieties: There are many varieties, including Tuiwowo, Chouyuer, Yaxiolao, etc.
Other special snacks include Datong Shaomai, Huangzhagao, Yanggao Dried Apricots, etc., each with its own unique taste and flavor.
