Things to do in Fengzhen

If you don't know the history of the Northern Wei Dynasty, you won't understand anything without a guide; you'll just be wandering around aimlessly. It's better to join a tour group's guided tour or buy a free audio guide on your phone for around ten yuan to avoid wasting the 120 yuan. It's extremely crowded.

Teacher Xia was very good and punctual. She provided a rich introduction to the various halls and covered everything that needed to be said. However, since it was autumn break for students from Datong, Huayan Temple was open to students for free, and it was extremely crowded. Everywhere was packed, but I could still hear clearly through my headphones. I entered from Huayan Temple and exited from Huayan Temple without backtracking.

The mottled Ming Dynasty city walls bear witness to six centuries of wind and frost, with autumn sunlight filtering through the crenellations. Deep within the city's alleys, the Liao Dynasty statues of Huayan Temple smile with lowered brows, while the eaves of Shanhua Temple cast shadows of clouds. The aroma of knife-cut noodles wafts from time-honored shops, the clinking of coppersmiths echoes through the alleys, and old-timers play chess by the city walls, fanning themselves with palm-leaf fans. This is not just an empty shell of an ancient city for taking photos; it is a metropolis that has lived for a thousand years in the border region—ancient buildings retain their soul, the everyday life nourishes their roots, and every step reveals the profound weight and gentleness of northern Shanxi.

Shanhua Temple, located in the ancient city of Datong, Shanxi Province, is commonly known as the South Temple. It was among the first batch of national protected sites. Originally built during the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty, it was destroyed by fire and rebuilt by Master Yuanman during the Jin Dynasty. It was named Shanhua Temple during the Zhengtong era of the Ming Dynasty. It retains four original Liao and Jin Dynasty buildings: the Liao Dynasty Mahavira Hall (with the Jin Dynasty Twenty-Four Deities painted sculptures inside, which are masterpieces of Liao and Jin sculpture, especially the auspicious goddess), the Jin Dynasty Heavenly King Hall (the largest Jin Dynasty hip-roofed mountain gate in China), the Three Saints Hall (famous for its magnificent sloping arches and Jin Dynasty vermilion tablet), and the Puxian Pavilion. The whole temple faces south and has a complete layout. It is the best-preserved Liao and Jin Dynasty temple complex in China and was highly praised by Liang Sicheng. There are also remnants of the Ming Dynasty Five Dragon Wall in front of the temple.

The evening performance was fantastic, especially the final iron-flower display, which brought the atmosphere to a fever pitch. The building's architecture follows a courtyard-style layout, with seven courtyards in total. The temperature in Datong is pleasant in the evening, and there were far fewer people than during peak tourist season, making for a great viewing experience. Highly recommended.

One of the three major Nine-Dragon Walls, it's definitely worth a visit. The venue is rather small; it's actually only one side, so you can see the whole thing from the outside. However, there are explanations inside, so if you want to learn about the history, it's worth going in.

The Badaling section of the Great Wall stands out as an absolute must-visit destination because it offers the most magnificent and iconic vision of China’s ancient defenses. Restored to showcase the wall at its peak engineering glory from the Ming Dynasty, Badaling features wide, solid granite paths flanked by grand watchtowers that wind dramatically along the steep, rolling ridges of the Yan Mountains. Standing atop its highest towers awards you breathtaking, sweeping panoramic views of stone battlements snaking into the distant horizon. Beyond its majestic scale, Badaling is uniquely accessible with well-paved walkways, convenient cable cars, and direct high-speed rail links from central Beijing, making it an indispensable experience for capturing the timeless grandeur and historical legacy of the Great Wall.

Today, our guide, Yue, took me on a tour of the Forbidden City, the residence of 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Yue's professional expertise is solid, and his explanations are humorous and engaging. He explained the historical background and architectural features in a clear and easy-to-understand way. The itinerary was well-planned, and the overall service was warm and attentive. Five stars! Highly recommended!

During the Spring Festival, the lantern festival and traditional song and dance performances were impressive and charming, and the crowds were quite large, making it very lively. There were also float parades, allowing you to see the performers up close. The ancient city wall is very long, and if you like walking, you can walk and practice on it.

Desheng Fort is located in Xinrong District, 40 kilometers north of Datong City. This castle has preserved some of its buildings, many of which are made of rammed earth.