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Located in the north of Shanxi province, Datong is close to the border with Inner Mongolia and 382km (237 miles) from Beijing. Datong is a major producer of coal and is primarily a center for heavy industry. However, in the heart of Datong, the old city walls and a few ancient temples and towers provide some clues to the city past.
Datong flourished between the 3rd and 5th centuries and was a capital of the Northern Wei dynasty (386-534AD). Sometimes called the dark ages, as China was not united and a succession of dynasties fought for power, this was also the era when Buddhist culture flourished. The Northern Wei were enthusiastic converts and initiated the construction of the Yungang Caves near their capital at Datong. Carved into a sandstone cliff side over a period of 100 years, the Yungang Caves are the grandest example of Buddhist cave art.
Later during the Liao dynasty (916-1125AD) and the Jin dynasty (1115-1234AD) Datong was a capital again and the Hanging Temple on the sacred mountain of Hengshan and the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda date back to this era.
The railway is important to Datong and various rail lines cross here making it a convenient stopping off place en route to Inner Mongolia, Beijing, Xian or Batou.
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