Along The Yellow River
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Datong, which lies 1,200 metres high in the north of the coal province of Shanxi, gained its historic importance from the central Asian people who, in AD 386 founded Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). A train journey from Beijing to Datong passes parts of the Great Wall, which in the past marked the frontier of Chinese civilisation. The Yungang Caves are the greatest sight in Datong. They lie in a westerly direction about 16 km from the town, at the base of the Wuzhou Hills. In 53 caves there are more than 51,000 statues and the biggest is 17 metres tall while the smallest is less than 2 cm. There are also numerous reliefs in the caves. The caves are spread along th hillside over a height of more than 1,000 metres. The Yungang caves suffered both natural erosion and plunder. About 1,400 figures were broken during the first decades of this century and taken abroad where they can be seen today in American and European museums. About 60 km to the southeast of Datong, Hengshan is one of the five sacred mountains in China. Here, 5 km outside the county town Hunyuan is the Hanging Monestery nestles against an enormous rock and supported by extra support poles.

Taiyung, is the capital of Shanxi Province have more than 2 million inhabitants. The surrounding area of Taiyung is rich in importance historic relics of great beauty. Just 25 km outside the town on the slopes of Mount Xuangweng is the Jinci Temple with its Mother Goddess Hall where numerous painted clay figures are stored. They are considered as the most important artefacts of the Song periods. In the south-eastern suburbs of Taiyung is the Two Pagoda Temple from the Ming Dynasty which has become the symbol of the twon.

Hohhot, which is the capital of the province of Inner Mongolia takes about 13 hours by train from Beijing to reach. The large city of Hohhot lies at the southern outskirts on the edge of the Mongolian grassland. The Mongols form a minority here, thus its not surprising Hohhot looks more like a Chinese town than a Mongolian town. There are some building of religious interest in Hohhot for instance the more than 400 years old Dazhao Monastery, the Lamaist Temple Xilitu Zhao, a great mosque dating from the 17^th and 18^th century and the Five Pagoda Temple, a building from the 18^th century.

Baotou or "steel city of the grassland" is about 3 hours by train from Hohhot. Baotou used to be an important trading centre from the 17^th century onwards. The Mongol once called it "Land of Red Deer" in socialist China, it became an important centre for iron and steel industry. Baotou stretches along the banks of the Yellow river which crosses Inner Mongolia as far as 800 km. There are few tourist attraction here.

Yinchuan, the capital of the autonomous region of Ningxia can be reached by train from Baotou. It has 700,000 inhabitants and is the city of the Chinese Muslims or Hui. The town of Yinchian has a history going back more than 1,500 years and has become a rapidly growing industrial town. The division between old and new town is clearly recognisable. The old town can be easily explored on foot or with a bicycle. The most interesting sight Yinchuan can offer is its old town, with many small shops and snack bars around the city gate which resembles the Gate of Heavenly Peace in Beijing.

Lanzhou, is the capital of Gansu province is one of the poorest regions in China. Ethnic minorities including Tibetans are settled here. It has 2 million inhabitants and stretches along the Yellow River is a modern industrial town and the centre of Chinese atomic research. Tourist can get the best view of the town and the Yellow River from White Pagoda Hill on the northern bank of the river. The journey along the Yellow River end here in Lanzhou.