A Visit to Datong City, Shanxi | Ancient Chinese Buddhist Caves

Here’s my trip to Shanxi’s second-largest city- Datong. Most people think that the
ancient Chinese caves are the best thing to see here because they are decorated with 50,000 Buddhist rock carvings. While these caves located inside Yungang Grottoes certainly hold breathtaking beauty and are some of the coolest things I've ever seen. You will be amazed by the picturesque and magnificent Mt. Hengshan which is a rare sight in China such as the incredible Hanging Temple. Of course, I also tried local Chinese food and was amazed as always! I took this weekend trip back in March and am just uploading it for you now.
Don’t miss to check out one of the top 10 places to visit in China with 50,000 rock
carvings. Watch this video to know more about ancient Chinese places and traditions.
Do you like exploring places and discovering different cultures? Do you want to know a
place before planning a tour to China? Take time to see China through my eyes. Please
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--ABOUT ME-- 😜
Hi! I'm Aleese Lightyear, a 33-year-old Black American living in Beijing, China.
Born in Michigan, USA
Lover of Cheese Itz & bike rides
Been in China for 2.5 years
Currently, working as a high school drama and ESL teacher at an international school
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[@Nicofilms]

I'm so happy for this trip as it was the first time we met!! I don't think people realize just how terrifying the hanging monastery was, it gave me flashbacks haha that barrier wasn't even up to my knee haha

[@rannulfr57]

Such a nice surprise to see u in her video

[@Nicofilms]

@@rannulfr57 It was such a nice surprise to meet on this trip!

[@siyiidtravels]

There's so many interesting places in this world. I'm grateful for people like you that film these places I may never visit. Thanks!

[@awyongleongsoo35]

This is one of the most famous ancient Buddhist sculptural sites in China.

[@solopolo]

You are so happy girl, you’re making me cry

[@AleeseLightyear]

Don't cry for me hahahah!

[@AleeseLightyear]

Don't cry for me hahahah!

[@jiaoli6401]

Shanxi province is really famous for its well-preserved architecture! I strongly recommend Yingxian Wooden tower, which is not far away from Heng Mountain and it is all wooden, unbelievably beautiful. Also, Yanmen Pass, Dai town, Wutai Mountain, Foguang Temple are all amazing. Most of amazing lanscapes in China are those in small towns!

[@moonlightmistandmemories9623]

Wow , simply amazing , China holds so many surprising places to visit , this was really fun to watch ...

[@AleeseLightyear]

Glad you enjoyed it! China has countless amazing places I've never heard of until I got here. I love being able to show how surprising this country is

[@SoSab]

Adding this destination to my place to go :) Thanks for the recommendation !

[@AleeseLightyear]

You should! Its pretty amazing IRL! Thanks for watching!

[@awyongleongsoo35]

Hanging Temple is a truly amazing feat of engineering and one of the world’s forgotten wonders.

[@raymondlianto9882]

The grottoes was amazing. The buddhist sculptures was pretty cool.

[@josechong8207]

You are such a celebrity!! :)) A superstar...

[@JamesandKeli]

It's awesome you were still able to take videos and pictures inside! A lot of the grottoes we have been to have told us no pictures and videos allowed. You were able to showcase the incredible masterpieces that were built!

[@canalesjuan356]

Generally, you couldn't take pics inside a temple in which monks have been praying.

[@nileshbhattacharya2526]

Beautiful China+ beautiful video ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@AleeseLightyear]

Thanks for watching! China is filled with some incredible places!

[@jacintochua6885]

Beijing 8s no longer polluted.as years ago.. Winter weather is usually grey and gloomy. It's nirmal,every where

[@kartoosh3171]

You have such a positive energy, im watching your videos while working from home and it really held my mind escape for a bit. Thank you 😊

[@AleeseLightyear]

Wow, thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words

[@Mariobrownio1989]

amazing

[@AleeseLightyear]

🥰👌🏾

[@InesTessa]

Haha the jiggly cellulite was my favorite part!

[@jjdwolfe]

LOL @ the guys stopping you to take a picture. I honestly miss living in Beijing so much!

[@AleeseLightyear]

Ohhh it’s non stop whenever I leave Beijing. When people are nice about it then I don’t mind! And those guys were very kind

[@jjdwolfe]

@@AleeseLightyear I have a whole album of counter picture snaps on FB. I took a pic with everyone who requested to take a picture with me lmao

[@TynaizaMurphy]

Love the new editing techniques!!! Looks so cool

[@AleeseLightyear]

Yay! Thank you for noticing!

[@fxrvr]

Those opening transitions though 🤩

[@peterfromla7505]

New edits are quite good, Keep it up Aleese. I just discovered you.

[@AleeseLightyear]

Glad you like them! and thanks for watching my adventure!

[@jakemoore880]

Killing it with these videos!

[@AleeseLightyear]

Thanks homie!! This one took FOREVERRRRR

[@catherinekilbane1734]

Looks amazing!

[@ahhhlvin]

The edits were so good and such a fun video as always! Did I spy Jack (from Nico) with you at the dinner?? If so, that's so cool y'all traveled together! Would be so much fun to travel with y'all as a group!

[@jacintochua6885]

The structure are temples for worship .

[@miloxu1618]

This is amazing!

[@AleeseLightyear]

Right! It's such an incredible place!

[@coughargh]

You got great energy :D

[@AleeseLightyear]

Thank you 😁

[@songrao9088]

Love ur videos!

[@AleeseLightyear]

Yay! Thanks a ton for tuning in

[@aini3148]

OMG earlyyy! sooo excited! Love you soo much! 😩

[@AleeseLightyear]

Yay! Thank you! You're the first to comment! Let me know what you think of the video!

[@aini3148]

@@AleeseLightyear Love the cinematics, the editing and the mini facts! As a student studying overseas, I havent gone back to china in years, lowkey miss it. I love watching your videos, just seeing how much China has changed over the years. Btw absolutely adore your hair, always on point fr 💕

[@IWr74]

You're so famous!!! 🤣 I love that scarf btw 😜 I thought it was a snake at first I feel dumb 😅

[@songsong1988]

LOL! The young guys were saying a stereotype conversation that every Chinese student knows that learning from our English books.

[@AleeseLightyear]

Hahah I know! I get that text box conversation quite a lot. But it’s nice to see people try!

[@MrsGertha]

Amazing!! Thank you Aleese🌺🤗!!

[@AleeseLightyear]

Glad you liked it!!

[@andersonkan3377]

There just like that you became the mascot and tourist attraction, all these fame and hassles aye Aleese 😉 oh amazing editing too

[@AleeseLightyear]

Hahahah It seems to happen everywhere I go!! Thanks for watching!

[@riotbeatsmusic]

"ew this looks like cellulite!"...I didn't come to this video to be personally attacked. I came to be delighted as I normally am 😂😂

[@Zvroth]

You're absolutely right that you shouldn't push yourself into doing something that you aren't comfortable with. Travelling should be fun and relaxing xD.

[@AleeseLightyear]

Exactly that! I was not about to let myself get stressed out up there!

[@MunichRebel]

you're more of an attraction than ancient China! that says something about your magnificence and gloriousness!!!

[@clevermkoi8377]

this was cute and you are beautiful!

[@AleeseLightyear]

Thank you! Glad you liked the video!

[@le9264]

I find it so funny how people would just walk up to you and ask for a picture. 🤣🤣🤣

[@AleeseLightyear]

It's constant! hahahah at times it can be really annoying, but usually they end in funny moments.

[@siyiidtravels]

That food at 8:00 tho 😩

[@sidekicks1403]

2:52 that lady is wayyyy too close lmaooo😭

[@AleeseLightyear]

What is personal space when you live in China?!?!

[@ЮлияИ-у9з]

Hey. I live in Shanxi but never been in Datong

[@AleeseLightyear]

Hi there! You should definitely check it out! Really interesting city

[@MocroBorsato]

Do people often want to take pics of foreigners there

[@AleeseLightyear]

I think you can figure that out very easily after watching this video lol

[@realaubreyliu]

Thanks to Aleese，我知道云冈石窟在大同了，LOL

[@blackdiamond3112]

I can't wait for China to open its borders so I can finally enter the country 😭😭❤️

[@mml1123]

Wait, hang on, it is summertime in China. Where did that snow come from? 😂

[@AleeseLightyear]

hahahah This was actually back in March, just got around to editing it.

[@mykaydenl1872]

Silk Road

[@realaubreyliu]

6:46 For authentic real city walls, come to Nanjing. Even the city walls in Xi'an is not authentic.

[@AleeseLightyear]

The Xian wall isn't authentic either?! Oh mannnn I didn't know that! hahahha Well Nanking just got much higher on my travel list! Thanks for the tip

[@astroayumi1752]

Sometime its annoying, don't be offended bec. you're really gorgeous and cute thats why people want to take picture with u !

[@AleeseLightyear]

hahah thanks! Like you said---sometimes it's annoying because a lot of people don't care about personal space and sometimes treat me like I'm there to please them. But when people are friendly, I don't mind taking photos

[@坐等第一]

@@AleeseLightyear We Chinese are very active. They like to ask strangers to take pictures. This is a different social culture from the West.😅

[@weizhang2834]

So many eggs of your breakfast 😂

[@portia7854]

To the person reading this, Jesus loves you and died for you sins. God bless and keep you always. He is the Light in this dark world and will see you through anything! ♥️

[@Puppyschoolbus]

You look like carrying a real snake on your shoulder 😂

[@AleeseLightyear]

hahahahah just a scarf!! That would be super crazy for me to be walking around with a snake!

[@newtonojok9720]

Hahaha Aleese the "coward"...feared to climb up the temple.

[@AleeseLightyear]

coward? I just know my boundaries.

[@newtonojok9720]

@@AleeseLightyear that is why i quoted "coward"