Yungang Grottoes · Hanging Temple · Yingxian Wooden Pagoda One-Day Tour
Itinerary
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 06:40 | Depart from Datong No.10 Middle School gate, Weidu Avenue |
| 06:50 | Depart from Chenguang International Hotel, Yingbin Street; head to Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (70 km, ~1h 10min) |
| 08:00 | Visit Holzpagode von Yingxian (~1h) |
| 09:00 | Transfer to Hengshan Visitor Center (60 km, ~1h) |
| 10:20 | Transfer to Hanging Temple (8 km, ~10min) (Shuttle bus required: ¥20/person round trip) |
| 10:40 | Visit Hängender Tempel (~1h) |
| 11:40 | Return to Hengshan Visitor Center (~10min) |
| 12:00 | Transfer to restaurant in Hunyuan County (~10min) |
| 12:10 | Lunch: Datong knife-cut noodles + egg, or Hunyuan cold jelly noodles (liangfen) + crispy swirl pancake (youxuan) |
| 12:40 | Transfer to Yungang Grottoes (~2h) |
| 14:40 | Visit Yungang-Grotten (~3h) (Earpiece rental ¥20/person recommended; electric cart ¥10 one-way optional) |
| 17:40 | Return to downtown Datong (20 km, ~40min) |
| 18:30 | Drop-off at Datong No.10 Middle School, Weidu Avenue — end of tour |
The itinerary above is for reference. The guide may adjust the visiting order based on actual conditions without omitting any sites. During holidays, peak seasons, and summer vacations, the tour may end 1–2 hours later.
Highlights
Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (Sakyamuni Pagoda)
Located in Fogong Temple, Yingxian County, Shuozhou, Shanxi. Built in the 2nd year of the Qingning era of the Liao Dynasty (1056 CE). Standing 67.31 m tall with a base diameter of 30.27 m, it is constructed from approx. 3,000 m³ of red pine timber weighing over 2,600 tons. It features 54 distinct types of dougong bracket sets in an octagonal plan, earning it the title “Museum of Chinese Ancient Architectural Brackets”. It is the world’s oldest and tallest surviving wooden pagoda, listed alongside Italy’s Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Eiffel Tower in Paris as one of the “Three Great Towers of the World”. Guinness World Record certified in 2016.
Hängender Tempel
Founded in the 15th year of the Taihe era of the Northern Wei Dynasty (491 CE), with over 1,500 years of history. Uniquely combines Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism under one roof — China’s only surviving “Three Teachings in One” temple, dramatically perched on a sheer cliff face. (Note: climbing access not included in the tour ticket.)
Yungang-Grotten
Designated a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit in 1961, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001, and rated a 5A tourist attraction in 2007. Carved into the mountainside stretching approx. 1 km east to west, the site comprises 45 major caves, 252 niches, and over 51,000 stone statues — one of the largest ancient grotto complexes in China. Along with the Mogao Caves (Dunhuang), Longmen Grottoes (Luoyang), and Maijishan Grottoes (Tianshui), it forms the “Four Great Grotto Art Treasuries of China”.
What’s Included
- Tickets: Entry to Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, Hanging Temple (ground-level), and Yungang Grottoes (adult/student)
- Guide: Chinese-speaking guide service with scenic commentary
- Transport: Seat-in-coach based on group size (one seat per person guaranteed)
- Meal: Lunch only — knife-cut noodles + egg or cold jelly noodles + egg + crispy swirl pancake
- Insurance: Travel agency liability insurance + travel accident insurance
What’s NOT Included
- Yungang earphone device — ¥20/person (strongly recommended; the site is a quiet zone)
- Yungang electric cart — ¥10 one-way (optional)
- Hengshan scenic shuttle bus — ¥20/person (mandatory)
- Additional children’s / senior tickets — if height exceeds free limit or discount documents are invalid
- Self-paid attractions within the scenic areas and transport to/from your departure city
- Force majeure costs — road closures due to heavy snow, traffic congestion, highway detours, scenic area temporary closures, vehicle breakdowns, etc.
Important Tips
- Adults aged 18–59 include attraction tickets. Children and free-ticket groups include vehicle seat only; all else at own expense.
- Travelers aged 60+ (senior card), military officers, and persons with disability certificates: bring valid original documents and hand them to the guide in advance. Final discount eligibility is subject to the scenic area’s published policy. Counterfeit or expired documents will result in denied entry — the full gate price must be paid on the spot.
- Travelers aged 65+ must confirm no hypertension, heart disease, or infectious conditions, provide a recent hospital health certificate on the day, and be accompanied throughout by at least one adult aged 30+.
- If scenic visits are missed due to force majeure (gales, heavy fog, snow closures, landslides, accidents, etc.), refunds are based on the group discount rate agreed between the travel agency and the scenic area. Other fees are non-refundable.
- Pure sightseeing product — no designated shopping stops. Exercise caution at any shopping venues within scenic areas or markets; always request a formal receipt (fapiao).
- All recommended self-funded items are voluntary — no compulsory consumption.
- Safety: Look after your personal belongings and valuables at all times.
- No early departure — leaving the group mid-tour without permission will forfeit remaining services with no refund. If you must leave, obtain guide consent and provide a written departure statement.
- During holidays and Golden Weeks, attractions may require queuing. The guide may advance departure times by 1–2 hours.
- Carry your original ID card and keep your mobile phone switched on throughout the tour. Arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes early.
- Provide correct ID information at registration so the travel agency can arrange your travel accident insurance. Inaccurate information voids insurance coverage.
- By joining this tour, you confirm you have read and understood all terms and agree to fulfill the agreement voluntarily.
- The tour fee is based on low-speed road routing. Should weather or force majeure necessitate highway detours, the additional cost shall be borne by the traveler.
Booking Inquiry
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