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A bird’s eye view of Huayan Temple in Datong city, North China's Shanxi province. [Photo by Zhang Xingjian/chinadaily.com.cn] |
In the temple, visitors can appreciate 31 completely preserved statues from the Liao Dynasty. One of the Buddhas, with a chubby face and graceful body, is known as the "Venus of the East".
The Shanhua Temple, which offers free admission, is another place to discover Chinese Buddhist culture, as it represents the largest existing monastery with a complete architectural layout built during the Liao and Jin (1115-1234) dynasties in China.
There are more places to visit in Datong, including early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) sites such as Fahua Temple, Yuantong Temple and the Nine-Dragon Wall, a spirit screen to ward off ghosts that's also the largest existing glazed wall in China.
As darkness falls, the best place to witness the city at night is on the Datong city wall. Lights on the interval towers are switched on at dusk, creating a surreal and romantic scene. Standing on this wall, one can't help but imagine rows of archers, guns, cannons and soldiers trying to defend the city from invaders.
