? ? Suited at the center of Datong Basin, Datong is in the northern part of Shanxi Province. It is about 380 km away from Beijing and 350 km from the provincial capital city, Taiyuan. In ancient China, Datong was a place of strategic importance and a place where the Han people frequently exchanged with the ethnic minority peoples in north China. Datong was once served as the capital city during the North Wei Dynasty (386 AD-534 AD). The city had officially become the center of provincial government in the Ming and Qing Dynasties and the tall city walls were fortified in the early Ming Dynasty.

? Datong is one of the first batch of 24 historical and cultural cities in China which has profound historical accumulation. It was the capital of the northern Wei Dynasty, the auxiliary capital of Liao Dynasty, a place of strategic importance of Ming and Qing dynasties in ancient times. For thousands of years, numerous ethnic groups have fused from generation to generation in this land with, leaving early, large scale and high grade, characteristic and rich heritages, which have high historical, artistic and scientific value and become resources treasure for the development of Datong tourism.

? Tourism in the urban economic development in the industry, position, and gradually increase the economic role of the tourism industry to boost the urban economy, social employment, driving force, as well as the promotion of the role of culture and the environment becomes increasingly obvious. Tourism is a pillar of China's economic development industries.

? Datong has Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple as representatives of the culture of China's Northern Wei Dynasty (368-534); has Huayan Monastery and Shanhua Temple as representatives of the culture of Liao and Jin dynasties; has the Nine Dragon Wall as representative of the culture of Ming and Qing dynasties. These culture has formed distinctive regional culture characteristic.

? ? Yungang Grottoes, blends together the Chinese and foreign culture at an organic whole, had been one of the world's three grotto art treasures till the AD 5th century; it is famous for its majestic momentum and large amount of grottoes. Hanging Temple is China's rare castles in the air. The Great Buddhas Hall in Huayan Monastery is the existing China biggest Buddhist hall. Nine Dragon Wall is the earliest, largest and best-preserved five colours coloured glaze screen wall; its great momentum and beautiful design are believed to be the best in the similar constructions in China.