Datong
From ChinaTravelGuide
North China (华北) » Shanxi (山西) » Datong (大同)
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[edit] Overview
Datong (大同), the second largest city of Shanxi Province, is situated in the far north of the province, bordering Inner Mongolia.
Datong serves as the capital city of two dynasties, Northern Wei (386-534), and Liao Dynasty. Top attractions include some marvelous ancient sites, remnants of the city's glory days as the capital city of two dynasties. Today Datong is a modern industrial city known for its coalmines, power stations and a huge locomotive factory.
Though most visitors today are attracted by the marvelous ancient Buddhist sites, Datong is also the closest city to Mount Hengshan, one of the four holy mountains of Taoism in China. The spectacular Hanging Temple in Hengshan is a must-see to any tourists visiting Hengshan.
[edit] History
Datong was established as the capital of the Northern Wei (386-534) in 398 AD when Turkic Toba people conquered the whole northern China, and when the Former Qin state began to break apart. At that time, Former Qin state was busy fighting against Jin forces in central and southern China in the failed bid to unify China.
Northern Wei was a state of fervent Buddhists, and made some notable cultural achievements. Among them, the finest was a magnificent series of cave temples known as Yungang Grottoes. Situated just west of the city, Yungang Grottoes is one of the most impressive sights in North China.
Over the course of almost a century, Buddhists built more than fifty caves housing over fifty thousand statues in Datong. In 494 AD, the dynasty moved its capital south from Datong to Luoyang and started the construction of the similar Longmen Grottoes. More than 30,000 Buddhist images from the time of this dynasty have been found in the Longmen Grottoes.
Datong was made the capital of the Mongol Liao dynasty in 907. The Liao dynasty brought a second period of greatness to Datong. The Liao dynasty built some fine statuary and temples before it was assimilated into the Jin in 1125. The notable architectures are the Huayan (华严寺) and Shanhua (善化寺) temples inside the city, and Fogong Temple Pagoda (佛宫寺释迦塔), the oldest wooden pagoda in China, in the nearby town of Ying County.
Datong remained an important city to later Chinese dynasties because of its strategic position just inside the Great Wall, and south of Inner Mongolia. In early Ming dynasty, a tall city wall was constructed to protect the city from attacks.
[edit] Snapshot
| Location | Lastitude: 112°34′─114°33′ East, Longitude: 39°03′─40°44′ North. Northern Shanxi Province. Close to Inner Mongolia to the north, Zhangjiakou to the east. | ||
| Geography | Datong Basin | |||
| Nearby Areas | Shuozhou, Inner Mongolia, Zhangjiakou | |||
| Area - Total - Urban area | 4176 km² 2080 km² | Population - Total - Urban area | 3.12million 1.08million | |
| Weather - Avg. Temp - Rainfall | 5.5°C/42°F 400 mm /15.75 inch | People & Culture | ||
| Mountains | Mount Hengshan | Rivers | Yuhe River (御河), Shili River (十里河), Kouquan River (口泉河), Yuni River (淤泥河) | |
| Economy | Coal mine, heavy industries | Phone Area Code | 0352 | |
[edit] Weather
Datong has a continental monsoon and climate with distinct four seasons because of its location on the vast expanses of the Loess Plateau (黄土高原). Temperatures vary greatly between day and night, and between the summer with a high of 28°C and the winter with a low of around -16°C.
Current Conditions (2009-01-09 08:00:00, local time)
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Datong |
Temp: -5°F (-21°C) |
Datong Weather Forecast
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| Weather averages for Datong | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Avg high °C (°F) | -4 (25) | 1 (34) | 7 (45) | 16 (61) | 23 (73) | 27 (81) | 28 (82) | 26 (79) | 22 (72) | 15 (59) | 6 (43) | -2 (28) | |
| Avg low °C (°F) | -16 (3) | -12 (10) | -6 (21) | 2 (36) | 9 (48) | 14 (57) | 17 (63) | 15 (59) | 9 (48) | 2 (36) | -7 (19) | -14 (7) | |
| Rain cm (inches) | 0.13 (0.1) | 0.2 (0.1) | 0.71 (0.3) | 1.64 (0.6) | 2.6 (1) | 3.94 (1.6) | 7.96 (3.1) | 5.67 (2.2) | 4.3 (1.7) | 1.11 (0.4) | 0.48 (0.2) | 0.16 (0.1) | |
| Source: per MSN 2008 | |||||||||||||
[edit] Getting in & Getting out
[edit] By Air
Datong Airport is only 15 km away from the city center, in the north of Beijiazao Town in Datong County. It currenly has flights to Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing and other major cities.
There are free airport shuttles between the city center and the airport. The shuttles start from Datong Hotel, stop at Intercontinental Hotel, and then at Civil Aviation Box Office (on Yingbin Road), and arrive at Datong Airport. The shuttles leave for the airport 2 hours before the departure time.
Datong airport info line: 0352-2043388
[edit] By Train
Datong is a transportation hub connecting Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, and Inner Mongolia. Beijing-Baotou, Beijng-Taiyuan, Datong-Zhangjiakou, Datong-Qinhuangdo, Datong-Fenglingdu railways intersect in Datong area.
Datong railway station is located on North Xinjian Road, and can be reached through bus line 2, 4, 8, 14, 16, and 21. The station is the default choice for most travelers going to the northern part of Shanxi Province. There are many trains going to places like Taiyuan, Beijing, Hangzhou, Baotou, Shenyang, and other mid-size and large cities.
- Datong train station ticket office: 0352-7122922
- Shuozhou train station inquiry: 0349-4057962
[edit] By Bus
The 334-km Beijing-Datong Expressway was opened to the public in late 2000. It was China's first heavy-duty, high-load expressway built using concrete pavement. In addition, Datong has an extensive highway network of national highway 108, 109, 208, and 209, and also several state roads. Datong North Bus Station has buses going to Hohhot and Taiyuan.
There are 4 long-distance bus stations in Datong: South Station, North Station, New South Station, and New Pingwang Station.
- South Station (Inquiry #: 0352-6036784) is located at No 20 Yantong West Road. It has 150 buses daily going to Beijing, Tangshan, Shijiazhuang, Qianjiang (of Chongqing), Jinan, Luoyang (of Henan), Baoding, Baochang, Hohhot, Baotou, etc.
- North Station (Inquiry #: 0352-2814880) is located about 200 meter to the west of the train station. Buses go to other cities in Shanxi Province, such as Taiyuan, Shuozhou.
- New Pingwang Station (新平旺客运站) (Inquiry #: 0352-4042099) is located about 100 meter to the south of the Datong Mining Bureau Department Store. Buses go to Beijing and smaller cities in other towns and counties.
- New South Station (Inquiry #: 0352-5025555) is located on Xinjian South Road. Buses from here go to Beijing, Taiyuan and other cities in Shanxi. This station can be reached from bus lines 1, 15, 28, 30, 201 from other parts of Datong.
[edit] Getting Around
[edit] By Public Bus
Datong does not have many public buses like other big cities. But buses can almost reach all the city areas, plus even some distant suburban areas. The fare is very cheap ranging from 0.5 yuan to 3 yuan. The fare for minibuses operated by private companies are nearly the same, but these private buses tend to stop at places for a long time just to wait for other customers. In addition, you better make it clear to the driver about where you want to go, so that you won't be recommended to get off in the middle of your journey to take another bus to get to your the destination.
The operating hours of the public buses are relatively short. But there are usually other private minivans picking up the slack. The fare for minivans is very much the same as those for public buses. Datong city bus inquiry lines is 0352-5037817.
[edit] By Taxi & Rental Car
Datong has many types of the taxis. The fare is 5 RMB for the first three kilometers, and either 1.2 RMB or 1.4 RMB (depending on the type of taxi) for each additional km. The city's public transportation oversight complaints line is 0352-2022322. Jiulong Taxi company's complain line is 0352-5033888, and Jinding taxi company's complaint line is 0352-2066222.
[edit] Attractions
- Yungang Grottoes (云冈石窟)
- Hanging Temple (悬空寺)
- Nine Dragon Screen (九龙壁)
- Huayan Monastery (华严寺)
- Shanhua Temple (善化寺)
- Wooden Pagoda (木塔)
- Mountain Hengshan (浑源恒山)
- Peach Blossom Mountain Scenic Area of Lingqiu (灵丘桃花山景区)
- Coal Mine Exhibition Center in Datong (大同煤矿展览馆)
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[edit] Hotels
[edit] Budget
[edit] Mid Range
[edit] Luxury
[edit] Restaurants
Although Datong does not have its own name-sake cuisine, its food does take cue from other famous schools of regional cuisines, and represents the typical food from northern Shanxi province. Datong dishes are bit salty, and oily with lots of attention to color.
As the old saying goes, "Eat at Datong." Restaurants dots the streets in Datong. Areas near the train station and near the Yungang Grottoes boast many good restaurants serving traditional local specialty food.
[edit] Shopping
Datong serves an important warehouse and goods distribution center for Shanxi, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia. Shops in Datong are as attractive as Datong's tourist spots.
Datong's shopping streets are the Daxi Street (大西街), and Sipailou and Xiaonan Street (四牌楼小南街). Some of Datong's biggest department stores, shopping malls such as Zhongxin, Dongfang, and Huafeng are all located here.
The famous night market is also located on the Daxi Street. There are a variety of products available ranging from clothing, leather goods, toys, snacks, to some local specialties.
[edit] Night Life & Entertainment
[edit] Sports & Recreation
[edit] Excursions & Day Trips
[edit] Tips & Practical Info
- Coal is everywhere in Datong (known as the coal capital, also known as one of the most polluted cities in China). So take necessary precautions for the polluted air.
- Take as little belongings as possible, and wear light and soft hiking shoes, when climbing Hengshan. Otherwise you will quickly get exhausted.
