Shan Tang Shui Dian (Imperial Garden)

The exterior image of Shan Tang Shui Dian [Photo provided to shanxi.chinadaily.com.cn/datong]

The Imperial Garden is a large scenic zone surrounding the Yungang Grottoes, which was highly praised by Li Daoyuan, a famous writer and geographer in Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534).

On the way to this beautiful tourist attraction, visitors can also enjoy other famed architectures, such as Foguang street, where 36 engraved pillars stand with Buddha images, and a ring-shaped stone wall with relief sculptures, where emperors and queens in the Northern Wei period worshipped Buddha.

This tourist sport once lost its sense of holiness or religiousness due to its economic development. Companies, schools, shops and hospitals could be found in the area.

In 2008, Datong government carried out a comprehensive management project, removing the modern buildings to return Buddha's Western Paradise.

Now, the scenic area covers more than 2.2 million square meters, five times as large as it was two years ago. The center area is completely covered by forest.