Datong

These pictures have been taken by Volker, a German friend, because Chris forgot his camera that morning)

Thanks Volker !

Here is the Hanging Temple of Mount Hengshan

Altitude sickness might be a problem for some people

... especially since the main pillars don't look so safe

grumpf, it's even a miracle they stood for so long, in my opinion.

Around the Hanging Temple are a number of houses, digged in the stone. And yes, people actually still live in these.

In the afternoon, Chris got his camera back and we went to visit the Yungang Grottoes, or Cloud Ridge Caves.

We have been told 50000 statues of Buddhas and bodhisattvas could be found here, so we started to count

This one was rather big

Sometimes, one has to look more closely, as many Buddhas are eroded to almost completely disappear

This one looks like a mummy

Rich decoration ... but somewhat not very variable :p

Here is Vishnu (Kumarakadeva), riding a peacock and holding a chicken.

Here is Siva (Mahesvara), with 3 heads and eight arms, holding bow, arrow, sun, moon and ... grapes, and riding a white bull.

If you look well through the window, you'll see the head of a Buddha. So you can appreciate its size !

... same same but different: it is NOT the same place :) Actually, those are 2 sister rooms.

Many angels on that one

At that stage, we lost count. Noooo, just kidding.

This one sits on the floor and can also look through the window.

Now I know what the secret for keeping your hands up for a thousand years: have someone bear it for you :)

... 36213, 36214, ...

... 42712, 42713, ...

A big (15.6m) central, cross-legged Buddha ...

... a standing Buddha on the west wall ...

... a seating Buddha on the east wall: these are the Trikala Buddhas. These have been carved around 460 A.D.

And again, the Trikalas, same period.

Another one looking through the window

We stopped counting at 50,000 ... yeah right !