3-Day High-Speed Rail Journey to Datong from Beijing Tour
Witness the 1,500-year-old Buddha statues of the Yungang Grottoes, the wooden pillars of the Hanging Temple, and the bracket structures of the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda.
Gain insights into half of Chinese architectural history—a journey through time where ancient architectural wonders reveal themselves even before Liang Sicheng beheld them.
Price based on 2 travelers in 4-star hotels
Highlights
- A Compressed Miracle of Time and Space: In three days, traverse from Northern Wei grottoes to Liao and Jin architectural marvels, then to Ming glazed tiles, experiencing an abridged yet rich exhibition of half of China's architectural history.
- Three Monumental Epics of Architecture: Yungang Grottoes × Hanging Temple × Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
- Twin Resplendencies of Liao and Jin Culture: Huayan Temple × Nine Dragon Screen
Tour Itinerary
- Lunch
The driver will pick you up at the designated location and transport you to Beijing North Railway Station to board the high-speed train to Datong.
Upon arriving at Datong South Railway Station, your tour guide and driver will be waiting at the exit to greet you.
You will visit the Yungang Grottoes, with lunch arranged at a local restaurant nearby.
The Yungang Grottoes, a World Heritage Site, were intricately carved from the sandstone cliffs of Wuzhou Mountain over a span of forty years (CE 453-493). Stretching approximately 1,000 meters from east to west, they represent one of China's four renowned grotto complexes.
After concluding your visit in the grottoes, the guide and driver will return you to your hotel in Datong and assist with the check-in process. Have a restful evening.
- Breakfast, Lunch
After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you will embark on today’s tour, visiting the Hanging Monastery and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. It promises to be a day of in-depth exploration into China's rich history and architectural culture.
The Hanging Monastery is astonishingly constructed into a near-vertical rock face, suspended approximately 50 meters above the ground. This unique sanctuary is the only one in China that enshrines Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism within its walls. Recognized as a World Heritage Site, it is truly a marvel.
Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is the oldest and tallest wooden pagoda in China. The pagoda was built in 1056. It remains a mystery to scientists and tourists alike that this pagoda withstood several natural disasters and still was able to maintain its original condition.
After concluding a full day of sightseeing, the driver and guide will return you to the hotel for rest.
- Breakfast, Lunch
Today marks the final day of your Datong tour. After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you will set out to visit Huayan Temple and the Nine-Dragon Screen.
Lunch will be arranged in Datong.
Huayan Temple stands as the largest and most impeccably preserved temple from the Liao (916-1125) and Jin (1115-1234) dynasties in China, often regarded as a museum of Liao Dynasty art. Within the temple, 31 statues from the Liao Dynasty remain well-preserved, while 21 grand frescoes from the Qing Dynasty continue to shine with vivid color and splendor.
Erected over 600 years ago, the Nine Dragon Screen is the oldest and largest glazed screen in China. Measuring 45 meters in length and 8 meters in height, this screen is adorned with 426 specially crafted, multi-colored glazed tiles. The nine dragons depicted on the screen are rendered in vivid and stunning detail.
Upon concluding the visit, the guide and driver will escort you to Datong South High-Speed Railway Station, where you will board a high-speed train back to Beijing, thereby concluding your journey in Datong.
Upon arriving at Beijing South Railway Station, the driver will meet you and transport you to your designated hotel.
What's Included
- Round-trip transfers to and from Beijing South Railway Station(Driver Service Only).
- Round-trip high-speed train tickets between Beijing and Datong (Second Class)
- Private transfers in Datong.
- Entrance fees.
- Two nights Hotel in Datong.
- Meals are listed in the itinerary.
- Private English-speaking guide and driver.
- Service Charge & Taxes.
Important Info
- Operates: daily
- Final pricing varies based on hotel category selection y seasonal demand fluctuations, contact the travel advisor for exact surcharges.
- Tips for Visiting the Hanging Monastery: The stairs leading up to the monastery are narrow and steep. It is advisable to wear comfortable walking shoes and to carry only a small bag. Those with a fear of heights should be mindful that the monastery is perched on the cliffside.
Price is based on a 2-person tour with 4-star hotels in low season.
from US $ p/p
Code: bj-36