Hui Lin
You step off the train in Datong. Hot, dusty, and a little lost. A taxi driver waves: "150 kuai, very fast!" But you've been here before — or at least you read my blogs. Bus route 3 costs 2 yuan. That's 75 times cheaper. And surprisingly, often faster during afternoon traffic.
Let me save you the headache. I've guided dozens of groups to Yungang Grottoes, and the bus is hands down the best value. Here's the exact schedule, where to catch it, and the little gotchas that most online guides skip.
What You'll Learn (Jump to Any Section)
Where to Catch the Yungang Grottoes Bus
The main bus to Yungang Grottoes is Bus 3 (also marked as 3 or K3). It runs from Datong Railway Station directly to the grottoes. The terminal stop at the grottoes is literally at the entrance gate — you can't miss it.
But here's the catch: the bus stop at Datong Railway Station is not obvious. Many taxi drivers will pretend it doesn't exist. Walk out of the station's main exit, turn left, and walk about 200 meters towards the bus terminal (you'll see a row of buses). The Bus 3 stop is on the east side of the square, near the public toilets. Yes, the toilets — use them now because the ones at the grottoes get crowded fast.
Bus Schedule & Frequency
The schedule below is what I've confirmed in April 2025. Double-check on the day via the Datong Bus WeChat mini-program (scan the QR code at the stop), but generally it's consistent.
| Direction | First Bus | Last Bus | Frequency | Travel Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Railway Station → Yungang Grottoes | 06:30 | 18:00 | Every 15-20 min | About 40 min (no traffic) | 2 CNY |
| Yungang Grottoes → Railway Station | 07:00 | 18:30 | Every 15-20 min | About 40 min | 2 CNY |
Small detail: the last bus from the grottoes at 18:30 is the official time, but drivers sometimes leave early if nobody is waiting. I've been burned by this. Aim to be at the stop by 18:00 to be safe. If you miss it, you'll have to negotiate with a taxi — expect 80-100 yuan back to town.
Fare, Payment & Real Costs
How to Pay
Cash used to be king, but Datong buses now accept Alipay and WeChat Pay. No international credit cards. So if you haven't set up a Chinese mobile payment, you need to get help from your hotel or a local friend. Cash works too — but only exact change. The conductor (sometimes the driver) won't give change for 100 yuan bills. I always carry a stack of 1-yuan and 5-yuan notes for this reason.
Is It Really 2 Yuan?
Yes. 2 yuan (about $0.30). A taxi from the station to the grottoes costs 80-150 yuan depending on your negotiation skills. The bus is not just cheaper — it's also predictable. Taxis sometimes take a longer route to drive up the meter.
Hidden Costs
None. But bring water and a hat. The bus is not air-conditioned on older models. Newer ones have A/C but only run it when the driver feels like it. Not a deal-breaker in spring/fall, but in July — oof.
Step-by-Step: From Datong Railway Station
Let me walk you through this like I'm standing next to you.
- Exit Datong Railway Station. Face the main square. Ignore the taxi touts. Walk left (east) along the building edge.
- Walk 200 meters. You'll pass a KFC on your right. Keep going until you see a bus terminal with several buses parked. The stop for Bus 3 has a sign in Chinese. Look for the number "3" in a red circle.
- Board the bus. It's usually a single-decker green or white bus. Board from the front door. If there's a conductor, show them 2 yuan or scan the QR code (Alipay/WeChat). No conductor? Drop your coins into the fare box.
- Sit anywhere. The bus makes about 10 stops. It takes 40ish minutes. The final stop is Yungang Grottoes. Everyone gets off there — you can't miss the giant Buddha statues in the distance.
One more thing: don't follow Google Maps' suggested bus 1 plus transfer. I tried it once, it took twice as long. Bus 3 is direct. Trust me.
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Practical FAQ (From a Guide's Notebook)
Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team. Prices and schedules reflect current data; always confirm locally.
Took the whole family (two kids, ages 6 and 9) on the bus — saved a fortune compared to the taxi quote of 120 yuan. The ride was smooth and the bus driver was friendly enough to let the kids sit near the front to see the view. Only complaint: there's no shelter at the bus stop near the grottoes, so bring an umbrella if it's sunny. But for the price? Absolutely worth it!
Honestly, the bus experience ruined the start of my day. The article says the bus stop is 'easy to find' but I walked around the square for 15 minutes asking people. When I finally found it, the 9:10 bus never showed up. Ended up sharing a taxi with two strangers just to get there on time. The caves were amazing, but the bus info needs updating — maybe add a map?
Perfect! I'm a solo traveler and always worried about getting scammed by drivers. This bus guide made my Yungang trip stress-free. I followed the timings exactly — left my hostel at 7:50, caught the 8:00 bus, and was at the grottoes by 8:30. The return bus was right there at the exit. No negotiation, no overpaying. 5 stars for clarity and money saving.
Loved the caves, but the bus part was a bit frustrating. The schedule says buses run every 15 minutes, but I waited almost 35 minutes for the 4:30 bus back to town. Maybe it was the holiday traffic. Still, it's way cheaper than the 100 yuan taxis they try to push on you. Just bring patience and a hat if it's hot.
This bus schedule saved me so much money! I was about to haggle with a taxi driver who wanted 80 yuan for a ride from Datong to Yungang, but then I saw the bus stop right outside the hotel. The bus cost only 3 yuan and came every 20 minutes. The schedule in this article was spot on — I caught the 8:15 bus and arrived before the crowds. Highly recommend for any budget traveler!