December 16, 2023, to December 18, 2023, I planned a trip to Datong, Shanxi this weekend.
It may be due to the low temperature; it's quite cold, and there are really few people at each attraction.
Although I'm freezing, the advantage of fewer people is that I can take photos as I please.
The Yungang Grottoes are fantastic,
with much better preservation than the Longmen Grottoes.
The famous Hanging Temple, it feels quite small, and to enter the temple, you have to buy a separate ticket. I didn't go inside.
Afterward, I climbed Mount Heng, and it was truly unexpected. This was my favorite part of the trip. The snowy scenery was incredibly beautiful, and I felt like I was at the dividing line between the plains and the mountains. It suddenly dawned on me why Datong has historically been a strategic military town.
The wooden carvings at Shanhua Temple were truly amazing! They exuded an ancient charm and beauty that felt like a testament to heritage.
The Datong City Wall still had hardly any people, and I could even sing on top of it without any disturbance.
Overall, the trip to Datong, Shanxi, was fantastic, but it felt a bit rushed due to limited time. Since Shanxi is known for its historical architecture and cultural heritage, it's a province worth exploring thoroughly. Also, driving in snowy conditions can be challenging for people from the southern regions. I hope to have the opportunity to make up for it on my next visit.
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