Trip Moments Recommendations

When it comes to Shanxi Datong, many people know that the coal industry is very developed. In fact, this city is also the capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty, and it is also the capital of the Liao and Jin Dynasties. The long history of building a city has left Datong with a lot of cultural and architectural heritage, and Huayan Temple is one of them. Huayan Temple was built in 1038 AD, which is the northern emperor-Liaozhongxi seven years. In the early days, it was the royal ancestral temple of the Liao Kingdom. It was not open to ordinary people. Because you are the royal ancestral temple, the architectural community of Huayan Temple is laid out and constructed according to the specifications of the palace. The temple is from west to east, and more than 30 buildings are arranged on the two main lines of the south and the north. Standing on a high point, the panoramic view of the temple is quite a bit like the Beijing Forbidden City. Because it was a Buddhist temple built during the Liao Dynasty, the Buddha statues in the temple reflect the aesthetics of the time. Compared with the thin winds of the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Buddha statues carved in the Liao Dynasty were partial and strong. Huayan Temple is the best-preserved Liaojin temple complex in China. It was destroyed in various periods due to war and other reasons. It has undergone several re-constructions and has its current appearance. Many dynasties in China have changed, and you sing me to the stage, and finally the East-West fusion, East and North culture. Looking at China, there are countless ancient temples, but there are not many historical scales close to Huayan Temple.

On the inner walls of the temple, there is a vivid picture of the story, which is a fairy story of the clouds. They have different expressions and different looks, only indicating the difference in identity between costumes and headwear. The gems in the rhyme of the clouds, the two worlds fly together. Long bowed to the golden body and prayed for a lifetime. No worries, no worries, and the heart is old with Cangshan. Sitting in lotus, accepting the dignified Buddha of worship and prayer. For thousands of years, he sat quietly here, his eyes wide open, and his compassionate tenderness. For thousands of years, he silently listened to the deep desires of his followers, the unsatisfactory realities in the real world, and the secrets of his heart. Then he used his compassionate eyes to penetrate the darkness to bring dawn, and to resolve the troubles and sorrows. .

Listening to Zen Buddhism, Zen tea, this is the bliss of life.

This temple is located in the ancient city of Datong. It was originally built in 1038 AD, which is the seven years of Liaozhongxi. After that, it was unfortunately destroyed in the war. Although the war destroyed the "recorders" of many civilizations, the foundation still exists. In 1140, because of the need to rebuild Buddhism, Huayan Temple was reborn. There are more than 30 buildings in Huayan Temple. The synchronous is distributed on the two main axes of the north and the south. It has a unique layout style and gives visitors a sacred and steady impression. The whole temple has these main tourist attractions: First, the Shanghuayan Temple consists of the Daxiong Hall, the Shanmen, the Temple, the Guanyin Pavilion, the Tibetan Pavilion and the hatchback; second, the Huayan Temple is The Bojiajia Tibetan Temple is the center, and it is composed of the surrounding Liao Dynasty statues, Shijing Building, pavilion-style Tibetan cabinets and Tiangong Pavilion. Third, the Huayan Pagoda is made of 100 tons of pure copper. Because it is a monastery, it must be inseparable from the Buddha. Therefore, the tower contains a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva, and Jiaozuo Bodhisattva carved with centuries-old incense sandalwood. It is a treasure of Huayan Temple.

Religion seems to always have the effect of healing people's hearts. It will iron up your impetuousness and anxiety, together with your unattainable expectations, to make you calm and tolerant, and let you stand on the ground and be down to earth. I walked through temples in many places, in the north of the south, and in foreign countries. I was disappointed and even got something, but this time Huayan Temple and Shanhua Temple gave me a lot of surprises. Huayan Temple was built in the Liao Dynasty, and was destroyed in the war. The Jin Dynasty was rebuilt. In the middle of the Ming Dynasty, Huayan Temple was divided into Shanghuayan Temple and Xiahuayan Temple, each of which opened its own gates and formed its own pattern before recombining. The main temples of the entire temple are all facing the east, which is related to the religious beliefs and living customs of the Qidan people who worship the sun and the east. There are three main places in the temple that surprise me.

Nowadays, the temple of Huayan Temple is magnificent and magnificent. Although the upper and lower two temples are connected together, they are still centered on one main hall. Shangsi is mainly composed of Jinjian Daxiong Hall. It is divided into two courtyards, including Shanmen, Puguangming Hall, Passing Hall, Guanyin Pavilion, Wenshu Pavilion and the hatchback. The layout is strict, high and low, and orderly. The lower temple is built on the central axis of the Bojiajian Tibetan Temple, Huayan Square Tower and Guanyin Temple. It is simple and leisurely. The nearly 500-square-meter Qianfodi Palace under the Huayan Tower is made of 100 tons of pure copper. It is a model of high-rise relics and thousands of Buddha statues. It is a perfect example of the perfect combination of tradition and reality. Standing on the top floor of the pagoda, you can overlook the entire Huayan Temple.

Huayan Temple is located in the southwest of Datong Ancient City. It was built in the 7th year of Liaozhongxi (AD 1038) and was named after the Buddhist classic Huayan Jing. The temple sits west to the east, and more than 30 single buildings such as Shanmen, Puguangming Hall, Daxiong Hall, Bojiajia Tibetan Temple, and Huayan Pagoda are arranged on the two main axes of the north and the south. The layout is rigorous and the scale is grand. It is the earliest in China. Preserving a complete Liaojin Temple complex

Today's Huayan Temple was rebuilt on the original site according to Mr. Liang Sicheng's notes and manuscripts. Liang Sicheng discovered a Song version of "Building French", which introduced the ancient Chinese architecture and construction methods. In order to penetrate this ancient book, Liang Sicheng portable Lin Huiyin and Mo Zongjiang came to Datong by train and starry night to inspect the building. The first stop is Huayan Temple.

Days of travel: 1 day Per capita consumption: - With whom: - Travel method: Self-driving Day 1 This is a long travel, it is recommended to read under wifi, local tyrants! Copyright Notice The copyright of this travel document and all pictures and video works belongs to the author of the article, Rain God Hades. Without the authorization of the person, no individual or organization may copy or reproduce the contents of this article, and I will pursue his legal responsibility. If you need to publish or use it for other commercial purposes, please contact the author to discuss the authorization. Huayan Temple is located in the ancient city center in the center of Datong City. The location of the temple is basically the center of Datong City, which shows the special significance of this ancient temple to the city. Today it is also the largest ancient temple in Datong. Huayan Temple was first built in the Liao Dynasty. At that time, the area under construction was already very large. Later, this great temple was once subjected to war, and it was repeated several times. . After each Nirvana, this ancient temple grew by a point, so that the more it was rebuilt, the larger the area. Later, the temple was too big and it was too big to manage. Then Huayan Temple was divided into two, one was called Huayan Temple, and the other was called Huayan Temple.

Huayan Temple is located in the ancient city center in the center of Datong City. The location of the temple is basically the center of Datong City, which shows the special significance of this ancient temple to the city. Today it is also the largest ancient temple in Datong.

Datong Huayan Temple is a temple full of royal aristocratic atmosphere. It overlooks from a height, its magnificent scale and beaded red facade, much like the Forbidden City in Beijing. Huayan Temple was built by the Liao Kingdom Royal Family in 1038, and the name of the temple was taken from the Buddhist classic "Hua Yan Jing". In the ancient times, the Northern War continued, Huayan Temple was once destroyed. In 1140, that is, Jin Tianyu three years, Huayan Temple experienced reconstruction. In the subsequent Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, Huayan Temple was repaired. However, due to the war, the scale of the Huayan Temple after the restoration was not as good as the initial construction. In 2008, Huayan Temple experienced the last revision and completely restored the grandeur of the Liao period. Huayan Temple sits west to east, and more than 30 buildings including Shanmen, Zangzhen Building, Square Wooden Pagoda and various halls are arranged on the north-south main axis, with strict layout. Among them, the Daxiong Hall is one of the largest Buddhist temples in the Liao and Jin Dynasties, with an area of 1,559 square meters. Because the hall is constructed with a reduced column structure, the interior space is extremely open, and dozens of Qing Dynasty giant murals remaining in the four walls are solemn. Lost beauty. Small Raiders: Datong Railway Station and Long-distance Bus Station have cars arriving at Huayan Temple. Self-driving can directly locate Datong Huayan Temple. It is worth noting that the opening hours of Huayan Temple in summer and winter are different, and the opening hours in summer are 8

Overlooking Huayan Temple Square | Antique Street is called "Xiasipo Street", also known as "Shelly Square". It is called "Xiasipo Street" in Ming and Qing Dynasties. Beiwei and Liaojin have always been called "Shelley Square".

Mount Heng, the northern pillar, unites the world as one

Datong, the second largest city in Shanxi, borders Inner Mongolia to the north and the capital to the east. Upon arriving in Datong, apart from experiencing the rich and diverse staple food culture, the most important thing is to feel the scenery and regrets left by the dynasties throughout history. How should I put it, if possible, I would like to set a few keywords for Datong: Northern Wei Dynasty, border town, knife-cut noodles. Let's start with the most famous Yungang Grottoes. Yungang Grottoes ❤Recommended reason: As a world-renowned stone carving sculpture, the Yungang Grottoes are firstly about understanding the imperial tactics behind the grottoes, which involve Zen Buddhism and the summoning of monks by scent. Only then comes the exquisite stone carvings and culture. When you come here, I still recommend joining a tour group in advance or looking up strategies beforehand, because there are many places that are not visible at first glance, some are on the left, some behind, some overhead, and some on the body. Huayan Temple ❤Recommended reason: I recommend looking up strategies for Huayan Temple in advance, with an entrance fee of 50 yuan, entering from the side door. I specifically bought an electronic guide for this, which cost 20 yuan, but it made me very angry. The software is on Alipay, and when I clicked on the explanation below, it started playing automatically. I pressed stop, then clicked on the route, and it started again automatically. I exited, but it kept playing, and in the end, I was listening to the explanation in the Bodhisattva Hall with two voices from my phone, almost driven mad . Because there is an introduction in each hall, except for some key parts, you can actually just look at it yourself. These key parts I think can be found online, such as something in front of the Puguangming Hall, I really forgot and can't remember, the Bodhisattva in the Bodhisattva Hall, I think it's still worth listening to the explanation. And the most important point, the statues in the Manjusri and Samantabhadra Pavilion are all carved from camphor wood, which is very fragrant. Mount Heng ❤Recommended reason: It's just about climbing the mountain to check in, collecting photos of conquering the Five Great Mountains, the rest is not interesting. There are two springs on the mountain, Sweet Spring and Bitter Spring, the sweet one for daily use, and the bitter one for brewing medicine, but now the bitter one has dried up, and the sweet one is only for the use of the people on the mountain. Hanging Temple ❤Recommended reason: You must check in, many places are no longer allowed to be seen, and it's very narrow, with people queuing up to walk through. It is said that in a few more years, perhaps for protection, they won't allow people to go up anymore. Datong Museum ❤Recommended reason: To deepen the impression, many things you heard and saw in other places these two days can be recalled here again, with the focus on the Northern Wei Dynasty, the entire second floor.

If I had known about the Huayan Temple in Datong, I wouldn't have gone to Kyoto and Nara

The principle of dependent origination, the ancient temple in the clouds, embodies the Huayan Sutra. To get to the ancient city of Datong, navigate to Qingyuan Gate and walk 500 meters to arrive. The off-season ticket price is 40 yuan, and during peak season it's 50 yuan. Group ticket purchases require one person's ID card. Huayan Temple is located in the southwest corner of the ancient city of Datong, founded in the seventh year of the Liao dynasty's Chongxi era (1038 AD). The temple faces east and is laid out along two main north-south axes, with over 30 individual buildings including the mountain gate, Puguangming Hall, Daxiong Treasure Hall, Baojiao Scripture Depository, and Huayan Pagoda. The temple complex covers an area of 66,000 square meters and is one of the earliest and best-preserved Liao and Jin dynasty temple complexes in China. It was declared a national key cultural relic protection unit by the State Council in 1961. Historical records show that the Huayan school of Buddhism was prevalent during the Liao dynasty. Emperor Daozong personally wrote a ten-volume praise for the 'Avatamsaka Sutra' and had the entire 'Khitan Tripitaka' of 579 volumes carved and printed. These were placed in the Baojiao Scripture Depository of the Great Huayan Temple in the Western Capital, and stone and bronze statues of various emperors were 'reverently installed' within the temple, making the Great Huayan Temple a royal ancestral temple. By the end of the Liao dynasty, seven or eight out of ten temple buildings had been destroyed by war. The Jin dynasty rebuilt the temple on the same site, and by the early Yuan dynasty, it was still a grand temple in the clouds. During the Xuande and Jingtai years of the Ming dynasty, the temple was extensively renovated, Buddha statues were re-sculpted, and it flourished once again. From the mid-Ming dynasty onwards, the temple was divided into upper and lower sections, each with its own mountain gate and distinct layout, hence the terms 'Upper' and 'Lower' Huayan Temple. The temple suffered further damage in the early Qing dynasty, and although repairs were made in the early years of Emperor Kangxi's reign, its former glory was not restored. In 2008, Datong City launched a famous city revival project. Based on the records of the 'Golden Stele' in the temple, a huge investment was made to carry out large-scale renovations of Huayan Temple, restoring the grandeur of the Liao and Jin period. This northern Buddhist temple, which flourished during the Liao and Jin dynasties in the Western Capital, houses buildings, statues, scripture depositories, murals, flat ceilings, and caisson ceilings. With its long history, vast scale, and exquisite craftsmanship, it is known as the Liao and Jin Art Museum. The main hall, Daxiong Treasure Hall, was originally built in the eighth year of the Liao dynasty's Qingning era (1062 AD) and was rebuilt on the same site in the third year of the Jin dynasty's Tianjuan era (1140 AD). It is nine bays wide and covers an area of 1,559 square meters, making it the largest Buddhist hall from the Liao and Jin period still in existence in China. The Baojiao Scripture Depository was built in the seventh year of the Liao dynasty's Chongxi era (1038 AD). It is five bays wide, and inside, along the walls, there are 38 small wooden scripture cabinets arranged in a multi-story style, as well as five 'Heavenly Palace' cabinets. The craftsmanship is ingenious and exquisite, and it was praised by the famous architect Liang Sicheng as a 'unique treasure in China'. The central Buddha altar in the hall is adorned with 31 clay sculptures from the Liao dynasty, which are considered masterpieces of Liao sculpture. The smiling, clasped-hands bodhisattva is particularly lifelike, and the historian Zheng Zhenduo praised it as the 'Venus of the East'. The Huayan Pagoda is the second-largest pure wooden mortise-and-tenon structure pagoda in China after the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. It stands 43 meters tall with a golden disc on top and a lotus pond below. Particularly notable is the Thousand Buddha Crypt beneath the pagoda, which spans nearly 500 square meters and is made of 100 tons of pure copper. It houses the relics of high monks and a thousand Buddha statues, shining with golden splendor. It is unique in the country and exemplifies the perfect combination of tradition and reality.

Strolling through the ancient city of Datong at night

The tour time is after dark, when Huayan Temple, the Mansion of the Dai Kings, and others are closed. I entered from the East Gate just as the sunset, and watched the Nine Dragon Screen from outside the railings, which is right opposite the Mansion of the Dai Kings. I took a few photos outside the gate, then headed towards the Bell Tower. I passed by the Four-Archway, reaching the Huayan Temple Square, where there is usually a performance. As it got dark, I then set off for the Drum Tower, passing by it and heading to the South Gate to check tickets for the Datong Lantern Festival. Don't forget that there are performances at the lantern festival, so you can check the schedule to see.

Tongxing

Datong, Shanxi – Huayan Temple. After coming out of the Yungang Grottoes at around eleven in the morning, the road back to Datong city had improved a lot. It took half an hour to reach the ancient city of Datong, where the wait at Longjuxiang was long, so I settled for a bowl of sliced noodles instead, not very hungry but knowing I would be if I didn't eat. After eating, I walked west along the cross street of the Bell and Drum Towers, arriving at my first stop in the ancient city, the 4A scenic spot, Datong Huayan Temple. Huayan Temple was also built during the Liao Dynasty, rebuilt in the Jin Dynasty, and has been continuously renovated and expanded until recent years. The Liao Dynasty buildings within the temple still exist, as do the later constructions, which is a kind of heritage. Like the Wooden Pagoda in Ying County and the Yungang Grottoes, Huayan Temple is also one of the first batch of key national cultural relics protection units, with an entrance fee of 40 yuan, which is not expensive. Outside Huayan Temple is a square, which runs through the entire ancient city of Datong, serving as the main commercial street. Walking here, one can not only smell the aroma of food but also the scent of vinegar, which confirms you're in Shanxi. The entrance to Huayan Temple is at the northwest of Huayan Square, and the exit is at the southwest of the square. The temple faces from west to east, which is very rare among temples in China. Historically, Huayan Temple was divided into two parts, and now within the Huayan Temple scenic area, the northwest is the Upper Huayan Temple, and the southeast is the Lower Huayan Temple, with the northeast being the newly renovated courtyard at the entrance. Entering the temple and walking west along the temple road, the left and right halls bear the plaques 'Calm the Mind and Do Good' and 'Instant Enlightenment to Become a Buddha', but how many can achieve instant enlightenment? Passing through the second mountain gate, you come to the Upper Huayan Temple, where the columns of the Puguangming Hall are adorned with couplets by Mr. Geng. The Puguangming Hall was renovated in recent years, and the murals inside were restored at the same time, belonging to modern high-quality paintings, which is why photography is allowed, making it a popular spot for photos. The murals of Huayan Temple seen online are from here. Further inside is the Daxiong Baodian, an ancient building that has survived various wars, with a pair of glazed chiwen (mythical creatures) on the roof eaves, over four meters high, the largest surviving pair. Chiwen, a mythical creature from ancient legends with the body of a fish and the head of a dragon, is said to love swallowing fire and is one of the ridge beasts commonly used in ancient architecture, believed by the people to have the ability to bring rain and ward off fire. The Daxiong Baodian is open for casual viewing but photography is not allowed, and the murals are also exquisitely beautiful, admiring the beauty of ancient times is also a form of cultural confidence. Outside the Daxiong Baodian, you can see the Huayan Wooden Pagoda next to the Lower Huayan Temple, now the second tallest wooden pagoda, newly built in recent years. The tallest wooden pagoda can be seen in 'Tongxing. Ying County, Shanxi – Wooden Pagoda'. Below the Huayan Wooden Pagoda is an underground palace, with a copper dome and copper hall housing the relics of high monks, and the three-story wooden pagoda above can be climbed, but requires queuing and wearing shoe covers. The wooden pagoda also houses wooden Buddha statues, similar to the Lingyan Temple in the Yungang Grottoes scenic area, where the main purpose of climbing the pagoda is to descend it. The third floor is not open to the public, and one can only glimpse the scenery of the ancient city through the gaps in the windows. Exiting the pagoda and heading east, you reach the main hall of the Lower Huayan Temple, the Bojiao Zangdian. Bojiao seems to be a transliteration of ancient Indian Sanskrit, meaning Buddha, and this hall is where scriptures are stored, which can be understood as the scripture repository often mentioned in martial arts novels, except that this is a configuration of a large hall. There are two places to look at in the hall: one is a smiling, clasped-hands Bodhisattva statue on the left upon entering, known as the 'Venus of the East'; the other is the multi-tiered wooden scripture cabinets arranged on all four walls, which Mr. Liang Sicheng praised as a unique treasure within the country. Now, due to conservation efforts, one can only admire them from a distance. Continuing eastward out of the hall, you exit the scenic area, a trip that takes about two hours in total. The plaque with the calligraphy of Yan Zhenqing reading 'Huayan Temple' hangs high, beautifully written, and I have seen the original in the Xi'an Beilin Museum. Yan Zhenqing was born in the middle to late Tang Dynasty, and more than two hundred years after his death, the Liao court began building Datong Huayan Temple, so it's unlikely that Mr. Yan could have predicted this; there are dozens of ancient temples called Huayan Temple across the country, evolved from the Buddhist 'Avatamsaka Sutra', and Mr. Yan may have also provided plaques for other Huayan Temples, but without verification, I won't speculate. In any case, whether it's a collection of characters or a repurposing, this has some intrusion on the historical and cultural heritage. It is said that there is a warning stele outside the temple about the renovation of Huayan Temple, along with the couplets inside the temple, which suggests Mr. Geng had some insights.

Huayan Temple, a treasure of Liao and Jin architecture!

Huayan Temple is located on the west side of the ancient city of Datong, and is a treasure of China's Liao and Jin architecture. However, a large part of Huayan Temple was newly built during the renovation in 2008, and only the Mahavira Hall of the Upper Huayan Temple and the Tripitaka Hall of the Lower Huayan Temple remain from the Liao and Jin periods. 🗿 Mahavira Hall Located on a platform more than four meters high at the back of the temple, it is nine bays wide and five bays deep with ten rafters, covering a total area of 1476.75 square meters. It is deservedly the largest single-eave hip-and-gable roof wooden structure in China. Standing on the platform, it is impossible to see the whole structure at a glance. 🏯 Tripitaka Hall This hall, where the temple's scriptures are kept, was built in the seventh year of the Liao Chongxi era and is one of the two largest existing wooden Buddhist halls in China. Most of the murals inside the hall are still in the original Liao style. The hall contains thirty-one statues of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Vajras, all originally sculpted during the Liao period, including a standing Bodhisattva with clasped hands and a smiling face. 🏗️ Huayan Pagoda The pagoda is surrounded by water, with a pure copper crypt underneath. Do not miss this crypt, more than 500 square meters and over 100 tons of pure copper, which is extremely impressive. Inside the crypt, there are also relics of the Ming Dynasty monk Huiming. The Huayan Pagoda is also the second tallest all-wood mortise-and-tenon structure pagoda in the country, after the Wooden Pagoda of Ying County. 🎫 Ticket Price: Peak season 50RMB, off-season 40RMB 🔛 Opening Hours: 08:30-18:00 (Entry stops at 17:30) ⏰ Recommended Visiting Time: 2h

Promise me, before you go to Huayan Temple, you must read this nanny-level guide

· One of the three great Liao structures in Shanxi, Datong has two of them, Huayan Temple's Baoji Teaching Hall and Shanhua Temple's Daxiong Treasure Hall, and there is also the Wooden Pagoda in Ying County, Shuozhou (Fogong Temple's Sakya Pagoda). Today, we have arrived at Huayan Temple located within the ancient city of Datong. · Ticket price: 40 yuan, free for those above 60 years old. (Very worthwhile) · Visitor Information: Huayan Temple faces west and opens to the east, so the best time to visit is on a clear morning (fewer people, quiet), when the sunlight hits the ground and reflects into the main hall, shining on the exquisite Buddha statues and murals (Picture 2). Besides the Daxiong Treasure Hall and Baoji Teaching Hall, there is also a Huayan Treasure Pagoda in the temple courtyard. Although it was built later, it ranks second after the Wooden Pagoda in Ying County as the largest pure wooden structure square pagoda, with an excellent view from the top. Below the wooden pagoda is a copper Thousand Buddha Underground Palace. · Visiting time: About four hours, it is recommended to go early in the morning, and when you get hungry, go for lunch at noon. · Visiting highlights: 1⃣️ Daxiong Treasure Hall: This is the largest existing wooden Buddhist hall in China and the largest Buddhist hall from the Liao and Jin periods. The roof's chiwen (ornamental ridge beasts) reach 4.5 meters high, one of which looks worn and is the original from the Jin dynasty, a treasure of Huayan Temple, while the other brightly colored one was rebuilt during the Ming dynasty. The murals inside the hall are exquisite, painted by teachers and students from the Central Academy of Fine Arts, and many people come here to take photos (Picture 2). 2⃣️ Baoji Teaching Hall: It is one of the eight great Liao dynasty buildings still existing in China and the earliest Liao dynasty wooden structure in Huayan Temple. The clasped-hands, tooth-exposing Bodhisattva inside is known as the 'Eastern Venus'. It's a magical feeling to see a Bodhisattva with exposed teeth for the first time. 3⃣️ Huayan Pagoda Following the Wooden Pagoda in Ying County, it is the second-largest pure wooden mortise and tenon structure pagoda in the country, with an awe-inspiring scale (rebuilt according to the architectural style of the Liao and Jin periods). It's quite tall, and climbing it is quite steep and tiring. There is a pure copper underground palace at the base of the pagoda, displaying many copper Buddha statues and high monks' relics. Climbing the pagoda offers a bird's-eye view of the entire ancient city of Datong and another chance to appreciate the Daxiong Treasure Hall in detail. · The entire Huayan Temple scenic area has been rebuilt and expanded very well. Although only two halls remain after the wars, Mayor Geng's reconstruction of the buildings complements the old and new, with all aesthetics on point, very beautiful! It's a great place to stroll around for a whole day (bring your own dry food). Some people always talk about the beauty of Japanese architecture and how photogenic it is, but I think if our ancient architectural sites were all planned with the same aesthetic and design standards as Huayan Temple (with accompanying buildings and greenery around), there would be no need to go to Japan... The money saved on airfare could buy so many bowls of knife-cut noodles Huayan Temple

Datong Three-Day Two-Night Trip | These 12 things are a must-do

1⃣️ Head to Renji Qizhong Knife-Cut Noodles 🍜 for a bowl of local breakfast knife-cut noodles. Although I, as an outsider, find the topping a bit salty, the noodles are quite chewy. Renji Qizhong Knife-Cut Noodles (Main Store) 2⃣️ The Avatamsaka Sutra says: 'The flower of compassion will bear the fruit of magnificence.' This is the origin of the name of Datong's ancient Huayan Temple. Visit Huayan Temple and take a photo 📷 with the nearly thousand-year-old murals inside the Mahavira Hall. Huayan Temple 3⃣️ Visit Shanhua Temple and gaze into the eyes of the Great Auspicious Merit Sky, feeling the ease and composure within its serene temperament; take a look at the four prominent Heavenly Kings statues at Shanhua Temple, the depiction of their eyes is quite on point. Shanhua Temple 4⃣️ Go to the Nine Dragon Wall scenic area to appreciate the treasure of ancient Chinese architectural art, a symbol of royal power. Datong's Nine Dragon Wall is known as 'the foremost among Nine Dragon Walls,' featuring centuries-old colored glaze and exquisite sculpting skills. Nine Dragon Wall 5⃣️ Stop by Zini 369 for a serving of yellow rice jelly cake with dried plum vegetable chicken wings. The sticky texture of the yellow rice jelly cake, paired with the sweet osmanthus sauce, is truly delightful!! Dried plum vegetable lovers should not miss the dried plum vegetable chicken wings, the unique aroma of the dried plum vegetable adds a novel combination to the chicken wings. Zini 369 Coarse Grain Season (Drum Tower Store) 6⃣️ Choose a day 🚗 to hire a car to Ying County and Hunyuan, standing in front of the Ying County Wooden Pagoda, the shock still lingers in my memory. As a nail-less mortise and tenon structure wooden pagoda, it has miraculously stood for nearly a thousand years despite being shot through by bullets and the ignorant act of window replacement; after viewing the wooden pagoda, walk to the Pure Land Temple to see the double dragon double-layer caisson. Ying County Wooden Pagoda Pure Land Temple 7⃣️ In Hunyuan, have a bowl of 'Little Wife's Cold Noodles' with stuffed pies and smoked eggs. Wife's Cold Noodles Little Wife's Cold Noodles (Hunyuan Store) 8⃣️ Visit Hunyuan to experience the visual shock of the murals at Yong'an Temple, especially the mural of the Ten Great Wrathful Kings in the Dharma Transmission Hall on the north wall, among which the image of the 'Great Mighty Virtue Immovable King' with blue face and red hair, and fierce expression, left the deepest impression on me. Yong'an Temple South Courtyard 9⃣️ Walk from Yong'an Temple to Yuanjue Temple to see the Shakyamuni Relic Brick Pagoda standing within the temple. Its pagoda spire is China's ancient famous wind-vane instrument - the wind-vane bird, a unique and unparalleled treasure. Remember to follow the sound of the pagoda bell and circle the pagoda three times with the time before leaving, and everything will go smoothly after completing the circles. Yuanjue Temple Brick Pagoda 1⃣️0⃣️ Visit the Datong Museum to see the prominent tomb-guarding creatures, the exaggerated expressions on their faces are somewhat adorable. Datong Museum 1⃣️1⃣️ Visit the Yungang Grottoes to see an important type of ancient Chinese architecture - the cave temple architecture, and take a look at Teacher Wang Nan's 'World Architecture Museum.' Yungang Grottoes 1⃣️2⃣️ Finally, end your trip in Datong with a bowl of Dongfang Shaved Noodles, which compared to Renji, has a lighter topping that better suits the general public's taste. Dongfang Shaved Noodles (Playground City Street Store)

Datong celebrates the Lunar New Year

Datong, the sub-central city of Shanxi Province, also known as Pingcheng, belongs to Shanxi Province. It is located in the north of Shanxi, bordering Xinghe County, Fengzhen City, and Liangcheng County of Ulanqab City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to the north, Youyu County, Huairen City, Ying County of Shuozhou City, and Fanshi County of Xinzhou City in the province to the west and south, and Huai'an County, Yangyuan County, Yu County of Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, and Laiyuan County, Fuping County of Baoding City to the east. It covers an area of 14,000 square kilometers and governs 4 districts and 6 counties. As of the end of 2022, the permanent population is 3.1 million, and the regional GDP has reached 184.25 billion yuan. It is one of the first 24 national historical and cultural cities in China, and has won the titles of China's Excellent Tourism City, National Garden City, and National Double Support Model City.

Detailed introduction to Shanxi travel guide, real experience

It has to be said that Shanxi in the off-season is too fragrant! I went to Datong once in the summer, there were too many people and the attractions were crowded. So I took advantage of the less crowded winter to go again, and played deeply for a week. I went to Datong, Ying County, Xinzhou Wutai, Taiyuan, and the experience was really good! 1️⃣ Going to Shanxi is mainly to see ancient buildings. There is a lot of history, Buddhism, and ancient architectural knowledge here, so you must do your homework in advance. You can read related books or find documentaries to watch, otherwise you won't understand many things at that time. 2️⃣ Yungang Grottoes are worth spending a day to see, one of the four major grottoes, to feel the exquisite art of the ancients. There are few people in the off-season, and each grotto can be carefully appreciated. In addition to the iconic smiling Buddha, there are many colorful grotto carvings that are lifelike, Wuhua Cave, Music Cave, the first time the local dog saw the colorful grotto was really shocking! 3️⃣ Datong temples Huayan Temple and Shanhua Temple must go. Huayan Temple is a royal temple of the Liao Dynasty. Look at the Daxiong Hall, Baojiao Hall, and the smiling Buddha with teeth. Climb the Huayan Pagoda to overlook the ancient city of Datong. There is also a pure copper underground palace worth seeing. Shanhua Temple to see the dougong, see the statue, both temples are one of the eight major Liao structures, the first batch of national treasure-level cultural relics. 4️⃣ There are many plaques worth seeing in Ying County Wooden Pagoda, inscriptions from celebrities at different times, just like bullet screens. When the wind blows, the bells on the tower vibrate with the wind, and from time to time there are swallows flying by, it has been like this for a thousand years. After watching the wooden tower, go to Jingtusi to see the Tian Gong algae well, very close. 5️⃣ I chartered a car to Fuguang Temple and Nanchan Temple in Wutai County. I knew about the story of Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin discovering Fuguang Temple before, the earliest discovered wooden structure building, the light of ancient architecture. Follow the footsteps of the predecessors and feel the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. 6️⃣ Taiyuan went to Jinci and Shanxi Museum. There are historical buildings from the Song Dynasty to the Republic of China in Jinci, the earliest overpass of Yuzhao Feiliang, the statues of the Holy Mother Hall, and the plaques and couplets are all worth seeing. The bronzes, Buddhist statues and Jin merchants exhibitions in the Shanxi Museum are very powerful. 🚄Transportation: You can take the high-speed rail in major cities in Shanxi, and there are also buses between cities and counties, which are quite convenient. You can buy tickets at the bus station or online. 🍜Eat: Over-oil meat, knife-cut noodles, assorted hot pot, and shao mai are all recommended. 🧣Weather: Shanxi in winter is still very cold, I came from Beijing, I feel it is 10 degrees colder than Beijing, you must wear more clothes and stick to the warm baby well.

In the bleak winter, everything is beautiful enough to touch one's heartstrings

Shanxi, with every step you take, you can see ancient buildings, and with just a glance, you can see thousands of years. It can be described as a pilgrimage to ancient architecture. For underground relics, look to Shanxi; for above-ground relics, look to Shanxi. Here's a two-day, one-night itinerary for Datong: D1: Huayan Temple—Shanhua Temple—Qian Building—Yungang Grottoes D2: Earth Forest—Yong'an Zen Temple—Hanging Temple—Ying County Wooden Pagoda ✅Huayan Temple A well-preserved group of Liao and Jin Dynasty buildings, with exquisite murals comparable to those in the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, and the largest main hall in the country. ✅Yungang Grottoes Even after studying the texts and watching documentaries, you will still be moved here. As the saying goes, 'After reading thousands of books, I respect the Northern Wei Dynasty, and I live only to worship Yungang.' ✅Shanhua Ancient Temple It's quieter than Huayan Temple but no less exquisite. The original Liao and Jin structures, the Rakshasa colored clay sculptures, and the Ming Dynasty temple murals are all worth seeing. ✅Datong Ancient City The picture shows one of the corner towers of the ancient city wall, Qian Building. Although it was rebuilt after being destroyed, it still retains its character. ✅Ying County Wooden Pagoda The oldest and tallest existing wooden pagoda from the Liao Dynasty in the world. Liang Sicheng was so obsessed with it that he wrote, 'It's so amazing that it takes my breath away.' ✅Hanging Temple A 1500-year-old building in the sky, rated as one of the top ten most dangerous buildings in the world. Drones are not allowed, and the best view is from the bottom of the mountain. ✅Yong'an Zen Temple A hidden gem of an ancient temple at the foot of Mount Heng, originally built during the Jin Dynasty and renovated several times. It retains the wooden structure of the Yuan Dynasty and features exquisite murals and calligraphy works. ✅Yuanjue Temple Brick Pagoda Just a street away from Yong'an Zen Temple, this octagonal nine-level eave-style brick pagoda was built during the Jin Dynasty. The pagoda body is simple and exquisite, exuding an ancient charm. ✅Datong Earth Forest A masterpiece of nature, especially beautiful at sunset

Apart from the cold, there are no drawbacks to visiting Datong in the off-season

The tickets are cheaper during the off-season The scenic spots are less crowded You can take your time to visit the Yungang Grottoes, which are usually too crowded to get into You don't have to worry about not getting tickets, you can buy them on the day The temperature is bearable for someone from the south, wearing a down jacket, you can walk outdoors for 2-3 hours. Just try not to go out after sunset. D1 Shanhuasi Huayansi D2 Yungang + Tulin (didn't go to D3 Hanging Temple Yingxian Wooden Tower in the end Tips: 1 Personally, I think Shanhuasi is better than Huayansi. Firstly, Shanhuasi doesn't charge an entrance fee, and secondly, its ancient relics are more visually stunning. Most of Huayansi has been restored. 2 Yungang has a combo ticket with Tulin. At first, I thought they were not far apart, but after visiting the grottoes, I realized they were about 30km apart. By then it was after four o'clock and the temperature had dropped, so I decided to give up (the customer service refunded me 3 Apart from Yungang, the other attractions can be done in about an hour, so you can plan your time accordingly. I was taking it slow, not rushing. 4 The food in Datong didn't really suit my taste. I tried all the popular restaurants and they were just average. The portions are large, two people can order 2-3 dishes, the average cost per person is 70-80 5 Before you go, you can watch documentaries about the attractions on Bilibili. 'Yungang', 'A Thousand Years in One Tower: Yingxian' and 'Shanhuasi and Huayansi' by Kaogongzhi. Especially the documentary about Yingxian Wooden Tower, because you can't climb it, you can do your homework online beforehand. Otherwise, you'll feel regretful only being able to look up from below after paying a hefty entrance fee.

Although the relics are old, they still show the Liaojin - Huayan Temple

Huayan Temple, located in the southwest corner of Datong Ancient City, was built in the seventh year of Liao Zhongxi (1038 AD), named after the Buddhist scripture "Huayan Sutra". It has both the nature of the royal temple of the Liao Dynasty and a prominent status. Huayan Temple faces west to east, with the mountain gate, Puguangming Hall, Daxiong Baodian, Bajiao Jiaozang Hall, Huayan Pagoda and more than 30 other individual buildings are arranged on the two main axes of the south and the north, with a rigorous layout.

Huayan Temple in Datong, Shanxi | Ancient temple murals, linger on

| Ancient temple murals, linger on. Huayan Temple in Datong, admire the beauty of Liao and Jin architecture, Huayan Temple, a famous ancient temple that you must visit once. When you really get close to the ancient buildings, you are immersed in the beautiful murals, the breath of history hits you in the face, and you can't calm down for a long time. The Liao and Jin dynasties, which were lightly described in history, can also glimpse the once prosperous and strong in this huge temple. Huayan Temple was built in the seventh year of Liao Zhongxi, and was named according to the Mahayana doctrine of 'the flower of compassion, must bear the fruit of solemnity' in the Buddhist scriptures 'Huayan Sutra'. Inside Huayan Temple, there are nearly a thousand years old buildings like the Great Buddha Hall, and the murals inside the hall are precious cultural relics. Ancient temple murals, it's worth the trip. In 2009, professors from the Central Academy of Fine Arts led students to redraw here, and the replication level is very high. The most impressive is the Water Moon Guanyin in Figure 7. The veil under the brush seems to be able to see the veil rising in front of your eyes in an instant~ Every step in the temple is a scene, and every step is worth a careful look. When you walk into the temple, the faint sound of bells and birds, in this quiet temple, it seems to hear the sound of horse hooves a thousand years ago, and feel its peace after thousands of years and several ups and downs. 📍: Huayan Temple 🎫: Adult ticket 50 yuan, but the Apple system cannot be purchased online, can be purchased on site. ⏰: 8:30～18:00 (Evening time is a bit crowded, around noon should be less people) 📕: One day strategy, go to Datong Museum first, then go to Huayan Temple, and finally watch the sunset on the city wall 🚗: It takes about half an hour to get to various attractions in the city, and you can walk from Huayan Temple to the city wall.

The Ultimate Guide to Datong Citywalk! These places must be scheduled!

"Underground relics see Shaanxi, aboveground relics see Shanxi", Shanxi Datong is definitely a treasure city, it was the capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty, in addition to the famous Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple, use Citywalk to check in Datong, carefully taste the historical heritage and new vitality in the ancient city. ⭐️ Huayan Temple Datong Huayan Temple is a group of Liao and Jin temple buildings, not to be missed are the largest existing Liao and Jin Buddha Hall in our country, which is also one of the largest Buddha Halls in our country, the Daxiong Bao Hall, the hall is nine rooms wide and five rooms deep, the design of reducing the pillars makes the whole building look majestic and light. The 4.5-meter-high glazed ridge, the only remaining Liao Dynasty building in Huayan Temple, the Thin Gaya Sutra Hall, and the statue of the Bodhisattva with clasped hands and teeth, known as the "Eastern Venus" by historians, are all the essence of Huayan Temple that cannot be missed. ⭐️ Nine Dragon Wall There are three Nine Dragon Walls in our country, located in Datong, Beijing and Pingyao, and the Nine Dragon Wall in Datong is the largest and earliest built in our country, known as the "First of the Nine Dragon Walls". It was originally a single-sided five-color glazed wall in front of the mansion of Zhu Gui, the thirteenth son of Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang. What we see now is rebuilt in the same way after the city planning was built and moved 28 meters south in 1954. The Nine Dragon Wall displays ancient glazed and superb sculpture skills, each dragon has a different expression, vivid and lifelike. In summer, the stone wall will be reflected in the pool in front, just like nine dragons playing in the water. ⭐️ Nianxia Art Center In Datong, there are not only historical buildings, but also this modern art center. The art center has two floors, inside which are collected 500+ hand-made pieces from Japanese and American animations and movies, such as Marvel, DC, Transformers, Ninja Turtles, etc., each one is super fine, hand-made enthusiasts probably can't move when they see it. The outdoor balcony on the second floor is a perfect photo area, where you can overlook the nearby Datong Ancient City, and the afternoon sun is quite out of the picture. ⭐️ Southeast Yiwu Cultural Block The Southeast Yiwu Cultural Block is a restoration and renovation of the ancient city based on the principle of respecting history. While maintaining traditional charm, the block also adds many living spaces that modern people love. Coffee shops, bookstores, workshops, grocery stores, old buildings are rejuvenated, leisurely walking in the block, feeling the surprise at every turn.

The aftermath of leaving Datong is even greater than a breakup! A 2-day guide to Shanxi Datong is here!

When it comes to Datong, many people think of it as a coal city. It seems that when it comes to travel, people rarely think of Datong. "Underground relics are seen in Shaanxi, and above-ground relics are seen in Shanxi" It is the capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty and one of the nine ancient capitals. There are countless grotto temples. Every step is an ancient building, and every glance is a millennium. Datong is really a seriously underestimated treasure travel destination: About the route: Day1: Huayan Temple - Shanhua Ancient Temple - Datong Ancient City Day2: Soil Forest - Hanging Temple - Ying County Wooden Pagoda - Yungang Grottoes About accommodation: It is recommended to stay near the ancient city of Datong, which is convenient for going anywhere. About transportation: The itinerary for the first day is all within the ancient city of Datong, and you can reach it by walking or taxi. The attractions on the second day are far apart, it is recommended to rent a car or charter a car, about 300 for a day. About the attractions: 1 Huayan Temple A Liao and Jin temple architectural group that was built early in modern times and is well preserved. The exquisite murals are no less than those of Mogao Grottoes, and it has the largest Daxiong Hall in the country. 2 Shanhua Ancient Temple Compared with Huayan Temple, it has more ancient temple charm. Liao and Jin original structures, Raksha colored clay sculptures, and Ming Dynasty temple murals are all worth seeing. 3 Datong Ancient City It can't be finished in a day, every step is an ancient building, the popular ancient architectural groups are all here, and the lights will be turned on at night, the night view is super beautiful, and the photos are very good. 4 Soil Forest The magic of nature, the landscape created by the magic of nature. It has a bit of the charm of Karamay Devil City, it is very spectacular. 5 Hanging Temple A sky-high building with a history of 1500 years, rated as one of the top ten dangerous buildings in the world. It is composed of 40 staggered pavilions, and the bottom is only supported by a dozen wooden pillars. No wonder Li Bai left the word "spectacular" here. 6 Ying County Wooden Pagoda China's oldest and tallest wooden pagoda, built without a single nail, still stands tall after experiencing wars and several earthquakes. 7 Yungang Grottoes Together with Mogao Grottoes and Longmen Grottoes, they are called "Three Major Grottoes". As the "prequel" of "Longmen Grottoes", the Yungang Grottoes, which were excavated in the Northern Wei Dynasty, have more than 51,000 stone carving projects. The description on the Internet is far less shocking than what you see with your own eyes.

Shanxi Travel Guide

Walking through Shanxi is like traversing the long river of history. Each ancient relic tells an old story, inspiring respect. Shanxi, a place worth visiting. Wang's Grand Courtyard: Known as the "Folk Forbidden City", it has a history of more than 300 years through the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and every brick and tile is full of historical heaviness. Pingyao Ancient City: One of the four well-preserved ancient cities, walking on the streets of the ancient city is like returning to ancient times. Ma's Grand Courtyard: A representative of Jin merchants' mansion, standing on the viewing platform, overlooking the entire Pingyao ancient city, with a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery. ⛩️Zhenguo Temple: The painted and wooden structures of the Five Dynasties period are breathtaking. Yungang Grottoes: A representative of national aesthetics, each Buddha statue is full of stories. ⛩️Huayan Temple: A group of Liao and Jin temples, with exquisite murals, the Daxiong Hall is the largest in the country. ⛩️Shanhua Ancient Temple: Rakshasa colored clay sculpture, Ming Dynasty temple murals, every place is worth savoring. Ying County Wooden Pagoda: An amazing building, Liang Sicheng was also obsessed with it. ⛩️Yuanjue Temple Brick Pagoda: A nine-level secret eave-style brick pagoda of the Jin Dynasty, simple and exquisite, with a thousand-year-old rhyme. Huyuan Ancient City: Opposite Yongan Zen Temple, with Hengshan Mountain behind, it has a kind of desolate impact. Datong Earth Forest: The natural wonder of nature, it has a desolate feeling of the northwest at sunset. The ticket prices for Shanxi's attractions range from tens to hundreds of yuan. Come to Shanxi, feel the heaviness of history, and experience the wisdom and ingenuity of the ancients! Huayan Temple

Shanxi is great, I will come again next time!

Day1: Shanghai-Taiyuan Shanxi Museum, Coal Museum, Bell Tower Street, Food Street Recommendation: Gold Silk Beef Pie, God Fried Chicken. Stay in Taiyuan Day2: Jinci Museum, Taiyuan Ancient County. Stay in Taiyuan Day3: Yanmenguan, Yungang Grottoes. Stay in Datong Recommendation: Purple Mud 369 Coarse Grain Record (The waitress is very enthusiastic, every dish we ordered is very generous and super delicious) Day4: Huayan Temple, Nine Dragon Wall, Datong Ancient City Wall, Ying County Wooden Tower, Hanging Temple, Wutai Mountain East Terrace. Stay in Wutai Mountain (Wutai Mountain East Terrace climbed half, saw the sunset, and there are many cows! The scenery is too beautiful! Be sure to rent a military coat, because it's really cold in the evening) Day5: Wutai Mountain Shuxiang Temple-Wuye Temple-Tayuan Temple-Xiantong Temple-Bodhisattva Top-Dailuo Top, watch 'See Pingyao Again'. Stay in Pingyao Ancient City ('See Pingyao Again' is really amazing! So good-looking! The immersive experience completely immerses people in the plot) Recommendation: Vegetarian Dicos Day6: Pingyao Ancient City, Qiao's Grand Courtyard, return to Taiyuan at night Recommendation: Tianyuan Kui (The boss is too enthusiastic, poured a lot of vinegar for us to taste, I like the concubine vinegar, gold vinegar and persimmon vinegar the most), Mr. Liang (The refrigerator stickers are so good-looking! Vinegar ice cream is very exciting) If you have time, you can also take some photos. Day7: Jin Merchant Museum, Double Tower Temple, return to Shanghai at night There are several Chinese-style afternoon teas in the Jin Merchant Museum, all of which are very delicate. Shanxi is definitely an underestimated treasure place. The people in Shanxi we met this week are really very hospitable and enthusiastic. Using Dong Yuhui's words, 'Time seems to favor this land of Shanxi, so it leaves many traces of its past here.' Only by coming here in person can you feel its unique charm. Because each place is far apart, it is recommended to charter a car to go!

The small wooden model of Qianlou in Huayan Temple

🎈A precious piece of art located inside the Daxiong Hall of Huayan Temple. This model was made according to the design of the 'Qianlou' in the northwest corner of Datong in the Ming Dynasty, reaching a height of two and a half meters. It was created by the Qing Dynasty sculptor Li Yan, and despite the original appearance of the building being destroyed in the Qing Dynasty, it has been rebuilt on the city wall in recent years. 🎈The exquisite degree of the small wooden model of Qianlou in Huayan Temple is breathtaking. Every detail is carved out, including stairs, doors and windows, and carvings. Both the architectural structure and the decorative style show the characteristics and style of Ming Dynasty architecture. Standing in front of the model, it seems that you can travel through time and space, feeling the prosperity and solemnity of that distant era. 🎈The small wooden model of Qianlou in Huayan Temple is not only a piece of art, but also a treasure and inheritance of historical culture. It brings the architectural culture of the Ming Dynasty to the modern era, and through reconstruction, people have the opportunity to witness the glory of Qianlou. 🎈I hope to introduce the value and significance of the small wooden model of Qianlou in Huayan Temple to more people. It not only allows people to appreciate the beauty of Ming Dynasty architecture, but also shows us the importance of protecting and inheriting historical culture. 🎈Going to Huayan Temple and admiring this exquisite small wooden model will bring you a unique travel experience. Here, you can not only feel the solemnity and tranquility of the religious atmosphere, but also appreciate the charm of ancient Chinese architectural art. Whether you are a traveler interested in historical culture, or a collector who loves art, the small wooden model of Qianlou in Huayan Temple will bring you unexpected surprises and inspirations. I hope my sharing can ignite more people's love for art and history, and add an unforgettable memory to their journey.