Written by Catherine |
Yungang Grottoes is the core reason for many people to visit Datong. Images of these stunning Buddhist carvings and ancient cliffside statues have traveled the globe, leaving worldwide travelers eager to make a visit to this majestic ancient site.
If you are planning a trip there, then learning about how to get to Yungang Grottoes should be the first step of a smooth trip. Datong itself is well connected to major cities. And getting from the city center to the site is also incredibly convenient, as it is located just about 22 kilometers away.
Currently, the most convenient options from Datong to Yungang Grottoes include tourist shuttles, public buses and taxis. To help you make an easy decision and have a smooth transfer, we have listed the detailed process of each mode, with practical tips, time needed and costs for your reference.
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- Where is Yungang Grottoes?
- How to Get to Datong? – The Main Gateway to Yungang Grottoes
- How to Get to Yungang Grottoes from Datong
- How to Plan a Tour with Yungang Grottoes
- Plan Your Datong Tour with China Xian Tour
Where is Yungang Grottoes?
Yungang Grottoes is located in the western suburbs of Datong City, Shanxi Province, about 22 kilometers from the city center. Its carvings and statues are sculpted on the southern cliff of Wuzhou Mountain, at the edge of the Datong Basin and adjacent to the Shili River.
Datong City is in North China, boarding Inner Mongolia, Hebei Province and other cities in Shanxi Province. It is about 330 kilometers southwest of Beijing, and about 880 kilometers northeast of Xian.
How to Get to Datong? – The Main Gateway to Yungang Grottoes
High-speed rail serves as the most reliable option to get to Datong City. It offers flexibility and frequent daily departures. For example, from Beijing to Datong, there are nearly 50 departures per day, with a travel time of around 2 hours. From Xian, there are over 15 daily departures, with the journey taking around 5 hours. The city has two main train stations:
- Datong Station: serves regular trains
- Datong South Station handles all high-speed rail
If you’re traveling by flight, then book your ticket to Datong Yun Gang International Airport (DAT). It has direct flights to major cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Chengdu but not many daily schedules. Plus, you can see a few international/regional flights to/from Bangkok and Hong Kong. Generally spaeking, flights are limited in frequency, so it may not be as flexible as you would expect.
From Beijing to Datong
High-speed trains from Beijing to Datong are quite convenient. Train would depart mainly from Beijing North or Beijing Qinghe Station. The whole journey takes around 2 hours and tickets are about ¥136–170 for second-class seats. Visitors can expect over 50 departures per day.
From Xi’an to Datong
High-speed trains also running from Xi’an North Station to Datong South Station. A single ride takes 5–6 hours, with tickets costing around ¥280. If you want to make this journey more interesting, consider transferring at Taiyuan and have a brief exploration of this provincial capital.
From Taiyuan to Datong
Taiyuan (the provincial capital) has frequent high-speed trains to Datong South Station. The journey takes about 2–2.5 hours, so you can easily have a day trip between these two cities.
From Pingyao to Datong
Pingyao Ancient City is also a popular sight-seeing place nearby. It’s best to connect them by high-speed rail. The total travel time is roughly 2.5–3.5 hours. This route offers a smooth connection for tourists exploring northern Shanxi.
From Shanghai to Datong
For those who want to travel from Shanghai, you have two options. Flights are the fastest option, typically taking around 3 hours and costing ¥ 950-1300 for economic seats. The high-speed train ride will take about 8.5–10 hours. Tickets for second-class seats range from ¥700–800, with first-class seats around ¥1,200.
How to Get to Yungang Grottoes from Datong
Once in Datong, reaching Yungang Grottoes is straightforward. Below is a comprehensive guide:
From Datong City Center
- Public Bus: There are several local busesrunning between the grottoes and the city center. The most popular routes are Bus Line 3 and 12, and they are really easy to take. Fares are also low, only around 1–2 CNY. So it’s an ideal choice for people who seek budget-friendly rides. Keep in mind that service hours are limited, so check the schedule to avoid delays (available on navigation apps like Baidu map).
- Taxi: If you don’t want to be bothered with planning and waiting, just take adirect taxi from downtown. Usually, it costs about 30–40 CNY for a single trip and lasts for 30–40 minutes. The driver will drop you off at the entrance.
From Main Transportation Hubs in Datong
From Datong South Station:
If you are heading to the site directly from Datong South Station, shuttle bus is an ideal choice. There are 13 stops along this route, including some of the most frequently visited sites: Fahua Temple, Nine-Dragon Wall, Jinhuagong Coal Mine and more.
Route |
Estimated Travel Time |
Ticket Price
(yuan/person) |
Departure Time
(Regular) |
Departure Time |
Hengshan Tourist Center → Yungang Grottoes |
90 min |
39 |
11:10 |
11:10.12:50 |
Yungang Grottoes → Hengshan Tourist Center |
90 min |
39 |
12:55 |
12:55 |
Yungang Grottoes → Yingxian Wooden Pagoda |
85 min |
39 |
12:55 |
12:55 |
Yungang Grottoes → Datong Ancient City |
90 min |
39 |
– |
10:00. 10:20. 10:40. 11:00. 11:20. 11:40. 12:00. 12:20. 12:40. 13:00. 13:20. 13:40. 14:00. 14:20. 15:00. 16:00. 17:00. 18:00 |
Datong South Station → Yungang Grottoes |
40 min |
10 |
– |
9:00. 9:20 . 9:40. 10:00.10:20. 10:40.11:00. 11:20.11:40. 12:00.12:20. 12:40.13:00. 13:20.13:40. 14:00.14:20. 15:00.16:00. 17:00.18:00 |
From Datong Station (Conventional Trains)
Local buses remain the cheapest travel option from this station. A combination of Route 4 → Route 3, or the 603 tourist line, will get you to Yungang Grottoes. One ride is roughly 1–1.5 hours. Taxis are also faster and more convenient, and it costs around 30–50 CNY.
From Datong Yun Gang Airport (DAT)
- Taxi:A taxi ride typically takes about 40–50 minutes (about 85 CNY). This is the fastest and most convenient choice.
- Public Bus: Just outsidethe terminal, there will be bus 605 or 67 travel to the city. And after arriving at the city center stops like Fangte Happy World (Fangte Huanle Shijie), transfer to local buses to reach Yungang. However, although more budget-friendly, this route requires more patience and multiple transfers. Roughly 2.5 hours in total.
Join a Guided Tour
If convenience and time efficiency are your priorities, you may want to book a guided tour with travel agencies like us. China Xian Tour offers private transfers and there will be guides leading you to explore the site. Also, we provide customized itineraries so that you can combine whatever attractions you like.
Tips:
- During peak seasons, taxis near the grottoes may be more expensive and rather hard to find. Shuttle buses or guided tours are more reliable and they can save time.
How to Plan a Tour with Yungang Grottoes
Most travelers pair Yungang Grottoes with other nearby historical sites during their Datong tours. Combining Beijing and Datong in one trip is also a good option. You can have a quick look of the following one-day private tour and two-day Beijing-Datong trip for inspiration.
1–Day Datong Itinerary: Yungang Grottoes + Hanging Monastery
If you only have one day for this tour, it’s still possible for you to see the region’s most famous attractions. A typical one-day tour includes:
- Morning: A full visit of Yungang Grottoes.
- Noon: Enjoy a local Chinese-style lunch.
- Afternoon: Visit the Hanging Monastery and return to your hotel.
This itinerary is ideal for travelers who want a focused, immersive experience in just one day. And it’s not necessary to be rushing.
2–Day Beijing to Datong Itinerary
If you want a deeper look into China’s history after your Beijing tour, then Datong should be an ideal place. A two-day tour is the most popular. You can walk with a relaxed pace all day and visit additional historical sites.
Day 1:
- Early morning flight from Beijing to Datong.
- Visit Yungang Grottoes
- After lunch, head to Nine-Dragon Screen.
- Visit Shanhua Monastery, a 1,200-year-old Buddhist temple.
- Overnight in Datong.
Day 2:
- Morning visit to Hanging Monastery
- Afternoon trip to Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. Built in 1056 and recognized as the world’s tallest wooden pagoda by Guinness World Records.
- Fly back to Beijing in the late afternoon.
Visit Datong and Other Shanxi Highlights in One Trip
If you have enough time, try to go deeper into the whole historical and cultural highlights in Shanxi. 4–5 days is often enough to combine Datong and Pingyao.
Sample 4–5 Day Shanxi Itinerary
- Day 1: Datong Arrival
- Have a relaxing stroll in the city before a nice rest.
Day 2: Datong Highlights
- Morning: Visit Yungang Grottoes.Learn about ancient history and religious culture.
- Noon: Enjoy a local Chinese lunch.
- Afternoon: Explore Shanhua Monastery. Then visit the Nine-Dragon Screen.
- Evening: Return to your hotel in Datong.
Day 3: Datong – Pingyao
- Morning: On the way to Pingyao. Stop at the Hanging Templeand have a look.
- Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
- Afternoon: Visit Qiao Family Courtyard.
Day 4: Pingyao Exploration
- Morning: Walk the Pingyao City Wall. Explore the Rishengchang Former Bank.
- Noon: Lunch in the ancient city.
- Afternoon: Stroll along Ming-Qing Street. Visit City God Temple.
- Evening: Overnight in Pingyao.
Day 5: Pingyao – Taiyuan Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Taiyuan airport or train station for onward travel.
Plan Your Datong Tour with China Xian Tour
Datong offers a glimpse of China’s most glamorous history and cultural heritage. Unlike other popular cities, a tour to Datong is always accompanied by a peaceful and soothing atmosphere. If you want to explore more of this city’s beauty, don’t hesitate, contact us right now. China Xian Tour is a professional travel agency with over a decade of experience in this industry. Your private tour guide will tell you all the hidden stories and highlights in not just Yungang Grottoes, but also other historic sites. And we promise, every moment during this unique Datong trip will be rewarding.
