Blogs from Datong, Shanxi, China, Asia - page 2

Datong - Ancient Land of Buddhism The border crossing from Mongolia was in fact more interesting than the Russian-Chinese one. We had a lot of time and we could choose whichever option we liked. Obviously the most convenient way was to take the last leg of the Trans-Mongolian and go directly to Beijing but somehow we changed our mind after few weeks in UB. Maybe because there was almost nobody doing that or just maybe because we have heard about some nice places to visit in Inner Mongolia or Northern China. I should probably mention the enormous price difference between the train to the border and the Trans-Mongolian. I could say it is the advantage of this option that every backpacker finds very appealing ;-) The second decision was to go to Hohhot but after reading ... read more

Up early again to beat the dreaded tour groups to today's attraction; Heng Shan Hanging Monastry. Our lovely driver took us the 100+km round trip for little more than the public bus. Jutting out of the cliff on long stilts, the halls of the small monastery are built in contours of the cliff and connected with small stairways and corridors. From the top of the small rickety maze it appeared much further to the ground and Having been 'templed out' in Asia in the last few years this was a welcomed break from the usual and topped off what had been a lovely 24h experience of Datong...... read more

I visited the temple in Datong on a cool brisk morning. I arrived just as the gates were opening - perfect timing. There was no-one else visiting the temple! It was more than a temple, more like a collection of temples surrounded by a high wall. A couple of things surprised me - one that there was a budda with heavy black eyebrows and a thick black beard. He actually looked rather fierce even though he was in the budda pose. Secondly, there was a temple to one of the Hindu gods just behind the main buddist temple. I can't remember which one - the hindu god with all the arms. In addition, there was a christian church just behind the temple. If I recall correctly, the cross or steeple of a christian church is supposed ... read more

I took the train from Beijing to Datong - I got a hard sleeper (basically a bunk in a six bunk room). The trip is 6 hours and 260 km long almost directly west of Beijing. The day I left Beijing was brisk but relatively clear (pollution is a constant problem). The train was also pleasant. I'm sorry that I forgot to bring pictures of family and friends. I had a basic conversation with a middle aged woman who had the bottom bunk (I was in the middle bunk, so I either had to lay down the entire trip or ask to sit on the bottom bunk with her). She was shocked and saddened that I was alone, I think I also said that I was alone in life. For the Chinese, you are nothing if ... read more

English below Datong war ziemlich enttäuschend, aber eine nette Abwechslung von Peking. Der Plan war sich das hängende Kloster und die Yungang-Höhlen anzusehen. Jedoch haben wir es nur zum hängenden Kloster geschafft. Gott sei Dank war ich mit Philip unterwegs da ich sonst niemals zum hängenden-Kloster gegangen waere. Die Busfahrt dauerte etwa zwei Studen und als wir ankammen hat man uns gesagt, dass wir in ein Auto einsteigen mussten um weiter zu fahren. Es war uns unklar warum der Bus nicht weiter fahren konnte, aber es mag daran gelegen sein dass wir die Einzigen waren die zum Kloster wollten. Das Auto sah sehr verschrottet aus und nicht sehr sicher. Waere ich alleine gewesen dann waere ich niemals ins Auto gestiegen und stattdessen waere ich mit dem Bus zurueck gefahren. Das hängenden-Kloster war sehr schön. Philip hat ... read more