We have spent a full day in Datong...

We have spent a full day in Datong and visited a couple of remarkable sites. Yesterday morning we went to the Yungang Grottoes, what we have been calling Buddha Paintings. It is a beautiful site created about 1500 years ago with Buddhist sculptures created inside caves, all man-made. The detail and colors are remarkable. I added a few photos to Shutterfly but it won't do it justice. Here is a link to more info: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shanxi/datong/yungang_grottoes.htm

We went to the Hanging Monastery next. You must read about this one because it is an architectural feat. It's one of my favorite places to visit because not only is it detailed and beautiful but it's fun to climb and wind your way through the narrow stairways (ladders?) and walkways. It's not for the person who is afraid of heights (Roger?) because it literally hangs off the walls of a mountain. Again, it was built about 1500 years ago and is preserved partly due to the location between two mountains where it gets very little sun.

It is cleaner in Datong. I find myself shocked to see blue sky rather than haze. I forgot to look last night but I haven't seen stars since I've arrived in China.

Today we are off to Beijing, the final destination for touring China. We will be tourists here, seeing the Forbidden City and doing some shopping. My biggest dilemma is figuring out how much money I need. I haven't used my credit card or bank card once. It's hard to gauge how much money is needed. I guess our other issue is figuring out how to fit all the luggage on the bus. It's truly a visual testament to American excess, mine included.

I'll be home soon!