Datong - Shanxi Province

An imperial city in the 4th & 5th centuries, nowadays Datong is most famous for its proximity to the wonderful Buddhist caves at Yungang, which were intricately carved during the city’s heyday. Cut into the cliffs of Wuzhou Shan the cave complex contains over 50,000 Buddhist statues. Also close to Datong is the region’s other amazing sight: the Hanging Monastery, which was founded some 1400 years ago and still clings dramatically to a wall just outside Hunyuan, 45 miles southeast of Datong. The combination of both sites in such close proximity makes a persuasive argument for visiting Datong.