Datong

Datong (大同, Pinyin: Dàtóng) is a city in the northern Shanxi Province in China.

History
The town was founded in 200 BC during Han Dynasty and was called Pingcheng (平城, Pinyin: Píngchéng). It was sacked at the end of Eastern Han Dynasty.

Pingcheng became the capital of Northern Wei from 398 AD until 494 AD. The famous Yungang Grottoes was constructed in the later part of this period (460 - 494 AD).

The city was renamed Datong in 1048 AD.

The city was sacked again at the end of Ming Dynasty (1649 AD) but promptly rebuilt in 1652 AD.

Economy
The GDP per capita was ¥10550 (ca. US$1270) in 2003, ranked no. 242 among 659 Chinese cities.