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Thread: To visit Datong - Yes or No?
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[quote=ELCABRON ,4847]Datong is certainly worth a visit!I could not speak one chinese word, but there was no problem to get the train tickets from Datong to Xian (hardsleeper, 130 RMB)the highlight are the Yungong Caves, a world heritage with more than 50.000 buddha statues from a few centimeters to more than 17 meters of height. It is very close to the city, about 20 minutes by bus. The place was built in the days when China adopted the Buddhism from India. You can see the change from sharp cut faces with long noses and sari clothes of the oldest statues to round faces with short noses, Chinese clothes and typical eyes of the newest statues in these caves.In the city center I also visited the Shanhua temple, which I enjoyed very much. It is also worth a short visit.But there is much more to see:When you get to Datong you have to see the Hanging Monastery. I love it, but you need one day for the Hanging Monastery (Xuangong Si) because it is about 70 km outside of Datong. But it? awesome! Like a little bird nest hanging on the cliffs.All these places are great, but Datong, the city itself is one of the worst places I have seen in China. Even though I could not find it in official statistics of air pollution, I am sure it is the winner. The whole city is black because of coal dust. So, the historical sights are fascinating, but as soon as you are done with that, leave the city![/quote]
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