Tuesday June 23 - Yungang Grottoes, and The Hanging Monastery - Datong Area

Still no water or hydro - so we packed our bags (actually, we had never unpacked them) and took them with us to the Truck. We knew we were moving regardless of what the group did, but our leader and Chinese guide had made the same decision. The hotel cost Y160 a night and they rebated Y30 for the conditions. Considering we didn't eat breakfast, which was included, I don't think they suffered at all from the appalling state of their accommodation. Couldn't find anything to eat for breakfast so ended up with a packet of lemon swiss-rolls which filled a little corner, but how I am missing good food. Chinese food is good for dinner, but its so the same....at least as Ray says, it appears that way to us. We left at 7:30 am to drive to the Yungang Grottoes (www.yungang.org), a UNESCO Heritage Site, which were carved in the Northen Wei Dynasty around 460-525 on the demand of the Emperor. They are about 1 km long, contain 254 niches and 51,000 statues. They include a variety of religious figures such as the Buddha, several Bodhisattivas, and disciples and protectors of the Buddha. The vivid sculptures tell the Buddhist stories. Very touristy, but worth a visit. Then it was to Datong and breakfast/lunch. The rest of the group went for noodles, which are the mainstay in China, but neither Ray nor I are keen on them. I find the "soup" they are served in too greasy and somehow the concept of pasta floating around in juice turns my stomach. I am fine when they are dry and quite enjoy them then. So, we hunted out a typical little restaurant on one of the side strets and ordered by picture. Of course it wasn't what we thought we were getting, but it was good all the same!! Now we heading to The Hanging Monastery. Its a Buddhist Monastery on Taoism's sacred mountain Heng Shan, about 65 km from Datong. When you first see the temple literally "hanging" from the side of perpendicular rocks, it is hard to comprehend how it was built way back in the Northern Wei Dynasty. At first, it appears as if it is supported by "stilts" stretching from the base of the Monastery and anchoring in the rock below. But these "stilts" are actually loose to the touch when you shake them as you go by. The Monastery is cantilevered on strong wooden beams bored into the rock. It is a picturesque and absolutely charming array of tiny temples and statues built up the cliff. You wind your way along narrow wooden connecting passages, and climb up and down steep, narrow staircases to the various levels. It really was an absolute treat to see it. Sad though that there are no longer any monks there and it seems to be now only a "showpiece" of the Buddhist religion. The Monastery is about 1 1/2 hrs drive from Datong and we got back around 6:00 pm. Our new hotel: "Shanxi Sheng Jun Qulu Yuan Hotel" is much, much, nicer than our previous one and in a much nicer area - only Y28 a night more. After a wonderfully hot shower, we went out for dinner, then to the Internet, whre we managed to call Alanna. It was so great speaking to her. We do have some sad news. Our little black and white cat Chloe has gone missing after 8 almost 9 years with us. Alanna let her out one morning and she hasn't come back. Needless to say, we are all devastated. She was so much a part of the family; always with us when were around, slept on our bed, and cuddled up with us to keep warm on cold winter nights. Alanna will be lonely without her. We will all miss her dreadfully. The house will seem so empty. Lets hope that wherever she has ended up, she is happy.