Step into the Datong Museum to experience the corridor of time that inherits its historical and cultural legacy

Datong, a place I visit several times a year for official business, and each time, by the time I'm done, it's Monday, and the museum is closed, which is really unfortunate. Finally, I checked in at the long-awaited Datong Museum and entered this corridor of time that carries on the historical and cultural legacy of Datong. The basic display of the Datong Museum includes the vicissitudes of the land, the Wei capital Pingcheng, the Liao and Jin western capitals, and the Ming and Qing key towns, as well as special exhibits like the Datong dinosaurs and the Sanskrit Pure Sound. The most unique aspect is embodied in the word 'magnanimous.' The people of Datong are magnanimous, and unexpectedly, so is the museum here. While other museums display their cultural relics one by one, here they are presented in groups, which is truly admirable for the rich cultural heritage of Datong. The treasure of the museum—the lacquer screen painting from the tomb of Sima Jinlong (Image 5)—was unearthed in 1965, consisting of five wooden lacquer panels. Both sides of these lacquer panels are painted, continuing the traditional stories of emperors, generals, virtuous women, and filial sons from the Han dynasty onwards, such as Emperor Shun, Lord Ling of Wei, King Xuan of Qi, Duke Wen of Jin, etc. The colors are rich and the style is simple, making it captivating. Whenever I visit a city, I always make it a point to check out the local museum first, to feel the history, culture, and humanities of the place. Whether I'm at the museum or on my way there, the millennia-old artifacts are worth savoring in detail. Name: Datong Museum Address: No. 506 Taihe Road, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province Opening Hours: 9:00—17:00 (Ticket sales stop at 16:00, clearing at 16:30, and closing at 17:00) Closed on Mondays (including national holidays) Admission: Free Recommended Exhibits: The vicissitudes of the land, the Wei capital Pingcheng, the Liao and Jin western capitals, the Ming and Qing key towns Recommended Activities: Research learning, photography, historical visits Transportation Tips: Take bus 64, 65, or 70 to Taihe Road Yunshan Street stop.