Things to do in Huairen

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Shanxi

Yingxian Wooden Pagoda

Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is centered on the Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple. This pure wooden pavilion-style pagoda was first built in the second year of Qingning of the Liao Dynasty (1056) and later expanded and completed during the Mingchang period of the Jin Dynasty. It is the oldest surviving wooden pagoda in China. The pagoda has five visible stories, with concealed stories inserted between them, making nine stories in total, and stands about 67 m tall. Apart from the stone platform base on the first story, the main body of the pagoda is built entirely of wood, connected using traditional mortise-and-tenon craftsmanship, and the whole pagoda uses more than 50 types of bracket sets, demonstrating exquisite structural design. For more than nine hundred years, the pagoda has withstood many major earthquakes and modern artillery bombardment and still stands today. Due to the need for cultural relic protection, visitors may only visit the first floor inside the pagoda. There is a door on each of the north and south sides of the first floor. In the center of the inner chamber is a seated statue of Shakyamuni about 10 m tall, with a dignified face and a solemn expression. Looking up, you can see the exquisite coffered ceiling at the top. On the walls of the inner chamber are painted six Buddha images of Tathagata, and on the walls on both sides of the doorway are painted Liao Dynasty-style murals featuring Vajra, disciples, and offering figures, with bright colors and lifelike figures. Multiple plaques from various dynasties hang under the eaves of each story of the wooden pagoda, two of which were written by Ming emperors and are particularly striking. Under the south eaves of the fifth story hangs the plaque "Supreme Divine Craftsmanship," written by Zhu Di, Emperor Chengzu of Ming, when he climbed the pagoda during a northern military campaign in the Yongle era; under the south eaves of the fourth story hangs the plaque "Wonder of the World," written by Zhu Houzhao, Emperor Wuzong of Ming, when he ascended the pagoda to feast and reward his ministers after the Yingzhou victory in the Zhengde era. These plaques are not only calligraphic treasures but also record the intersection of the wooden pagoda with historical figures, together with the architecture itself forming a distinctive cultural view of the attraction.

2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do

Yungang Grottoes

Yungang Grottoes Scenic Area is divided into a landscape zone and the grottoes. It is one of the three largest grottoes in China. The sculpture combines Chinese and Western art. Here you can experience the artistic charms of Northern Wei Dynasty. Yungang Grottoes not only embodies traditional Chinese art style but also integrates art styles of ethnic groups from ancient India, countries west of China and China's central plains. It is a famous historical site in Datong City.

No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Shanxi

Huayan Temple

Huayan Temple is located in the center of Datong. This temple was built in the 8th year of Liao Qingning Period (AD 1062). In the Daxiong Hall of Huayan Temple, you can see the groundworks of Liao Dynasty and the buildings of Jin Dynasty, as well as the statues of Ming Dynasty and the murals of Qing Dynasty. The Hall of BojiaJiaocang in the temple is the only Liao Dynasty building here. The statues from Liao Dynasty in the Hall are extremely precious. There is a double-storey pavilion-style cabinet behind the Hall of Bojiajiaocang, the upper level is for Buddha statues and Buddhist altars, and the lower layer stores for books.

No. 1 of Night Attractions in Shanxi

Datong Ancient City

Datong Ancient City is the historic core of Datong, Shanxi. It served as the capital Pingcheng during the Northern Wei dynasty, the western auxiliary capital during the Liao and Jin dynasties, and a strategic frontier stronghold in the Ming dynasty, earning it the enduring title "northern key." Over its 2,000-year history spanning dynastic changes, the city's location remained largely unchanged, preserving its chessboard-style street grid centered on Sipailou to this day. The 2008 conservation and restoration project reunited the city walls, reconnected the moat, and gradually revived ancient architecture and old streets, layering the grandeur of an ancient capital with modern life within the same walled city. The ancient town offers an exceptionally dense concentration of noteworthy sights: in Huayan Temple's Liao- and Jin-dynasty halls, the graceful "clasped-hands, smiling" Liao-dynasty bodhisattva statue in the Scripture Depository Hall has long been hailed as the "Oriental Venus"; Shanhua Temple preserves a complete complex of Liao- and Jin-era wooden architecture. The Nine-dragon Wall, originally a glazed screen wall before the Ming-dynasty Dai Prince's residence (destroyed in war), survives with its nine coiling dragons still radiant—older and larger than its counterparts in Beijing's Forbidden City and Beihai Park. Climbing the reconstructed Ming-style city walls reveals a bird's-eye view of the square town's crisscrossing four main streets and orderly rooftops. An evening wait for sunset on the ramparts, followed by the illuminated outlines of walls and watchtowers after dark, makes for one of the town's most enchanting moments. Walking is recommended for touring: the attractions inside the city walls are spaced closely, allowing Huayan Temple, Shanhua Temple, the Nine-dragon Wall, and the drum tower to form a connected route. When tired, you may turn into the area around East Drum Tower Street, where time-honored shops and snack stores are concentrated, making it ideal for resting and replenishing. The ancient town covers a considerable area, so allocate at least half a day and wear comfortable shoes to leisurely appreciate the layered historical depth of this ancient capital.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Shuozhou

Jingtu Temple

It is located in the northeast corner of Ying County, also known as the North Temple. Founded in the second year of Jintianhui (1124). The main hall is the Daxiong Hall, which was rebuilt in the twenty-fourth year of Dading (1184). The temple originally had a mountain gate, a stupa, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Bell and Drum Towers, the East and West Side Halls, the Mahavira Hall, the apse, and the Tibetan Sutra Building. Today, only the Mahavira Hall remains. The Daxiong Hall is the main hall of the whole temple. It was built in the twenty-fourth year of Jin Dading. The single eaves rest on the top of the mountain, the roof of the hall is covered with tubes and tiles, and the eaves are inlaid with green glaze. The building is magnificent. The caisson in the hall is surrounded by golden dragons on all sides, with beautiful shape and fine composition. The murals on the four walls of the hall were painted in the Qing Dynasty, mainly describing the Buddhist deeds of Sakyamuni Buddha and various Bodhisattvas.

Selected for Best Things to Do in Shanxi

Shanhua Temple

Shanhua Temple, commonly known as the "southern temple," is located in the southern corner of the ancient city of Datong. The temple was first built during the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty and was initially named Kaiyuan Temple. It was renamed Dapu'en Temple during the Later Jin Dynasty but was destroyed in the war at the end of the Liao Dynasty. It was rebuilt on the original site during the Jin Dynasty and was officially named Shanhua Temple in the Ming Dynasty, a name that has been used ever since. The temple's mountain gate, Three Saints Hall, Mahavira Hall, and Puxian Pavilion are all original structures from the Liao and Jin periods, making it one of the relatively well-preserved temple architectural complexes from that era in China. The halls are gradually elevated along the central axis from south to north, with the layout of the Tang Dynasty temple still faintly discernible. Unlike most temples, the mountain gate here combines with the heavenly king hall into one structure: the five-bay Jin dynasty gate houses Ming dynasty statues of the four heavenly kings, immediately visible upon entry with imposing majesty. The central three saints hall, also a Jin dynasty construction, features strikingly large and ornate bracket sets under its eaves that project in layers resembling blooming flowers—a distinctive hallmark of this hall. It enshrines the original Jin dynasty "Flower Adornment three saints": Vairocana Buddha at the center flanked by Manjusri and Samantabhadra bodhisattvas, their forms full and expressions serene. The main hall of the great hero on the northern high platform is the temple's principal hall, built during the Liao Dynasty and renovated in the Jin Dynasty. The altar enshrines the five wisdom buddhas arranged from east to west: Aksobhya in the east, Ratnasambhava in the south, Vairocana at the center, Amitabha in the west, and Amoghasiddhi in the north—all surviving Liao sculptures with Jin-era repainting. Twenty-four deva polychrome sculptures stand on brick platforms along the eastern and western walls, twelve on each side, representing masterpieces of Jin Dynasty sculpture. Some appear armored and weapon-wielding with fierce expressions, while others wear official robes with flowing sashes. Among them, the benevolent and graceful Sridevi particularly captivates viewers. The hall's western and southern walls preserve Buddhist narrative murals painted during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty. Before entering the temple, consider viewing the glazed five-dragon wall in front of the mountain gate. This Ming dynasty Wanli-era relic was originally the screen wall of Xingguo Temple in the southern city, relocated here in the 1980s. Five coiling dragons surge amid turbulent clouds and waves on the wall, with the central "main dragon" holding a fire pearl and facing directly forward toward the ancient temple's gate. During your visit, pay special attention to the hall of three saints' diagonal arches and the Liao- and Jin-dynasty polychrome sculptures in the main hall. The dim lighting in these ancient halls invites slower observation of the statues' expressions and drapery details, allowing deeper appreciation of these Liao-Jin treasures.

Faxi Temple

No. 5 of Family-friendly Attractions in Shanxi

Dai Wang Fu·Daming Baixi Garden

Dai Wang Fu·Daming Baixi Garden is located in the northeast corner of the ancient city of Datong. It was the mansion built after Zhu Gui, the 13th son of Emperor Taizu of Ming Zhu Yuanzhang, was granted the title of Dai Wang and stationed in Datong. Due to its design imitating the imperial palace in Nanjing and its grand layout, it has long been known as the "Little Forbidden City in the northern frontier." The mansion was first constructed in the 25th year of the Hongwu era (1392) on the former site of the Imperial Academy of the Western Capital during the Liao and Jin dynasties. Its central axis runs from south to north, featuring Yu Gate, Duanli Gate, Chengyun Gate, Chengyun Hall, Chongxin Gate, Cunxin Hall, Changchun Palace, and Guangzhi Gate. Following the principle of "ancestral temple to the left and altar to the right" as in the capital, it had a front court for governance and rear quarters for residence, with temples to the east and altars to the west. Over ten generations of Dai Wang lived and governed here. At the end of the Ming dynasty, the mansion was destroyed by war, leaving only the Nine-Dragon Screen wall in front of the mansion standing to this day. The current complex of halls and palaces seen today is a contemporary reconstruction on the original site, restoring the layout and grandeur of this frontier mansion. By day, this is an open "garden of a hundred shows": small theater performances cycle through various courtyards, with ming dynasty-costumed characters like imperial guards and palace maids patrolling and interacting with travelers. Folk arts like shadow puppetry, puppetry, ancient magic tricks, acrobatics, and nuo dances take turns on stage. The indoor performance "Carrying the mandate of heaven" uses gauze screen projections and laser dome effects to create an immersive space of flowing light and shadow. At night, a different scene emerges: the walking live-action show "Datong under heaven" guides audiences through palace halls and corridors, recreating the ming dynasty frontier town's events and the grand spectacle of nations paying tribute. A thousand-lantern festival illuminates the mansion's nightscape, with intangible cultural heritage fire skills like iron-flower forging and fire pots, plus the mansion's flame show, bringing the atmosphere to its climax. When touring, you might as well save the highlight for the night, carefully observing the architecture and encountering scattered performances between courtyards during the day, then immersing yourself in the storyline after dark. The illuminated halls and corridors are particularly photogenic. The original nine-dragon screen wall in front of the mansion still stands nearby and can be visited along the way.

Nine-Dragon Wall

The Nine-Dragon Wall was originally the screen wall in front of the residence of Zhugui, the king of the early Ming Dynasty. Among the three existing well-known Nine-Dragon Walls, it is the one with the earliest architectural age and full of artistic charm. The building structure of this wall is all made of yellow, green, blue, purple, black, white and other colored glazed components. The wall is composed of three parts: the bottom is the Xumi seat, the middle is the wall, and the upper is the top of the wall. At the east and west ends are the patterns of the rising sun and the bright moon in the sky respectively, and are lined with river cliffs and sea water, and flowing cloud patterns. The waist of the Xumi seat is inlaid with two layers of glazed beasts: the first layer is a unicorn, a lion, a tiger, a deer, a Pegasus, etc., and the second layer is a small dragon. These glazed beasts have different postures and are lifelike. There are 62 sets of glazed bucket arches with imitation wood structure on the wall, supporting the glazed tile roof. The top of the wall is a single eaves and five ridges. The two sides of the main ridge are high-relief multi-layered petaled flowers and dragons. The top of the ridge is full of beasts, ridge beasts, and dragon beasts. The two ends are owl kisses with delicate carving techniques.

No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Datong

Jinhuagong National Mine Park

Jinhua Palace National Mining Park is located about 13 kilometers west of Datong City, across the river from the world cultural heritage Yungang Grottoes. In 2000, the "Underground Exploration Tour" project was developed here, becoming the first batch of national industrial tourism demonstration sites. The park integrates industrial site protection, environmental renewal, ecological restoration and green mine construction, which is a new leisure and tourism park and a mining cultural and creative park that leaves a complete modern industrial memory for the world. The main attractions in the park are the Datong Coal Museum and the Coal Capital Underground Fire Exploration Tour. The Datong Coal Museum in the park is a large-scale address mine museum integrating science, knowledge, ornamentation and fun. The treasure of the town hall here is a petrified wood that has been turned into coal, which is dark and has a clear texture, and you can still clearly see the scales and veins of the original plant. Tourists can also participate in the underground fire exploration tour of Coal Capital, truly understand the historical knowledge of coal formation in the Jurassic period 140 million years ago, experience the historical evolution process from primitive coal mining to modern coal mining, and experience the underground life of coal workers immersively. Before tourists go down to visit the well, they need to change into work clothes and wear safety helmets, and there will be about five people in the scenic spot to lead them down the well.