Datong Introduction

City Introduction

(Image source: www.shanxichina.gov.cn)

Datong (Chinese: 大同) is a prefecture-level city in northern Shanxi province, People's Republic of China, located in a basin at an elevation of 1,040 meters and bordering Inner Mongolia to the north and west, and Hebei to the east.

A brand-new Datong appears after a combination of the modern atmosphere and the ancient civilization. The grand Huanyan Temple and Shanhua Temple built in Liao and Jin Dynasties stand still surrounded by the high ancient walls. Yungang Grottoes demonstrate the spectacular scene of “temples and towers on the mountains and along the rivers” in the ancient time. Outside the ancient walls, the skyrocketing buildings will refresh your eyes with a new city look. Datong, which used to be the capital of Beiwei Dynasty, capital of Liao and Jin Dynasties and key towns of Ming and Qing Dynasties, has become a modern city from the power center of nomads. You can feel its unique charm if you come to this city.

Natural environment

Datong is the northernmost city of Shanxi, and is located in the Datong Basin. The urban area is surrounded on three sides by mountains, with passes only to the east and southwest. Within the prefecture-level city elevations generally increase from southeast to northwest. Datong borders Ulanqab (Inner Mongolia) to the northwest and Zhangjiakou (Hebei) to the east, Shuozhou (Shanxi) to the southwest and Xinzhou (Shanxi) to the south.

Climate

Datong has a continental, monsoon-influenced steppe climate, influenced by the 1,000 metres + elevation, with rather long, cold, very dry winters, and very warm summers. There barely is any precipitation during winter, and more than 75% of the annual precipitation occurs from June to September.

Holidays

The same as the statutory holidays in China

New Year's Day: January 1st - January 3rd

Spring Festival: New Year's Eve to the sixth day of the lunar January

Tomb-sweeping Day: April 2nd - April 4th

Labor Day: April 30th - May 2nd

Dragon Boat Festival: June 9th - June 11th

Mid-Autumn Festival: September 15th - September 17th

National Day: October 1st - October 7th