BEST things to do in DATONG, CHINA

[@stanbimi]

One could be blindfolded, throw a dart on the map of China, and find a place with deep ancient history all the way back to B.C.E. time. Datong is another city that has Buddhist culture from India and the Silk Route living side by side with the dragons of Chinese mythology. Fascinating. Based on what Nick described about the historical wooden architectures, photography forbidden, the mayor could make it an tourism attraction.

[@nickinchina2552]

Shanxi is pretty amazing, and not as busy and touristy as many other provinces. I will go back soon i think

[@ScottArmstrong-q1v]

Fantastic! I really enjoyed watching and feel inspired.

[@xyd1245]

The reason for the reconstruction of the ancient city of Datong is that the original inside was too dilapidated, which was basically a slum. Mayor Geng Yanbo carried out a lot of construction for the transformation and future of Datong. The interior buildings are in the style of Shanxi, but they are in the style of folk houses in the middle south of shanxi. Some people think that Geng Yanbo's approach is a little radical, but people who have made achievements are generally controversial

[@nickinchina2552]

Yeh, i guess many people like it for photos and things. i Just can't get interested about new 'old' looking things. Nevertheless, some great treasures still exist in Datong

[@nivzfrabx3718]

wow so amazing. Thank you for showing us traditional Chinese architecture

[@nickinchina2552]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!

[@aquelpibe]

Thanks for an informative, entertaining video!

[@xyd1245]

In fact, Datong's city wall is not entirely new, and there are still many Ming and Qing Dynasty rammed earth wall under the current city wall。

[@yzhang2008]

I visited the Yungang Grottoes about 9 years ago. It's an amazing trip.

[@nickinchina2552]

Spectacular! I bet it was even better 9 years ago...

[@spreado2437]

1:33 The ancient city wall of Datong began in 2008 and lasted eight years to restore the original appearance on the basis of the old city wall. Not something rebuilt. In the past half century, the wrapped bricks were demolished and built into houses, and the old rammed earth inside has been built from the Northern Wei, Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties to today's historical relics. Although the city towers on the city wall were rebuilt, they were all built using traditional and ancient Chinese methods, and they will still become an important cultural heritage even in the future.

[@ddpete7321]

Hey Nick. So glad to see you back and doing videos of China. You do an excellent job of filming and including great background/historical info to put context around the pics. I've been to China many times for business and always loved it. I loved Xian and thought about moving there at one time (my wife was born and raised in China). One of my favorite cities was Hanzhong. I haven't been to China in the last 12 years. Recently, someone told me that you can't buy things with currency anymore. All purchases must be made electronically using your smartphone. From train tickets to bus tickets to buying things in restaurants and shops and even outside/streetside vendors require to be paid electronically using your phone. It sounds ghastly. Is this true?

[@nickinchina2552]

you can still use cash, but basically it isn't used. I actually like not having to carry a wallet with me...the two main apps for payment (wechat and alipay) are both good and save so much time on things like train tickets, house bills etc. Hope you get back to China soon, and yes i agree...Hanzhong is great!

[@moquant947]

Another great video.

[@znba8823]

The ancient city is very big and very spacious and very beautiful.这座古城很大，宽敞，美丽。😍😮

[@brianfox771]

I toured around the Datong area back in 2001. Way off the beaten path back then. It has changed a lot in 23 years.

[@nickinchina2552]

Things change fast here. Datong is a cool place, must have been fun back in 2001

[@brianfox771]

@@nickinchina2552 It was. I remember going to the Buddha Grottoes and riding a Bactrian Camel. I also went to the hanging Monastery and held a large owl; I remember its talons kind of digging into my arm. I also remember the dragon walls in Datong. My favorite dish I ate while I was there was a regional specialty called You Mian - oat noodles. It was amazingly delicious.

[@JogvanJespersenPGA]

1:31 nice tan line Nick ;)

[@nickinchina2552]

hahah! i'm glad someone noticed 🤣🤣🤣

[@deanzaZZR]

It's hard to imagine that not that long ago (late 1980s) before the internet some intrepid foreigners successfully traveled around China seeing spectacular sights such as the Yungang Grottoes using only the Lonely Planet guides and verbal communication. Honestly, I have no memory of Datong itself. One memory that will forever remain were the huge hills of mined coal dotted around the city.

[@nickinchina2552]

Must have been a different world. The country has changed so much since my first visit (2006). Must have been a great adventure you had in the 80's

[@Alexymann]

Wow I want to see Yungang Grottoes. Would 2 days be enough to explore Datong?

[@nickinchina2552]

For the city yes, but there are so many things surrounding the city you could spend several days here i think. I should have probably stayed a little longer...

[@jackwu8664]

There are only three nine-dragon screens （九龙壁）in China as you mentioned in the video. Personally, I didn't know the existence of five-dragon screens（五龙🐲壁）until I have watched your video. Thanks.

[@nickinchina2552]

Also passed one in the countryside on the way to the Yungang Grottoes. All over the place in northern Shanxi!

[@cathywong5894]

Thank You

[@nickinchina2552]

welcome as always, Cathy 😃

[@leeseowyeow8636]

Are the sights accessible by public transport?

[@nickinchina2552]

The places in the city are all walkable. However, if you want to go to the Yungang Grottoes you would have to take a bus or a taxi

[@CycOp]

The Russian word for Chinese is also kitan (or chitan?)

[@nickinchina2552]

that's interesting...i need to look into this more

[@fargr5926]

Ukrainian word as well, if I remember correctly. West Liao was also a part of the story.

[@denglinzhiniao]

yes

[@t6030056]

My home town !

[@nickinchina2552]

Great place! I'm a big fan of 山西

[@野望-x5m]

Glad to see you went to Datong. The entire Shanxi province seems to have many well-preserved ancient buildings, but in Datong, they are famous for their large-scale reconstruction. Many ancient-style buildings were built for the development of tourism in the past ten years. The commercial atmosphere is strong. I can’t Comment on whether this is a good thing.😂😂

[@nickinchina2552]

A lot of great places in and around the city. The new build old town stuff doesnt appeal to me at all, but i guess some people like it?!

[@Tracy-n3b]

I went there before!

[@nickinchina2552]

Fantastic history around Datong! I'd like to go back one day

[@denglinzhiniao]

大同的目标可不是做西安那种旅游城市，它的仿古建筑水平比西安高太多太多了。传统建筑是需要传承下去的，不能只作为景点观赏。

[@johnsamu]

The noisy loudspeakers are everywhere, it's a means to control the ginormous masses of chinese people/tourists during the official holidays. It's true it disturbs the serene atmosphere when you're walking alone. I discovered this new high tech invention recently that counters this problem, in english they call it "earplugs" 😉😉😁😁

[@nickinchina2552]

They would have to be very good earplugs! 😂😂

[@johnsamu]

Like an old wise man said "The older you get the lesser the problem of the loud noise". WHADDYA SAY???😊

[@Shwahface]

First comment

[@hangtuah888]

With due respect, this is so infantile. How about going to the ocean and be the first to clean up the plastics in the ocean. At least you will be doing humanity a service to reduce plastics in the environment.

[@Shwahface]

@@hangtuah888 you’re probably right but it made me feel like a big man.

[@Shwahface]

I’m only joking. It’s a pointless comment, except that I like interacting with KZbin creators’ content in order to boost their work- all interaction helps the video get pushed by KZbin’s algorithm, which helps other ppl discover Nick’s great videos. The algorithm cares not for how infantile my comment is. It only notices that a comment exists. So, even when I don’t have much interesting to say, I’ll comment regardless to help the channel ;)

[@nickinchina2552]

Winner! Hope i see you soon mate

[@guestonearth1274]

Noddle paradise !

[@hangtuah888]

A question for you Nick, not sure if you do believe in the ethereal being called god after so many visits to sites worshipping him. I am an atheist and find the recent surge in religious observance very disturbing as it is both irrational and such a waste of resources not to mention polluting the environment by the burning of joss sticks and paper offerings. Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights protect religious freedom but it is more in the nature of a shield rather than a sword. Growing up I see my late mother being so superstitious to such an extent nothing is done without consulting the "gods." Whilst I appreciate some religious practices have passed into cultural practices but nevertheless it is still disturbing to see the throngs of Chinese praying for good fortune and well being. They have to slowly erode their rational thought for some ethereal being for guidance. Such is life.

[@soonang4191]

Hang Tuah is boastful ,virtue signalling.A western education has made him ashamed of his own roots.