Tuesday, February 24, 2015

highlights from datong.

highlights from datong

Remember last year when I told you we were taking a 3AM train to Datong for the Tomb Sweeping Festival weekend? Well, I'm finally going to share some highlights! 

highlights from datong

We arrived in the morning, so we spent that first day just wandering around the city, with our friend Nemanja as our guide.

highlights from datong

The air and skies were beautiful the whole time! Something to be grateful for, especially in China.

highlights from datong

highlights from datong


There were lots of statues, some scarier than others. 

highlights from datong

highlights from datong

The detail everywhere was breathtaking!


After climbing a couple sets of steep stairs, I opted to go back down and enjoy the sun while everyone else went to the very top. (Heights are not my friend.)

highlights from datong

highlights from datong

highlights from datong

highlights from datong

Again, all the details! Wow!

highlights from datong

Another scary statue. But the detail!

highlights from datong - Nine Dragon Wall

Contrary to what this photo would have you believe, we were less than impressed by the Nine-Dragon Wall.

highlights from datong - Nine Dragon Wall

Not the first time people have asked to have their photo taken with us.

highlights from datong

highlights from datong

I also skipped climbing this wall, and ended up missing a nice view and a dragon made of plates. But I made friends with some little kids using my limited Chinese!

highlights from datong

I admired his work...

highlights from datong

...and he gave me a chance.

highlights from datong - street food

Street food! (Pro tip: You should always try street food. Really, most of it is delicious!)

highlights from datong - street food

highlights from datong - street food

highlights from datong - street food

See? Delicious! (We went back for more later.)

highlights from datong - Hanging Monastery

The morning of the second day, we went to the Hanging Monastery. As you can see, it was only a little crowded ;) (Nemanja's aunt snuck to the front of the line to get our tickets.)

highlights from datong - Hanging Monastery

highlights from datong - Hanging Monastery

highlights from datong - Hanging Monastery

Spoiler alert: Despite my fear of heights, I went through the whole thing. And I cried. But people were pushing! And the sides only went up to maybe mid-thigh. It was scary!

highlights from datong - Hanging Monastery

Yah... this is on (in?) the monastery and it's really high and really crowded. This was probably the last time I smiled until I was back on the ground. 

highlights from datong - Hanging Monastery

highlights from datong - Hanging Monastery

highlights from datong - Hanging Monastery

Only a little high...

highlights from datong - Yungang Grottoes

In the afternoon, we went to the Yungang Grottoes.

highlights from datong - Yungang Grottoes

highlights from datong - Yungang Grottoes

highlights from datong - Yungang Grottoes

highlights from datong - Yungang Grottoes

The details here were incredible, too!

highlights from datong - Yungang Grottoes

highlights from datong - Yungang Grottoes

highlights from datong - Yungang Grottoes

The statues were huge!

highlights from datong

Candy art! (Dude's got skills.)

We left around 9 or 10PM the night of the second day.

Overall, the trip was a success! And writing this post makes me want to take more weekend trips to other parts of China. Two places I really want to go: Xian and Harbin.

P.S. Highlights from Shanghai.

2 comments:

  1. I haven't seen that picture of us together in front of the Buddha before! I love it. Thanks for the trip down memory lane :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ahh! I didn't realize I hadn't posted photos on FB. I have more! I'll post soon!

    ReplyDelete

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