In the 11th century BC, King Wu of Zhou granted this land to his son Tang Shuyu, establishing the State of Tang, later renamed Jin. During the Spring and Autumn Period, Jin became one of the most powerful states, until it was divided by the Han, Zhao, and Wei families (Partition of Jin), marking the beginning of the Warring States era.
Historically, Shanxi was at times ruled by non-Han regimes such as Northern Wei, Liao, and Jin, which explains why many relics from these periods can still be seen today.
This morning, we arrived in Datong by plane and headed straight to Datong Wenying Hotel for lunch without delay. It is a distinctive garden-style hotel. Stepping inside, it feels like entering a harmonious blend of a traditional Jin-style courtyard and a Jiangnan classical garden. The restaurant carries a strong local flavor—dishes such as hand-pulled lamb, knife-cut noodles, and guo you rou all made it clear that we had truly arrived in Shanxi.
Later, we headed to the Datong volcanic Group. There are about 32 Quaternary volcanoes here, formed between 740,000 and 70,000 years ago.
There is no entrance gate, and vehicles can drive straight in. Despite well-built roads, no tickets are required, which feels surprisingly generous. Heishantou is said to be the most complete cone-shaped crater, often called a “geology textbook.” After parking, we walked a muddy path for about a kilometer. The climb was steep, with only ropes and wooden stakes for support. Reaching the top, we realized the crater required another climb, so we gave up.
Langwoshan is the most famous crater here, covered with vegetation and resembling a forested hill. Wooden walkways and steps lead to the top, where the crater can be fully seen.
We also spotted a mirrored building reminiscent of one we saw in the Middle East.
In the evening, we arrived at Datong Ancient City, a nearly square city with a perimeter of about 6.5 km, originally built in the Northern Wei dynasty.
We first tried to reserve a table at Fenglinge, only to find 180 people ahead of us. We also took numbers at two other popular restaurants, Longjuxiang and Zini 369, each with long queues.
While waiting, we walked around.
At Chunyang Palace, a Taoist temple dedicated to Lü Dongbin, priests were preparing rituals while people burned offerings outside. It was the Ghost Festival, a time for honoring ancestors. Later that night, we saw similar fires across the streets.
We also visited the Nine-Dragon Screen. It is over 600 years old and one of the largest glazed dragon walls in China. Built for Prince Dai, it features nine vividly colored dragons in dynamic poses, symbolizing imperial power.
After more than an hour, we finally got a table at Zini 369 at 8 PM. The food, including shredded lamb head, was good, though perhaps not worth the long wait.
Our first day in Shanxi ended in a rich and vibrant way, and we look forward to what tomorrow brings.
📍 Travel Logistics
🛏️ Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Datong Pingcheng
🚗 Transportation: Rental Car
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