So I am way behind and will try to write 2 blogs a day until I catch up, but for now my computer is working and I can get back on my blog.
Caves
Having only 1 day in Dantong (大同) means there is a lot to do, we started by heading to the Yungang Caves (雲崗石窟). While the Mogao caves (莫高窟) were really impressive, I think both Charlotte and I had more fun at these caves. These caves were filled with huge statues carved out of rocks most of which were done around 460-520 AD. In addition these caves do not require a tour guide and you can explore them on your own. There were 45 caves, 8 of which had giant buddhas, the largest being 17m tall
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Caves from a distance
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Closer up picture of the caves
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Inside a cave
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A giant Buddha
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A smaller statue within the big statue
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Charlotte posing so you can see the size
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Up close picture of carving
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Hanging Monastery(懸空寺)
After the caves we took a 2.5 hour taxi ride to a hanging monastery (懸空寺). Built on the edge of a mountain (北岳衡山) it has long skinny posts holding up certain sections. Unfortunately there was very little in the way of explanations so I am still not really sure why they built it this way.
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Hanging monastery from a distance
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Closer picture
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Even closer
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Up close of the wood holding up the walkway
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Charlotte looking over the walkway
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Roof of the temple
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Picture along the mountain
Bus To Taiyuan
After the hanging monastery we took the 2.5 hour cab ride back and grabbed our stuff and headed for the bus station. We had a 3 hour bus ride to Taiyuan (太原) where we would just stay the night before heading off to Pingyao (平遙) in the morning. For some reason 3 hour bus rides feel like 6 hour bus rides at this point. Every trip is a lot longer than we want and we never want to be on a bus again.
That hanging monastery is really the coolest thing you've posted so far.
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