Datong Endeavors to Build Cultural and Tourism Brand of "Ancient City of China, Datong of the World"

Yungang Grottoes [Photo via the Publicity Department of the CPC Datong Municipal Committee]

In next 5 years, with the goal of building a national demonstration zone for holistic tourism, Datong will build its cultural and tourism brand centered on "Ancient City of China, Datong of the World", and establish the holistic tourism paradigm taking Yungang Grottoes, Datong ancient city, Mount Heng, and the Great Wall National Culture Park as key points, and ecological wellness corridor of Sanggan River, tourism corridor of rural memory, and tourism corridor of "red culture" as context.

Part of the view in Datong ancient city [Photo via the Publicity Department of the CPC Datong Municipal Committee]

Datong will take advantage of its rich cultural tourism resources, continue to play well the four cards of "Yungang, Mount Heng, Ancient City, the Great Wall". Polishing the brands of ancient city with rich culture, fresh summer resort, and the city of gourmet, Datong will strengthen its efforts to turn itself into an internationally renowned cultural tourism destination.   

The Hanging Temple of Mount Heng [Photo via the Publicity Department of the CPC Datong Municipal Committee]

Over the years, Yungang Grottoes has developed remarkably. Since the construction of Yungang scenic area in 2008, the area has enlarged almost 10 times from before, making this treasure of Chinese ancient engraving art with the fame of world topnotch engraving art cluster even more magnificent.

Liu Yujun, a photographer from Datong, noted that now the tourists to Yungang Grottoes would not only be expressed by the exquisite Buddhist sculptures, but also enjoy the spectacular scenery of Yungang scenic area.

Speaking of Datong ancient city, Ms. Liu Xiaolu from Taiyuan city described her feelings of a 3-day in-depth cultural tour in Datong ancient city with the expressions of "breaking stereotypes" and "exploring treasure". She said that in Datong ancient city, tourists can appreciate the ancient architecture art treasure of superb taste like Huayan Monastery, experience the traditional folk culture along the streets and alleys of Datong ancient city, and explore the collision of multiple cultures of Datong in many museums. Gourmet in Datong was also impressive with authentic and unique flavor lingering in the memory of tourists.