Datong

Located in northern Shanxi province at an elevation of 1,040 meters, Datong spans across a fertile plain watered by the Sanggan River and borders Inner Mongolia.

The Northern Wei dynasty established their capital in Datong in 398 CE, constructing city walls that extended for 16 kilometers around the settlement.

The Yungang Grottoes, situated 16 kilometers west of Datong, contain more than 50,000 Buddhist statues and images carved into mountainside caves approximately 1,500 years ago.

Datong Yungang Airport provides daily connections to Beijing Capital Airport, while an extensive bus network connects major districts and archaeological sites throughout the region.

The Hanging Monastery, constructed in 490 AD, features multiple halls and chambers that appear to float against a cliff face without visible support structures.

Location: Shanxi

Capital city: Pingcheng District

Elevation above the sea: 1,042 m

Part of: Shanxi

Shares border with: Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Zhangjiakou, Baoding, Ulanqab, Shuozhou, Xinzhou

Website: http://dt.gov.cn

GPS coordinates: 40.09361,113.29139

Latest update: May 26, 2025 21:08