Hiking in China

Datong, located in the north of Shanxi Province, China, is a city with a long history, with rich natural scenery and cultural landscape around it, which is very suitable for hiking. The following are some tourist attractions around Datong that are suitable for hiking:

Yungang Caves

Yungang Grottoes, a world cultural heritage, is located at the southern foot of Wuzhou Mountain, about 16 kilometers west of Datong City, and is one of the four largest grottoes in China. There are 252 grottoes and more than 51,000 stone-carved Buddha statues, the largest of which is 17 meters high and the smallest is only a few centimeters. Walking around Yungang Grottoes, you can enjoy these exquisite Buddha statues and murals at close range and feel the wisdom and artistic charm of ancient craftsmen.

hanging temple/monastery

Hangkong Temple is located on the cliff of Cuiping Peak on the west side of Jinlong Gorge in Hengshan Mountain, about 65 kilometers southeast of Datong City. It is named because the building hangs on the cliff. This temple was built in the Northern Wei Dynasty and has a history of more than 1,400 years. Walking to the Hanging Temple, you can experience the fun of climbing and enjoy the perfect combination of the temple and the natural landscape.

Huayan Temple

Huayan Temple, located in the south of Datong City, is a Buddhist temple with a long history. There are buildings in the temple, such as Daxiong Hall, Guanyin Hall, and Tibetan Scripture Building, as well as many precious Buddhist cultural relics. Walking around Huayan Temple, you can feel the solemnity and peace of Buddhist culture in a quiet environment.

Pingxingguan Dajie Memorial Hall

Pingxingguan Dajie Memorial Hall is located in Pingxingguan Village, about 50 kilometers southeast of Datong City. It was established to commemorate the Pingxingguan Dajie in War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression period. Walking to the memorial hall, you can learn about this history and enjoy the surrounding natural scenery.

Baideng Mountain

Baideng Mountain, located in the northeast of Datong, is a scenic mountain area. There are dense forests, clear streams and ancient temples on the mountain, which is an ideal place for hikers. Here, you can stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the tranquility and beauty of nature.

nine-dragon screen

Located in Datong City, Jiulong Wall is a Ming Dynasty architectural site, which is famous for its exquisite brick carving. Although this is a relatively small scenic spot, hiking can appreciate the essence of ancient architectural art in China at close range.

Sangganhe Wetland Park

Sangganhe Wetland Park, located in the southwest of Datong City, is a large-scale park integrating natural scenery, ecological protection areas and leisure and entertainment. There are vast wetlands, rich vegetation and various waterfowl, which is a good place for hiking and bird watching.

Great wall site

There are many Great Wall sites around Datong, such as Yanmenguan and Ning Wuguan. These places not only have a long history, but also have magnificent natural scenery. Walking on the Great Wall, you can feel the vicissitudes of history and the spectacular nature.

In a word, Datong and its surrounding areas are rich in hiking resources, and both explorers who like history and culture and hikers who love natural scenery can find their own routes and destinations here.

Pingliang City is located in the east of Gansu Province, at the intersection of the Loess Plateau and the Qinling Mountains, with rich natural landscapes and cultural and historical sites. The surrounding scenic spots suitable for hiking are as follows:

1. Kongtong Mountain: Kongtong Mountain is one of the famous Taoist mountains and is known as "the first mountain in the west". There are many ancient buildings and temples on the mountain, such as Kongtong Taoist Temple and Taibai Hall. Climbing to the top of the mountain overlooks the whole Pingliang city, and the scenery is spectacular.

2. Horseshoe Temple: Horseshoe Temple is located at the eastern foot of Kongtong Mountain and is an ancient Buddhist temple. There are many Buddha statues and murals in the temple, the most famous of which is the "horseshoe print", which is said to be the footprint left by Jian Zhen, a monk in the Tang Dynasty.

3. Maijishan Grottoes in Tianshui: Maijishan Grottoes is one of the four largest grottoes in China, about 100 kilometers away from Pingliang City. There are a large number of Buddhist stone carvings and murals here, which show the essence of ancient art in China.

4. Lanzhou Yellow River Railway Bridge: The Yellow River Railway Bridge is the first railway bridge in China and one of the earliest suspension bridges in the world. The bridge spans the Yellow River and connects Gansu and Ningxia provinces. Walking across the Yellow River Railway Bridge, you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Yellow River.

5. Yinchuan Xixia Mausoleum: Xixia Mausoleum is located in Yinchuan City, Ningxia, about 200 kilometers away from Pingliang City. Here are the royal tombs of Xixia Dynasty, with many ancient buildings and cultural relics. Walking around the tomb of Xixia, you can feel the breath of ancient emperors.

6. Xi 'an Terracotta Warriors and Horses: The Terracotta Warriors and Horses are located in Xi 'an, Shaanxi Province, about 500 kilometers away from Pingliang City. This is one of the most important archaeological discoveries in the history of China, and it is known as "the eighth wonder of the world". Walking to the Terracotta Warriors, you can appreciate the charm of China's ancient military culture.