Yungang Grottoes

We will pick you up at your Datong hotel or Datong Railway Station in a private vehicle. The 30-minute drive to Yungang Grottoes is filled with insightful historical narrations from your professional guide. After arrival, embark on a tour of this stellar relic, showcasing the extraordinary Buddhist cave architecture of ancient China’s 5th and 6th centuries. 1: Admire the magnificent grottoes, a masterpiece that took 150 years to complete. 2: Marvel at China’s first imperial-sponsored grotto complex, which houses an impressive 59,000 stone carvings. 3: Discover a unique fusion of traditional Chinese architecture and artistic influences from India, Greece, Rome, as well as Central and Western Asia—a defining feature that marks a critical transition period in the localization of Chinese grotto art. 4: Delve into the site’s rich thematic content, which not only preserves classic Chinese Buddhist stories but also showcases vivid depictions of ancient music and dance scenes.

Hengshan Hanging Temple (Xuankong si)

Savor a genuine local lunch featuring famous Daoxiao noodles. Watch chefs skillfully slice fresh dough straight into boiling water, with both meat and vegetarian choices available. Pair your meal with refreshing local beverages for a true local treat. After lunch, enjoy a 1.5-hour drive to the iconic Hanging Temple on Mount Heng. Dating back to 491 AD, this 1,400-year-old marvel is the world’s sole temple dedicated to Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism together. Perched over 50 meters high on the cliff of Jinxia Gorge, it stands as a breathtaking architectural feat. Follow your guide to explore this ancient wonder and discover how the three major faiths shaped its history and design. NOTE: There are two types of tickets for the Hanging Temple: the entrance ticket (for exterior viewing) and the climbing ticket (for entering the temple). During peak seasons, the temple sees large crowds, so queuing for entry can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours.