Datong Itinerary for First-Timers: Avoid Crowds & Save Money

The first time I brought a group to Datong, one guy looked at me and said, “Is there anything here besides coal?” Four hours later, he was speechless inside the Yungang Grottoes. That’s the thing about Datong – it doesn’t scream for attention. But if you’re a first-timer with a limited schedule, you need a Datong itinerary for first-timers that cuts through the noise.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly what to see, how to avoid the tourist traps, and where to eat so you leave saying “I should have come earlier.” No fluff. Just the stuff I’ve learned from a decade of guiding.

Is Datong Worth Your Time?

Short answer: absolutely. If you’re into ancient Buddhist art, cliffside temples, and seeing a real Chinese industrial city that’s cleaning up its act, Datong is a goldmine. Most travelers link it with a Beijing trip – it’s about 2 hours by high-speed train. But don’t treat it as a day trip. You need at least two days to do it justice.

I’ve seen people rush through Yungang in 45 minutes then complain it was overrated. That’s like reading one page of a novel and saying the plot is weak. So let’s do it properly.

Best Time to Visit Datong

My personal pick: late September. I took a group then and we had the Hanging Temple almost to ourselves at 4pm. The light was golden for photos, and we could hear the wind chimes. Magic.

Getting to Datong

Most people come from Beijing. The high-speed train (G-series) leaves from Beijing North or Qinghe station and takes about 2 hours. Tickets cost around 140-170 RMB for second class. Book at least 3 days in advance on 12306 or Trip.com – weekend slots sell out fast.

If you’re flying, Datong Yungang Airport (DAT) has connections to 20+ Chinese cities. From the airport, a taxi to the city center is about 50 RMB and takes 30 minutes.

Once you’re in Datong, taxis are cheap (starting 8 RMB). Didi (Uber equivalent) works well – just type the destination in Chinese. I always save screenshots of place names because local drivers rarely speak English.

Day 1: Yungang Grottoes + Hanging Temple

This is the heavy hitter day. Start early – I mean 7:30am breakfast, 8:00am out the door.

Yungang Grottoes (8:30am – 12:00pm)

Address: 1 Yungang Street, Datong
Ticket: 120 RMB (adult), students 60 RMB. No discount for seniors over 60? Actually, over 60s get free entry with ID – don’t forget your passport if you’re that age. You can buy tickets at the gate or scan the WeChat mini-program “云冈石窟” (Yungang Grottoes) – but the mini-program is in Chinese only. I recommend buying through Trip.com or Klook in English.

Pro tip: Arrive at 8:30am when they open. The light hits the main caves perfectly and tour groups haven’t flooded in yet. Walk straight to Cave 5-6 first (the best ones), then backtrack to earlier caves. Most tourists start at Cave 1 and waste energy before reaching the highlights.

Getting there: Take bus 603 from Datong Railway Station to Yungang stop (about 1 hour, 3 RMB). Or take a Didi – from city center it’s about 30-40 RMB, 25 minutes. I always tell my groups: “Don’t take the black cars outside the station, they’ll charge you double.”

Must-see caves: Cave 5 (giant Buddha), Cave 6 (pillars with intricate carvings), Cave 9-10 (double caves with musical scenes). Spend at least 20 minutes in Cave 6. The ceiling is covered in celestial musicians – it’ll mess with your head how they carved that 1500 years ago.

Lunch break (12:00pm – 12:45pm): Eat at the Yungang restaurant inside the complex. Decent noodles for 20-30 RMB. The braised pork noodle soup (daoxiaomian) is my go-to. Avoid the instant noodles stalls – overpriced and bland.

Hanging Temple (1:30pm – 3:30pm)

Address: Inside Hunyuan County, about 65 km from Datong city
Ticket: 115 RMB (adult). Combine ticket with Mount Heng? There’s a combo for 135 RMB, but skip the mountain unless you love stair climbing. The Hanging Temple itself is the star.

Getting there: From Yungang, it’s easiest to take a Didi (about 100-120 RMB, 1 hour). No direct bus. Alternatively, take bus from Datong Bus Station to Hunyuan County (10 RMB, 1.5 hours), then local minibus to the temple (5 RMB). But that’s a hassle. I’d split a taxi with other travelers.

Pro tip: The temple is built into a cliff – they only allow 80 people at a time. If you arrive after 2pm, you might wait 30-40 minutes. The architecture is insane: wooden beams wedged into holes drilled into the rock. I’ve taken engineers here and they were baffled it’s still standing.

Photo tip: Best shot is from the opposite ridge, not from the entrance. Walk past the ticket booth and go up the small path to your left. You’ll see a platform – that’s the spot.

Return to city: Didi back to Datong city costs around 120 RMB. Or catch the last bus from Hunyuan back to Datong at 5:30pm.

Day 2: City Walls, Huayan Temple & More

Huayan Temple (9:00am – 11:00am)

Address: 1 Jinhua Street, Datong
Ticket: 65 RMB. Free for kids under 1.2m.

This is one of the best-preserved Liao dynasty temples in China. The main hall (Baoshan Hall) has a stunning ceiling with no central pillar – the architects used a complex bracket system. Don’t miss: the clay sculptures inside, especially the “Smiling Bodhisattva” on the left. She looks like she’s about to wink at you.

Pro tip: The temple is inside the Datong Ancient City area. Combine it with a walk on the city wall after. Entrance to the wall is free (just register your ID). Rent a bike on the wall for 30 RMB per hour – it’s a 7km loop and gives you a great view of the city.

Shanhua Temple (11:15am – 12:00pm)

Just 10 minutes walk from Huayan. Lesser known but equally impressive. Ticket: 50 RMB. The highlight is the Hall of the Three Saints with the Ming dynasty murals. Few tourists come here, so you can sit in silence and absorb the vibe.

Lunch break (12:00pm – 1:00pm): Head to the Ancient City Street near Huayan Temple. My favorite spot is “Datong Old Street Flavor” – try the spicy beef noodles for 15 RMB. It’s a hole-in-wall but the broth is legendary.

Datong Museum (2:00pm – 4:00pm)

Address: 2 Taihe Road, Datong
Ticket: Free! But you must reserve an hour slot on their WeChat official account. English app? Not really, but you can ask your hotel to help. Alternatively, bring your passport and try at the counter – sometimes they let you in if there’s space.

The museum is world-class. It traces Datong’s history from the Northern Wei dynasty to the Ming. The highlight is the exhibition on the Buddhist art influence from the Silk Road. I always tell my groups: “This museum will make you understand why Yungang exists.”

Alternative plan: If you’re not into museums, instead go to the Nine Dragon Wall (九龙壁) – free, just outside the ancient city. It’s a 45m-long glazed tile wall from the Ming dynasty. Best viewed in late afternoon light.

Where to Eat in Datong

Pro tip: Fenglin Ge is famous but often crowded. Go at 11:30am to avoid lunch rush. They have an English menu with pictures – point and hope for the best. The three-skin pork is fatty but crispy, not for the faint-hearted.

Where to Stay

• Budget: Datong Backpackers Hostel – dorm bed from 60 RMB, private room 150 RMB. Close to railway station. Clean but basic.
• Mid-range: Garden Hotel Datong – twin room from 350 RMB. Good location near the ancient city. Has a hot pot restaurant in the lobby.
• Top-end: Pulper Hotel – from 600 RMB. Foreigner friendly, English speaking staff, excellent buffet breakfast.

I always recommend mid-range for first-timers. The Garden Hotel is a 10-minute walk from Huayan Temple, and the staff can help arrange taxis to Yungang.

Frequently Asked Questions