7 September 1999
Had to make tracks out of Xian because all hotels were booked solid due to the All Cities Games Week. My only hope, the Petroleum Hotel, was also full. Apparently athletes and spectators had arrived en masse.
Took the 126 train to Taiyuan, Shanxi and arrived by 08:00 the next day. The only sightseeing I did was of Shuangtasi. Funds were running low and I needed to withdraw cash in Beijing. My ATM card allows me to withdraw cash from a limited number of cities in the country.
10 September 1999
The 633 train from Beijing to Datong rolled out of the station at 11:35 and arrived by 19:10. Lodged at the nearby Tiandi Guesthouse and decided to tour Yungang Grottoes the next day.
The Yungang caves are one of four major grottoes in China; the other three being Longmen, Dunhuang and Maijishan. Longmen is larger than Yungang and has larger statues, but theft is more rampant. The guide pointed out 3 missing statues at Yungang, and claimed that they are now displayed in New York.
Checked out of the guesthouse the next day and took route 4 public transport to Huayan Monastery. There was a sandbag at the monastery and I took the opportunity to do a little pugilistic practice. Nine Dragon Screen and Shanhua Monastery were located nearby, and taking in all 3 locations took less than 3 hours. I had ample time for my 17:49 train to Hohhot.
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