Shanxi, China
Da Tong
Yungang Grottoes and China's Most Underrated Heritage
Datong holds one of China's most underappreciated treasures: the Yungang Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site with 51,000 Buddhist statues carved into sandstone cliffs during the 5th and 6th centuries. Datong rivals Dunhuang's Mogao Caves in artistic depth with a fraction of the visitors. The adjacent Hanging Temple — suspended mid-cliff above a narrow gorge — is among China's most dramatic architectural achievements.
Flavour Profile
Best time to visit
🗓 May-October
Province
📍 Shanxi
Tier
Hidden GemWhat to Eat in Datong
Knife-Shaved Noodles
刀削面
Thick noodles shaved directly into boiling broth with a curved blade
Oat Noodles
莜面
Hand-rolled nutty oat noodles served with vinegar dipping sauce
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