4.5/5
北国之春一Mount Heng, located in Hunyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi Province, is one of the Five Sacred Mountains of China, renowned for its precipitous terrain, the Hanging Temple, and its profound Taoist culture. Core Attractions and Features Hanging Temple: A cliffside temple built during the Northern Wei Dynasty, integrating Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Advance booking of tickets (100 RMB) is required 3 days in advance. Arriving before 7:30 AM can avoid queues. Tianfengling: The main peak of Mount Heng (2016.1 meters above sea level). Climbing to the summit offers panoramic views of the sea of clouds and surrounding peaks. The round trip hike takes approximately 3-4 hours; a cable car (70 RMB one way) can save energy. Hengzong Hall: The main temple of Mount Heng, dedicated to the Emperor of the Northern Peak. The Kangxi Emperor's imperial plaque "Hua Chui You Jiu" (meaning "Eternal Transformation") is the hall's treasure. Natural Wonders: Features include the Hanging Pine Tree at Tiger Wind Pass, the Bitter-Sweet Well (one sweet, one bitter), and Jinlong Gorge, showcasing geological and ecological diversity.
4.7/5北国之春一The Hanging Temple of Hengshan Mountain in Datong, Shanxi Province, was first built in 491 AD (the 15th year of the Taihe reign of the Northern Wei Dynasty) by disciples of the Taoist master Kou Qianzhi, based on his dying wish to "reach the heavens above and sever all worldly clamor below." With a history of over 1500 years, it is the oldest existing high-altitude wooden cliff-side architectural complex in China. **Structural Features:** 27 hemlock beams are inserted into the rock face as an "aerial foundation." The wooden pillars at the bottom are merely for psychological comfort; the actual load-bearing structure relies on hidden crossbeams, achieving the "suspended" appearance. **Reasons for its excellent preservation:** The canyon terrain reduces sunlight erosion, the mountain shelters it from floods, and the mortise and tenon structure provides strong earthquake resistance. **Cultural significance:** One of the world's ten most dangerous architectural wonders, and the only temple where Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism coexist, reflecting the inclusiveness of diverse ancient beliefs. **Admission is free for those over 60, but tickets are extremely difficult to obtain during peak season; remember to book your visit in advance.**
4.5/5
珊珊伟大It was cold, but the performers were very professional. I was deeply moved by the iron flower performance in the end. The background music was amazing, and the iron flower performance was full of sincerity. The process was well designed, and the staff were all very dedicated!
4.5/5
格林希尔德Because it wasn't peak tourist season, there were very few tourists. The entrance fee is ten yuan (if you really want to save money, you can see a rough view from the street through the railing, but I recommend going in to appreciate it more carefully). The nine dragons 🐉🐲 are incredibly lifelike, each with its own expression, color, and posture. But if you look closely, you'll find that each dragon is arranged in an "up-down-up-down..." order, perhaps telling us that the ups and downs of life are normal. If dragons are like this, how much more so are humans! I suggest taking pictures of each dragon and looking at them at your leisure, and comparing them with the Nine-Dragon Wall in Beihai Park, Beijing. It's quite an experience! One thing to note: the dragons here don't have five claws! The reason is obvious…
4.7/5
不帅不酷又矮没钱的大叔During my recent trip to Shanxi, I visited several ancient cities. Although many of the ancient cities we see today are rebuilt later, Datong Ancient City does have many historical sites worth visiting! Huayan Temple, Prince Dai's Mansion, Shanhua Temple, the Nine Dragon Wall, and many others are all historical relics well worth seeing. Therefore, I suggest that you allocate more time to Datong, a city full of cultural heritage!
4.8/5
唐小满This small but beautiful ancient temple offers a tranquil space to admire its wooden architecture and Buddhist murals, bringing a sense of peace to the soul. The advantage of traveling during the off-season is having ample time and freedom of choice.
4.8/5
蓉归故里Huayan Temple is a treasure trove of Tang, Song, and Yuan dynasty architecture still existing in China. It is also a must-see scenic spot when visiting Datong. The Buddha statues inside the temple are magnificent and exquisite, and it is well worth a visit. The only downside is that there are a lot of tourists during the summer vacation.
4.8/5
Omdia PeterYungang Grottoes are worth a visit. However, a top-tier guided tour is a must, but if you go alone, the $380 price tag for a single guide is really too expensive. Once inside, seeing the magnificent Buddha statues and grottoes makes the trip worthwhile. The only pity is that some of the Buddha statues in the grottoes were under maintenance, so it wasn't possible to see all the statues and enter all the grottoes, preventing visitors from seeing everything in one visit. It definitely makes you want to come back again; you'll want to experience more.
4.7/5
张小妞On December 12, 2025, I happened to be there when Yingxian County had its first snowfall of the winter. Unfortunately, because I arrived too early and the light was too dim due to the snow, I couldn't properly appreciate the beauty of the caisson ceiling, which was a real pity. The景区 staff worked very hard, clearing and shoveling snow early in the morning. Seeing them working together for Yingxian was truly moving for me as a tourist. I will definitely come back to Yingxian again if I have the chance.
4.8/5
一船星河Inside, there's just a pagoda and a small temple. There's not much to see, and you'll finish quickly. If you don't know the history or hire a guide, you'll essentially only see a wooden pagoda. Therefore, it's recommended to learn about the relevant history beforehand or hire a guide.
