Datong - Yungang Caves and Hanging Monastry

Trip Start Oct 07, 2007
1
8
42
Trip End ??? ??, 2008


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
shadow

Flag of China  ,
Friday, November 23, 2007

We'll be kind to Datong and refrain from describing it. Suffice to say most travellers we talked to there were either staying just one night or none at all. The main (and perhaps only) reason people visit Datong is to see the Yungang caves and the Hanging Monastry. We visited both these sites on the same day on a guided tour.

The Hanging Monastry is most impressive for its location, clinging to the cliff 50m above ground level. Actually, it was originally built 100m about ground level but over time the valley in which it lies has been filled in by sediment. It's constructed a lot more stabily than it looks though - it's principally supported by horizontal beams, two-thirds of which are insided the rock face and not by those rather flimsy looking uprights!

Yungang caves are quite a different attraction - they consist of loads of caves inside quite thousands of Budas are carved. Found out something new here - apparently anyone can be a Buda - that's why there are so many carvings - they're supposed to represent everyone!
Slideshow Print this entry Datong hotels