Datong, Shanxi🇨🇳 This EPIC Ancient City is China’s Best-Kept Secret! (4K HDR)
Datong (大同), a city steeped in history and cultural grandeur, stands proudly in the northern reaches of Shanxi Province (山西省). Once the capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty (北魏), it was a political and artistic hub that left behind a breathtaking legacy of Buddhist art, ancient architecture, and cultural wonders. As travelers step into this ancient city, they are greeted by a harmonious blend of towering temples, awe-inspiring grottoes, and well-preserved city walls that whisper tales of dynasties past.
Among its architectural marvels, the Yungang Grottoes (云冈石窟) remain its crown jewel. This UNESCO World Heritage site, with its 53 caves and over 51,000 Buddha statues, is a masterpiece of rock-cut architecture, reflecting the confluence of Indian, Central Asian, and Chinese artistic styles. Not far away, the Hanging Temple (悬空寺) defies gravity as it clings precariously to the cliffs of Mount Hengshan (恒山). Built over 1,500 years ago, this remarkable wooden structure is dedicated to Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, showcasing the architectural ingenuity of ancient craftsmen who constructed a temple that appears to float against the mountainside.
Another astonishing feat of ancient engineering is the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (应县木塔), known as the Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple (佛宫寺释迦塔). Built in 1056 during the Liao Dynasty (辽朝), it is the world’s oldest and tallest all-wood pagoda, standing at nearly 67 meters without a single nail. Despite centuries of earthquakes and wars, it has withstood the test of time, earning its reputation as one of China’s greatest wooden architectural wonders.
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💥ℹ️Turn ON the Closed Captions (CC) for info about Attractions !
📅Photography date
February 6, 2025
🗺️Interactive map
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1kXyZDZSmTa-rTjVSaCgzmeciX-JZM3M
📍Sights and Routes
Huayan Temple (华严寺)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/g74kfjgbVuNo4mPX9
Shanhua Temple (善化寺)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gi8DYSGGFj7hsbEA6
Yungang Grottoes (云冈石窟)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5JsgaWWqromiS1Hd7
Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (应县木塔)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/M2QjZpETFH9xHy3e6
Hanging Temple (悬空寺)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZuPKXpxV8Rrw3Mq9A
🎬Itinerary
00:00 Datong Ancient City (大同古城)
13:57 Huayan Temple (华严寺)
25:46 Mahavira Hall (大雄宝殿)
33:09 Drum Tower West Street (鼓楼西街)
47:00 Chunyang Palace (纯阳宫)
52:21 Drum Tower (鼓楼)
55:20 Drum Tower East Street (鼓楼东街)
1:04:01 Guandi Temple (关帝庙)
1:15:05 Southeast Yi Historical District (东南邑历史文化街区)
1:28:14 Heyang Gate (和阳门)
1:36:40 Shanhua Temple (善化寺)
1:50:44 Mahavira Hall (大雄宝殿)
1:58:03 Lingyan Temple (灵岩寺)
2:29:07 Yungang Grottoes (云冈石窟)
3:27:44 Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (应县木塔)
3:42:15 Inside the wooden pagoda (木塔内部)
3:53:49 Jingtu Temple (净土寺)
3:59:53 Yongan Zen Temple (永安禅寺)
4:06:57 Hanging Temple (悬空寺)
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13 Comments
53:21 おかわりおかわり
Datong – the hidden gem of Shanxi, China! Majestic rock-cut caves, breathtaking Hanging Temple, and a thousand years of history make this a must-visit destination! Who has been here before?
Nanti aku akan kesana
Very well preserved. Most of the old city and its walls were rebuilt by the serving mayor around 2000s-early 2010s, and of course there was a lot of criticism at the time due to the expense of the project and the fact that because the constructions were "modern" they were therefore "inauthentic." But it turns out he was ahead of the curve, since now Shanxi province is reputationally synonymous with ancient architecture thanks to Black Myth Wukong. So inauthentic or not, the restorations lend to the province's atmosphere of historicism. Personally, as long as its beautiful, who's complaining?
เห็น….นักท่องเที่ยวจีน…คึกครื้นจริงๆๆๆ….ทุกสถานที่…ทำให้บันยากาศ…น่าดูเที่ยวชม…ตอนนี้เมืองนํ้าเเข็งที่จีน…ละลายหมดไปยัง….ควรรีวิวให้ดูหน่อย…..ที่…ไทยแลนด์อากาศร้อนมากๆๆๆๆ38-39…องศา…….😊😊😊❤❤❤❤
สุดยอดเลยคุณเป็ดขอบคุณค่ะ
Incredible place 👍👍
一個城市的大街小巷才能更好的瞭解當地的環境與生活,通過你的視野也讓我觀察到這個世界。👏🏻
Lindo!obrigado por mostrar esses lugares maravilhosos👍❤
大同古代稱雲州,燕雲十六州中的燕是北京,雲就是雲州了😊
China is Richer as much as Europe i think .
These structures are way to old and chinese have New cities also .
That's so impressive considering how most of world have housing problems.
Good Day 💝
Amazing video, thank you for showing us this fascinating country!