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Shanxi · 大同

Datong

Carved sandstone meets the open country of northern Shanxi.

The timber balconies of the Hanging Temple cling to a sheer rock face.
DatongThe Hanging Temple clings to a cliff on Mount Heng in Hunyuan County, outside Datong.

The Yungang Grottoes and the historic city of Datong.

Datong through the year

UNESCO · Yungang Grottoes

March–May

Spring

Yungang Grottoes

At Yungang, step back from the sandstone cliff to see how the figures and cave openings fit together.

A large seated Buddha and smaller figures are carved directly into a sunlit sandstone cliff.
Yungang GrottoesApril light picks out the seated Buddha and the smaller figures cut into the Yungang cliff.

June–August

Summer

Huayan Temple

Walk through Huayan Temple’s courtyards and look for the pagoda above the trees and tiled roofs.

Green trees partially screen a red temple hall and pagoda at Huayan Temple.
Huayan TempleLate-summer greenery frames the hall and pagoda at Huayan Temple.

September–November

Autumn

Hanging Temple

At the Hanging Temple near Hunyuan, take in the full cliff from below before looking for the timber details.

Timber halls and balconies of the Hanging Temple cling to a steep cliff above green shrubs.
Hanging TempleThe Hanging Temple’s wooden galleries cross a steep rock face in early September.

December–February

Winter

Daofa Ziran Archway

Look for the layered stone eaves and carved details around the archway. After snow, allow extra time for icy steps.

A carved stone archway stands over snow-covered steps and paving in Datong.
Daofa Ziran ArchwaySnow highlights the carved stone and steps at Datong’s Daofa Ziran Archway.