Private Tour: Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Monastery From Datong

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Summary

Depart your Datong hotel with your guide and driver, and begin your 8-hour tour by private, air-conditioned vehicle. Sit back and take in the views of rural northern China and the Wuzhou Shan mountains as you journey toward the UNESCO-listed Yungang Grottoes. On route, hear intriguing facts about this historical wonder from your guide. Dating from the 5th century, the site features 252 cliffside grottoes and niches filled with thousands of hand-carved Buddha statues, making it a masterpiece of Buddhist cave art. On arrival, tour the grottoes that spread just over half a mile (1 kilometer) from east to west. Admire the largest, 55-foot (17-meter) Buddha in the fifth cave, and enter some caverns to admire the Buddha figurines, and colorful wall murals and decorations. Break for a Chinese lunch at a local restaurant, and then travel onward to the Hanging Monastery, built into the Hengshan Mountain, south of Datong. The only existing monastery dedicated to all three religions of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, this incredible structure was originally built about 1,500 years ago, and hangs from a sheer cliff face about 246 feet (75 meters) above the ground. Topped by ornate upswept roofs, this monastery is supported by crossbeams driven into the cliff, and consists of 40 rooms connected by corridors and bridges, and filled with about 80 bronze, iron, and clay statues. Admire the building from below or, if the monastery is open on the day, climb the steep steps to explore the walkways and chambers. Drink in the stunning views from the cliff face, and see the rock overhang above that shelters the temples from the worst of the elements. After admiring the monastery, drive back Datong where your tour ends with a hotel drop-off. Please note: the Hanging Monastery is occasionally closed for renovation or repairs. If this is the case on your tour, you will not be able to climb up to the rooms, and your visit will involve viewing the buildings from the ground.

Tour info

Duration
8 hours
Group Size
Pricing (From)
Commentary
Meeting Point
Dropoff location

Why take this tour?

Datong is famed for its rich deposit of coal as well as precious historical relics. Listen to expert commentaries from your private tour guide and get to know the stories, history, and culture behind those famous sites. You will have your own car, driver and English-speaking tour guide, pickup and drop-off from your hotel.

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What’s included?

  • Datong hotel pick-up and drop-off

  • English-speaking tour guide

  • Entrance ticket

  • Entry/Admission - Yungang Grottoes

  • Entry/Admission - Hengshan Hanging Temple (Xuankong si)

  • Gratuities

  • Lunch

Things to know

Before you book

  • Duration: 8h

  • Mobile tickets accepted

  • Instant confirmation

Covid Policy

  • Regular temperature checks for staff
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas

Cancellation Policy

    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
Operator Website

Operated by:

Trippest Datong

About operator:

Get a unique perspective with this fascinating city by taking a tour with Datong's most creative and reliable travel company - Trippest, which was founded in 1998, We focus on building the best travel experience for our customers. We provide daily NO SHOPPING day tours.

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