Datong and Pingyao, Shanxi Province - July, 2013
In July, 2013 I traveled by train from Beijing to Datong, Shanxi, then south to Pingyao, Shanxi
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Datong, Shanxi
The main reason people go to Datong is to see the amazing Yungang Shiku - the Yungang Caves. The 5th century caves, carved by Buddhist monks into the south side of Mt. Wuzhou, contain many ancient statues. Work began in 460, continued for 60 years, with the carving of 252 caves.
Pingyao, Shanxi
Pingyao, in Shanxi Province, is China’s best-preserved ancient walled town. It was already a thriving merchant town during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), but really became important during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), when merchants established the Rishengchang, the first draft bank in China’s history. Nearly 4000 Ming and Qing dynasty residences remain within the city walls.