Located 17 kilometers west of Datong City in Shanxi Province, China, the Yungang Grottoes are carved into the southern foothills of Wuzhou Mountain, stretching 1 kilometer from east to west. Currently, there are 45 large-scale caves, 252 smaller caves, and over 51,000 stone statues. It is one of the largest ancient grotto complexes in China and is known as one of the four major grotto art treasures in China, along with the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, and the Maijishan Grottoes in Tianshui.
Hengshan
Hengshan Scenic Area is located 10 kilometers south of Hunyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi Province, and 62 kilometers from the urban area of Datong City. Known as the Northern Mountain, the Hanging Temple is world-famous. The main peak, Tianfeng Ridge, is located south of Hunyuan County, with an altitude of 2016.1 meters. It is known as the 'Northern Pillar of Heaven', 'Famous Mountain of the Impregnable Pass', and 'Second Mountain Under Heaven'.
Hunyuan Yongan Temple is located in the northern alley of the Drum Tower in the northeast of Hunyuan County, Shanxi Province. It was founded during the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) and was rebuilt several times during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. The main hall features intricately crafted caissons and ceilings. The walls of the hall are covered with Shui Lu paintings, depicting over 800 figures from Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, with colors largely preserved. The architecture and extensive murals of Hunyuan Yongan Temple provide important historical materials for studying folk beliefs in Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist deities. Yongan Temple, commonly known as the Great Temple, is the largest ancient building in Hunyuan County. The temple courtyard is flat and well-organized, with majestic and ancient structures.
Huayan Temple
Located in the southwest corner of the ancient city of Datong, it is based on the Buddhist classic 'Avatamsaka Sutra' and was first built in the seventh year of the Liao Dynasty's Chongxi period. It also served as a royal temple of the Liao Dynasty, holding a prominent status. After the war, it was rebuilt during the Jin Tianjuan period for three years. The temple faces west to east, with over 30 buildings including the Shanmen, Puguangming Hall, Daxiong Hall, Bojia Jiao Zang Hall, and Huayan Pagoda arranged along the north-south axis in a rigorous layout. Covering an area of 66,000 square meters, Huayan Temple is one of the earliest and best-preserved temple complexes from the Liao and Jin periods in China. It is serene, with a rigorous layout, majestic halls, and an ancient and magnificent appearance.
Ancient Castle Tomb Group
The Ancient Castle Han Tomb Group is located around the ancient castle, 60 li southeast of Yanggao County. There are 25 Han tombs on the east bank of Nanliyuan Gully. There are 15 Han tombs on both sides of the riverbank, 8 Han tombs north of the ancient castle, and 10 Han tombs east of the ancient castle. Centered around Gucheng Town, the tomb group covers an area of 19 square kilometers and is distributed in areas such as Xujiayao, Jinjiawa, Danjiayao, and Anjiazao.
Shanxi Yungang National Forest Park
Shanxi Yungang National Forest Park is located in Datong City, Shanxi Province, covering a total area of 15,967 hectares with a forest coverage rate of up to 31%. The park boasts a rich variety of natural and cultural landscapes, including the world-famous Northern Wei Yungang Grottoes art; the scenic Wen Ying Lake with its clear waters; the spectacular Red Rock Cliff with its red rocks and ancient pines; ancient plant fossil remains; modern coal industry exhibitions; and, together with other tourist attractions in Datong City such as the Upper and Lower Huayan Temples, Shanhua Temple, Nine-Dragon Wall, as well as the nearby Yingxian Wooden Pagoda and Hanging Temple on Mount Heng, forms a major tourist destination.
Located on the steep cliff of Cuiping Peak on the west side of Jinlong Gorge in Hengshan, Hunyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi Province, the Hanging Temple is known for its precarious position, often described as 'Hanging Temple, half-day high, suspended by three horse tails.' It is famous for its perilous location as if hanging over an abyss. Built 1400 years ago during the late Northern Wei period, it is the only temple in China that combines Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
Shanxi Datong Volcanic Cluster National Geopark
The Datong Volcanic Cluster Geopark is divided into the Datong Volcanic Cluster Scenic Area, the Sanggan River Scenic Area, and the Qiulinyu Scenic Area. It is a large comprehensive geopark that integrates geological relics and cultural landscapes, offering multiple functions such as tourism, leisure, vacation, popular science education, and scientific research. This volcanic cluster is a typical relic of Quaternary crustal movement, located in the flat and wide eastern Datong Basin and the middle reaches of the Sanggan River valley. It is one of the six famous volcanic clusters in China and a rare natural heritage of the East Asian continent.
