Datong

Carved by the Silk Road's Faith

The Yungang Grottoes hollow out a sandstone cliff with 51,000 Buddhas, from fingernail figures to a 17-metre seated colossus. The hanging temple at Hengshan pins itself to the cliff on timber beams.

Best time to visit: May–October

Visas: Australian passport holders currently enter China visa-free for up to 30 days — an arrangement scheduled to end on 31 December 2026, so confirm the rules for your travel dates.