The Northern Wei Dynasty Mingtang: An easily overlooked hidden gem in Datong.

When traveling to Datong, Yungang Grottoes, the ancient city, the Wooden Pagoda, and the Hanging Temple are must-sees. However, due to limited time, many other worthwhile attractions in Datong are often missed, such as the Northern Wei Dynasty Mingtang, which is truly worth a visit. This is a museum built on the foundations of the Northern Wei Dynasty Mingtang. The Mingtang is mentioned in the famous Ballad of Mulan, where it says, "the emperor sits in the Mingtang." This historical context adds a sense of immersion to the visit. The museum mainly consists of two parts. One part is the Mingtang ruins, where you can see historical remains such as the rammed earth foundations. The other part is the museum exhibition, which displays a vast collection of column bases, epitaphs, pottery figurines, and brick paintings, all well-preserved and highly interesting. This museum can be visited as a supplement to the Datong City Museum. Most importantly, there are very few tourists here, making for a particularly enjoyable visiting experience.