Essense Datong, Hanging Temple & Yungang Grottoes

Highlights / General details

One of China's four most famous "Buddhist Grottoes", Yungang Buddhist Grottoes are 16 kilometers west of Datong. 53 caves are cut into the southern cliffs of Wuzhou Hill which contain over 50000 magnificently carved Buddist statues. Hanging Temple is a wooden construction supported by a few wooden posts, leaning over the sheer cliffs above Golden Dragon Canyon. The Hanging Temple dates back to the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 AD). Its halls and pavilions are connected by verandas, bridges and boardwalks.

Inclusion

Private car/coach for transfers service and sightseeing program. Meals as specified in the itinerary. Local English-speaking tour guide. Parking fee & toll fee wherever applicable.

Exclusion

Personal expenses such as drinks, optional activities, etc. Gratuities to the tour guide & driver.

Hours of operation

Available: Daily Tour Departs: Pick up from your hotel around 9:00am.

Duration

Approximately 8 hours.

Location Your private English-speaking guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel around 9:00am.

Itinerary Visit the Yungang Grottoes. The three main sites in China that are famous for their stone sculpture are Dunhuang, Longmen and Yungang. Among these, the Yungang grottoes are considered number one among them, for their tremendous size, ancient history, and relatively complete state of preservation. Chinese lunch will be arranged close to the Grottoes. After lunch you will be transfered to Hanging Temple. The temple stands at the foot of Mt. Hengshan, 5 kilometers (3 miles) south of Hunyuan County, and 65 kilometers (40 miles) from downtown Datong City. Since it hangs on the west cliff of Jinxia Gorge more than 50 meters above the ground, it is called Hanging Temple. How could a building like this withstand the winds and storms of so many years? Hanging Temple is an architectural wonder. A unique mechanical theory was applied to building the framework. Crossbeams were half-inserted into the rock as the foundation, while the rock in back became its support. Seen from below, Hanging Temple appears to be a tumble-down castle in the air. Inside, Hanging Temple provides the same scene as other temples. End the tour and transfer you to the hotel. During today's tour, a Chinese cultural factory visit is organized.

Location

Your private English-speaking guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel around 9:00am.

Itinerary Visit the Yungang Grottoes. The three main sites in China that are famous for their stone sculpture are Dunhuang, Longmen and Yungang. Among these, the Yungang grottoes are considered number one among them, for their tremendous size, ancient history, and relatively complete state of preservation. Chinese lunch will be arranged close to the Grottoes. After lunch you will be transfered to Hanging Temple. The temple stands at the foot of Mt. Hengshan, 5 kilometers (3 miles) south of Hunyuan County, and 65 kilometers (40 miles) from downtown Datong City. Since it hangs on the west cliff of Jinxia Gorge more than 50 meters above the ground, it is called Hanging Temple. How could a building like this withstand the winds and storms of so many years? Hanging Temple is an architectural wonder. A unique mechanical theory was applied to building the framework. Crossbeams were half-inserted into the rock as the foundation, while the rock in back became its support. Seen from below, Hanging Temple appears to be a tumble-down castle in the air. Inside, Hanging Temple provides the same scene as other temples. End the tour and transfer you to the hotel. During today's tour, a Chinese cultural factory visit is organized.

Policies Tour requires a minimum of 2 people to operate. Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation