Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Dating to 1140, the impressive main hall of the
upper temple
( Shang Huay-
an Si) is one of the largest Buddhist halls in China, with Ming statues and Qing
murals within. The rear hall of the
lower temple
( Xia Huayan Si) is the oldest
building in Datong (1038), containing some remarkable Liao-dynasty wooden
sculptures.
Take bus 4 (¥1) from the train station to get here.
NINE DRAGON SCREEN
( Jiulong Bi; Da Dongjie; admission ¥10; 8am-7pm)
With its nine beautiful
multicoloured coiling dragons, the Nine Dragon Screen is a 45.5m-long, 8m-
high and 2m-thick Ming-dynasty spirit wall, built in 1392. It's the largest glazed-
tile wall in China and an amazing sight; the palace it once protected burnt
down years ago.
Wall
Sleeping
JIAHE HOTEL $$
( Jiahe Binguan; 555 9555; 1 Zhanqian Jie; 1 d/tw ¥268; )
Right by
the train station, this place has reasonably sized and comfortable rooms (with
the double beds raised off the floor in an imitation of the traditional
kang
-
style), modern showers and a strong broadband connection.
Hotel
DATONG YOUTH HOSTEL $
( Datong Qingnian Lushe; 242 7788/7766;
www.doyouhike.net
; 2 Huayan
Jie; 2 dm/d & tw ¥50/158; )
The sole hostel in town is aimed at
Chinese travellers, but foreigners will get a warm welcome (in broken English),
too. The hostel is located above a tiny kids' clothes store; look for the English
sign and then go through the shop and climb the stairs to the 3rd floor.
Hostel
