Qiang Huang
Quick Jump – What's Inside
- Why Datong Deserves a Full 5 Days
- Day 1: Yungang Grottoes & Ancient City Wall
- Day 2: Hanging Temple & Wooden Pagoda
- Day 3: Huayan Temple & Nine-Dragon Wall
- Day 4: Great Wall Hike & Local Villages
- Day 5: Food Crawl & Relaxation
- Where to Stay in Datong
- Transport Tips for Your 5 Days in Datong
- Frequently Asked Questions
I've been leading small groups through Datong for the past eight years, and every time I see travelers squeeze this incredible city into two rushed days, I cringe. Five days is the sweet spot – enough to soak in the big hitters without sprinting, plus uncover a few hidden alleys most English guides skip. Let me walk you through my tried-and-tested 5-day plan, built from hundreds of real trips.
Why Datong Deserves a Full 5 Days
Datong is often treated as a quick stop between Beijing and Xi'an, but honestly? That's a waste. With the Yungang Grottoes (UNESCO World Heritage), the gravity-defying Hanging Temple, and one of China's best-preserved Ming dynasty city walls, you've got at least four solid days of sightseeing. Add in the food scene – hand-pulled noodles, lamb hotpot, and local pastries – and you'll thank yourself for not rushing.
Day 1: Yungang Grottoes & Ancient City Wall
Morning – Yungang Grottoes
Start early. I mean 8 AM early. The grottoes open at 8:30 (check their official mini-program on WeChat for exact times – they tweak it seasonally). Ticket price is around ¥120 for adults, free for kids under 1.2m or seniors over 60 with ID. Pro tip: buy online via WeChat or Trip.com to skip the line. The site is about 16 km west of downtown – take a DiDi for about ¥30-40 (15-20 minutes). If you're on a budget, bus 3 from the train station gets you there in 40 minutes (¥2).
Once inside, head straight to Caves 5-13 – those are the most spectacular with giant Buddha statues. By 11 AM the tour groups flood in, so go early. I always tell my groups: “Spend at least 2.5 hours here. The later caves are more eroded but have fascinating folk carvings.” Bring water – the few stalls near the entrance charge double.
Afternoon – Datong Ancient City Wall
Grab lunch near the south gate of the grottoes (try a bowl of dao xiao mian – knife-cut noodles – at a local joint for ¥10-15). Then DiDi back to the city. The ancient city wall is free to walk on (bring your passport for registration). Rent a bike (¥30 for an hour) and cycle the full 7.2 km loop. Late afternoon light makes for killer photos – avoid noon when the sun is harsh. There's a small tower café near the east gate if you need a break.
Day 2: Hanging Temple & Wooden Pagoda
Morning – Hanging Temple
This is the day you'll need a private driver or a tour minibus – the temple is 65 km south. A DiDi one-way costs about ¥150-180. Alternatively, join a local day tour from Datong (around ¥200 per person including entrance). The temple opens at 8:30. Tickets: ¥115 for the temple itself, plus ¥15 for the chance to climb inside (limited to 80 people at a time – I once waited 45 minutes). Best time to climb: right after opening or after 3 PM. The structure is incredibly narrow – not great for anyone with severe vertigo or claustrophobia. I usually skip the climb and just admire from the opposite cliff; you get a better photo angle anyway.
Afternoon – Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
About 40 minutes further south. The pagoda is the tallest wooden structure in the world (67 meters, built in 1056). You can only enter the first floor now (safety reasons), but that first floor houses a giant Buddha statue and stunning mural fragments. Ticket: ¥60. Combine with the Hanging Temple in one day – start early to avoid rushing. For dinner back in Datong, head to Gua Guo Xiang for lamb skewers and you mian kao laolao (a local oat noodle dish). Expect to pay ¥40-60 per person.
Day 3: Huayan Temple & Nine-Dragon Wall
Morning – Shanhua Temple & Huayan Temple
Both temples are inside the old city walls, within walking distance of each other. Shanhua is free and often overlooked – it has a Liao dynasty hall with original wooden statues. Huayan Temple costs ¥50 and is larger. The real gem here is the Bohai Hall with its five immense Ming dynasty Buddha statues. Allow 1.5 hours for each temple.
Afternoon – Nine-Dragon Wall & Datong Museum
The Nine-Dragon Wall is a 45-meter-long glazed tile screen from the Ming dynasty. It's free and takes 20 minutes. Right next to it is the Datong Museum (free with ID, closed Mondays). The museum has excellent exhibits on the Northern Wei dynasty – the Xianbei people who built the Yungang Grottoes. Don't miss the glass floor revealing an ancient tomb.
By now you've earned a treat. Walk to Shuixiang Restaurant near the drum tower for their signature kuo huo (pot stew) with mutton – about ¥60 per person. Make a reservation or go before 6 PM; the wait can be 40 minutes.
Day 4: Great Wall Hike & Local Villages
Full Day – Ming Great Wall at Deshengbao
About 40 km north of Datong lies a well-preserved section of the Ming Great Wall that few international tourists visit. You'll need a hired car (around ¥400-500 for the day including driver). The wall here is raw – no ticket booths, no souvenir shops. I recommend the stretch near Deshengbao village. Hike along the crumbling ramparts for 2-3 hours, then visit the village itself – an ancient military garrison with a restored gate tower. The locals grow potatoes and sunflowers; in summer the fields are gorgeous.
Pack a picnic lunch (shops are scarce) and plenty of water. For dinner, head back to Datong and try Feng Lin Ge Roast Duck – a Datong specialty that's actually older than Beijing's version. The crispy skin with sugar and garlic is divine. Budget about ¥80 per person.
Day 5: Food Crawl & Relaxation
Morning – Datong Food Market & Huayuan Street
Take it easy. Start at the Datong Food Market near the south gate – it's a covered market open from 9 AM. Sample hun dun (wonton soup), you tiao (fried dough sticks), and dou zhi (fermented bean drink – an acquired taste). Then wander Huayuan Street for antique shops and calligraphy stalls. Pick up a small bronze mirror as a souvenir (¥20-50).
Afternoon – Massage or Hot Springs
Datong has several decent foot massage places. My favorite is Kang Le Foot Massage on Yingbin Street – 60 minutes for ¥80. If you want to go all out, the Datong Hua'an Hot Spring a bit outside (take DiDi, ¥30) offers outdoor pools. Perfect after four days of walking.
Where to Stay in Datong
| Hotel Name | Location | Price Range (¥) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden Hotel Datong | Near city wall east gate | 350-500 | Comfort + English help |
| Yungang International Hotel | Downtown, near Huayan Temple | 200-350 | Budget-friendly with good breakfast |
| Datong Marriott | South new district | 500-800 | Luxury and reliable Wi-Fi |
| Hanting Express | Near train station | 120-180 | Solo backpackers |
Most hotels can help you arrange a driver for day trips. Ask at the front desk – they usually charge less than DiDi for long distances.
Transport Tips for Your 5 Days in Datong
- Getting there: High-speed trains from Beijing (2 hours, ¥150) or Xi'an (4 hours, ¥280). The train station is about 20 minutes from the old city by taxi.
- Getting around: DiDi is cheap and easy (most rides within the city are ¥10-25). Buses are only ¥1-2 but routes can be confusing. Rent a bicycle for the city wall days.
- Pro tip: Download WeChat and link your credit card (or use Alipay). Many small shops and street vendors only accept WeChat Pay. Some taxi drivers don't take cash, and no, they won't take your credit card.
No comments yet.