Datong Trip Overview
Embark on this private guided tour from Datong to explore three spectacular sites: Hanging Temple, Yungang Grottoes and Ying Xian Wooden Pagoda. Follow your personal tour guide to admire the 1400 years Hanging Temple, discover the architectural gems-Ying Xian Wooden Pagoda and be amazed by Yungang Grottoes which represent the successful fusion of Buddhist religious symbolic art from south and central Asian with Chinese cultural traditions. This private tour includes lunch, entrance fee, an English-speaking guide and transport by private vehicle. Tour can start from your Datong hotel’s lobby or Datong railway station.
Additional Info
Duration: 8 to 12 hours
Starts: Datong, China
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Historical & Heritage Tours
Explore Datong Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Datong, Shanxi, China
Embark on this private guided tour from Datong to explore three spectacular sites: Hanging Temple, Yungang Grottoes and Ying Xian Wooden Pagoda. Follow your personal tour guide to admire the 1400 years Hanging Temple, discover the architectural gems-Ying Xian Wooden Pagoda and be amazed by Yungang Grottoes which represent the successful fusion of Buddhist religious symbolic art from south and central Asian with Chinese cultural traditions. This private tour includes lunch, entrance fee, an English-speaking guide and transport by private vehicle. Tour can start from your Datong hotel’s lobby or Datong railway station.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Yungang Grottoes, Wuzhou Mountain, Urban Area, Datong 37000 China
Your local tour guide will hold your name sign waiting for you in the lobby of your Datong hotel or Datong Railway Station. Then hop on your private vehicle and heading directly to Yungang Grottoes which takes about 30 minutes. Your tour guide will explain the related histories and stories along the way, feel free to ask questions if you have.
Located at the southern foot of the Wuzhou Mountain, the Yungang Grottoes were built against the mountain and extend about one km (0.62 miles) from east to west. Comprising 252 caves and 51,000 statues within a carved area of 18,000 square meters.
Yungang Grottoes represent the outstanding achievement of Buddhist cave art in China during the 5th and 6th centuries. The Five Caves created by Tan Yao, with their strict unity of layout and design, constitute a classical masterpiece of the first peak of Chinese Buddhist art.
While influenced by Buddhist cave art from South and Central Asia, Yungang Grottoes have also interpreted the Buddhist cave art with distinctive Chinese character and local spirit. As a result, Yungang Grottoes have played a vitally important role among early Oriental Buddhist grottoes and had a far-reaching impact on Buddhist cave art in China and East Asia.
Yungang Grottoes were added to the World Cultural Heritage List in December 2001.
Walk with your tour guide to explore the grottoes and niches, get to know its history and culture. Since this is a private tour, feel free to ask questions during the tour.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Hengshan Hanging Temple (Xuankong si), Hengshan, Datong China
Enjoy lunch in the local restaurant ,then heading to Hengshan Hanging Temple which takes 1.5 hours, enjoy the countryside view along the way.
The hanging temple is the only existed temple hosting worship for the Taoists, Confucians and Buddhists. Built in 491 A.D, Hanging Temple is an architectural wonder because it hangs on the west cliff of Jinxia Gorge more than 50 meters above the ground. An 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, it appears to be a tumble-down castle in the air. Inside, it provides the same scene as other temples. Hanging Monastery 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, it appears to be a tumble-down castle in the air. Inside, it provides the same scene as other temples. The architecture embodies a great cultural achievement of Chinese people.
Follow your tour guide to experience the 1400 years architectural wonder, get to learn the history of three major religions in China and how these believes been used into the architecture.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Ying Xian Wooden Pagoda, 76km (47 miles) south of Datong, Datong China
Your last stop is Yingxian Wooden Pagoda.
Upon arrival, follow your tour guide to experience the architectural gems which famous for its long history, unique design and wonderful construction techniques.
Built in 1056, the 957-year-old Wooden Pagoda of Yingxian County is the oldest and tallest wooden multi-storey building of the world. The pagoda plays an important role in the history of ancient Chinese architecture. It embodies the wisdom of ancient craftsmen, and it still stands tall after many seismic tests during nine hundred years. It can be described as a miracle in the history of Chinese architecture.
After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Datong or Datong railway station.
Duration: 1 hour
