Located
in northern Shanxi Province, Datong was first known as Pingchang and served
as the capital of the early Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534); later it was
also the second capital of the Liao and Jin Dynasties (907-1234). Among
its ancient sites of interest are the Huayan Temple, the Shanhua Temple,
the Guanyin Hall, and the 45.5-meter-long, 9-dragon glazed screen. The main
attraction, however, is the Buddhist carvings at the Yungang Grottoes, which
dates as far back as the Northern Wei Dynasty.
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