Huayan Temple of Datong
Huayan Temple of Datong
4
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
144 reviews
Excellent
58
Very good
63
Average
19
Poor
4
Terrible
0
KW M
Belfast, UK539 contributions
Jul 2021
This is in the middle of the Ancient City, a very large Temple complex, 50RMb entrance fee. If I recall correctly, almost the entire place is a rebuild for <15 years ago, in fact almost all the Ancient City is a modern rebuild.
If you like Chinese Temples, go have a look see. It’s the same pattern and architecture you’ll see at almost all Chinese Temples, so if you don’t have the time to have a look, you’ll be okay.
Two cool parts, they have a relic of the Buddha in the underground part of a Temple, his finger bone. There is also a huge Temple you can climb up and get a great view of the city.
As Temple complexes go, it’s very well done, lots of photo opportunities.
If you have the time, go have a look.
If you like Chinese Temples, go have a look see. It’s the same pattern and architecture you’ll see at almost all Chinese Temples, so if you don’t have the time to have a look, you’ll be okay.
Two cool parts, they have a relic of the Buddha in the underground part of a Temple, his finger bone. There is also a huge Temple you can climb up and get a great view of the city.
As Temple complexes go, it’s very well done, lots of photo opportunities.
If you have the time, go have a look.
Written July 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gregsf11
San Francisco, CA837 contributions
Aug 2012 • Solo
Had I read them, it might have discouraged me. But there was time after the day tour to the Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Monastery, so we went to see this temple, and we were glad we did.
The view from the top was fantastic, it was refreshingly uncrowded unlike the temples in Beijing which are overrun with camera-toting tourists, and it was lovingly restored. The basement with the brass buddhas was really special. It certainly seemed that way to the lamas praying there at the time we were there. All in all, I liked it better than the Lama Temple in Beijing.
Some complain that it's overly restored, but you know, nothing lasts forever, and restoration work is nothing new. In one of the Buddhist grottoes in China, there's a cave with inscriptions indicating the collection of money for the restoration of the statues- dating from 1035 AD. By that time, the grottoes were 400 years old, and probably showing signs of wear. Yet of course we still regard the site as sacred and authentic. So if something is restored in 1035 (after a few hundred years), that's OK. But if something is restored a few years ago (after a few hundred years of decay), that's not? I'm not sure I buy that logic. If that were true, then barely anything is authentic, unless we just let it fall to pieces. Nah, if you try to keep it true to the original and do a good job of the restoration -and I think they did with this temple -then I think it's great.
The view from the top was fantastic, it was refreshingly uncrowded unlike the temples in Beijing which are overrun with camera-toting tourists, and it was lovingly restored. The basement with the brass buddhas was really special. It certainly seemed that way to the lamas praying there at the time we were there. All in all, I liked it better than the Lama Temple in Beijing.
Some complain that it's overly restored, but you know, nothing lasts forever, and restoration work is nothing new. In one of the Buddhist grottoes in China, there's a cave with inscriptions indicating the collection of money for the restoration of the statues- dating from 1035 AD. By that time, the grottoes were 400 years old, and probably showing signs of wear. Yet of course we still regard the site as sacred and authentic. So if something is restored in 1035 (after a few hundred years), that's OK. But if something is restored a few years ago (after a few hundred years of decay), that's not? I'm not sure I buy that logic. If that were true, then barely anything is authentic, unless we just let it fall to pieces. Nah, if you try to keep it true to the original and do a good job of the restoration -and I think they did with this temple -then I think it's great.
Written September 18, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
L920
705 contributions
Dec 2019 • Business
This place located within Datong city wall. You can find this very easy within walking distance closed byt to the city tower and shopping area. Nearby also you can visit in the same time the 9 dragon screen and moslem mosque, and many other that i can't remember... if you have time you can give a visit.
Written December 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lwmvwgc
Newport Beach, CA72 contributions
Oct 2016
The temple is right across the Fenglin Ge restaurant and 2-3 mins. walking distance from Yunzhong Courtyard where we stayed for three nights. Unfortunately, we wait till the last morning to visit. Although this is a replication of the original, you don't miss the serenity and solemnness walking inside the vast property. The structural influence of this temple from the fifth century (North Wei dynasty) can be seen all over Japan. I wish we had more time, if you can hire a guide, it's worth while. By the way, if you are 65 and older, show your passport, all the entrance are free except the Hanging temple was half price.
Written October 30, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hepingbingbong
Shenyang, China23 contributions
Oct 2019 • Solo
Ticket 50Yuan, the highest balcony of Huayan pagoda provides a very good overview over the whole old town. There is a basement - floor, Buddhas, ornaments all made of copper. Never seen anything comparable in China.
Beautiful wall paintings in all temples.
Beautiful wall paintings in all temples.
Written October 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HBMarkowski
The Hague, The Netherlands1,377 contributions
Sept 2019 • Solo
Very nice quiet complex with a tall pagoda that can be mounted all the way up, 41 m.
Scary stairs but nice view once on the top.
Scary stairs but nice view once on the top.
Written September 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maria
38 contributions
Aug 2019
It is big and very nice conservated. It is a place where you can feel peace and calm. Walk arrownd is a good idea.
Written September 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine R
Cairns, Australia26 contributions
Apr 2019
Everything about this area is awesome. I love the history, cultural & religious feats & the settings. It is best to allow enough time to enjoy the atmosphere
Written May 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LeosMastnik
Changchun, China78 contributions
Dec 2015 • Friends
Quite big area covered witj may buddhist temples full of different statues and quiet charming corners. The best is the pagoda which you can climb to the top which will reward you with amazing view over ancient inner wall city. Also dont forget go down to the basement of the pagoda where is also small surprise. 60元 per person is quite overprice, but its worth it.
Written December 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
picturegal
Atlanta, GA463 contributions
Sept 2013 • Couples
This is an outstanding example of Liao dynasty architecture, with a few buildings dating from 1038, although most have been reconstructed. It is interesting and instructive to visit.
I did have an interesting experience there. In one of the temples, the monk handed me some incense sticks, so I went ahead and burned them. I figured I'd have to pay something, and sure enough, he then escorted me over to a table where an old man showed me a visitors book where people wrote their country of origin and the amount they were "donating". He wanted 100 yuan. I shook my head and offered him 40, then wrote that amount down in the book. Our guide told us later that he probably added another zero to make people think that was how much they should pay. 10 or 20 yuan would probably have been sufficient.
I did have an interesting experience there. In one of the temples, the monk handed me some incense sticks, so I went ahead and burned them. I figured I'd have to pay something, and sure enough, he then escorted me over to a table where an old man showed me a visitors book where people wrote their country of origin and the amount they were "donating". He wanted 100 yuan. I shook my head and offered him 40, then wrote that amount down in the book. Our guide told us later that he probably added another zero to make people think that was how much they should pay. 10 or 20 yuan would probably have been sufficient.
Written October 30, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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