Datong Travel Guide 2026 – Discover Yungang Grottoes and More
Located in the northern part of Shanxi Province, Datong City is the second-largest city of Shanxi which is no more than 2.5 hoursā high-speed train ride from Beijing, and about 3.5 hoursā train ride from Pingyao Ancient Town.
Since it once served as the capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty and several other northern ethnic regimes during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Datong is recognized as one of the nine famous ancient capitals of China. Its strategic location at the junction of Shanxi, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia made Datong a key military stronghold in many dynasties, including the Tang, Liao, Jin, Ming, and Qing. These historical roles and its enduring significance contribute to the rich historical and cultural heritage in Datong, including UNESCO-listed Yungang Grottoes, the Hanging Temple, Huayan Temple, and the ancient Datong City Wall, etc.
Quick Facts about Datong:
- Chinese Name: 大å (dĆ tĆ³ng)
- Population: 3,079,000 in 2023
- Area: 14,176 square kilometers
- Location: In north of Shanxi Province, in the Datong Basin, at the junction of Shanxi, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia
- Airport:Ā Datong Yungang International Airport (DAT)
- Main Railway Stations:Ā Datong Station and Datong South Station
Content Previewā
- Why Travel to Datong?
- Top Attractions & Things to Do in Datong
- Top Things to Do in Datong: Featured Experiences
- How to Plan Your Datong Tour
- Datong Weather & Best Time to Visit
- Datong Transportation: How to Get to & Travel Around?
- What to Eat in Datong
- Where to Stay in Datong
- Experience Authentic Datong with Chinaxiantour
- Best China ToursĀ including Datong
Why Travel to Datong?
- Rich historical and cultural heritage: Datong is home to a wealth of historical sites. The UNESCO-listed Yungang Grottoes, the top highlight of Datong, offers an insight into the exquisite Buddhist sculptures and carvings from the Northern Wei Dynasty. Huayan Temple will introduce you to numerous Buddhist artworks. Hanging Temple attracts worldwide tourists with its cliffside location and unique architectural style. The Datong Ancient City still well preserves the historic Drum Tower, the Four-Arched Pavilion, and the Nine-Dragon Screen, etc.
- Impressive natural wonders: Besides cultural and historical immersion while traveling in Datong, youāll also rewarded with impressive natural wonders. The Hengshan Mountain is one of the Five Sacred Mountains in China, offering breathtaking sceneries and many ancient temples and cultural sites. Datong Volcanic Cluster allows you to marvel at over 30 volcanic cones scattering among the east of Datong Basin.
- Easy accessibility: Thanks to its advantageous location, Datong is easily accessible from many major cities. The frequent high-speed trains connecting Beijing to Datong make it can be reached easily in about 2 hours. Additionally, the high-speed train ride from Xian, Taiyuan, Pingyao Ancient Town, and Hohhot to Datong takes about 3 to 5 hours. Visitors can easily pair Datong with any of these cities for an extended tour. Ā
Datongās attractions are dominated by historical heritages thanks to its prosperous history. The Yungang Grottoes, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, Hanging Temple, Datong Nine-Dragon Screen Wall, etc. are some of the most remarkable and valued historical landmarks in China. The unique mountainous landscapes are also outstanding and worth your visit.
Shanhua Temple
A time-honored Buddhist temple housing rich heritage, Shanhua Temple was initially built in the Tang Dynasty, housing numerous ancient buildings and cultural relics. The main structures, such as Shanmen Tianwang Hall, Sansheng Hall, and Mahavira Hall, are all outstanding examples of the architectural styles of the Liao and Jin Dynasties.
Datong City Wall
Dating from the Northern Wei Dynasty, Datong Ancient City Wall boasts one of the best-preserved ancient fortifications in China. The most existing structures are reconstructed during the Ming Dynasty. As an advanced military architecture of ancient China, the city wall is equipped with a series of defensive structures, such as moats, drawbridges, watchtowers, corner towers, etc.
Top Things to Do in Datong: Featured Experiences
With a history of over 2,300 years, it is one of the nine ancient capitals of China, and it’s simply impossible to explore all of it – especially for history and culture enthusiasts.
Taste the World-class Buddhist Art
1,600 years ago, the Yungang Grottoes were the first grotto complex built by the royal family. Under the skillful hands of the craftsmen, you can see the collision of ancient Indian and ancient Chinese art, and the unique characteristics of Buddhist art growing and integrating in the Han region of China. Besides the grottoes, there are also Buddhist temples. At Huayan Temple and Shanhua Temple, exquisite Buddhist buildings from the Liao and Jin dynasties were discovered – even better, there weren’t many tourists.
Appreciate the Wonder of Ancient Chinese Architecture
The Hanging Temple is an architectural wonder on the cliff. The American magazine Time named it one of the “Top 10 Most Dangerous Buildings in the World,” and many domestic and foreign novels and games were inspired by it. Walking on it, you can feel that it has already started to shake – after all, it has been exposed to 1,500 years of wind and rain. That’s why the daily admission limit to the temple has been reduced from 3,275 people to 2,475 people now.
And the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is a pure wooden structure wonder that has stood for a thousand years – where there are also a large number of pigeon flocks. So a unique Buddhist atmosphere. Extend Your Datong Tour to Nearby Destinations
You will be amazed to discover that there are other world cultural heritages and natural beauty around Datong. A 3-4 hour train ride away, the UNESCO-protected Pingyao Ancient City is one of the most intact ancient cities from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Hundreds of years ago, it was China’s Wall Street! The ancient city walls, ancient banks, traditional quadrangle houses make you feel like you have traveled through time. Wutai Mountain is a sacred Buddhist site in China, and it is the first of the four major Buddhist mountains in China. Then, after a few hours of driving, you can also arrive at the sweeping Inner Mongolia grassland.
How to Plan Your Datong Tour
How Many Days to Spend in Datong: Crafting Your Itinerary
Your Datong trip itinerary can be from 1 to 5 days – it depends on your schedule and interests.
- Planning a 1-day tour of Datong? Generally not recommended, unless you are really short of time. What to see in just one day? Of course, it’s the Yungang Grottoes and Huayan Temple or the of Datong City Wall. And treat yourself a bowl of authentic knife-cut noodles for lunch.
- A 2-day tour of Datong is suitable for expats in China on weekends or for most tourists who combine Datong with Beijing, Xi’an, etc., on a China package tour. Besides the must-sees in the Datong city area, also go visit the Hanging Temple and the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. 2 days of exploring Datong is the best choice for most travelers.
- How to design a 3 to 5-day tour of Datong?Ā Besides the best highlights of Datong, you can add Wutai Mountain or/and Pingyao Ancient City to create a highlight tour of Shanxi.
Recommended Datong Tours:
- 3 Days Datong Culture Discovery Tour
- 2 Days Datong Cultural Heritage Tour
- One Day Tour of Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Monastery
Extend Your Datong Tour
Are you a history-obsessed traveler?Ā Start it from Beijing, then head to Datong and Xi’an. Venture into “living history books” – easily connect via high-speed rail. Explore the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Army, and the Yungang Grottoes in a single trip. And what about more time? Then go to Chengdu to see the giant pandas, or in Zhangjiajie/Guilin, indulge in surreal landscapes. Finally, end your journey through China including Datong in Shanghai.
Wait, why not design a deep tour of Shanxi?Ā With 6-10 days, discover Datong and Wutai Mountain’s world-class Buddhist art, the heritage of Pingyao Ancient City, and the highlights of Taiyuan – Jinci Temple.
Want to deeply explore China’s Buddhist culture? We’ve got a good idea for you: Beijing ā Datong ā Wutai Mountain ā Xi’an ā Lhasa ā Chengdu (Leshan Giant Buddha & Emei Mountain) ā Hangzhou ā Shanghai
Recommended trips:
Datong Weather & Best Time to Visit
Datong has a typical temperate continental monsoon climate which is characterized by distinct seasons, low precipitation, and large temperature variations between day and night.
Spring is the period when the city sees quick warming, with average temperatures hovering around 5Ā°C – 15Ā°C. Spring also sees more windy days, with dust storms occasionally occurring. If travel to Datong in spring, remember to bring a hat and a scarf.
Summer in Datong is generally cool but rainy. It is the season seeing most rainy days, but still not so much compared to most other places. Average temperatures in this season are generally around 12Ā°C to 26Ā°C, with highs seldom exceeding 35Ā°C.
Autumn is when Datong experiencing suddenly dropping temperatures and rainfalls. Average temperatures in this period hover around 9.0 – 21.0Ā°C. You can see more clear blue days if visit Datong during this season.
Winter is usually cold, dry, and long in Datong, with average temperatures hovering between -12.8Ā°C to -6.3Ā°C. Snowy days are possible, but relatively rare to see.
Datongās ancient heritages and historic grottoes are suitable to be visited all year round, and the weather doesnāt matter these attractions much. While April to October is normally recognized as the best time to go by most tourists for the more temperature and comfortable weather.
Related reading: How to Plan a Trip to Datong
Datong Transportation: How to Get to & Travel Around?
How to Get to Datong?
By Air
Datong Yungang Airport is about 17 kilometers from Datong City, operating flights to about 19 major cities in China, including Guangzhou, Wuhan, Shanghai, Taiyuan, Chengdu, Chongqing, Shenzhen, etc.
By Train
Datong South Railway Station is the main high-speed railway station in Datong, and also a key hun in Shanxi, connecting Datong to Beijing (about 2 hours), Xian (about 5 hours), PingyaoĀ (about 3.5 hours), and Hohhot (about 3 hours).
How to Travel Around?
Datong has a very developed bus network that can cover most areas of the city. The city also offers many special tourist bus routes reaching main attractions like Yungang Grottoes, Datong Ancient City, and Datong City Wall, etc. Taxis and ride-hailing services are also readily available for your convenient transfer to further attractions.
But overall, chartering a private car with a local guide or booking a Datong tour with usĀ is more recommended for time-efficient transfer and a more personalized travel experience.
Datong to Wutai Mountain:Ā 190 – 220 kilometers. Taking a direct bus takes 4 – 4.5 hours. There are few such bus services. Alternative option: Take the high-speed train from Datong to Xinzhou, and then take a taxi to Wutai Mountain.
Datong to Pingyao: Approximately 380 kilometers. You should take the high-speed train – it takes only about 2 – 3 hours to arrive. There are buses available, but they are inconvenient as they often require transfers in Taiyuan.
What to Eat in Datong
Datong is home to diverse flavorful dishes and is especially outstanding for its rich noodle culture. Generally, most Datong dishes feature a savory taste, heavy oil use, and distinctive regional characteristics.
Datong Knife-Cut Noodles (大åååé¢) is the No.1 popular dish in Datong, featuring unique preparation, and chewy noodles. Other popular dishes include Hunyuan Bean Jelly (ęµęŗåē²), Datong Lamb Offal Soup (大åē¾ę), Datong Fried Cakes (大åę²¹ēøē³), Ā Yellow Cake (é»ē³), etc.
Where to Stay in Datong
Itās recommended to plan for 2-3 days to explore the best highlights of Datong, like Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Temple, Huayan Temple, and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. That means youāll need to stay 1-2 nights in the city.
Datong city center, especially areas near Datong City Wall is preferred by most people for the easy accessibility to many attractions, and the abundant hotel, food and shopping options. We recommend choosing a 4 or 5-star hotel to ensure the best possible comfort and amenities during your stay.
Experience Authentic Datong with Chinaxiantour
To explore Datong’s many cultural heritages, our private Datong tours & journeys feature extraordinary discoveries led by local knowledgeable guides. From uncovering the secrets of the Hanging Temple to delving into the Yungang Grottoes’ thousands of Buddha statues, our Datong travel experts will tailor-make journeys for you that go beyond the usual sightseeing.
