Datong (大同)

1. Introduction

Datong City, abbreviated as Tong or Da, historically known as Pingcheng and Yunzhong, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Shanxi Province, People's Republic of China. It is a larger city approved by the State Council, one of the nine ancient capitals of China, and the second-largest city in Shanxi Province. Located in the northern part of Shanxi Province, it lies at the junction of Shanxi, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia. The city borders Shuozhou City to the west, Xinzhou City to the south, Baoding City of Hebei Province to the southeast, Zhangjiakou City of Hebei Province to the east, and Ulanqab City of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to the north. Situated in the northeastern part of the Loess Plateau and on the northern edge of the Datong Basin, it is flanked by the Yin Mountains to the northwest, the Lüliang Mountains to the southwest, the Taihang Mountains to the southeast, and overlooks the Yanshan Mountains to the northeast. The Sanggan River traverses the central part of the city, while the Yu River flows from north to south through the urban area and merges into the Sanggan River. Datong is a nationally renowned historical and cultural city, having served as the capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty and the secondary capital "Western Capital" during the Liao and Jin dynasties. It was also a crucial military stronghold along the nine frontier garrisons during the Ming and Qing dynasties, earning it the titles "Wei Capital," "Coal Capital," and "Phoenix City." Major railways such as the Beijing–Baotou, Datong–Puzhou, and Datong–Qinhuangdao lines intersect here. The Municipal People's Government is located at No. 2799 Xingyun Street, Pingcheng District.

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2. History

Datong has been a crucial military stronghold and strategic location since ancient times, a place contested by all military strategists, witnessing over a thousand battles of varying scales. Mapu Mountain in the east of Datong was the battlefield where Liu Bang of the Han Dynasty fought the Xiongnu for seven days and nights; Jinshatan (located at the border of Shuozhou City, Shanxi) was the battleground where the Generals of the Yang family fought bloody battles. Historically, Datong has consistently been one of the more influential major cities in northern China, known as the "Capital of Three Dynasties, Key Garrison of Two Regimes."

2.1 Prehistoric to Warring States Period

A significant Paleolithic site in this city is the Xujiayao Man site in Xujiayao Village, Gucheng Town, Yanggao County. Other Paleolithic sites are distributed in areas such as Qingciyao and Xiaozhan west of Datong city, Jiajiayao in Zuoyun, and Ximazhuang in Guangling.

During the Spring and Autumn period, it was inhabited by northern nomadic tribes (Beidi). In the early Warring States period, it was part of the Dai State, later incorporated into the territory of Zhao. King Wuling of Zhao initially established Pingcheng here, which was under the jurisdiction of Dai Commandery.

2.2 Qin and Han Dynasties

During the Qin Dynasty, the eastern and western parts of Datong belonged to Yanmen Commandery and Dai Commandery respectively. Pingcheng County was established in the ancient city northeast of the present urban area, and the Great Wall was constructed within the territory. The Western Han Dynasty followed the Qin system, with Yanmen Commandery under Bing Province and Dai Commandery under You Province. The Siege of Baideng occurred here. During the reign of Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Tongguang Temple was built, becoming Datong's earliest Buddhist temple.

2.3 Northern Dynasties to Sui and Tang Dynasties

During the Three Kingdoms period, Datong was occupied by tribes such as the Wuhuan and Xianbei. In the Western and Eastern Jin periods, the northern part was Xianbei territory, while the southern part belonged to Yanmen Commandery. In the seventh month of the first year of Tianxing era of the Northern Wei Dynasty (398 AD), the capital was moved to Pingcheng (within present-day Datong), also known as "Daijing." "Palaces were built, ancestral temples established, altars to the gods of earth and grain erected, and the imperial city constructed." Six emperors across seven reigns ruled from here until the eighteenth year of Taihe era (494 AD) when Emperor Xiaowen of Wei moved the capital to Luoyang. Pingcheng served as the capital of the Northern Wei for nearly a century, becoming the political, military, economic, and cultural center of northern China at that time. In the first year of Tianbao era of the Northern Qi Dynasty (550 AD), the Eastern Wei was replaced by the Northern Qi, and Datong became part of Beiheng Prefecture and Beishuo Prefecture.

In the fourteenth year of Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty (640 AD), Yun Prefecture was established, with its seat in Dingxiang County, later renamed Yunzhong County, corresponding to present-day Datong urban area. It was abolished in the first year of Yongchun era (682 AD). Re-established in the twentieth year of Kaiyuan era (732 AD). Renamed Yunzhong Commandery in the first year of Tianbao era (742 AD). Reverted to Yun Prefecture in the first year of Qianyuan era (758 AD).

2.4 Liao, Jin, and Yuan Dynasties

In the third year of Tianfu era of the Later Jin during the Five Dynasties period (938 AD), Yun Prefecture was ceded to the Khitan as part of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, later becoming a key military stronghold in the confrontation between the Liao and Northern Song dynasties. In the fifteenth year of Chongxi era (1044 AD), it was elevated to Datong Prefecture and established as the Western Capital, serving as a secondary capital of the Liao state. Yunzhong County was partitioned to establish Datong County, which became the seat of Datong Prefecture. Due to its location between the Liao, Western Xia, and Song dynasties, it held significant strategic importance. Huanyu Tongzhi records: Datong Prefecture "derives its name from the Datong River." The Jin Dynasty also established the Western Capital Datong Prefecture here as a secondary capital. During the Yuan Dynasty, it was changed to Datong Route. In the fourteenth year of Zhiyuan era (1277 AD), the Italian traveler Marco Polo, on a mission for Emperor Shizu of Yuan to the Southern Seas, passed through Datong and described it as "a grand and beautiful city... commerce here is quite developed, all kinds of goods can be manufactured, especially weapons and other military supplies are more famous."

2.5 Ming and Qing Dynasties

During the Ming Dynasty, the route was changed to a prefecture, subordinate to the Shanxi Provincial Administration Commission, governing four subprefectures (Hunyuan, Ying, Shuo, Yu) and seven counties. Datong was one of the thirteen key garrison towns of the Ming Dynasty, with a feudal princely domain and stationed with heavy troops, at most 136,000 soldiers and over 50,000 warhorses. Emperor Chengzu and Emperor Yingzong of Ming personally led campaigns here. At that time, it was said that "Datong's soldiers and horses are the finest under heaven," and it was one of the Nine Frontier Garrisons. In the fifth year of Hongwu era (1372), Zhu Yuanzhang sent the general Xu Da to supervise soldiers and civilians in expanding Datong into a new brick-walled city on the foundation of the earthen cities from the Liao, Jin, and Yuan periods.

2.6 Republic of China

In May of the second year of the Republic of China (1913), Yanmen Circuit was established, with its seat in Datong. After the circuit system was abolished in the sixteenth year of the Republic of China (1927), Datong became a county directly under Shanxi Province. On September 13, 1937, the Japanese Kwantung Army occupied Datong city. On October 15, the puppet "North Shanxi Autonomous Government" was established, subordinate to the puppet "Mengjiang Joint Committee," governing 13 counties in northern Shanxi. On September 25, 1937, the Battle of Pingxingguan occurred in Qiaogou, Baiyaitai Township, Lingqiu County, Datong. Lin Biao and Nie Rongzhen led the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army to annihilate over 1,000 troops of the Japanese Itagaki Division's supply unit, capturing a large number of weapons and military supplies. Yang Chengwu led an independent regiment to block and annihilate over 300 Japanese reinforcement troops at Yimaling in Lingqiu. This battle was not only the first victory for the Eighth Route Army advancing into the anti-Japanese frontlines in North China but also the first successful large-scale ambush by Chinese forces against the Japanese army since the start of the War of Resistance. In August 1945, Datong came under the rule of Yan Xishan's Nationalist government, restoring its original county structure, still belonging to Shanxi Province, governing five districts.

2.7 People's Republic of China

After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, it was assigned to Chahar Province, and the urban area of Datong was separated to establish Datong City as a province-administered city. In 1953, Chahar Province was dissolved, and Datong City was reassigned to Shanxi Province. In 1954, Huairen County and Datong County merged to form Daren County and were incorporated. In 1964, Huairen County and Datong County were separated again. In July 1993, the Yanbei Prefecture was abolished, with seven of its original counties assigned to Datong City.

In 2008, then Mayor of Datong, Geng Yanbo, carried out extensive demolition of illegal structures in the urban area of Datong, giving the city a completely new appearance, which received high praise from the public.

3. Geography

Datong City spans 136.9 kilometers from east to west and 189 kilometers from north to south, with a total area of 14,000 square kilometers. The urban area of Datong covers 3,578 square kilometers.

Coordinates: 112°34′–114°33′ east longitude, 39°03′–40°44′ north latitude.

Datong City is located in northern Shanxi Province. It borders Fengzhen and Liangcheng of Ulanqab City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to the north; Huaian County and Yangyuan County of Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province to the east; and Shuozhou City and Xinzhou City of Shanxi Province to the southwest.

3.1 Topography and Landforms

The urban area is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with the Yu River running through it from north to south. The central and southern parts are vast plains (the Datong Basin). The overall terrain is higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast, with a general elevation above 1,000 meters. The mountainous areas can be divided into southern, central, and northern sections. The southern mountainous area features steep and precipitous mountains, with the main peak, Ta'er Mountain, reaching 1,714 meters. The Datong Coalfield is mainly distributed here. In the central mountainous area, the highest peak is Dazhong Mountain at 1,417 meters, which is the commanding height of central Datong. The northern mountainous area consists of interlocking mountains with deep valleys and steep slopes. The highest peak, Yinxing Mountain, reaches 1,565 meters, and Yegu Ling is 1,201 meters. Together with Mapu Mountain in the southeast, they form the northern gateway of Datong and the strategic pass of the Beijing-Baotou Railway. The northwestern part features interlaced hills and mountains with crisscrossing valleys, resulting in complex terrain.

The Datong region is home to the famous Datong Volcanic Group. Additionally, there is the unique Datong Earth Forest landscape. Datong City lies at the junction of the Shanxi Anticline of the North China Platform and the Yinshan Uplift. To the north is the Beikou Uplift, to the southwest is the Datong-Jingle Depression, and to the southeast is the Sanggan River New Fault Depression. This region has formed a series of structural features through multiple phases of crustal tectonic movements. During the Cenozoic Himalayan period, fault depression, sedimentation, and volcanic activity were relatively active stages. The eastern part features the world geological wonder, the Datong Volcanic Group, which, together with Tengchong in Yunnan, constitutes the two major volcanic groups in the north and south of China.

The mountainous area of Datong City covers 5,285.9 square kilometers, accounting for 37.4% of the total area; hilly area covers 3,318 square kilometers, accounting for 23.5%; platform area covers 1,700.9 square kilometers, accounting for 12.1%; plain area covers 3,136 square kilometers, accounting for 22.2%; basin area covers 238.9 square kilometers, accounting for 1.7%; and river valley area covers 432.9 square kilometers, accounting for 3.1%.

The mountains in northwestern Datong belong to the Yinshan Mountains and Lüliang Mountains, mainly including Baideng Mountain, Shuangshan, Erlang Mountain, Yunmen Mountain, and Cailiang Mountain. The mountains in the southeast belong to the Taihang Mountains, mainly including Hengshan Mountain, Taibai Mountain, and Liuleng Mountain. The city's general elevation ranges from 1,000 to 1,500 meters. The highest point is Huangyangjian on Liuleng Mountain in Yanggao County (2,420 meters), and the lowest point is the outlet of the Ran River at Huata Village in Lingqiu County (558 meters). The Sanggan River traverses the city from southwest to northeast, forming a trough-shaped basin with high surrounding areas, a low middle, and mountains flanking a river valley. Besides the Sanggan River, the main rivers within the territory include the Yu River, Shili River, Yuni River, Kouquan River, Nanyang River, Huli River, Tang River, and Dasha River.

3.2 Hydrology

The main rivers within the territory are the Yu River, Shili River, Kouquan River, and Yuni River. River water surges during the rainy season but is minimal at other times. Nevertheless, it still supplies water to Beijing. Larger reservoirs include Cetian Reservoir, Zhaojiayao Reservoir, and Shijiazhai Reservoir (Wenying Lake). The water sources in Pingcheng District and Yungang District are relatively sufficient.

In 2021, the total water resources in Datong City were 1.22 billion cubic meters, of which 820 million cubic meters were utilizable. Local water resources amounted to 950 million cubic meters (excluding incoming water volume), of which 630 million cubic meters were utilizable, equating to 278 cubic meters per capita. This is 60 cubic meters lower than the provincial average and accounts for 14% of the national average. The per capita water resource availability in the urban area is 81 cubic meters, making Datong one of the 110 severely water-scarce cities in China. The city's total water consumption for the year was 630 million cubic meters.

3.3 Mineral Resources

Mineral resources are dominated by coal, along with porcelain clay, refractory clay, basalt, limestone, and graphite. Coal reserves are substantial. There are also iron, copper, gold, aluminum, zinc, phosphorus, etc. The coal-bearing area in the city covers 632 square kilometers, with cumulative proven reserves of 37.69 billion tons. Datong coal is known as the "fine grain" of the world's thermal coal, renowned for its large reserves and high quality.

Datong City is rich in mineral resources. The mining industry, primarily focused on coal, is a pillar industry of the city. By the end of 2021, 91 types of minerals across four major categories—energy, metals, non-metals, and water/gas—had been discovered in the city. Among these, 30 types with verified resource reserves have been compiled into the Shanxi Province Mineral Resource Reserves Summary Table. They are: coal, iron, yttrium, copper, lead-zinc, magnesium, molybdenum, gold, silver, pyrite, common fluorite, metallurgical dolomite, refractory clay, feldspar, ceramic clay, cement limestone, cement sandstone, brick and tile clay, cement clay, bentonite, construction basalt, facing diabase, facing granite, facing marble, perlite, graphite, zeolite, asbestos, etc. Datong City has 234 mines of various types. Among them, there are 58 coal mines (21 large-scale, 37 medium-scale), 40 ferrous metal mines, 6 non-ferrous metal mines, 25 facing diabase mines, 26 limestone mines, 36 brick and tile clay/sand mines, and 43 other mines.

3.4 Flora and Fauna Resources

Main crops include millet, sorghum, corn, and miscellaneous grains. Local characteristic plant resources include astragalus, daylily, wolfberry, and tartary buckwheat. Animal resources include the Huamei donkey and Shanxi black pig.

3.5 Environment

According to statistics from the Shanxi Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment, Datong City's air quality ranked first in Shanxi Province for six consecutive years from 2013 to 2018, earning the nickname "Datong Blue." Water pollution issues remain to be resolved; in 2018, the water quality at sections of the Sanggan River and Yu River was still below Grade V.

3.6 Climate

Datong City is located in a continental monsoon climate zone with four distinct seasons: cold and dry winters, and warm, rainy summers. The average January temperature is -10.6°C, with an extreme minimum of -29.1°C (January 15, 1967). The average July temperature is 22.0°C, with an extreme maximum of 39.2°C (July 29, 2010). The annual average temperature is 7.0°C. The average annual precipitation is around 370 millimeters. The frost-free period lasts approximately 100–156 days.

In 2021, the main climatic characteristics of Datong City were: precipitation was above average but unevenly distributed in time and space; temperatures were slightly above average; sunshine hours were above average; the frost-free period was longer; and windy days were more frequent. Agricultural meteorological conditions: spring sowing was timely, and water supply was sufficient during critical crop growth periods.

Precipitation: The city's annual average precipitation was 439.8 mm, 13% higher than the multi-year average for the same period and slightly higher (2%) than the previous year. Precipitation was unevenly distributed in time and space. Annual precipitation across counties (districts) ranged from 353.7 mm (Pingcheng District) to 558.8 mm (Lingqiu County). Compared with the multi-year average, Pingcheng District and Yanggao County were 4% lower, Yunzhou District was equal, and the remaining counties were 7% to 35% higher. Precipitation was above average in spring and autumn, and below average in summer and winter. It was below average in January, April, May, August, and December, and above average in the remaining months.

Temperature: The city's annual average temperature was 8.1°C, 1.1°C higher than the multi-year average for the same period and 0.6°C lower than the previous year. The annual average temperature across counties (districts) ranged from 7°C (Zuoyun County) to 9°C (Lingqiu County), 0.1°C to 1.6°C higher year-on-year. Temperatures were above average in winter, spring, and autumn, and equal to the average in summer. Temperatures were below average in May, August, and October; equal in April and June; and above average in the remaining months. The annual extreme maximum temperature was 35.2°C (occurring in Guangling County on July 10), and the annual extreme minimum temperature was -31.1°C (occurring in Pingcheng District on January 7).

Sunshine: The city's annual average sunshine hours were 2,626 hours, 85 hours less than the multi-year average for the same period and 605 hours less than the previous year. Annual sunshine hours across counties (districts) ranged from 2,371 hours (Lingqiu County) to 2,701 hours (Pingcheng District).

Wind: Windy weather was more frequent throughout the year. The annual number of windy days across counties (districts) ranged from 11 to 38 days, with Lingqiu County having the fewest and Hunyuan County the most. The average number of windy days was 24.6, 7.7 days more than the multi-year average for the same period and 3.8 days more than the previous year.

Fog: There were 7 occurrences of widespread foggy weather affecting 4 or more stations throughout the year, specifically on: February 28; March 12–13 and 18–19; August 20 and 24; September 27; and November 6–7.

Frost and Frost-Free Period: The last frost occurred earlier, the first frost occurred later, and the frost-free period was longer than average. The average date of the last frost was May 4, 9 days earlier than the multi-year average. In Yanggao County and Zuoyun County, it occurred on May 2; in other areas, it occurred on May 5. Compared with the multi-year average, it was 5 to 19 days earlier across different locations. The average date of the first frost was October 11, 6 days later than the multi-year average. In Zuoyun County, it occurred on October 10; in other areas, it occurred on October 11. Compared with the multi-year average, it was 13 to 22 days later across different locations.|Month|Jan|Feb|Mar|Apr|May|Jun|Jul|Aug|Sep|Oct|Nov|Dec|Year| |:--:|:--:|:--:|:--:|:--:|:--:|:--:|:--:|:--:|:--:|:--:|:--:|:--:|:--:| |Record high °C (°F)|11.2(52.2)|19.2(66.6)|25.3(77.5)|35.4(95.7)|35.5(95.9)|39.0(102.2)|39.2(102.6)|35.9(96.6)|34.7(94.5)|27.5(81.5)|21.7(71.1)|14.6(58.3)|39.2(102.6)| |Average high °C (°F)|-3.4(25.9)|1.4(34.5)|8.1(46.6)|16.9(62.4)|23.5(74.3)|27.6(81.7)|28.8(83.8)|26.7(80.1)|22.2(72.0)|15.2(59.4)|5.9(42.6)|-1.6(29.1)|14.3(57.7)| |Daily mean °C (°F)|-10.5(13.1)|-6.0(21.2)|0.8(33.4)|9.4(48.9)|16.4(61.5)|20.8(69.4)|22.6(72.7)|20.6(69.1)|15.3(59.5)|8.0(46.4)|-1.1(30.0)|-8.3(17.1)|7.3(45.2)| |Average low °C (°F)|-16.4(2.5)|-12.2(10.0)|-5.6(21.9)|2.0(35.6)|9.0(48.2)|14.0(57.2)|16.8(62.2)|15.1(59.2)|9.1(48.4)|2.0(35.6)|-6.8(19.8)|-13.9(7.0)|1.1(34.0)| |Record low °C (°F)|-31.1(-24.0)|-27.6(-17.7)|-20.9(-5.6)|-15.6(3.9)|-5.8(21.6)|2.9(37.2)|8.8(47.8)|6.1(43.0)|-3.4(25.9)|-10.4(13.3)|-24.0(-11.2)|-31.9(-25.4)|-31.9(-25.4)| |Average precipitation mm (inches)|1.7(0.07)|2.5(0.10)|9.8(0.39)|19.5(0.77)|31.0(1.22)|47.4(1.87)|97.6(3.84)|77.1(3.04)|55.1(2.17)|19.7(0.78)|6.0(0.24)|1.9(0.07)|369.3(14.56)| |Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm)|2.0|2.5|4.5|4.1|7.0|9.8|13.5|12.2|8.8|4.8|2.8|1.9|73.9| |Average relative humidity (%)|53|46|42|38|40|49|62|67|61|54|51|52|51| |Mean monthly sunshine hours|184.1|189.4|222.3|243.5|272.5|265.7|244.8|233.9|234.6|226.8|185.8|167.5|2,670.9| |Percent possible sunshine|62|63|60|62|62|59|54|55|63|66|62|58|61|

Source: China Meteorological Administration (precipitation days and sunshine data from 1971–2000) Historical extreme temperatures

4. Administrative Divisions

Datong City currently administers 4 municipal districts and 6 counties.

• Municipal Districts: Pingcheng District, Yungang District, Xinrong District, Yunzhou District
• Counties: Yanggao County, Tianzhen County, Guangling County, Lingqiu County, Hunyuan County, Zuoyun County Datong Economic and Technological Development Zone is a national-level economic and technological development zone established by Datong City.

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (sq km) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | |:--:|:--:|:--:|:--:|:--:|:--:|:--:|:--:|:--:|:--:| |140200|Datong City|Dàtóng Shì|14,056.40|3,105,591|Pingcheng District|037000|39|37|50| |140212|Xinrong District|Xīnróng Qū|1,091.26|88,664|Xinrong Town|037000| |3|4| |140213|Pingcheng District|Píngchéng Qū|243.68|1,105,699|Yuhe Subdistrict|037000|18| | | |140214|Yungang District|Yúngāng Qū|737.81|684,753|Kouquan Township|037000|21|2|4| |140215|Yunzhou District|Yúnzhōu Qū|1,478.28|151,087|Xiping Town|037000| |3|6| |140221|Yanggao County|Yánggāo Xiàn|1,598.29|191,981|Longquan Town|038100| |7|4| |140222|Tianzhen County|Tiānzhèn Xiàn|1,709.27|160,691|Yuquan Town|038200| |5|6| |140223|Guangling County|Guǎnglíng Xiàn|1,204.06|154,253|Huquan Town|037500| |5|3| |140224|Lingqiu County|Língqiū Xiàn|2,731.66|212,771|Wuling Town|034400| |3|8| |140225|Hunyuan County|Húnyuán Xiàn|1,968.49|237,749|Yong'an Town|037400| |6|10| |140226|Zuoyun County|Zuǒyún Xiàn|1,293.60|117,943|Yunxing Town|037100| |3|5|

5. Economy

5.1 Agriculture, Forestry, Animal Husbandry, and Fishery

In 2018, the added value of the primary industry in Datong City was 6.45 billion yuan, an increase of 3.6% over the previous year, accounting for 5.1% of the regional GDP. The total output value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, fishery, and related services in the city at current prices reached 12.17 billion yuan, an increase of 3.8%. The total sown area of crops for the year was 321.71 thousand hectares, with the majority being grain crops.

5.2 Industry

In 2023, the total industrial added value of the city was 71.17 billion yuan, an increase of 5.7% over the previous year calculated at constant prices. The added value of industries above designated size increased by 4.5% over the previous year.

By sector, mining grew by 3.2%, manufacturing grew by 12.2%, while the production and supply of electricity, heat, gas, and water decreased by 1.2%. Looking at coal vs. non-coal industries, the added value of the coal industry grew by 3.2%, and that of the non-coal industry grew by 7.2%.

Among industries above designated size, by type of ownership, state-controlled enterprises decreased by 2.8%, shareholding enterprises grew by 2.0%, local enterprises grew by 5.1%, and private enterprises grew by 27.2%.

Among industries above designated size, coal mining and washing grew by 3.2%, ferrous metal mining and dressing grew by 6.4%, non-metallic mineral mining and dressing grew by 0.2%, food manufacturing grew by 40.6%, pharmaceutical manufacturing decreased by 2.5%, rubber and plastic products grew by 7.5%, ferrous metal smelting and rolling processing decreased by 27.1%, and general equipment manufacturing grew by 21.1%.

For the year, industrial enterprises above designated size in the city achieved operating revenue of 209.27 billion yuan, a decrease of 21.8% from the previous year; total profits reached 13.06 billion yuan, an increase of 40.7%; total profits and taxes amounted to 26.5 billion yuan, an increase of 12.5%. The cost per 100 yuan of operating revenue for industrial enterprises above designated size was 81.1 yuan, and the profit margin on operating revenue was 6.2%.

The city's annual primary energy production converted to standard coal was 90 million tons, an increase of 7.0% over the previous year; secondary energy production converted to standard coal was 70 million tons, a decrease of 1.1%. The annual electricity output transmitted out of the city was 34.6 billion kWh, a decrease of 1.4% from the previous year, accounting for 61.2% of the total electricity generation. Total electricity consumption for the whole society was 21.96 billion kWh, an increase of 9.3% over the previous year. Specifically, electricity consumption for agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery was 460 million kWh, an increase of 17.6%; industrial electricity consumption was 12.96 billion kWh, an increase of 1.6%; construction electricity consumption was 170 million kWh, a decrease of 1.3%; service sector electricity consumption was 5.54 billion kWh, an increase of 36.9%; and residential electricity consumption was 2.84 billion kWh, an increase of 4.4%.

In 2018, the added value of the secondary industry in Datong City was 46.45 billion yuan, an increase of 5.4% over the previous year. Among this, the industrial added value of the coal industry was 14.6 billion yuan, a decrease of 4.2% from the previous year, accounting for 43.9% of the total industrial added value; the industrial added value of the non-coal industry was 18.79 billion yuan, an increase of 14.5% over the previous year, accounting for 56.1% of the total. In 2018, Datong City's raw coal output was 111.672 million tons, of which the Datong Coal Mine Group produced 90.2033 million tons, and local coal mines produced 21.4688 million tons. In 2018, Datong City's electricity generation was 45.895 billion kWh. Among this, thermal power generation constituted the vast majority; according to statistics from April 2018, 86.5% of Datong's electricity generation came from coal-fired thermal power. As of 2018, the installed capacity of the thermal power plant, Guodian Power Datong No.2 Power Plant, ranked second in North China and first in Shanxi. For the whole year of 2018, Datong City's wind power generation was 3.865 billion kWh.

5.3 Service Sector

In 2023, the added value of the service sector in the city was 96.24 billion yuan, an increase of 5.4% over the previous year calculated at constant prices. Among this, the added value of wholesale and retail trade was 14.42 billion yuan, an increase of 13.4%; transportation, storage, and postal services was 15.6 billion yuan, an increase of 8.1%; accommodation and catering was 3.09 billion yuan, an increase of 8.6%; finance was 10.02 billion yuan, an increase of 6.4%; and real estate was 10.67 billion yuan, a decrease of 0.8%. For the year, the operating revenue of service enterprises above designated size grew by 4.7%, and total profits grew by 25.8%.

6. Transportation

6.1 Aviation

Datong Yungang Airport is located north of Beijiazao Town. It is the second civil aviation airport in Shanxi Province, with a classification of 4C, capable of landing medium-sized and smaller passenger aircraft such as the Boeing 737. The operating flight routes include: (Datong - Beijing, Datong - Shanghai, Datong - Guangzhou, Datong - Changzhi, Datong - Taiyuan, Datong - Chongqing, Datong - Xi'an, Datong - Nanjing, Datong - Yuncheng, Datong - Sanya, Datong - Wuhan).

6.2 Railway

The Beijing-Baotou Railway, Datong-Puzhou Railway, Daqin Railway, Dazhun Railway, and the Datong-Zhangjiakou Passenger Dedicated Line (officially operational on December 31, 2019). The Datong-Xi'an Passenger Dedicated Line is under construction, along with the Jining-Datong-Yuanping Passenger Dedicated Line (Ulanqab to Datong to Yuanping section).

6.3 Highway

There are National Highways 208, 209, 108, and 109, as well as expressways including S30 Jingda Expressway, G55 Dayun Expressway, G55 Deda Expressway, G55S5501 Datong Ring Expressway, G18S45 Tianzhen to Lingqiu Expressway, S36 Guanghun Expressway, and S30 Dahu Expressway.

6.4 Urban Transportation

6.4.1 Public Bus

As of January 2011, Datong City had a total of 49 operational bus routes, with a total route length of 687 kilometers. The bus network covers a large area extending east to Yuzhoutuan in the Yudong New District, west to Jiangjiawan in Yungang District, south to Maojiazao in Huairen County, and north to Baoziwan in Xinrong District. Among these, Bus Route 601 (Yungang District Bus Company No. 2 – Datong Railway Station), which began operation on January 8, 2011, is the city's first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route.

In recent years, with urban development, Datong's public bus system has gradually phased out some older bus models. However, vehicles on some suburban routes remain outdated and often encounter operational issues. Due to the ancient city preservation project launched in Datong in 2008, major urban roads have been successively under construction and renovation, frequently necessitating adjustments to bus routes. This has often resulted in discrepancies between the routes marked on bus stop signs and the actual operating routes.

The fare structure of Datong's public buses has been widely criticized. Furthermore, compared to other cities, the discounts offered with the Datong public transportation card are relatively small.

6.4.2 Taxi

The starting fare is 7 yuan. The per-kilometer rate is 1.3 yuan during the day and 2.6 yuan at night (for newer taxis: 1.6 yuan during the day, 2.1 yuan at night).

In 2023, the total length of highways open to traffic in the city was 12,761 kilometers, of which 562 kilometers were expressways. The highway density for the city was 90.5 kilometers per hundred square kilometers. The annual civil aviation passenger volume for the city was 782,000 person-times, an increase of 117.4% over the previous year; air cargo and mail volume was 805.3 tons, an increase of 29.8%. There were 17 civil aviation routes connecting to 26 cities. By year-end, the city's civilian vehicle ownership reached 937,000 units, an increase of 5.6% over the previous year. This included 58,000 newly registered automobiles, an increase of 87.1%, and 851,000 privately owned automobiles, an increase of 13.9%. By year-end, passenger vehicle ownership was 858,000 units, an increase of 20.8% over the previous year. This included 789,000 privately owned passenger vehicles, an increase of 17.4%. By year-end, sedan car ownership was 488,000 units, an increase of 5.0% over the previous year. This included 468,000 privately owned sedan cars, an increase of 4.8% over the previous year.

6.5 Urban Construction

The layout of the ancient city of Datong resembles a phoenix with one wing spread. Centered on the Sipailou (Four Archways), it is divided into East, West, South, and North main streets. Among these, West Street is a famous commercial street. Additionally, Jiaochang Street has seen rapid commercial development in recent years. During Geng Yanbo's tenure as mayor, from March 2008 to 2013, Datong City undertook an ancient city restoration and preservation project, carrying out large-scale urban reconstruction.

6.5.1 Main Urban Streets

• Nanguan Street
• Beiguan Street
• East Street (Heyang Street)
• West Street (Qingyuan Street)
• South Street (Yongtai Street)
• North Street (Wuding Street)
• Xinjian South Road (North Weidu Avenue)
• Xinjian North Road (South Weidu Avenue)
• Daqing Road
• Xinhua Street
• Xihuayuan
• Laopingwang
• Xiangyangli
• Zhenhua South Street
• Yantong East-West Road (Pingcheng Street)

7. Education

Datong has a total of 4 regular and vocational higher education institutions, 33 secondary vocational schools, 46 regular high schools, 93 regular junior high schools, 256 regular primary schools, 6 special education schools, and 534 preschools.

Datong currently has two higher education institutions. Shanxi Datong University is a provincial comprehensive university offering 11 disciplines, including economics, law, education, literature, history, agriculture, science, engineering, medicine, management, and arts. It grants master's degrees in Chinese language, chemistry, and engineering. As of April 2018, it had 27,317 full-time students and ranked 6th in Shanxi Province on the 2018 Chinese University Comprehensive Strength Ranking by Wu Shulian. The other institution, Datong Normal College, was established in May 2018 under the Datong Municipal Government. It primarily trains specialized teachers for primary and preschool education and also cultivates skilled professionals to meet regional needs. At its establishment, it had approximately 3,400 students. In October 2018, the Datong Municipal Government announced plans to establish Taihang University.

In the 30th year of the Guangxu reign (1904), Prefect Liu Ying initiated the establishment of Datong Prefecture Middle School at the site of the discontinued Yunzhong Academy. It officially opened in 1905, marking the earliest secondary education in Datong. In 1913, the school was taken over by the province and renamed Shanxi Provincial Third Middle School. In 1934, it was renamed Shanxi Provincial Datong Middle School. In the same year, Shanxi Provincial Fifth Women's Normal School was restructured and renamed "Shanxi Provincial Datong Women's Junior Middle School." In September 1937, after Datong fell to Japanese occupation, the campus of Shanxi Provincial Datong Middle School was used by the Japanese army as a military hospital, while the women's school was used as a convalescent center for wounded soldiers, resulting in the destruction of both schools' facilities. After the victory in the War of Resistance, both schools were restored, with the women's school later restructured into Datong Women's Normal School. In 1946, the Datong Catholic Church established a middle school, which was named Private Datong Yuying Middle School after registration with the Provincial Education Department in 1947. In 1947, the Shanxi Northern Party Affairs Office of the Kuomintang established Zhongzheng Junior Middle School. In the same year, Ningwu Middle School was established in Datong and began enrolling students. In 1948, Huairen Middle School relocated to Datong to continue operations.

After 1949, the Military Control Commission took over Datong Middle School, Private Yuying Middle School, and Datong Women's Normal School. Zhongzheng Middle School and Ningwu Middle School were abolished, while Huairen Middle School was sent back to its original location. Datong Middle School was later renamed Datong No. 1 Middle School. Private Yuying Middle School was renamed as a branch of Datong Middle School and later became Datong No. 2 Middle School. Datong Women's Normal School underwent several name changes and is now Datong No. 5 Middle School, which admits both male and female students. In the following years, a number of public middle schools were established, along with schools run by factories and mines (which have gradually been taken over by the government in recent years) and a small number of private middle schools. In 2013, the city had 232 regular middle schools (mostly public), with 181,500 students. Datong No. 1 Middle School, Datong No. 2 Middle School, Tongmei No. 1 Middle School, Yanggao No. 1 Middle School, and Hunyuan No. 1 Middle School were among the first key middle schools in Shanxi Province, commonly known as the "Five Major Middle Schools" of Datong, with high rates of advancement to both junior high and high school. Other successful junior high schools include Datong No. 3 Middle School, Datong No. 6 Middle School, Beiyue Middle School, Datong No. 10 Middle School, and Tongmei No. 4 Middle School. Additionally, in recent years, two new high-standard public complete middle schools have been established: Datong Experimental Middle School and Beijing Normal University Datong Affiliated Middle School.

In the 28th year of the Guangxu reign (1902), Long Huang, the county magistrate of Datong County, established Datong Official Higher Primary School at the original Pingcheng Academy, marking the first higher primary school in Datong County. After the establishment of the Republic of China, many elementary schools were set up in urban and rural areas. In 1918, Feng Yanzhu, the county magistrate of Datong County, ordered the abolition of private tutoring schools, mandated compulsory education for both boys and girls, and established women's national schools. After 1949, private and church-run primary schools were gradually taken over by the People's Government. Additionally, many municipal primary schools were established, along with schools for children of factory and mine workers (which have gradually been taken over by the government in recent years). In 2013, the city had 631 primary schools (mostly public), with 201,000 students.

The earliest kindergarten in Datong was the nursery attached to the Datong County Orphanage in 1912. Since 1949, the government has vigorously developed preschool education. By 2013, Datong had 477 kindergartens, with 76,000 children enrolled.

8. Population

According to the 2023 population sample survey, the city's permanent resident population at the end of the year was 3.079 million, a decrease of 22,000 from the end of the previous year. Among them, the urban permanent resident population was 2.292 million, accounting for 74.4% of the total permanent resident population, an increase of 0.7 percentage points from the end of the previous year. The annual number of births in the city was 17,000, with a birth rate of 5.6‰; the number of deaths was 26,000, with a death rate of 8.3‰; and the natural growth rate was -2.7‰.

As of the end of 2022, the permanent resident population of Datong City was 3.1002 million, an increase of 1,000 from the end of the previous year. Among them, the urban permanent resident population was 2.285 million, accounting for 73.7% of the total permanent resident population, an increase of 0.3 percentage points from the end of the previous year. The annual number of births in the city was 19,000, with a birth rate of 6.0‰; the number of deaths was 23,000, with a death rate of 7.4‰; and the natural growth rate was -1.4‰.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 3,105,591. Compared with the 3,318,054 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was a total decrease of 212,463 people over ten years, a decline of 6.4%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.66%. Among them, the male population was 1,571,837, accounting for 50.61% of the total population; the female population was 1,533,754, accounting for 49.39% of the total population. The sex ratio of the total population (with females as 100) was 102.48. The population aged 0–14 was 459,258, accounting for 14.79% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 2,005,432, accounting for 64.57% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 640,901, accounting for 20.64% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 437,083, accounting for 14.07% of the total population. The population living in urban areas was 2,257,531, accounting for 72.69% of the total population; the population living in rural areas was 848,060, accounting for 27.31% of the total population.

8.1 Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han Chinese population was 3,093,406, accounting for 99.61%; the population of various ethnic minorities was 12,185, accounting for 0.39%. Compared with the 2010 Sixth National Population Census, the Han Chinese population decreased by 215,947, a decline of 6.53%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.13 percentage points; the population of various ethnic minorities increased by 3,484, a growth of 40.04%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.13 percentage points. Ethnic minorities include Hui, Manchu, Tibetan, Miao, Korean, among others.

In 2020, Datong City had 36 ethnic minorities, with approximately 16,000 people. There were four Hui ethnic villages: Tian Village in Pingcheng District, Santiaojian Village in Yunzhou District, Majiahui Village in Yunzhou District, and Yuanjiazao Village in Tianzhen County. There were 21 halal food business units. On November 17, the Ethnic Unity Activity Room of the Tian Village Ethnic Minority Activity Center in Yuhe Subdistrict, Pingcheng District, was inaugurated.

8.2 Dialects

Most areas belong to the Datong dialect within the Dabao cluster of the Northern Jin language area, with slight accent variations among different counties and districts.

The dialects of Datong City and Tianzhen County, Yanggao County, and Zuoyun County belong to the Dabao cluster of Jin language. The dialects of Hunyuan County and Guangling County belong to the Wutai cluster of Jin language. Both the Dabao and Wutai clusters feature entering tones. Lingqiu County in the northeast belongs to the Northern Mandarin dialect and lacks entering tones.

The phonetic characteristics of the Datong dialect include the lack of distinction between flat and retroflex sibilants, such as "四" (four) and "十" (ten), "资" (resources) and "支" (support) being homophones. There are no nasal codas, and front and back nasal sounds are not distinguished; the coda is a glottal fricative, for example, "根" (root) and "更" (more), "音" (sound) and "英" (hero) are homophones. Some ancient entering tone characters have become smooth, and the number of characters with both smooth and entering tone readings has increased, such as "活" in "活动" (activity) being an entering tone, while "活" in "大活人" (living person) is a smooth tone. There is a rich variety of rhotacized finals, such as "您" (you) pronounced as "您儿", and "怹" (he/she) pronounced as "他儿".

The lexical characteristics of the Datong dialect include a large number of distinctive affixes, such as "圪置蛋" (meaning 'lump' in Mandarin), "忽眨" (meaning 'blink' in Mandarin), "日脏" (meaning 'dirty' in Mandarin), "蹦跶" (meaning 'bounce' in Mandarin), etc. There is an abundance of reduplicated words, such as "绿莹莹" (very green), "粉呐呐" (very pink), "红外外" (very red), etc. There are rich four-character colloquial expressions, such as "白皮泛脸" (pale-faced), "灰眉处眼" (dusty and disheveled), etc. There are split words, for example: "摆" (to place) is said as "不来", and "圈" (circle) is said as "圐圙".

The Datong dialect is very economical and concise, which is reflected in its grammar characterized by simplicity, such as "他去了没?" (meaning "Has he gone or not?" in Mandarin), "吃顿儿饭叫我" (meaning "Call me when it's time to eat" in Mandarin), "你拿去哇" (meaning "You go and get it back" in Mandarin), and so on.

9. Religion

The majority of the registered population in Datong City has no religious affiliation. Additionally, there are some groups practicing Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity, and Catholicism.

In 2021, Datong City had five major municipal-level religious organizations: the Buddhist Association, the Taoist Association, the Islamic Association, the Catholic Patriotic Association, and the Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee of the Protestant Churches. The city had a religious population of 128,700 people, with 339 officially registered and legally open religious activity sites. Among these, there were 154 Buddhist sites, 29 Taoist sites, 3 Islamic sites, 11 Catholic sites, and 142 Protestant sites. The city had 813 religious clergy members, including 321 Buddhists, 56 Taoists, 9 Muslims, 19 Catholics, and 72 Protestant clergy at the rank of elder or above (6 pastors, 5 associate pastors, and 61 elders), along with 336 evangelists.

10. Culture

10.1 Libraries

• Datong City Library, located west of Wenying North Road, Pingcheng District
• Datong Pingcheng District Library, located on Shuaifu Street, Pingcheng District
• Datong Workers' Library, located at No. 3 Yingbin West Road
• Datong Yungang District Library, located at No. 8 Wuyi Street, Yungang District
• Yanggao County Library, located at No. 1 Liuxiang, Chengguan Town
• Guangling County Library, located at No. 36 Chengshangcun Street
• Zuoyun County Library, located at No. 51 Wenti Lane, Yunxin West Street

10.2 Local Specialties

• Local Famous Foods: Datong Daoxiao Noodles (Knife-Cut Noodles), Yangza (Stewed Lamb Offal), Youzhagao (Fried Glutinous Rice Cakes), Datong Copper Hot Pot, Fenglinge Shaomai (Steamed Dumplings), Youmian (Oat Noodles), Guangling Dried Tofu, Hunyuan Liangfen (Cold Mung Bean Jelly), Yanggao Dried Apricots, etc.
• Ingredients and Medicinal Herbs: Datong Daylily, Hengshan Astragalus, etc.
• Handicrafts: Datong Coal Carvings, Yungang Silk Figurines, etc.

10.3 Opera and Folk Art

Shulaibao is a folk art form performed in the Datong dialect, similar to Xiangsheng (crosstalk). Other well-known art forms include Jinju (Shanxi Opera), Errentai, Beilu Bangzi, Shuahaier, Luoluoqiang, Daoqing, etc.

10.4 Film and Television

The documentary "The Chinese Mayor" (also known as "Datong"), which tells the story of Datong Mayor Geng Yanbo's governance of Datong, won the Best Documentary Award at the 52nd Golden Horse Awards. The film "Unknown Pleasures" by Shanxi-born director Jia Zhangke depicts the aimless lives of children of unemployed workers in Datong around 2001 and was selected for the Competition section of the Cannes Film Festival. Parts of his another film, "Ash Is Purest White," are also set in Datong. Local Datong films include "Home Beyond the Great Wall" and "Moscow Is Not Far from Datong." From July 18 to 22, 2018, the 4th Jackie Chan International Action Film Week was held in Datong.

10.5 Sports

During the 2019 Second National Youth Games, Datong hosted some of the basketball, football, and winter sports events. Among them, the snowboarding events were held in January 2019 before the opening ceremony at the Datong Wanlong Baideng Mountain Ski Resort. The 16th Shanxi Provincial Games in 2022 will be jointly hosted by Datong City and Shuozhou City. Datong has held the Datong International Cycling Tour since 2014, with five editions held by 2018.

Datong has a total of 11 stadiums and gymnasiums. In 2023, Datong hosted the 16th Provincial Games, ranking second in the province with 168 gold medals, 132 silver medals, 137 bronze medals, a total of 437 medals, and 4,456 points. The city's delegation participated in the First National Student (Youth) Games, winning 1 silver medal and 7 bronze medals. Throughout the year, the city organized the 4th Datong Mass Fitness Games and the 6th Datong "Future Star" Sunshine Sports Conference. It successfully hosted events such as the 4th China·Datong Ice and Snow Festival, the 4th Datong Ancient Great Wall Road Cycling Open, and the 2023 Datong Rock 'n' Roll Marathon.

10.6 Tourism and Reputation

Datong City currently has 346 cultural relics protection units at various levels, including 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site, 30 National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units, 20 Provincial-Level Cultural Relics Protection Units, and over 300 City/County-Level Cultural Relics Protection Units. Among these, there are 188 ancient buildings, 38 ancient tombs, 66 ancient sites, 9 cave temples, 23 modern and contemporary important historical sites and representative buildings (including 18 revolutionary relics), and 22 stone carvings and others. Additionally, there are well-known natural tourist areas such as Mount Heng (Northern Peak).

10.6.1 World Cultural Heritage Sites

• Yungang Grottoes: Located on the northern cliff of Wuzhou Mountain in the western suburbs of Datong, built during the Northern Wei Dynasty. Legend has it that the monk Tan Yao oversaw its construction. One of China's three major grotto complexes, it was announced as one of the first batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units by the State Council on March 4, 1961, and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.
• The Great Wall: The Datong section of the Great Wall contains remains from the Zhao, Qin, Han, and Ming dynasties.

10.6.2 Natural Scenic Areas

• Mount Heng (Northern Peak): One of the Five Sacred Mountains, located 10 km south of Hunyuan County town and 65 km from Datong City. It is one of the first batch of National Key Scenic Areas announced by the State Council. Its main peak, Tianfengling, has an altitude of 2,016.8 meters.
• Datong Volcano Group: A famous extinct volcano group in eastern China, consisting of eastern and western parts. One part formed during the Tertiary period, mainly distributed in counties like Zuoyun and Youyu; the other part formed during the Quaternary period, mainly distributed in the northern part of the Datong Basin.
• Datong Tulin (Earth Forest): Located in Ducun Village, Yunzhou District, it is a spectacular landform formed by rainwater erosion in hilly and low-lying areas.
• Hunyuan Tangtou Hot Springs

10.6.3 Museums

• Datong City Museum

10.6.4 National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

• First Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

  • Yungang Grottoes
  • Huayan Temple: Located within the ancient city of Datong. One of the relatively well-preserved Liao and Jin dynasty temples, containing several structures from the Liao, Jin, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Among them, the Mahavira Hall from the Jin Dynasty is the largest existing religious hall in China; the Sutra Hall (Bojiaojiao Zang Dian) is one of the "Eight Great Liao Structures," housing Liao Dynasty Buddhist sculptures and surrounded by Liao Dynasty wooden sutra cabinets, praised by Liang Sicheng as a "unique treasure in the world." Monks still practice in the temple today.
  • Shanhua Temple: Located west of the Yongtai Gate, originally built in the Tang Dynasty. During Emperor Xuanzong's reign, it was called Kaiyuan Temple, renamed Dapu'en Temple during the Later Jin of the Five Dynasties, and renamed Shanhua Temple in the 10th year of the Ming Zhengtong era. It is the largest and most complete existing Liao and Jin style temple complex in China. The temple complex contains one Liao Dynasty building and three Jin Dynasty buildings, with the Mahavira Hall being one of the "Eight Great Liao Structures." It also houses several Jin and Ming Dynasty steles and sculptures, which significantly influenced later Han Chinese Buddhist sculpture styles. In front of the temple gate stands a Ming Dynasty colored-glaze Five-Dragon Screen, originally the screen wall of the Xingguo Temple.
  • Site of the Battle of Pingxingguan: Located in Lingqiu County. On the night of September 24, 1937, Lin Biao, commander of the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army, led his troops to set up an ambush here in the rain. The next morning, they successfully ambushed the 21st Brigade of the Japanese Itagaki Division, annihilating over a thousand enemy troops and shattering the "myth" of Japanese invincibility.

• Second Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

  • Hanging Temple (Xuankong Si): Located on the cliff face on the west side of the Jinlong Gorge, 3.5 km south of Hunyuan County town. Originally built in the late Northern Wei Dynasty, the current structures are from the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is the only existing temple in China that uniquely combines Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. It was once selected by TIME magazine as one of the world's ten most precarious buildings.

• Third Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units: Pingcheng Site

• Fourth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

  • Xujiayao Man Site: Located in Xujiayao Village, Yanggao County. In 1974, Chinese archaeologist Professor Jia Lanpo and others discovered a Paleolithic ancient human site here and conducted multiple excavations from 1974 to 1975. The ancient humans discovered here were named "Xujiayao Man" after the location.- Fifth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units
  • Nine-Dragon Wall: Located on the south side of Heyang Street, built in the late Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, it served as the screen wall in front of the mansion of Prince Dai Zhu Gui. It is the largest glazed Nine-Dragon Wall in China, predating the one in Beijing by over 300 years.
  • Stone Statue Tombs at Quhui Temple: Located in Lingqiu County, constructed during the Tang Dynasty.
  • Yonggu Mausoleum on Fangshan Mountain: Located on Fangshan Mountain in Xinrong District, it is the tomb of Empress Dowager Wenming (Feng) of the Northern Wei Dynasty.
  • Main Hall of Dayun Temple in Jingzhuang: Located in Jingzhuang Village, Hunyuan County, a structure from the Jin Dynasty.
  • Jueshan Temple Pagoda: Located in Lingqiu County, a thirteen-story brick-and-stone multi-eave pagoda from the Liao Dynasty, one of the higher-standard multi-eave pagodas in northern Shanxi.
  • Yong'an Temple in Hunyuan: Located in North Drum Tower Alley, Hunyuan County, locally known as the "Great Temple." Originally built during the Jin Dynasty, it underwent multiple renovations, with the existing structures dating from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. The temple is symmetrically arranged along a central axis, with the existing mountain gate, Hall of Guardian Deities, Main Hall of Dharma Transmission, and side halls. The Main Hall of Dharma Transmission is a Yuan Dynasty structure, housing murals from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties.
  • The Great Wall (Datong Section)

• Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

  • Tomb of Li Yumei: Located on Tianfeng North Road, Hunyuan County, locally known as the "Li Family Tomb," covering approximately 7,740 square meters. Its white marble stone carvings are masterpieces among Qing Dynasty tomb sculptures.
  • Shaliangpo Tomb Complex, Guchengbao Tomb Complex
  • Chanfang Temple Pagoda
  • Datong Coal Mine Mass Grave
  • Former Site of the Third Middle School of Shanxi Province
  • Tianzhen Ciyun Temple, Guangling Shuishangtang
  • Yunlin Temple: Also known as Yunlin Chan Temple, locally called "West Temple," located inside the south gate of Yanggao County. Built during the Ming Dynasty.

• Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

  • Yuanjue Temple Pagoda in Hunyuan: Yuanjue Temple is located in North Stone Bridge Alley, Hunyuan County, locally known as the "Small Temple." Built in the third year of the Jin Dynasty's Zhenglong era (1158 AD), though scholars like Su Bai and Li Ershan believe it dates to the late Liao Dynasty. Only a nine-story multi-eave pagoda from the Jin Dynasty remains, with the top of the pagoda's finial featuring the only surviving physical example of a "wind-watching bird" in China.
  • Main Hall of Guandi Temple in Datong: Officially named the "Hall of the Martial Sage," built during the Yuan Dynasty, with the front porch added during the Qing Dynasty. The hall contains shrines between pillars, considered exquisite examples of Qing Dynasty small-scale woodwork.
  • Confucian Temple in Hunyuan
  • Lü Lü Shen Temple: Located within Shenxi Wetland, Hunyuan County, originally built during the Northern Wei Dynasty and renovated multiple times from the Yuan to Qing Dynasties. The existing structures date from the Yuan to Qing Dynasties, featuring a Five-Dragon Wall, though its relief carvings were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. The main hall contains finely crafted Yuan Dynasty murals.
  • Guanyin Hall in Datong: Located in Fozhwan, western suburbs of Datong, originally built during the Liao Dynasty. The Three-Dragon Wall in front of the temple is the only double-sided screen wall in Datong.

• Eighth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

  • Xingguo Temple: Located on the west side of Nanguan, Datong, built in the Yisi year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1619 AD). It was once a thriving center of worship, housing many eminent monks and serving as a hub for ordination and teaching, earning Datong the nickname "Buddhist Land."
  • Datong Drum Tower: A three-eaved cross-ridge street pavilion with a hip-and-gable roof, built during the Ming Dynasty.

10.6.5 Provincial-Level Cultural Relics Protection Units

• Pingcheng District
  • Datong Prefectural Confucian Temple
  • Datong Guandi Temple
  • Tomb of Xu Congyun
  • Datong Ancient City Wall: Primarily built during the Ming Dynasty, consisting of the main wall and an enceinte.
• Xinrong District
  • Gaoshan Site: Located on a terrace about 1 km west of Gaoshan Town, 30 km west of Datong City, belonging to a primitive society cultural site.
  • Qingci Kiln Site
• Yunzhou District
  • Jijiazhuang Site
• Tianzhen County
  • Panshan Grottoes
• Lingqiu County
  • Tomb of King Wuling of Zhao: The tomb of King Wuling of Zhao, a ruler of the Zhao state during the Warring States period.
• Zuoyun County
  • Ancient City Tomb Complex
• Guangling County
  • Qianfushan Han Dynasty Tomb Complex
  • Ximazhuang Han Dynasty Tomb Complex
• Hunyuan County
  • Hengshan Architectural Complex
  • Jiezhuang Site
  • Ancient Ciyao Kiln Site
  • Mazhuang Han Dynasty Tomb Complex: Located near Mazhuang Village, Hunyuan County. During the Western Han Dynasty, this area was part of Guo County in Yanmen Commandery, a region of frequent contact between Han Chinese and ethnic minorities.

10.6.6 Other Cultural Relics Protection Units

• Liyu Painted Pottery and Bronze Artifact Site: Located near Liyu Village, Hunyuan County. The exquisite artifacts unearthed are housed in the Hunyuan County Cultural Relics Bureau and the Datong Museum. Additionally, the "Xi Zun" (ritual wine vessel) is a treasure of the Shanghai Museum. Some bronze vessels are held in museums worldwide, such as the Yanwen Gui in the Freer Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., USA; the Xiang Ding in the Museum of East Asian Art in Cologne, Germany; and 15 pieces including the Su Yi, Su Gui, Yanwen Pan, and Tiliang Hu in the Guimet Museum in Paris, France.
• Yan Pagoda: Originally named Wenfeng Pagoda, built in the fourth year of the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty. Located on the eastern and western sections of the Datong city wall, it was a place where successful scholars in ancient times would worship and celebrate their achievements. Originally situated at the eastern end of the southern city wall, it was relocated and reconstructed at the Prefectural Confucian Temple for protection in July 2008, while a larger Wenfeng Pagoda was built on the original wall site.
• Datong Catholic Church
• Dijun Temple

10.6.7 Reconstructed Historical Sites

Since 2008, Datong City has reconstructed numerous historical sites based on historical records and original designs:

• Four Archways
• Datong Kuixing Tower
• Datong Bell Tower
• Prince Dai's Mansion

10.7 Society

10.7.1 Healthcare

• Datong First Hospital
• Datong Second Hospital
• Datong Third Hospital
• Datong Fourth Hospital
• Datong Fifth Hospital, Datong Sixth Hospital
• Affiliated Hospital of Shanxi Datong University
• Datong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
• General Hospital of Datong Coal Mine Group
• PLA 322 Hospital As of 2023, the city has a total of 2,720 health institutions (including clinics and village health centers) with 20,017 beds. Among these, there are 100 hospitals, 110 township health centers, 144 community health service centers, 30 disease prevention and control centers, and 2 maternal and child health hospitals. By the end of the year, the city's health institutions employed 23,173 health technicians, including 9,906 licensed physicians and assistant physicians, and 10,041 registered nurses.

10.7.2 Media

As of 2023, the city has 10 radio and television stations, 12 microwave stations, and 11 cable television networks. The broadcast coverage rate is 99.2%, television coverage rate is 99.6%, and there are 350,000 cable television subscribers.

10.7.2.1 Radio Stations

• Datong People's Radio Station Comprehensive Broadcast FM 103.8 MHz
• Datong People's Radio Station Traffic Broadcast FM 99.6 MHz
• Datong People's Radio Station Music Broadcast FM 91.1 MHz
• Datong People's Radio Station Variety Broadcast FM 98.7 MHz AM 900 KHz
• Nanjiao People's Radio Station FM 100.8 MHz
• Other Radio Stations Receivable in Datong
  • China National Radio Voice of China FM 107.6 MHz AM 1035 KHz
  • Shanxi People's Radio Station Comprehensive Broadcast FM 94.8 MHz AM 819 KHz

10.7.2.2 Television Stations

• Datong Television News Comprehensive Channel
• Datong Television Movie Channel
• Datong Television Economy Channel
• Datong Television Life Channel
• Datong Education Television

10.7.2.3 Newspapers

• Datong Daily
• Datong Evening News
• Datong Radio and Television Weekly

10.7.2.4 Websites

• Datong News Network
• Datong Government Website

11. Sister Cities

• Shanghai, People's Republic of China
• Beijing, People's Republic of China
• Hegang, People's Republic of China
• Zhangjiakou, People's Republic of China
• Qinhuangdao, People's Republic of China
• Ōmuta, Japan
• Metropolitan Borough of Bury, United Kingdom

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Named after the Datong River.

Pingcheng District

Pingcheng District

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Sophora japonica

Lilac, Yellow Flower