Datong Private Day Trip: Yungang Grottoes, Huayan Temple, Shanhua Temple, Nine Dragon Wall & City Wall of Datong

Tour Highlights
• Marvel at Yungang Grottoes, a classical masterpiece of the first peak of Chinese Buddhist art
• Visit Huayan Temple with the oldest building in Datong (1038), containing some remarkable Liao dynasty wooden sculptures
• Visit Shanhua Temple,  the largest and best-preserved temple of the Liao Dynasty in existence in China
• Admire the Nine-Dragon Wall, the oldest, largest, most enchanting one among the three famous dragon walls in China
• Visit Datong City Wall, 7.2km in circumference rebuilt recently

About This Tour
• Departure: Daily departing from Datong
• Tour Duration: Approximately 8 hours.
• Guide Languages: Chinese & English.
• Pickup Time: Between 07:00 and 10:00, choose a departure time most suitable for you.
• Pickup & Drop-off Place: Your accommodation in Datong
• Advice on Meals: Lunch is not included in this tour. We recommend having a substantial breakfast and bringing snacks in case you get hungry while sightseeing. If you'd like to experience authentic local cuisine for lunch, feel free to inform your guide, who will be happy to assist.

Tour Itinerary at a Glance
• Pick up from your accommodation in Datong
• Drive to Yungang Grottoes (about 18km)
• Visit Yungang Grottoes
• Lunch on your own
• Visit Huayan Temple
• Visit Shanhua Temple
• Visit Nine-Dragon Wall,
• Walk Datong City Wall
• Transfer back to your accommodation in Datong

Price Remark
• Prices are not valid during National Day (Oct 1-7), Chinese New Year, and Labor Day (May 1-5).

Price Inclusions
• Professional English language speaking tour guide.
• Air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver.
• Admission tickets to sightseeing places.
• All government taxes.

Price Exclusions
• Hotel accommodation.
• Meals are excluded allowing you flexibility on menu.
• Your personal expenses.
• Travel insurance is not included. Please purchase before your trip to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.
• Gratuities to guide & driver. They are customary and would be of great encouragement and reward for quality service.

Additional Information
• Confirmation will be received at the time of booking.
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
• The itinerary is subject to change due to traffic conditions or bad weather.
• The itinerary is flexible; changes can be made upon written request from travelers.
• IMPORTANT: It is required by the government regulations that travelers must provide their name, gender, nationality, passport number and date of birth to their tour operator upon booking a tour. Failure to do so could result in being denied access or admittance to sites and attractions during sightseeing. When you book this tour, please complete all required fields at checkout. Please bring your passport with you on the tour.

Cancellation Policy
• Cancellations made 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time will receive a 100% refund.
• Cancellations made within 24 hours of the tour's start time or after the tour begins are non-refundable.
• Cancellation request will be confirmed within 2-5 business days, with refunds issued within 14 working days.

Tailor This Tour to Meet Your Needs
• If you want to customize this itinerary, contact us via WhatsApp (+86 139 1083 0737) or email (info@GrandChinaTravel.com). We'll create a tailor-made tour package just for you.

Know Before You Go
• Keep your passport with you throughout the tour; it may be needed to buy entrance tickets.
• Pickup time, guide's name, and contact information will be confirmed via WhatsApp or email.
• Your guide will be at the meeting point, holding a GGC pickup sign with your name.
• Meals are not included; please feel free to ask your guide for recommendations.
• If you book an Airbnb, please note that door-to-door pickup and drop-off might not be provided.
• There's a 20-minute grace period for waiting. Failure to show up will result in tour cancellation & no refund.

Hotel Pickup & Transfer to Yungang Grottoes
Your private guide will be holding GoGrandChina pickup sign and waiting for you in your hotel lobby (or other appointed meeting place) at the appointed time. You will be transferred to Yungang Grottoes (about 18km) in a comfortable private vehicle.

Visit Yungang Grottoes
The massive Yungang Buddhist grottoes were cut from the mid-5th Century to early-6th Century AD. Comprising 252 caves and niches and 51,000 statues within a carved area of 18,000 square meters, the Yungang Grottoes represent the outstanding achievement of Buddhist cave art in China. The Five Caves created by Tan Yao are a classical masterpiece of the first peak of Chinese art, with a strict unity of layout and design. The will of the State is reflected in Buddhist belief in China during the Northern Wei Dynasty since the Grottoes were built with Imperial instructions. While influenced by Buddhist cave art from South and Central Asia, Yungang Grottoes have also interpreted the Buddhist cave art with distinctive Chinese character and local spirit. As a result, Yungang Grottoes have played a vitally important role among early Oriental Buddhist grottoes and had a far-reaching impact on Buddhist cave art in China and East Asia.

Lunch at Your Own Expense
Please feel free to ask your guide for suggestions and recommendations

Visit Huayan Temple
Huayan Temple was first established in the Liao dynasty (907–1125). The name of "Huayan" derives from Avatamsaka Sutra, which more commonly known as "Huayan Sutra" in China. The temple has been burned down and rebuilt several times. The Mahavira Hall and Buddhist Texts Library still preserve the architectural style of the Liao and Jin dynasties (907–1234). It is an artistic complex of ancient Chinese architecture, sculpture, frescoes and inscriptions, as well as a cultural synthesis of religion and politics. Dating from 1140, the impressive main hall of the Upper Temple is one of the largest Buddhist halls in China, with Ming murals and Qing statues within. The rear hall of the Lower Temple is the oldest building in Datong (1038), containing some remarkable Liao dynasty wooden sculptures.

Visit Shanhua Temple
Shanhua Temple was first founded during the early 8th century of the Tang Dynasty, but its earliest surviving building dates from the 11th century. The temple was heavily repaired over the years, and today three original halls and two recently rebuilt pavilions survive. The largest, and earliest hall, dating from the 11th-century Liao Dynasty, is the Mahavira Hall and is one of the largest of its kind in China. Also historically significant are the Main Gate and Sansheng Hall, both dating from 12th century during the Jin dynasty. The grand wooden-bracketed Hall of Mahavira at the rear contains five beautiful central Buddhas and expressive statues of celestial generals in the wings.

Visit Nine-Dragon Wall
A Nine-Dragon Wall or Nine-Dragon Screen is a type of screen wall with reliefs of nine different Chinese dragons. Such walls are typically found in imperial Chinese palaces and gardens. The Nine-Dragon Wall of Datong was built in 1392 to screen the residence of an Imperial prince. Measuring 45.5m (150 ft) in length, it is the oldest and largest glazed-tile wall still extant in China. Shanxi Province was famous for its glazed-tile work, as can be appreciated in this detail view; two fierce and colorful dragons disport among clouds and water, chasing between them a Flaming Pearl of Wisdom. These dragons only have four toes on their feet, since five-toed dragons were reserved for the Emperor himself.

Visit Datong City Wall
At 7.2km in circumference, Datong city wall has been rebuilt. Prior to the rebuild, what was left of the wall had been denuded of bricks and reduced to earthen stumps. Datong was first walled back in 421, and again in the late 14th century. And come nightfall, it truly is an amazing sight, the dramatic spectacle of the regularly spaced, illuminated watchtowers stunning to behold. An original section of city wall to the north of the rebuilt wall is still in its earthen state.

Transfer Back to Your Hotel
Your guide and driver will transfer you back to your hotel in Datong