If youāre visiting Beijing and Xi’an in your China tour, why not plan a short trip to Datong as well? It is an amazing cultural hub between these two popular destinations, and quite easy to reach by high-speed train.
People always say Datong is a āliving history book.” The Yungang GrottoesĀ (a UNESCO World Heritage)Ā and the Hanging Temple (featured in TIME magazine) have attracted countless history lovers to pay a visit. This article will walk you step-by-step through planning a trip to Datong. From how to get there to what to do, weāllĀ show you everything you need.
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- Location & How to Get to Datong
- How Long to Stay in Datong & Sample Itineraries
- Top Things to Do in Datong (with Fees & Pro Tips)
- More Travel Essentials for a Datong Trip
- Total Budget Breakdown: How Much is a 2/3 Days Trip to Datong?
- Plan Your Datong Trip with China Xian Tour
- FAQs about Planning a Datong Tour
Location & How to Get to Datong
Where is Datong
Datong is not well connected by international flights, so most visitors would fly to Beijing or Xian first. Then take a high-speed train to have a day trip or a weekend getaway from these two cities.
From Beijing
There are around 40-50 high-speed trains traveling between Beijing and Datong a day. A single trip generally takes 2 hours, and the second-class ticket costs around CNY 170.
When traveling from Beijing, the most convenient stations are Beijing North Station and Qinghe Station.Ā
Datong has two railway stations; however, onlyĀ Datong SouthĀ serves high-speed train services, so youāll both arrive and leave from this station.
From Xiāan
Xiāan is relatively farther from Datong compared to Beijing. So the more recommended travel route is to plan a Xiāan to Beijing tour and take Datong as a āpassing point.ā
There are around 20 high-speed trains traveling between Xiāan and Datong, and the traveling time is about 5 to 6 hours.
Xiāan only has Xiāan North Station serving this route, and youāll also arrive at Datong South.
Pro Tips:
If you’re traveling from other cities in China, consider transfering in Taiyuan, which is also convenient and straightforward.
How Long to Stay in Datong & Sample Itineraries
Normally, a Datong trip would last 2-3 days, and itāll be enough for you to visit the main attractions like the Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Temple. However, if you want to combine a visit to nearby cities like Taiyuan and Pingyao, you can prepare 4-5 days in total.
1-Day Itinerary
Travel by high-speed train from Beijing in the early morning. Your first stop would be the Yungang Grottoes,Ā moveĀ onĀ to the miraculousĀ Hanging Temple.Ā After exploring both destinations, take a night high-speed train to go back to Beijing.
Recommended Tour:
2-Day Itinerary
Day 1:
Travel from Beijing by high-speed train. Visit attractions like the Yungang Grottoes, Shanhua Temple, and the Nine-Dragon Wall, then stay overnight in Datong.
Day 2:
Focus on the Hanging Temple and the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. After the visit, you can go catch the high-speed train to the next place.
Recommended Tour
9-Day Itinerary
This itinerary is suitable for those who want to explore Beijing, Datong, PingyaoĀ and Xi’an.
Day 1: Arrive at Beijing.
Day 2: Explore Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, Beijing Hutongs.
Day 3: See the Temple of Heaven, Mutianyu Great Wall, Bird’s Nest and Water Cube.
Day 4: Travel to Datong, visit Yungang Grottoes, Shanhua Temple and Nine-Dragon Wall.
Day 5: Continues to Hanging Temple, Jinci Temple
Day 6: Rishengchang Exchange Shop, Ming-Qing Street. Attending Paper Cutting Class in ancient city.
Day 7: Qiao Family Courtyard, Shuanglin Temple
Day 8: Move on to Xi’an, visit Terracotta Army, Ancient City Wall, Bell Tower & Drum Tower Square, Ā and Muslim Street.
Day 9: Depart from Xi’an.
Recommended Tour
Top Things to Do in Datong (with Fees & Pro Tips)
1.Ā Appreciating Yungang Grottoes (UNESCO World Heritage)
- Location: In Wuzhou Mountain, about 16 kilometers (10 miles) away the west of Datong City, Shanxi Province, China.
- Opening Hour: 8:30ā17:00 (off season), 8:30ā17:30 (peak season)
- Time Needed: 3-4 hours
- Ticket Price: CNY 120
- How to get to: By taxi, 25-30 minutes, or by bus No. 2 or 12.
Yungang Grottoes has a history of over 1500 years, being most famous for the Buddhist engravings on the rock cliff. There are 45 main caves; among them, 1-20 are the most visited.
Cave No. 5:Ā Thereās a large statue of Sakyamuni Buddha in this cave, and it is also the largest statue of Buddha in the Yungang Grottoes.
Cave No. 6: People also call Cave No. 6 the “Grandest Spectacle of Yungang.” It is the largest and best-preserved “central pillar grotto” in the Yungang Grottoes. Here you can see the group of 33 relief sculptures depicting the life story of Sakyamuni.
Cave No. 12: This cave is also known as the “Music Cave.” The relief shows dozens of celestial musicians playing instruments.
Visiting Tips:
- Tickets must be booked via WeChat mini program or WeChat Official Account at least one day before your visit.
- Shuttle bus is available. Bus ticket costs an extra CNY 10.
- Thereās no restaurants inside the scenic area. Convenient stores and small food stalls are expensive.
2. Walking on the Hanging Temple (Xuankong Si)
- Location: At the foot of Mount Heng, about 65 kilometers (40 miles) away southeast of Datong City, Shanxi Province, China.
- Opening time: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm (April to October). 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (November to March).
- Time needed: About 2 to 3 hours.
- Ticket price: CNY 15. CNY 115 if you want to walk on the trails and visit the temples.
- How to get there: By car or taxi
Hanging Temple has a shocking layout. The temples and trails are all built on cliffs, which make them look like they are āhangingāĀ in the middle of the air. It also has a history of over 1500 years; apart from its construction, itās also unique for integrating Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.
Walking on the trails is the highlight of visiting; although a bit thrilling, itās one of the most unique ways to explore a historical site.
Visiting Tips:
- Tickets needed to be booked via WeChat mini program or WeChat Official Account. The CNY 100 climbing ticket is limited every day and can be hard to secure during peak seasons. Foreign visitors currently MUST buy tickets on site, and it’s possible to fail to get the tickets.
- Shuttle bus is available. Bus ticket costs an extra CNY 20.
- Arrive early for the best view of the day.
- If you have symptoms like acrophobia or cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, itās not recommended for you to walk on the trails.
- Wear anti-slip and comfortable shoes.
- No restaurants inside the scenic area.
3.Ā Making an Awe at Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (Sakyamuni Pagoda)
- Location: Inside the Fogong Temple in Ying County, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province
- Opening time: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Time Needed: 2-3 hours
- Ticket Price: CNY 48
- How to get there: by taxi (55-70 km) or by taking a bus from Datongās Bus Station to Yingxian (1.5 h) and then going to the site by taxi.
The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda was built in the year 1056. It is the tallest and oldest pure wooden structure pagodaĀ thatĀ still existsĀ in the world.Ā ItĀ is known, along with the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Eiffel Tower, as one of the “Three Great Wonders of the World.”
Currently, due to safety considerations, tourists can only visit on the first floorĀ of the pagoda. However, the awe-inspiring scenes from the tower are enough to make you linger. Highlights include a seated statue of Sakyamuni in the hall and the bracket system used on the eaves..
Visiting Tips:
- You can only enter from the south gate.
- If youāre visiting during Chinese New Year, there will be performances and free snacks.
4.Ā Cycling along Datong Ancient City Wall
- Location: No. 2, Heyangmennei Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province
- Opening time: 7:00 am to 10:00 pm
- Time Needed: 2-3 hours
- Ticket price: the south section is free, while the north, east, and west sections will charge CNY 49 for the lantern show. The lantern show is open from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
- How to get there: by taxi
With over 1500 years of history, Datong Ancient City Wall has become a mark of the city and one of the best-preserved city walls in China. Here, you can embrace a panoramic view of Datong and feel history rolling under your feet.
Visitors can rent a bike and cycle along the wall, and at night, you can join the lantern show and see performances. The south gate is the grandest for photos.
Visiting Tips:
- After visiting, you can try local snacks in nearby restaurants.
- The bicycle-rental services are widely available, they normally cost CNY 30ā120.
- You can also take the official shuttle bus to explore the site, CNY40/person.
5.Ā Visiting Liao and Jin Dynasties‘ GrandeurĀ at Huayan Temple
- Location: Datong Ancient City Lower Temple Street No. 459, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province
- Opening Hours: 8:30 am-5 pm
- Ticket Price: CNY 50
- Time Needed: 2-3 hours
- How to Get There: Taxi or by bus No. 6, 17, 28, 38
Huayan Temple is located inside the ancient city of Datong; it is the largest and best-preserved temple of the Liao and Jin Dynasties. The temple is divided into upper and lower sections. The upper temple is the main hall, being the largest temple hall of the Liao and Jin dynasties as well as the largest wooden-structured Buddhist temple hall that still exists.
The lower section is centered around the Sutra Hall,Ā the Royal Buddhist Classics Library of the Liao Dynasty. Thereās also a rare smiling Bodhisattva, known as the āOriental Venus.ā
Visiting Tips:
To climb the tower, you need to wear shoe covers. The stairs are very steep and people with acrophobia should think it through carefully.
6.Ā Enjoying the Beauty of Nine-Dragon Screen Wall
- Location: Datong Ancient City Da Dong Street No. 18, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province
- Ticket Price: CNY 10
- Opening Hours: 8 am-6 pm in the summer; 8:30 am-5:30 pm in the winter
- Recommended Visit Time: 0.5-1 hours
- How to get there: By taxi.
Datong Nine-DragonĀ wallĀ is one of the only three Nine Dragon Screens in China, and itās also the largest among them. The wall is made of colored glaze, and after hundreds of years, it still shines brightly. Visiting a site is more about enjoying its beauty, taking pictures, and exploring its grand history.
7.Ā Exploring the Ancient City at Night
- Location: Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province
- Ticket Price: free
- Opening Hours: All day; nighttime is more recommended
- Recommended Visit Time: 2-3 hours
- How to get there: By taxi.
Actually, a few attractions mentioned above, Huayan Temple and the city wall, are all located near the ancient city, so you can plan your trip to those attractions in the afternoon and visit the ancient city at night.
The highlight is the lantern and light show. The whole construction will be lit up, and the atmosphere is unique and romantic. There are also some food streets in that area; walking in the grand ancient city while having some snacks in your hands can be extremely rewarding.
Visiting tips:
It can be crowded every night, and a full exploration needs an excessive walk, so wear comfortable shoes.
More Travel Essentials for a Datong Trip
How to Travel Around
Besides the travel tips weĀ have introduced above, here are some more suggestions for you.
- If you want to travel between the attractions inside the ancient city, thereās an inner shuttle bus, which only costs CNY 1, running from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, really convenient.
- Yungang Grottoes are about 16-20 km far away from the city center. Traveling by taxi is the most convenient, costs around CNY 30.
- If you want to visit many attractions in one day, for example, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda and Hanging Temple, itās better to book a vehicle with a driver. If youāre interested, contact China Xian Tour and we can help you arrange the service.
Weather & Best Time to Go
Most of the attractions in Datong are historical and cultural attractions, which means your tour will be less vulnerable to weather conditions. Moreover, annual rainfall in Datong is relatively low, so you can visit the city anytime during the year.
However, spring and autumn are certainly more comfortable. Temperature ranges between 10Ā°C and 25Ā°C. Itās better to bring some layers, as it can become a bit cold during both the day and night.
Summer can be hotter, with the temperature lingering around 30āĀ (not as scorching as summer in other cities). Winter can be quite cold; the temperature generally goes around -16ā.
Where to Stay in Datong
Near Datong Ancient City
Over 40% of visitors choose to stay near the ancient city (data obtained from Trip.com). First of all, itās located near the main attractions in the city. Besides, the shuttle bus to spots like the Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Temple departs from here.
There are many types of hotels you can choose, no matter if you want modern hotels or guesthouses integrated with Chinese traditional-style designs and local cultures
Near Yungang Grottoes
Some visitors choose to stay near Yungang Grottoes. Itās not that far from the city center; plus, Yungang Grottes are the most classic must-see attraction. Staying near this site allows a more focused visit.
Near Datong South Station
If youāre short on time, hotels near Datong South Station may be the best choice. Itāll make it really easy to catch your train.
Eating in Datong
- knife-cut noodles
A special shape of noodle, served in different flavors of broth.
Recommended restaurants: Xijindao 1.knife-cut noodles (åęéååé¢), Dongfang knife-cut noodles (äøę¹ååé¢)
- Lamb shaomai
Different from Cantonese shumai, Datongās shaomai uses lamb mince and the outer skin is as thin as paper.
Recommended restaurants: Longjuxiang (é¾čē„„)
What to Buy as Souvenirs
- Foxiaoban(ä½å°ä¼“): Itās a unique type of plush toy pendant. You can find it in Huayan Temple.
- Local food: vinegar cola (ééåÆä¹), sea-buckthorn juice (ę²ę£ę±), Datong cold jelly (大ååē²)
Total Budget Breakdown: How Much is a 2/3 Days Trip to Datong?
Datong is not an expensive destination, and here Iāve prepared a reference budget for you. The set scenario is two people staying in Datong for two days.
Accommodation: Datongās 4-star hotels that are located near the ancient city usually cost CNY 300-700 (USD 44-100). So for 2 nights, it can cost USD 88-200.
Food: The food expenses for the two people (2 days) range from CNY 400 to 500 (USD 59-74).
Transportation:Ā If youāre traveling from Beijing by high-speed train, then train tickets cost CNY 150 (USD 22) for one way; round-trip tickets cost CNY 300 (USD 44). If you have two people, then itāll be CNY 600 (USD 88).
Traveling between all the major attractions by taxi can cost around CNY 400-500 (USD 59-74).
If you want to takeĀ aĀ shuttle bus in some scenic spots, add another CNY 60-80 (USD 9-12) to the total expense (this cost is for two people).
Entrance Tickets:Ā ticket prices of main attractions have been introduced above. If you want to tryĀ toĀ have the experiences mentioned in this article, itāll cost CNY 392 (USD 58) per person, USD 115.5 for both.
Plan Your Datong Trip with China Xian Tour
To fully explore Datongās grand historical and cultural heritage, you can haveĀ China Xian TourĀ be your best travel partner. We can customize an itinerary for you while also booking all the tickets and arranging a private transfer to make your experience more than perfect. Contact us right.
FAQs about Planning a Datong Tour
Can I plan a one-day Datong tour to see both Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple?
Well, technically speaking, it is possible, but itās not recommended. First of all, itās only possible for visitors from Beijing (2-hour trip). Besides, these two attractions both need a rather long time to fully explore (especially Yungang Grottoes).
In addition, they are 80-96 km far from each other, which means youāll spend 1-1.5 hours to transfer (depends on traffic). And sometimes there will be queues to enter the sites, and it’ll take tens of minutes or hours to wait.
So, you may only make this plan if youāre 1) traveling from Beijing in the early morning. 2) not traveling in peak season.
Is the Hanging Temple really that dangerous? Is it suitable for people who are afraid of heights, the elderly or children?
Well, the site is not dangerous, however, walking on the trails does need you to be careful. However, young kids, elders over 60, and people who are prone to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are not recommended to do that.
