Yungang Caves, a Mountain of Buddhas        2008-6-22 15:19:13

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Charge: RMB 46
 
Huayan Monastery
Add: Huayan Jie
Open Time£º 8am to 6pm, peak-season
            8:30am to 5pro, off-season
Charge: RMB 10
 
Yungang Caves
Add: 1 Dong Jie, Yungang Town; 16km west of Datong
Open Time:  8am to 5:30pm, peak-season
            8:30am to 5pro, off-season
Charge:  6O
 
Hotels
Datong Hotel  ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï              
Add:  37 Yingbin Xi Lu
Charge:  580 - double room

Hong'an International Hotel  ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï                   
Add:  28 Yingbin Xi Lu
Charge:  480 - double room

Jingyuan Hotel  ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï                
Add:  3A Yongjun Nan Lu
Charge: 260 - double room

Yungang Hotel  ¡ï¡ï¡ï               
Add:  21 Yingbin Dong Lu
Charge:  400 - double room, peak-season
         260 - double room, off-season

Yungang International Hotel           
Add: 38 Daxi Jie
Charge: 460 - double room

Food £¦ Restaurants
Cuisine here is based on flour and the generous use of vinegar; Shanxi's famous vinegar is mild with a tinge of sweetness. With over 2,500 years of development, Shanxi people love their vinegar. Local flour based creations range from pastries to noodles and come in a variety of shapes. Cat's ear noodles are  served with a tomato and egg sauce or a meat sauce, but don't worry, no cats will be harmed in the making of this dish. It's a popular fill-me-up and can he found on most menus for about RMB 5 a bowl. Try the fried cake, a Chinese version donut, fatty but very delicious. Another local delicacy is youmian tuntun, a kind of wonton where the shell is made of oat and filled with vegetables.

RESTAURANTS
Hongqi Restaurant
Specializes in Sichuan, Shandong, Cantonese and Shanghai dishes.
Add:  11 Zhanqian Jie, Railway Station Square
Open Time:  7am to 2am

Jindadu Restaurant     
Add: 131 Yingbin Xi Lu 

Jiuzhou Restaurant   
Add:  164 Xiao Nan Jie 

Lao Datong Restaurant        
Add:  No. 3 Bus Station, Zhenhua Bei Jie

Yonghe Hongqi Meishicheng 
Specializes in Cantonese, Sichuan, Hunan and Shandong cuisines.
Add:  8 Yingbin Dong Lu 
Open Time: 11am to 2am

Yonghe Shifu
Add:  end of Shanhuasi Lu and Xiaonan Jie

Souvenirs
There are many art and antique shops around the caves where you can buy jade and bronze Buddhist statues at low prices. You can get them at 60% of the offered price if you enjoy bargaining.
Since the area around Datong is an important coal-mining center, Jinhua coal sculptures make for a unique souvenir. Depending on the complexity and size, prices can range from RMB 10 to 1,000. You can head over to the Jinhua Mine and browse the Jinhua Mine Handicrafts Gallery and check out the artisans making their works of art.

The Yinxing Jindian on 8 Da DongJie specializes in gold and sliver jewelry. Also try Datong Jiayi Lipin Store on 328 Xinkai
Nan Lu for your souvenir needs. If you want some upscale shopping you'll need to get back to Datong. West Street are the main higher-end shopping areas.

Quotes
"Yungang Caves are the best ofthe stone carvings art in China."
"The sight of thousands of Buddhas on a mountain is a real thrill. No other place
can be compared to Yungang Caves."

Memorable Experiences
Strolling outside the caves as braziers launch fragrant aromas into the air while the musky smoke from incense wafts from the caves, chimes from temple bells sail through the air as monks, dressed in their traditional garb stroll back and forth.

At night, the Da Xi Jie in the commercial district of Daton9 is filled with peddlers
of local food and souvenirs. The cool air is filled with the aroma of various spices.