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Datong
Brief Introduction
Datong is the second largest city in Shanxi, and is known by the locals as thecoal capital for a good reason. Datong coal is everywhere: tons of it powering the whole of Shanxi and other cities beyond, piles of it chugging along the roads around town in Soviet style off-blue trucks, smears of it discovered on a face-wiped handkerchief. The city is one of China's most polluted and not only asthma sufferers should think twice before spending any amount of time in the city. Industrial and economic development has bounded in great leaps since the communists came to power in 1950, and huge swathes of the city have been altered into concrete. Despite all this travelers still have a few huge incentives to visit Datong, incentives that are all related to the town's ancient past.
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Shopping and Food
Datong is a typically mid-scale Chinese city, which has the usual supply of many stores and interestingly garish markets. Local products include carpets, porcelain, woolen clothing, furs, many leather goods, attractive silk dolls and artistically designed copper hotpots. Warm weather clothing can sometimes be usefully bought here, although the sizes are often not designed for those of more meaty proportions.
As with many of the other places in Shanxi Province, Datong is a town whose dining is little influenced by the rice based diets that can be found further south. The locals tend to favor products made from wheat and other cold-resistant cereal strains, making noodles a common favorite on most tables. If noodles are not really your thing, then there are a variety of other, lesser known specialties that makes dining here interesting, if not special.
Entertainment
As many mid-size cities in Northern China, Datong do not have many choices for night life. Especially in winter, shops close quite early in the evening. Bars in hotels may be good choice for international travelers.
Transportation
The best way to travel to Datong is by train. Datong boasts a well developed system of railway transport, probably because of its vast major coal reserve. The city is linked to Beijing as well as other major provincial cities in Shanxi Province by the Beijing-Baotou railway line and Datong-Fenglingdu railway line (a route usually taken by the trans-Siberia trains). Traveling longitudinally is the Datong-Lianyungang railway line.
Tourist Attractions
Yungang Grottoes:
The three main sites in China that are famous for their stone sculpture are Dunhuang, Longmen and Yungang. Among these, the Yungang grottoes are considered first among equals, for their tremendous size, ancient history, and relatively complete state of preservation.
Nine Dragon Screen
Built over 600 years ago, it is presently the oldest and largest glazed screen in China today. It is three times larger than that in Beihai Park, Beijing. |
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Hanging Temple
It stands at the foot of Mt. Hengshan, 5 kilometers (3 miles) south of Hunyuan County, and 65 kilometers (40 miles) from downtown Datong City. Since it hangs on the west cliff of Jinxia Gorge more than 50 meters above the ground, it is called Hanging Temple. How could a building like this withstand the winds and storms of so many years? Hanging Temple is an architectural wonder. A unique mechanical theory was applied to building the framework. Crossbeams were half-inserted into the rock as the foundation, while the rock in back became its support. Seen from below, Hanging Temple appears to be a tumble-down castle in the air. Inside, Hanging Temple provides the same scene as other temples.
Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
Located in Yingxian County, and about 70 kilometers south of Datong, the Wooden Pagoda is the oldest and highest wooden structure in China. It is regarded as the 'First Pagoda in the World' and a gem in the architectural field. It has now also been placed under national emphases under the Cultural Relics Protection Units.
Jin Ancestral Temple
It is a combination of historical cultural relics and beautiful landscapes. The welcoming boughs of a multitude of ancient trees provide an eye-catching entrance to the temple. Beyond this, the numerous halls, cabinets, pavilions and bridges are guaranteed to keep any visitor enthralled.
Pingyao Ancient City
Being one of the four wholly-protected ancient cities in China, Pingyao Ancient City is thought of as the 'treasure house' of ancient Chinese architectures. Among the 'Three Treasures' of Pingyao, the City Wall is rated highest, the other two being Zhengguo Temple, and Double Forest Temple. Although there has been repeated renovations, the city walls, streets, shops, temples and other buildings are still in a very good condition.
Shuanglin Temple
Shuanglin Temple, originally named Zhongdu Monastery, is situated about seven kilometers southwest of the ancient city of Pingyao. It has stood there for 1,500 years since the North Wei Dynasty.
Qiao Compound
The compound was first built in 1756 in the Qing Dynasty and renovated twice and enlarged once. When people first saw the compound, they were astonished to find that the complex was so large and magnificent; however, few knew that the value of the compound was less than one percent of the family's (fortune) asset.
Ming and Qing Dynasty Street
Ming and Qiang dynasty Street is also called 'Wall Street of China' . Along this Street, the old buildings in antique architecture styles may bring you back to the old China of that time.
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