Just got back from Datong, here’s some blunt truth

​​🌄Datong June Travel Guide｜2 Days to Eat Through the Northern Wei Ancient Capital! Grottoes + Hanging Temple + Carb Bomb Adventure Record​​ Datong, the "hardcore ancient capital" in northern Shanxi🏯, nestled between Inner Mongolia and Hebei, just 3 hours by high-speed train from Beijing! In June, it’s 20℃+ with cool breezes, the blue sky looks freshly washed, and the streets are filled with the wheat aroma of knife-cut noodles～By day, watch the grotto Buddha statues smile for a thousand years, by night, hang out on the ancient city wall gnawing on rabbit heads, instantly transported to the set of "The Longest Day in Chang’an"! ​​🚶‍♀️【Two-Day Walking Route】​​ ​​Day 1: Grottoes + Ancient City Walking Day​​ 🌅​​Morning​​: Head straight to the Yungang Grottoes🪷 (ticket 100 RMB), opens at 9:00, rush to Cave 20’s outdoor giant Buddha, sunlight on the Buddha’s face looks like it’s gilded! Join a guided tour to hear Northern Wei royal gossip, the painted flying apsaras in Cave 5 are breathtakingly beautiful. 🌞​​Noon​​: Dash to Xijin Dao Noodle House🍜, knife-cut noodles thick in the middle and thin on the edges, every strand soaked in braised meat sauce, paired with garlic cloves for a heavenly bite! On the way, visit Huayan Temple (40 RMB), the smiling Bodhisattva with hands clasped is sweeter than first love, the view from the pagoda top overlooking the city is stunning. 🌙​​Evening​​: Datong Ancient City Wall🏮 (free!), rent a bike to chase the sunset, hit the South Gate night market for skewers with sea buckthorn juice, sour and refreshing to cut the grease! For late-night snacks, go to Shuaifu Street Rabbit Head, spicy rabbit brain makes your lips numb, you’ll want to chew the bones too. ​​Day 2: Hengshan + Hanging Temple Screaming Day​​ 🌅​​Morning​​: Charter a car to the Hanging Temple🏔️ (entry ticket 150 RMB), opens at 7:30, be the first batch! Walking on the creaky wooden plank paths, the cliff wind blows your skirt wildly, shaky hands taking photos look like movie scenes. 🌞​​Noon​​: Hunyuan County’s Little Wife Cold Noodles🥢, slippery noodles slurp down the throat, chili oil so fragrant it makes you sneeze! On the way, buy Hunyuan crispy soybeans, sweet and crunchy like old-fashioned popcorn～ 🌙​​Evening​​: Back in the city for Fenglingge Shaomai🥟, the thin-skinned shaomai is translucent, crab roe filling so fresh it makes your head spin! Stroll to East Drum Tower Street, when the lanterns light up it feels like traveling back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. ​​🌟【Must-Visit Checklist】​​ 1️⃣ Yungang Grottoes: 100 RMB worth every penny! Caves 5-6 have exquisitely preserved paintings, remember to toss a coin into the lotus pond to make a wish✨. 2️⃣ Hanging Temple: 150 RMB heart-pounding experience! Limited entry, be sure to arrive early, not for the faint-hearted (but hey, you’re here now!). 3️⃣ Huayan Temple: 40 RMB to see Liao dynasty statues, the mortise and tenon structure of the heavenly palace in the Buddhist hall will make any carpenter bow in admiration. 4️⃣ Datong Ancient City Wall: Free! Recommended to go after 7 PM, the night lights outline the complete walled city, perfect for photos📸. 5️⃣ East Drum Tower Street: Free! Night snack street, yellow rice jelly drizzled with osmanthus honey, sweet and glutinous enough to make your mouth smile wildly. ​​🏨【Stay in Northern Wei Style】​​ 👉 Datong Hualu Hotel: Prime spot in the ancient city! Tatami rooms with antique-style lamps, 5 minutes walk to Huayan Temple, a delight for night owls. 👉 Pipa Old Inn: Same style as Wang Zhaojun’s ancient house! Carved bed + bronze mirror, wear Hanfu for photos and instantly become a refined lady. ​​🚌【Transportation Tips】​​ Bus 603 goes directly to Yungang Grottoes🚍, shared bikes inside the ancient city; for Hanging Temple, carpool recommended (about 60 RMB per person round trip). 😊​​Perks​​: Attractions are concentrated, taxi starting fare only 10 RMB, super cheap! 😫​​Downsides​​: The mountain road to Hanging Temple has many twists and turns, bring a plastic bag if you get car sick… ​​💡【Hard-Earned Tips】​​ ✅​​Come!​​ June is less crowded and cool, grottoes + Hengshan guarantee winning your friends’ photography contests🏆～ ❌​​Don’t come!​​ If you hate noodles or fear the sun, beware of the double carb attack from knife-cut noodles + scorching sun🍜☀️! ​​🍖【5 Tongue-Blasting Foods】​​ 1️⃣ Knife-cut noodles: Xijin Dao’s braised meat topping is so thick it sticks to your lips, noodles so springy you could play ping pong with them🏓! 2️⃣ Hunyuan cold noodles: Little Wife’s chili oil is soul-stirring, noodles so slippery chopsticks can’t hold them😱! 3️⃣ Baijia Shaomai: Fenglingge’s crab roe filling is like liquid gold, biting into it instantly freshens your mind💥! 4️⃣ Rabbit head: Shuaifu Street’s spicy rabbit brain, slurping the marrow is like opening a blind box, the more you chew the more addictive👻! 5️⃣ Yellow rice jelly: Zini 369’s jelly drenched in osmanthus honey, cold and sticky like chewing clouds☁️～ ​​💰【Two-Day Expense Record】​​ Day 1: Yungang Grottoes 100 RMB + knife-cut noodles 25 RMB + bike rental 30 RMB + rabbit head 40 RMB ≈ 195 RMB Day 2: Hanging Temple 150 RMB + cold noodles 15 RMB + shaomai 60 RMB + carpool 60 RMB ≈ 285 RMB Feeling: Tickets are the biggest expense but unforgettable! The leg weakness from Hanging Temple and the fresh sweetness of shaomai, spent money on Northern Wei exclusive happiness🎑～ Datong in June is the gentle gaze of the grotto Buddha statues🪔, the thrilling creak of the Hanging Temple’s wooden pillars🪚, the stubborn last drop of braised sauce at the bottom of the knife-cut noodle bowl… Two days is never enough! Like this post, next time let’s watch the Hengshan sunrise together🌅!