[2025 Datong Attraction] Travel Guide for Datong Museum (Updated Mar)

Yungang Grottoes in China’s Datong. There are high figurines for Buddhist emperors of the Sinicized nomadic dynasty of Wei, We travelled to Datong on the 8:40am fast train from Beijing North and organised for the taxi driver we got at the new Datong South station to take us to the caves and then bring us back to the station after a few hours at the caves (we have some basic Chinese language skills) It was certainly very cold but the caves are so amazing that we didn’t even think about how cold we were. The whole place is very well done and seeing the caves is very easy - being so cold (-4 on the day we visited) we did pay the 15Y for the electric bus around the site. We highly recommend the Yungang Grottoes if you have time. #naturaloxygenbar #historicculture #museumquest #museumquest#artgallery#historicculture

The intelligent ancient craftsmen are not only highly skilled, but also deeply understand the principles of architecture. The entire suspended temple is adapted to local conditions, making full use of the natural state of the cliff to arrange and construct various parts of the temple. The temple is not only a single temple, but its eaves have single rafts, heavy rafts and three layers of rafts; the structure has a flat-top structure with a raised beam structure and a bucket arch structure; the roof has a ridge, a ridge, and a barren; the overall appearance is The structure is macro, overlapping, resulting in a kind of cave in the building, there are caves in the building, half-walled temple half-wall caves, caves and buildings, the unique style of the hall. Even if I am a junior player who is just getting started with Chinese ancient architecture, I still know that the difficulty is extraordinary, let alone the millennium before the mechanical conditions are extremely underdeveloped. The wisdom and technology of ancient craftsmen is really admirable.

Want to know Datong, go to the Datong Museum is right! Datong City Museum is a comprehensive museum of geography, belonging to the Datong City Cultural Relics Bureau. The museum was built in 1958 and officially opened to the public in 1959. It was called the Datong Cultural Relics Exhibition Hall. In 1963, it was renamed Datong City Museum. After more than half a century of ups and downs, it has continued to grow and develop. With more than 70,000 pieces of cultural relics in the collection, it is the largest museum in the Jinbei area and a national secondary museum. The museum's exterior is very designed. It is designed by Cui Wei, an outstanding contemporary Chinese architect. It has a basement and three floors above ground. The architectural form of the pavilion is combined with the dragon culture and the grotto culture, and it is in harmony with the typical geomorphological features of the Datong volcanic group, reflecting the regional cultural characteristics of the Hu Han blending. The main body of the building is a spiral structure with two curved bodies rotating. The outer side of the building is arranged with a circular shallow pool and a curved bridge leading to the interior of the building to enhance the overall dynamics of the building. A square square is set on the outside of the building, and a rectangular tree array of 20 meters wide is on the four sides of the square, with green spaces in between. The museum is divided into a basement and three floors above ground, with a partial mezzanine. It includes cultural relics exhibition area, public service area, multi-purpose hall, cultural relics area and office area. The exhibition exhibition of Datong City Museum is divided into a basic exhibition "Daxia Datong - Datong Ancient Cultural Relics Exhibition" and four special exhibition halls "Datong Dinosaur", "Ceramic Road Zhenzhen", "Miao Pen Danqing", "Sanskrit Voiceless", and a temporary exhibition hall.

Datong, the ancient city of Saibei, this is a historical and cultural city that spans thousands of years. It was once the third generation of Jinghua, the place where the two dynasties were important, and it was also a famous city. It is no wonder that some people have said that the rough and mighty Northern Wei gradually reveals the exquisite beauty. After the three-person arrived in Datong, the ancient trees stood on the roadside, the walls were majestic in the distance, the temples were solemn, and the swallows hovered overhead. In the streets, large and new antique buildings and small street lamp landmarks all exude an antique culture.

Datong Museum has nearly 10,000 square meters of exhibition area divided into a series of exhibition halls, four special exhibition halls and a temporary exhibition hall. The collection of cultural relics is said to have 70,000 pieces. When you enter the door, you can see that the copper scrolls of up to two levels are on the way. The scrolls depict the travels of the Northern Wei Dynasty. The front clusters are very luxurious. In the face of such a picture, you have to look up at it. The grandeur of it seems to be admiring the history of the millennium, and people are immersed in contemplation. Datongs dinosaur fossils, which were unearthed 65 million years ago, cost a lot of money to create and restore the dinosaur model at the time. The model can shake its head and make a realistic squeaking sound, vivid and vivid, if not noticed. As if they would really come towards you, so that some unknown tourists screamed.

Bronze pots and bronze swords, these bronze age boutiques have always been the most exquisite treasures in Datong. When you visit a museum in a number of countries, you will see the fine bronzes from the Datong underground.

This city, famous for its coal, has not only black gold but also numerous animal and plant debris. There have been many dinosaurs, rich vegetation, and even ostriches have flourished on this land.

Every historic city has a magnificent museum. This is not a place to hide treasures, but a classroom for reading history.

The Datong Museum is a uniquely designed museum with 250 million years of historical secrets. In the museum, visitors can learn about the survival of the dinosaurs in the land of Datong during the Mesozoic era, and at the same time see the two dinosaur models of the dynamic and static. In the museum, you can also learn about the history of Datong in various periods, including culture, people's livelihood, etc. At the same time, you can appreciate the unearthed cultural relics from different periods, such as bronzes, pottery, pottery figurines, carved Buddha statues, and so on. During the tour, you can pay special attention to the collection of the Qing Dynasty glazed porcelain glazed porcelain pillows in the Yuan Dynasty, the Liao Dynasty glazed enamel, the Tongboshan furnace, the Tongboshan furnace, the Taolian branch lamp, the yellow glazed thuja peony flower jar, etc. It is an invaluable treasure. Transportation: Take bus No. 65 in Datong City to the Datong Museum station. Walk by car and follow the navigation.

As the saying goes: "See Shanxi for relics above ground, and Datong for Northern Wei and Liao-Jin dynasties!" Among the many unearthed cultural relics, bronzes and ceramics are nothing new! Surprisingly, the ancients mastered glassblowing technology over a thousand years ago! That touch of "Northern Wei Blue" is the best evidence! You have to see it with your own eyes to know how stunning it is! - The Datong Museum holds a significant position! Among its 170,000 artifacts, over 3,000 are considered precious! Its richness rivals that of the Shanxi Museum! As a first-class museum, it opens a time tunnel to Datong's 1,000-year history. - 🔺Overall Evaluation: ✔️The regular exhibition halls are divided into four themes: The Vicissitudes of the Land, Pingcheng of the Northern Wei Dynasty, Xijing of the Liao and Jin Dynasties, and Datong in the Ming and Qing Dynasties! But the second floor is the highlight! The dinosaur fossils on the first floor should be very suitable for children! It creates an immersive scene.🎬 ✔️Exhibitions are divided by era: The first floor covers ancient times to the Two Han Dynasties, the second floor focuses on the Northern Wei Dynasty, and the third floor covers the Liao, Jin, Ming, and Qing Dynasties! A complete timeline without backtracking. ✔️There are guided tours every day! Audio guides are ¥20! Free docent-led tours are available at 9:30/10:00/14:30/15:00! They cover about 90% of the collection. ✔️The museum occasionally holds parent-child activities! I encountered a DIY activity that day. - 🔺Temporary Exhibition Hall: The new theme is "Civilization's Zenith - The Life and Times of Empress Dowager Wenming of the Northern Wei Dynasty"! This exhibition runs until March 10, 2025! Through four sections: "Former Home of the Northern Yan," "Migration from Qin and Yong," "Years in Pingcheng," and "An Empress for the Ages," it takes you into the life of the "First Lady of the Northern Wei Dynasty"! There's a beautiful "golden buyao (hair ornament)." - 🔺Museum Treasures: 🍃Lacquer Screen from the Tomb of Sima Jinlong: One of the relics prohibited from leaving the country! Buried for thousands of years, the colors are still vibrant! Although it's a replica, it's displayed three-dimensionally on both sides! Half of the original is also housed in the museum! The original is rarely exhibited. 🍃Sima Jinlong's Honor Guard: The honor guard consists of 238 figurines with vivid expressions and magnificent momentum, showcasing the royal atmosphere! Such a large-scale formation is extremely rare. 🍃Small Blue Glass Bottle: Created by the Yuezhi people, the Northern Wei blue shimmers with rainbow hues in its coolness. 🍃Painted Pottery Acrobatics Figurines: Nine painted pottery figures form an acrobatic troupe, each with a different pose. One of them looks up and claps, exquisitely charming. 🍃Glazed Chiwen from Huayan Temple / Glazed Beast from Huiquan Temple: The glazed chiwen is 2.85 meters high, with a dragon's head and a fish's tail, covered in scales, a typical feature of Liao Dynasty architecture! The Jin Dynasty glazed beast is about 90 centimeters high and is commonly known as "Wangtianniu (Sky-Gazing Beast)." - 📍Address: No. 506 Taihe Road, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province 🚘Transportation: Taxi is recommended, or take bus No. 38 and get off at the "Museum" stop. 🎫Tickets: Free 📱Reservation: Book 7 days in advance via the "Datong Museum" official account. ⏱️Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 (last entry at 16:30), closed on Mondays

🚗🚗🚗Travel Route Day 1: Jinshan Mountain Foot of the Great Wall Day 2: Jinshanling Great Wall → Gubei Water Town Day 3: Yungang Grottoes → Jinhua Palace Mine Downstream Scenic Area → Datong City Museum → Datong Ancient City → Orange Hotel (Datong Ancient City Branch) Day 4: Datong Loess Plateau → Hanging Temple → Yingxian Wooden Pagoda Day 5: Taiyuan → Ninghua Fu Yiyuan Qingcu Acetic Acid Headquarters → Jinci Temple Scenic Area → Shanxi Museum → Qiao Family Courtyard Day 6: Pingyao Ancient City → Baoding City 🚄Must-see attractions: Jinshanling Great Wall: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Yungang Grottoes: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Yingxian Wooden Pagoda: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Pingyao Ancient City: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Qiao Family Courtyard: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Hanging Temple: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (advance reservation of tickets required) ⚠️Notes: When traveling from Shenyang to Shanxi, vehicles with non-local license plates passing through the Beijing area should pay attention to the no-entry zones!

Here is a travel guide to Datong Museum based on your request: 1. Basic Information • Address: Datong Museum is located at No. 506 Taihe Road, Pingcheng District, Datong City. • Tickets: Free to the public, but reservations are required in advance. • Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00–17:00 (last entry at 16:00), closed on Mondays (except for national holidays). 2. Reservation • Individual reservation: Visitors can make a real-name reservation in advance through the "Datong Museum Official WeChat Account" and save the reservation voucher. • Manual green channel: Seniors (65 years old and above), people with disabilities, active military personnel, and other people who are entitled to the "green channel" policy as stipulated by the state do not need to make a reservation and can enter the museum with a valid ID. 3. Transportation • Bus routes: Take bus No. 38, 64, or 70 to Datong University East Station, walk 300 meters east along the road, or take bus No. 65 to the museum. 4. Visitor Information • Security check and registration: On the day of the visit, visitors must present their original ID card and reservation voucher, and undergo a security check and registration. Visitors can enter the museum only if they meet all the requirements. • Personal protection: Visitors must wear a mask at all times and take personal protection measures. • Museum rules: No food or drink is allowed in the exhibition halls. Please eat in designated areas. No smoking or littering is allowed in the museum. Please keep the environment clean. No running, chasing, playing, climbing, or lying down is allowed in the museum. For exhibitions where photography is allowed, please do not use flash, selfie sticks, or tripods. 5. Featured Exhibitions • Exhibition content: Datong Museum has a collection of more than 170,000 cultural relics. The exhibition is based on the regional characteristics of Datong's history and culture, and features four historical exhibitions: "The Vicissitudes of Dai", "Pingcheng of the Northern Wei Dynasty", "Western Capital of the Liao and Jin Dynasties", and "Important Town of the Ming and Qing Dynasties", which comprehensively tell the story of Datong as the capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty, the accompanying capital of the Liao and Jin Dynasties, and an important town of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. 6. Nearby Attractions • Datong Museum has nine branches, including the Liao, Jin, and Yuan Ethnic Integration Museum, Datong Red Memory Museum, Ancient Bronze Art Museum, Mingtang Ruins Museum, Northern Dynasties Museum, Kuixing Culture Museum, Pingcheng Memory Museum, and Liang Sicheng Memorial Hall, which can be visited together. We hope this guide will help you plan your visit to Datong Museum. Have a great trip!

The Western Capital of the Liao and Jin Dynasties and Important Town of the Ming and Qing Dynasties exhibition halls of the Datong Museum showcase Datong's long history as an important city during the Liao and Jin Dynasties and the most important of the nine border towns during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, as well as its role as an important stage for the second great ethnic integration in China.

The Dinosaur Hall is suitable for children; the Cang Sang Dai Di Hall introduces the ancient and Spring and Autumn Period Dai Di core area, which is today's Datong; the temporary exhibition "Cloud Terraces" displays the culture of the Honghe Hani Terraces; the temporary exhibition "All Trees Have Spirits" displays many African sculptures. Free admission, scan the code on site or make a reservation in advance on the official account. The museum is located at No. 506 Taihe Road, Pingcheng District. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00–17:00.

Free access to Datong Museum A place to visit for free all afternoon! Datong, a prefecture-level city, has a national first-class museum With a large collection More than 170,000 exquisite cultural relics from the Northern Wei, Liao, and Jin dynasties Very suitable for museum lovers and photo lovers - There are 4️⃣ exhibition halls in the permanent exhibition area of the museum: 🔸1st floor exhibition hall: The vicissitudes of the generation 🔸2nd floor exhibition hall: Northern Wei Pingcheng 🔸3rd floor exhibition hall: Liao and Jin Xijing/Ming and Qing towns ⚱️There are regular temporary exhibitions with different themes, and the level of curation is online - The treasure of the town hall 🔸Lacquer painting screen: This is one of the first batch of cultural relics prohibited from being exhibited abroad. The content of the screen painting is the story of the ancient sages of the Lie Nu, which is a masterpiece of Northern Wei lacquerware and painting. The color is still bright after thousands of years. 🔸Stone-carved coffin bed: It is in the shape of an inverted mountain character, with a frame decorated with twining honeysuckle patterns, and the images of the strong man and the musician carved on the bed feet are vivid and have the characteristics of Hu people. 🔸Stone-carved column base: Four giant dragons are connected end to end, majestic, and the children playing music at the four corners also have the characteristics of Hu people. 🔸Ceremonial Terracotta Warriors: The Terracotta Warriors unearthed from the tomb of Sima Jinlong include light cavalry, heavy cavalry, infantry, etc. Although they are small in size, they are extraordinary. 🔸Northern Wei blue glass bottle: It is a rare and precious glass product, an outstanding work of cultural exchange between the East and the West, and it is more radiant under the light. - ❤️【Tour Tips】 🔸There are 4 floors in the whole museum, and the tour time is about 2 hours. It is not tiring to visit with children 🔸There are 🆓 stamps, distributed in 3 places. There are 5 pieces in total in the cultural and creative shed at the entrance of the temporary exhibition hall on the first floor; there are 7 pieces in the cultural and creative store at the exit on the first floor; there are 2 pieces at the entrance of the Tongbo Tea House on the second floor Datong Museum 🎫｜Tickets: Free and no reservation required, you can scan the code to enter the museum with your ID card, or you can register at the door and scan the code to enter the museum 🕐｜Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 9:00-17:00, no admission after 16:30, closed on Monday 🅿️｜Parking: You can park in the underground parking lot when you drive there, and it is free all day

If you're visiting Datong for the first time, the museum is a must-see! ✅Tour route: 1F: Visit the Datong Dinosaur Museum first, where you can see dinosaur fossils from hundreds of millions of years ago and learn about the ancient biological conditions of the Datong area. The Vicissitudes of the Earth Hall next door introduces the development of Datong from prehistoric times to the Qin and Han dynasties, from barbarism to civilization. 2F: The core exhibition, the Wei Capital Pingcheng Hall, is not to be missed. It systematically displays the glorious history of Datong as the capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty. The Sima Jinlong Tomb, lacquered screen, stone coffin bed, wooden tombs, Northern Wei glass bottle, and warrior statue are all treasures of the museum and should be carefully appreciated. 3F: The Liao and Jin Western Capital Hall is the second peak of Datong's history, with precious artifacts such as the glazed chiwen of Huayan Temple and the gold ornaments of Qu State Temple. The Ming and Qing Frontier Town Hall tells the story of Datong's last glory as an important frontier town in ancient times. ➡️Free guided tours: There are free guided tours at scheduled times every day, usually meeting in the lobby on the first floor. Please ask museum staff for specific times. Tips: We recommend allowing at least 3 hours to fully appreciate the museum's rich collection and cultural connotations.

|Stunning historical exhibition. "Underground relics in Shaanxi, above-ground relics in Shanxi." Many people are familiar with the Hanging Temple, Yungang Grottoes, and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. In addition to these famous ancient buildings, Datong also has a good place to watch cultural relics and treasures, which is the Datong Museum. "Words are endless, and it's better to see it." The cultural relics exhibited in the Datong Museum are mainly based on the regional characteristics of Datong's history and culture, and focus on reflecting the development process of ethnic integration in this region. Here, there are both "Sinicized Hu culture" and "Huized Han culture". It is a typical cultural area where "Hu and Han cultures blend" in ancient times. A large number of unearthed cultural relics and even existing ones have profound reflections. The treasures of the town hall include lacquer screen, stone coffin bed, stone pillar base, pottery figurines, glassware and Huayan Temple owl. It's worth a visit. Ticket: Free Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (closed on Monday) There are lockers in the lobby on the first floor of the museum, but the number is limited.

First stop in Datong is the Datong Museum. You can take bus No. 70 or 66 to get there. You can make a reservation online or scan the QR code at the entrance to make a reservation. There are two free guided tours at 9:30 and 10:00 in the morning, and there are also guided tours in the afternoon (I forgot the time). The exhibits are on the second floor, and there are three treasures of the museum. The first one: Northern Wei Sima Jinlong Tomb Lacquer Painting: This is a lacquerware treasure from the Wei and Jin Dynasties and a masterpiece in the painting history of the Northern Wei Dynasty. It is one of the first 64 national treasures in China that are prohibited from being exhibited abroad. It displays stories of ancient virtuous women and other characters. Due to the fragility of the original, the replica is on display, while the original is partially preserved in the Shanxi Provincial Museum and partially preserved in the basement of the Datong Museum. The second one: Sima Jinlong Stone Carved Bed: This is a stone carving art treasure from the Pingcheng period of the Northern Wei Dynasty. It is 241 cm long, 133 cm wide, and 51 cm high, and is made of fine sandstone. The upper part of the bed is carved with dancing and musical instrument-playing children, mythical beasts, etc. among the honeysuckle branches, the lower frame is decorated with water wave patterns, and the bed feet are carved with four muscular men holding up with both hands, showing the stone carving art style of the Northern Wei Dynasty. The third one: Glass Ridge Beast: This is a decoration on the main ridge of the Huayan Temple's Bahujingzang Hall during the Liao Dynasty. It is 3 meters high and is the most shocking work in the exhibition hall, showing the exquisite skills of ancient Chinese architectural decoration art. In addition, the Northern Wei blue glass bottle, Sima Jinlong pottery figurine battle team, Northern Wei Buddha statue, etc. are all worth seeing.

📍 Location: The Datong Museum is located at No. 506, Taihe Road, Pingcheng District, Datong City. It is a national first-class museum with a rich collection, showing the profound historical and cultural heritage of Datong as the capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty, the accompanying capital of the Liao and Jin Dynasties, and the important town of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. 🏛️ Attraction introduction: The vicissitudes of the land: the prelude to the civilization of Datong's history, showing the vicissitudes of the "Datong Lake" and the "Sanggan River". Northern Wei Pingcheng: Through the ruins of Pingcheng Mingtang and Fangshan Yongguling, the footprints of the Xianbei people's feudalization are recorded. Liao Jin Xijing: The Khitan, Jurchen, Mongolian and other ethnic groups have successively operated, forming a unique Xijing style. Ming and Qing important towns: Witness the rise of Jin merchants who are rich in the world and connected to the world. 🎟️ Tickets: Free 🚌 Transportation: Departing from Datong Ancient City, you can take the No. 38 bus to Taihe Road Yunshan Street Intersection Station (Museum Station). Departing from Datong Railway Station, you can take the No. 70 bus to Taihe Road Yunshan Street Intersection Station (Museum Station). Departing from Xinnan Bus Station, you can take the No. 63 bus to Taihe Road Yunshan Street Intersection Station (Museum Station). ⏰ Opening hours: October 08-next year June 17: Open from Tuesday to Sunday 09:00-17:00, closed all day on Monday. June 18-October 07: Open from Monday to Sunday 08:00-20:00. 🎢 Must-play projects: Interactive area: The interactive area on the first floor is equipped with a 5D cinema and cultural and entertainment projects, allowing tourists to experience an immersive historical and cultural journey. Dinosaur Exhibition Hall: Through the simulation of the dinosaur living environment and the exhibition of various dinosaur fossils, let tourists touch the history of the Mesozoic. On the day of the visit, present the original ID card, appointment voucher, and accept security check and registration. Closed on Monday, except for holidays, please arrange your itinerary to avoid closing days. 📸 Photo check-in: There are many precious cultural relics and artworks in the museum, which is a good place for photo check-in, but please observe the museum's photo regulations and do not use flash. 🌟 Special recommendation: If you are interested in the culture of the Northern Wei Dynasty, don't miss the display of the tomb figurines of Sima Jinlong, which directly reflect the cultural exchanges, exchanges, and integration at that time.

Datong Museum truly gave me a great surprise. I didn't expect a city-level museum to house so many treasures. Moreover, I think Datong Museum has done an excellent job in the distribution and arrangement of exhibits, the use of lighting, and the visual impact. From the very beginning, I couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. The guidance for the flow of visitors in the exhibition hall is very clear. There is also an exhibition area upstairs called 'African Impressions,' which features masks, sculptures from local tribes, practical tools, prayer tools, and so on. Some of them look quite scary, while others look quite funny. I still recommend that everyone book a professional guide to learn many stories behind the treasures.

Family, today I went to Datong Museum, and it was truly eye-opening😲! As soon as I entered, I was captivated by those gigantic dinosaur fossils🤩! And those ancient bronzes, pottery, calligraphy, and paintings, each one left me in awe🥰! Overall, Datong Museum is definitely worth a visit👍! If you are interested in history and culture, you must check it out😘!

The Datong Museum was founded in 1958, originally known as the Datong City Cultural Relics Exhibition Hall. It is a national first-class museum and was designed by the famous Chinese architect Mr. Cui Kai. The first floor features the 'Datong Dinosaurs' special exhibition area, the 'Vicissitudes of the Land' exhibition area, and a temporary exhibition area. The second floor houses the 'Capital of Wei, Pingcheng' exhibition area. The third floor includes the 'Western Capital of Liao and Jin' and 'Important Towns of Ming and Qing' exhibition areas, as well as the 'Brahma's Pure Sound' special exhibition area. There are free guided tours at 2:30 PM and 3 PM, each lasting about an hour. Gather at the explanation area in the lobby. Follow the museum rules: do not touch the artifacts, do not climb randomly, and do not make loud noises. Some exhibition halls may have dim lighting, so watch your step. Pay attention to signs and indicators to understand the locations of each exhibition hall and the exits.

Every time I travel to a place, the local museum is a must-visit. But every time, with the crowds of tourists and the dim lighting, it’s somewhat difficult to take good exhibition photos. This time, while visiting the Datong Museum, I summarized four museum portrait formulas. Depending on the scene, you can still take some great photos of people~ . 1️⃣ Use a telephoto lens to capture the interaction of a person standing in front of a giant exhibit. You can use the lighting on the exhibit to illuminate the person. 2️⃣ Have the person look at the exhibit in front of them, creating a silhouette effect with the person blurred in the foreground. It can be yourself or a passerby, adding more atmosphere than just the exhibit alone. 3️⃣ Take portraits through artifacts, using the artifact as the foreground to capture the person looking at the artifact. A different angle gives a different feeling. 4️⃣ Find a relatively low artifact display platform and take a side shot of the person looking down at the artifact. 5️⃣ Besides people, capturing staggered artifacts also creates a sense of depth. These are the general ideas for museum portrait photography~

When you come to Datong, don't just visit the Yungang Grottoes and Datong Ancient City. You might as well visit the Datong Museum, Art Gallery, Library, etc. to feel the modern and fashionable atmosphere of this Northern Wei capital. ①Datong Museum Learn about the history and culture of Datong, including the vicissitudes of the times, Pingcheng, the capital of Wei, Xijing, Liao and Jin, etc. The exterior design of the museum is very cool, integrating elements of Datong's history and culture, volcanic groups, Longbi culture, and the spatial evolution of the Yungang Grottoes. It is surrounded by a spiral spatial structure, which is eye-catching. Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-17:00 ②Datong Art Museum The building itself is like a work of art, with a pyramidal geometric shape, and two pairs of pyramids lined up in a dynamic, gradually rising manner. The theme of the art museum is a fully underground structure, and the space design is amazing. It is a very popular Internet celebrity check-in spot. Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-17:00 ③Datong Library The design is inspired by the Yungang Grottoes, but it looks very modern and fashionable from the outside. The lobby is very shocking, surrounded by books arranged along the ramp, as if it is an art treasure house that witnesses the fusion of traditional Chinese culture and imported culture. Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-17:00 ④Datong Sports Center The design is inspired by the stunning natural landscape of the Loess Plateau. Each unit is magnificent and powerful, with a richer sense of hierarchy, making everyone passing by feel bright. 8:30-17:30 ⑤Datong Grand Theater The design is inspired by the Yungang Grottoes. From a distance, it looks like a rolling mountain range with grottoes scattered all over the hillside. Travel Tips These five venues are connected together and can be visited together. It takes about half a day to a whole day, especially the museums and art galleries. The aerial view is even better, as it allows you to intuitively feel the overall outline of the building.

Datong City Museum, among city-level museums, stands out in terms of its collections, exhibition layout, and historical value. The predecessor of Datong City Museum was the Datong Cultural Relics Exhibition Hall, which has moved several times, from Huayan Temple to the West Hall of the Exhibition Hall, to the No. 10 Middle School Planetarium, until the new museum opened at the end of 2014. 🏯 Datong has a long history, once serving as Pingcheng, the capital established by the Tuoba Xianbei for the Northern Wei Dynasty, and later as the Western Capital for the Liao and Jin Dynasties, and a military stronghold during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The Datong City Museum has a rich collection of exhibits, with treasures such as the lacquered wooden panels from the Sima Jinlong tomb, glazed pottery formations, and the shadow blue glazed openwork porcelain pillow of the Guanghan Palace. Among them, the most beautiful are the glass artifacts from the Northern Wei Dynasty. 🧊 The glass artifacts from the Northern Wei Dynasty, also known as 'Northern Wei Blue,' serve as one of the business cards of the Datong City Museum, displayed on the second floor in the 'Capital Pingcheng of Wei' exhibition. 🥣 The exhibits include bowls, vases, and pots in full array, with a blue hue as clear as lake water. Pingcheng, the capital of the Northern Wei, became a hub connecting the East and West after the establishment of the Northern Wei regime. The glass-making technique from the Western Regions, introduced by the Dayuezhi at that time, led to the creation of this 'Northern Wei Blue,' representing the craftsmanship level of the Northern Wei at that time. 📍 Address: No. 506 Taihe Road, Wenyin Lake Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province 🈺 Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 (No entry after 16:00)

🚗🚗🚗Travel Itinerary: Day1: Yungang Grottoes→Dadan Hotel (Datong Ancient City Branch)→Datong City Museum→Pastoral Northern Wei Dynasty Banquet (Datong Yingbin East Road Branch) Day2: Hanging Temple→Hengshan

Datong is truly an underrated tourist city! I was so surprised by the Datong Museum, the exhibitions were all so beautifully arranged! And the collection is really rich 😲 The museum's exhibits are mainly divided into 7 sections: ⛺️The Vicissitudes of Time: The Prelude to Datong's Historical Civilization 🏯Pingcheng, Capital of Wei: The History of the Northern Wei and the Xianbei People, Cultural Exchange and Integration during the Northern and Southern Dynasties 🎠Western Capital of Liao and Jin: Showcasing the characteristic Western Capital style of Datong during the Liao and Jin periods 🛖Key Town in Ming and Qing: Chronicles of Datong and the Jin Merchants during the Ming and Qing Dynasties 🦕Datong Dinosaurs: Dinosaur fossils from the Mesozoic era in Datong 🏺Porcelain Road Treasures: Here I learned that Datong was also an important porcelain production site in ancient northern China! 🖼Exquisite Brushwork: The museum's collection of Ming and Qing paintings and calligraphy 🎋Sanskrit Melodies: Sculptural art treasures carved in temples or hidden among the people Don't miss it when you come to Datong❗️It's really worth a visit

Datong, a place I visit several times a year for official business, and each time, by the time I'm done, it's Monday, and the museum is closed, which is really unfortunate. Finally, I checked in at the long-awaited Datong Museum and entered this corridor of time that carries on the historical and cultural legacy of Datong. The basic display of the Datong Museum includes the vicissitudes of the land, the Wei capital Pingcheng, the Liao and Jin western capitals, and the Ming and Qing key towns, as well as special exhibits like the Datong dinosaurs and the Sanskrit Pure Sound. The most unique aspect is embodied in the word 'magnanimous.' The people of Datong are magnanimous, and unexpectedly, so is the museum here. While other museums display their cultural relics one by one, here they are presented in groups, which is truly admirable for the rich cultural heritage of Datong. The treasure of the museum—the lacquer screen painting from the tomb of Sima Jinlong (Image 5)—was unearthed in 1965, consisting of five wooden lacquer panels. Both sides of these lacquer panels are painted, continuing the traditional stories of emperors, generals, virtuous women, and filial sons from the Han dynasty onwards, such as Emperor Shun, Lord Ling of Wei, King Xuan of Qi, Duke Wen of Jin, etc. The colors are rich and the style is simple, making it captivating. Whenever I visit a city, I always make it a point to check out the local museum first, to feel the history, culture, and humanities of the place. Whether I'm at the museum or on my way there, the millennia-old artifacts are worth savoring in detail. Name: Datong Museum Address: No. 506 Taihe Road, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province Opening Hours: 9:00—17:00 (Ticket sales stop at 16:00, clearing at 16:30, and closing at 17:00) Closed on Mondays (including national holidays) Admission: Free Recommended Exhibits: The vicissitudes of the land, the Wei capital Pingcheng, the Liao and Jin western capitals, the Ming and Qing key towns Recommended Activities: Research learning, photography, historical visits Transportation Tips: Take bus 64, 65, or 70 to Taihe Road Yunshan Street stop.

The following is a guide to visiting Datong Museum: ●Departure of the Nobles of the Northern Wei Dynasty: The first thing that catches your eye when you enter the museum is a large arc-shaped mural - Departure of the Nobles of the Northern Wei Dynasty, which is about 15.5 meters high and 50 meters wide. The convoy, horse team, drums and music show the grand scene of the Northern Wei Dynasty's nobles' journey. ●The vicissitudes of Dai: The "Violent Changes of Dai" exhibition hall on the first floor follows the footsteps of the ancestors of Daibei, and can trace back to the early history of Datong as well as the vicissitudes of life that occurred and unfolded in "Datong Lake" and "Sanggan River". ●Datong Dinosaurs: The "Datong Dinosaurs" exhibition hall on the first floor houses dinosaur fossils from more than 70 million years ago, recreating the prehistoric civilization of the ancient times. ●Pingcheng of the Northern Wei Dynasty: The second-floor exhibition hall looks back at the past "Wei Capital Pingcheng", and the animation shows the former prosperity of Wei Capital Pingcheng; the Pingcheng Mingtang ruins and the Fangshan Yonggu Mausoleum record the footprints of the feudalization of the Xianbei people and the process of the integration of the Hu and Han peoples; the Yungang Grottoes mark the beginning of the localization of Western Buddhism; the cultural relics in the tombs of Song Shaozu and Sima Jinlong bear witness to the process of cultural exchange and integration between the Southern and Northern Dynasties; the architectural model of the Wei capital reproduces the scenery of the Northern Wei Dynasty; the Sima Jinlong Terracotta Army shows the scene of the nobles' travel. ● Liaojin Xijing and Ming and Qing Dynasties: The third floor is "Liaojin Xijing" and "Ming and Qing Dynasties", which introduces the urban planning and architectural layout of Datong City in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, various architectural styles and characteristics, such as brick carvings