2 days · balanced pace
The Yungang Grottoes and the cliff-hanging Hanging Temple — two of China's greatest ancient wonders in two days.
Day 1
51,000 carved Buddhas in sandstone caves.
Morning: Yungang Grottoes (bus 3 from old town); allow 2–3 hr for the main caves. Lunch: Datong sha-guo (clay-pot) + huang-gao millet cake. Afternoon: Rebuilt old town, Nine-Dragon Screen, Huayan Temple. Evening: Old-town wall night walk.
Day 2
A monastery pinned to a sheer cliff.
Morning: Drive to the Hanging Temple (1.5 hr); buy the climb-up ticket to walk the suspended halls.
Afternoon: Optional Mt. Heng (Beiyue) hike or return.
Evening: Bullet train back to Beijing (2 hr).
