Datong 3-Day Itinerary: Budget Tips & Hidden Gems

Jack Zhou 01 Jun 2026 1 reads 9 min read

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updated: 02 Jun 2026 reviewer: Sheng Lu 2026-06-02

What's Inside This Guide

Day 1: Yungang Grottoes & Ancient City Wall
Day 2: Hanging Temple & Datong Museum
Day 3: Inner Mongolia Grassland (or Alternative)
Where to Eat in Datong
FAQ: Datong 3-Day Itinerary

I've been guiding travelers around Datong for over a decade, and let me tell you – most three-day itineraries you find online are either rushed or miss the best bits. The Yungang Grottoes alone could take a full day if you're into Buddhist art, but with smart planning you can also squeeze in the Hanging Temple, a taste of Inner Mongolia, and some of the best lamb noodles in northern China. This isn't a theoretical plan – I've walked every step with dozens of groups, and I'll share the exact hacks that save you time and money. Yungang Grottoes tickets

Day 1: Yungang Grottoes & Ancient City Wall

Morning: Yungang Grottoes

Get an early start. The grottoes open at 8:30 AM (April to October; 9:00 AM in winter). I always tell my groups to arrive before 9 AM to beat the tour bus crowds. Take a taxi from Datong city center – it's about 30 minutes and costs around 40-50 RMB (roughly $6-7). Alternatively, bus routes 3 and 12 stop near the entrance.

Ticket prices: 120 RMB adults, 60 RMB students, free for children under 1.2m. You can book via the official WeChat mini-program "云冈石窟" – search the pinyin "Yungang Shiku" and you'll find it. Foreigners can also buy at the gate with cash or Alipay (international cards sometimes work, but not reliably).

Inside, focus on caves 5-20 – those are the largest and best preserved. Cave 6 has a stunning central pillar carved with Buddhas. I recommend hiring an audio guide (30 RMB) or one of the official English-speaking guides (200 RMB for a 2-hour tour). My personal tip: skip the museum at the entrance until the end – it's well done but can eat into your morning. Hanging Temple opening hours

Lunch: Local Noodles near the Grottos

There's a row of small restaurants just outside the parking lot. I'm a fan of Datong Knife-Cut Noodles at a place called Lao Ma Jia – you'll see the red sign. A bowl with pork is about 15-20 RMB. They don't have English menus, so just point at what others are eating.

Afternoon: Datong Ancient City Wall

Take a taxi back to the city center (about 40 RMB) and head to the South Gate of the Ming Dynasty wall. You can rent a bike (30 RMB/hour) and cycle the entire 7.2 km perimeter. The wall is beautifully lit after sunset, but I prefer the late afternoon light for photos – around 4 PM. Insider tip: the section from South Gate to East Gate has fewer tourists and offers great views of the old city. Entrance to the wall is free; bike rental is available from 8 AM to 8 PM.

Dinner: Datong's Speciality – Hunyuan Liang Fen

Head to Fenglin Ge on Gulou Street. This century-old restaurant serves Hunyuan cold jelly and Shuai Guo Dan – a silky egg custard. Average spend per person: 60-80 RMB. Expect a queue after 7 PM; I usually go around 5:30 PM to grab a seat.

Day 2: Hanging Temple & Datong Museum

Morning: Hanging Temple (Xuankong Si)

This temple clinging to a cliff is about 80 km from Datong. The best way is to take a direct bus from the Datong Long-Distance Bus Station (near the train station) – departures at 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM, ticket 38 RMB one way. The ride takes about 1.5 hours. Alternatively, join a group tour (around 200 RMB per person inclusive), but I find the bus gives you more flexibility.

Ticket prices: Entrance to the scenic area is 25 RMB (all year). To actually climb the temple on the cliff, you need a separate ticket: 100 RMB (peak season April-Oct), 75 RMB (off-season). Important: the temple is closed for renovation? No, but the upper walkways can be narrow – not recommended for those with severe acrophobia. I suggest going early (first bus) to avoid the midday crowds that arrive from tour groups.

Lunch: Hunyuan County

After visiting the temple, take a short taxi (15-20 RMB) into Hunyuan town. I like Lao Ding Xiang on West Street for their Hunyuan stew – a lamb and potato dish with flatbread. About 30 RMB per person.

Afternoon: Datong Museum

Catch the 1:30 PM bus back from Hunyuan to Datong (same drop-off). Then take bus 38 or a 15-minute taxi to Datong Museum (free entry, closed on Mondays). The museum is modern and has excellent English labels. Don't miss the Northern Wei Dynasty hall – the terracotta warriors of Datong, if you will. Allow 2 hours.

Evening: Huayan Temple

If you still have energy, walk to Huayan Temple in the old city (closes at 5:30 PM, last entry 5 PM). The main hall features a stunning wooden pagoda. Entrance is 50 RMB. I often recommend skipping the modern commercial street (Datong Ancient Street) unless you want souvenirs – prices are inflated.

Day 3: Inner Mongolia Grassland (or Alternative)

This day is a bit more adventurous. Datong is only 2 hours from the Inner Mongolia border, and you can reach Huitengxile Grassland in about 2.5 hours by bus. But be honest: the grassland is not as lush as Hulunbuir, and most of the yurt stays are commercialized. If you're short on time, I'd swap this for Yingxian Wooden Pagoda – the world's tallest ancient wooden pagoda.

Alternative: Yingxian Wooden Pagoda – about 70 km from Datong. Take a bus from Datong Bus Station to Yingxian (1.5 hours, 25 RMB). Entrance: 60 RMB. The pagoda has leaned slightly over centuries – you can't go above the first floor now, but the architecture is breathtaking. Combine with Jingtu Temple nearby (free) for a half-day trip. Then return to Datong for a late lunch.

If you choose the grassland: Book a day trip from Datong with a local agency (I've used Datong Youth Travel Service – ask at your hotel). Expect to pay 300-400 RMB including transport, lunch, and a short horse ride. The grassland is best from June to August; other months it's brown and windy. Datong Itinerary 3 days

Where to Eat in Datong

Restaurant	Specialty	Price per person	Location
Fenglin Ge	Hunyuan Liang Fen, Shuai Guo Dan	60-80 RMB	Gulou Street
Lao Ma Jia Noodles	Knife-cut noodles with pork	15-20 RMB	Outside Yungang Grottoes
Shunyi Roast Duck	Datong-style roast duck – less oily than Beijing version	45-60 RMB	West Street near city wall
Heji Mutton Soup	Rich lamb soup with flatbread	25-35 RMB	Near Huayan Temple

FAQ: Datong 3-Day Itinerary

I only have two days in Datong – which attraction should I skip?

Cut the grassland day. Focus on Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple. You can do both in two days if you start early. I'd skip the museum unless you're a history buff – the grottoes and temple give you enough cultural immersion.

Is the Hanging Temple safe? I've heard it's closed sometimes.

The temple underwent reinforcement in 2022 but reopened fully in 2023. As of 2025, it's open daily (8:00 AM-5:00 PM). The walkways are narrow and steep – not for anyone with mobility issues. I always tell guests to leave backpacks in the lockers downstairs (free) to avoid bumping into the wooden pillars.

Do I need to book Yungang Grottoes tickets in advance?

For peak season (May-Oct, Chinese holidays), definitely book via WeChat mini-program at least two days ahead. Off-season you can walk up. The mini-program is only in Chinese, but any hotel staff can help you scan and register. Remember to bring your passport for entry.

What's the best time of year for this Datong 3-day itinerary?

Late September to early October – crisp air, golden leaves, and fewer tourists than July/August. Summer is hot (35°C) and winter can drop to -20°C with snow, which makes the Hanging Temple slippery. I've guided groups in January and the grottoes are nearly empty, but dress in layers.

Can I use Uber in Datong? How about subway?

Uber doesn't operate in China – you'll need Didi (similar app, but Chinese interface). Download it before you come and set up Alipay for payment. Taxis are cheap and plentiful. Datong has no subway – buses and taxis are your main options. For a 3-day itinerary, I recommend renting a private car for day 2 (around 400 RMB) if you're a group of three or more.

How much cash should I carry for this trip?

Most places accept Alipay or WeChat Pay, but small noodle shops and bus tickets are cash-only. I carry about 300 RMB in small bills (20s and 10s). Some temples still have paper tickets that require cash. Never rely entirely on your foreign credit card – it's hit or miss.

Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team. Prices and hours are based on current official sources. Always confirm via the official WeChat mini-programs before visiting.

Jack Zhou

A published author and certified wilderness guide who explores the profound Buddhist art and dramatic high-altitude deserts of the Qinghai-Tibet borderlands.