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Top Datong Attractions,
Temples hanging by air
 DATONG, A BEAUTIFUL CITY WITH THREE GREAT TREASURES:
GREAT WALL, COAL MINES AND TEMPLES HANGING IN THE AIR
Hanging Monastery
Wooden Pagoda
Yungang Grottoes
Nine Dragon Screen
Yanmenguan Pass of Great Wall
Located in Shanxi province (northern China), near the Mongolian borders, Datong is an ancient city interesting from the religious or industrious view point. Datong was an internal gateway to the great walls, that has been militarily significant in their history.
The high peaks, coal dust clouds and a rich heritage can be the remarkable images to describe Datong. In the higher hills of northern China, near the Mongolian borders this state is quite large and quite old. This is a significant place from the religious or industrious view point of China. An internal gateway to the great walls this has been militarily significant in their history. The coal mines around make Datong are a significant player in the power history and ambitions of the country. To fulfil those ambitions there are intrinsic networks of roads and railways. To carry coal to every corner of the country as a power source. Coal makes Datong prosperous.
Hanging Monastery
One of the five holy mountains in China is Mt. Hengshan, the monastery is just below the peak at the foot. The name came from the hanging appearance of the monastery on a cliff of the mountain. The monastery is from the early Buddhist period and even in the sharp winds and climatic attacks have withstood for 1500 years. The monastery is a marvel of science, religion and faith. Creating a support base in so early times which stood for one and half millennium is an achievement of science and the early Buddhist heritage is well maintained here. There is also presence of other religions in this monastery and that is another cause of importance. Indication of tolerance of faith.
Wooden Pagoda
This takes a journey out of Datong to visit the highest wooden structure in China. This is a significant pagoda and comes under national preservation of ancient monuments. It is 30 meter diameter at the base and goes up to height of 67 meters with nine stages separating it into floors. The outside appearance of it is thought of five stories only. The statues inside are also in different postures of activities of Lord Buddha which make them interesting. The pagoda is standing for nearly a millennium and it is still strong enough even with the bells and other accessories that another millennium can pass but to surprise you all there is no metal joining this pagoda, no nails or rivets at any point in this.
Yungang Grottoes
These are caves used in early times for monks using them as their worship and living quarters. Some of them are world famous for their ambience of peace and some for conquering adversities of nature to build a surprising marvel of engineering, without even the basic equipments. In this whole range divided into three parts there are some beautiful Buddha statues, large and small. The wall frescos in the style of Gandharba art of Indian origin are also a frequent sight. This is not as famous as Ajanta but the art is similar.
Nine Dragon Screen
A gentle breeze can dance the dragons on the wall. They have been standing and fighting on this screen wall for the last six hundred years and still they look young. The screen is biggest in China and is nearly twenty six foot tall. It is divided into three vertical parts and there are designs in all the parts. The dragon is one unique at centre and similar pairs of dragons on either of the central one. They are depicting the natural causes like rain and sunshine and wind. Before the wall there is a little pond which reflects the dragons and dancing water make the dragons also to dance.
Yanmenguan Pass of Great Wall
This is an important pass through the inner line of the Great Wall of China. The significance of the place as a strategic point is witness in many battles fought around here. The pass is quite wide with nearly half a kilometre length and it has three gates to assist. North, West and East gates are the three. This pass in ancient times was considered the most critical and indomitable one and an inscription to that effect is still there.
2012-03-06
Top Datong Attractions,
Temples hanging by air | | |
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