Batai Church Ruins
八台子教堂
The remains of a Catholic church in the open fields of Zuoyun County. Only a Gothic front facade and bell tower are left, and the stark ruins against the blue sky have earned it the nickname 'the loneliest church'.
Batai Church is in Batai Village, Guanjiabao Township, Zuoyun County. It was a Catholic church built in the late Qing dynasty. The main building was destroyed during turbulent historical periods, and today only a Gothic front facade and a bell tower remain. They stand alone in the yellow-earth fields, and netizens have nicknamed it 'the loneliest church'. A small Church of Our Lady stands on the hillside behind the village. The remaining walls are structurally fragile, so do not climb them or enter the fenced areas. It is about 70 kilometers from Datong city center and about 1.5 hours' drive. It is often combined with the Motianling Great Wall and the Yungang Grottoes on the same route. The best photos are taken around sunset.
Opening hours
Open all day (exterior viewing only)
Nearby sights
- Yungang Grottoes
- Jinhuagong National Mine Park
- Guanyin Hall of Datong
- Deshengbao Fortress
- Huayan Temple
- Datong Ancient City Wall
- Shanhua Temple
- Datong Drum Tower