Hui Lin
What's Inside
Let me be honest: as a guide who has dragged dozens of groups up that cliff, I can tell you—the Hanging Temple (Xuankong Si) is as breathtaking as the photos. But getting there without a plan can be a headache. You don't want to waste half your day figuring out bus schedules or showing up to a sold-out ticket window. So here's exactly how to visit Hanging Temple without the stress.
My golden rule: go early, go midweek, and book your ticket online the day before. I'll break down everything below.
Why Visit the Hanging Temple?
Built into a sheer cliff over 1,500 years ago, this monastery is a marvel of ancient engineering. It's the only surviving temple that combines Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism under one roof. And honestly, standing on those narrow walkways 50 meters up is something you'll never forget. But it's not for the faint of heart—some planks are wobbly, and the height gets real.
How to Get to Hanging Temple from Datong
The temple is about 65 km southeast of Datong city center. Your options:
By Public Bus
From Datong Railway Station or the long-distance bus station, take bus route No. 21 to the Hunyuan County bus station, then transfer to a local minibus that goes directly to the temple. The whole trip takes about 1.5–2 hours and costs around 25–30 RMB. Warning: the minibuses only run until 4 PM, so if you miss the last one, you'll need to negotiate a taxi back.
By Taxi or Private Car
This is my preferred method for small groups. A one-way taxi from Datong city center costs about 150–180 RMB (negotiate before getting in). WeChat DiDi is also available—just set destination to "Hanging Temple" and it'll show about 140 RMB. The drive is roughly 1 hour. Pro tip: ask the driver to wait for you (negotiate 200–300 RMB for a round trip including waiting time), because finding a return taxi from the temple can be tricky.
By Tour from Datong or Beijing
Multiple operators offer day trips. Klook and Trip.com have English-friendly options. A typical Datong day tour includes Hanging Temple + Yungang Grottoes and costs around 500–800 RMB per person (lunch included). From Beijing, a 2-day private tour runs about 2000–3000 RMB including bullet train tickets and hotel. It's convenient if you don't want to handle logistics, but you'll have less flexibility on timing.
Best Time to Visit Hanging Temple
Season: April to October is ideal. The temple is open year-round, but winter (November–March) can be brutally cold with some walkways closed if icy. Summer (July–August) is hot and crowded. Sweet spot: late September–early October (autumn foliage, moderate weather).
Time of day: Here's a mistake most tourists make—they arrive at 10 AM, right when all the buses unload. I've seen lines stretch for an hour. Go at 8 AM when it opens, or aim for 2:30–3 PM on weekdays (after the morning rush but before the 4 PM cutoff for entry). The late afternoon light also makes for stunning photos on the cliff face.
Tickets & Booking
| Category | Price (2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 115 RMB (peak season: Mar–Nov) 80 RMB (off-peak: Dec–Feb) |
Includes insurance |
| Child (6–18) | Half price | Valid ID required |
| Senior (60+) | Free (with ID) | But still need a free ticket from the counter |
| Audio guide | 30 RMB (deposit 100 RMB) | English available |
How to book online: You must reserve in advance during peak season (May–October) and holidays. Use the official WeChat mini-program (search "悬空寺") or have your hotel or a local friend help you. Alternatively, use Trip.com or Klook for English booking—they charge a small markup but save you hassle. At the gate, bring your passport or ID.
Important: The ticket is for the temple area only. If you want to climb the actual wooden walkways inside, you need an additional 100 RMB ticket (purchased at the entrance). This is often missed by first-timers—don't skip it or you'll only see the temple from below.
What to Expect at the Temple
The temple consists of multiple halls connected by narrow corridors and steep staircases bolted into the rock. The walkways are about 1 meter wide in places, and some planks creak. You'll climb about 50 meters of vertical elevation. It's not wheelchair accessible. No baby strollers either. Wear sturdy shoes with grip—the stone steps can be slippery.
The site is compact. You can explore everything in about 45 minutes to 1 hour if you're not stopping for photos. But I always tell my groups: take your time at the main hall—the view of the canyon is stunning.
Security note: There are no rails on some older sections, so keep children close. Also, bags larger than a small backpack must be left at the lockers near the entrance (10 RMB deposit).
Insider Tips for a Smooth Visit
- Cash is king: Many small vendors and even the locker deposit only accept cash. Bring small bills (10, 20 RMB).
- Toilet situation: There's one public toilet near the parking lot—it's squat style and not super clean. Go before you leave Datong.
- No food inside: There are a few stalls at the entrance selling snacks and water, but prices are inflated (e.g., 8 RMB for a bottle of water). Pack your own.
- Combined with Yungang Grottoes: Most tourists do both in one day. The grottoes are 30 minutes from Datong city. Start at Hanging Temple (opens earlier), then head to Yungang by noon.
- WeChat Pay & Alipay: The ticket counter and most shops accept these. International credit cards? Only at the entrance ticket office (sometimes), but better not rely on them.
Where to Stay Near Hanging Temple
Most visitors stay in Datong city, about an hour away. Here are my recommendations:
| Hotel Name | Location | Price Range (per night) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Datong Yungang Hotel | Near city center, 5 min walk to ancient city wall | 300–500 RMB | Budget travelers; basic but clean |
| Hanting Hotel (Datong Zhongxin) | Close to railway station | 200–350 RMB | Couples; good Wi-Fi, English-speaking front desk sometimes |
| Datong Guoguo Boutique Hotel | Inside Datong Ancient City | 500–800 RMB | Mid-range; nice atmosphere, helpful staff |
| Jinjiang Inn (Datong Railway Station) | Across from the station | 180–280 RMB | Solo backpackers; reliable chain, luggage storage |
If you want to be closer to the temple, there's a small guesthouse in Hunyuan County called Hunyuan Guesthouse (about 100–150 RMB per night). It's very basic—shared bathroom, no English. But you'll be 5 km from the temple, so you can walk or take a quick taxi in the morning. Only do this if you're on a super tight budget or want to be first in line.
As a photographer, I was worried about how to get good shots without tripods being banned. This guide gave perfect angles and timing recommendations. Followed it and got the best golden-hour shots of the temple. Also appreciated the cultural etiquette notes – kept me from accidentally offending anyone. A must-read before visiting.
I usually ignore travel blogs, but this one is gold. The tip about going early morning to beat tour groups? Absolutely spot on. I had the whole platform to myself for 20 minutes. Also loved the note about the vegetarian noodles near the exit – legit delicious. Best $0 I spent preparing for this trip. Thanks for writing this!
Exactly what I needed! I was totally lost trying to figure out the bus from Datong until I read this. The step-by-step public transport guide saved me hours. Plus the photos of the temple clinging to the cliff – this guide made me feel ready. Highly recommend for anyone who doesn’t speak Chinese. 5 stars!
Pretty decent overview for foreigners. I liked that it explained the history briefly and warned about the dress code for the temple. My only complaint is that it didn't mention that the walkway gets really slippery after rain – I almost ate it on the wooden planks. Otherwise, clear directions and practical. A solid 4/5 if you’re already planning to go.
Read this before my trip to Datong and honestly found it way too basic. It mentions the best times to visit and ticket info, but I was hoping for more off-the-beaten-path tips – like which stairs are the steepest or how to avoid the worst crowds at the cable car. Felt like a generic blog post, not an ‘insider guide’. Got the job done for a first-timer though, so it’s not useless.