Lei Li
What You'll Find Here
I’ve been guiding in Datong for years, and I still remember my first trip to the ancient city. 10 AM, south gate. The line? It snaked around twice. My group was melting. Here's the thing – most travel blogs copy the same generic advice. This guide is different. It’s built from hundreds of groups I’ve walked through these gates, and the mistakes I’ve watched tourists make. You’ll get the real inside track: where to save time, which tickets are a scam, and the one noodle shop I always drag my guests to.
Best Time to Visit the Ancient City
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are ideal. Summers are scorching – we hit 35°C in July, and the sun bakes the open squares. Winter? Freezing and windy, but if you bundle up, you’ll have the place almost to yourself. I always tell my guests: if you want empty streets and great photos, come on a weekday in November. Just bring thermal underwear.
How to Get Tickets (Without the Headache)
Pro tip from a guide: Don’t buy tickets at the south gate main booth – the queue there is always longest. Walk 200 meters east to the small ticket kiosk near the east gate. Fewer people, same price.
| Ticket Type | Price (CNY) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (full city wall + inner sights) | 60 | Includes access to the wall and most temples |
| Child (6–18 years) | 30 | Show passport or copy |
| Senior (60+) | Free (with ID) | Foreign passports accepted |
| Self-guided audio guide | 30 | English available, but the voice is robotic |
Do you need to book in advance? Not usually, unless you’re visiting during Chinese National Holiday (first week of October). Then you MUST book via the official WeChat mini-program – which is entirely in Chinese. Here’s my hack: ask your hotel front desk to reserve for you. They do it all the time.
Payment Methods
The ticket booth accepts WeChat Pay, Alipay, and cash. International credit cards? Sometimes they work, sometimes not. I’ve seen tourists stuck. Bring cash as a backup.
Getting to Datong Ancient City
From Datong Railway Station: Take bus 15 or 35 to “Gucheng” stop – 30 minutes. A taxi costs about 20–25 CNY. Tell the driver “古城南门” (south gate).
From Datong Airport: No direct bus. Take a taxi – 40 minutes, roughly 70–90 CNY.
From Yungang Grottoes: Many tourists combine both. Bus 3 from the grottoes goes to the south gate area, about 1 hour. Taxi about 50 CNY.
One thing many guides miss: The taxi drop-off point at the south gate is 300 meters from the actual entrance. The last 100 meters is a cobblestone path – not fun with suitcases. If you have heavy luggage, ask the driver to go to the west gate entrance instead; the road is smoother.
Must-See Sights Inside the City Wall
Shanhua Temple
A Tang dynasty gem. The entrance fee is included in the 60-CNY ticket. Don’t miss the giant wooden Buddha. I love this temple because it’s quiet – most tourists rush to Huayan Temple, but Shanhua has more charm.
Address: South Street, inside the south gate.
Best time: 4 pm – the light hits the statues perfectly.
Huayan Temple
The biggest and busiest. Expect crowds. The highlight is the Liao dynasty hall with a huge Bodhisattva. Admission is separate – 70 CNY (not included in basic ticket).
Watch out for: The queue to climb the wooden pagoda. It’s narrow and slow. Skip it if you’re short on time.
City Wall Walk
Rent a bike (20 CNY/hour) on top of the wall. The full loop is 7 km. I always tell my group: “Ride east, then north – the west side gets hit by the afternoon sun.”
Minor temples
There’s a Confucian Temple and a Guandi Temple inside the walls. Free entry. Not spectacular, but nice for a quiet stroll.
Where to Eat: Local Favorites
| Restaurant | Specialty | Address | Price per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cai Ji Noodle | Knife-cut noodles in lamb broth – slightly gamey, rich | West Street, next to the post office | 25–35 CNY |
| Old Ma’s Fried Pork | Pork with wood ear mushrooms – sweet and sour local style | South Street, near Shanhua Temple | 40–60 CNY |
| Gucheng Roast Duck | Not Peking style – thinner, crispier skin | East Gate Road, 100m from ticket kiosk | 80–120 CNY |
My personal favorite: Cai Ji Noodle. I’ve been eating there for 10 years. The owner remembers my order. Get the “two-part cut” (二细) noodles with extra chili. Cash only – and no English menu, so just point at what others are eating.
Where to Stay Near the Ancient City
| Hotel | Price range (CNY/night) | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Datong Ancient City Inn | 150–250 (off-peak), 300–450 (peak) | Inside the wall, beautiful courtyard, free bike rental, English-speaking staff | No elevator, thin walls |
| Shanxi Grand Hotel | 400–600 | Modern rooms, reliable wifi, breakfast buffet with western options | Outside the wall, 15 min walk to south gate |
| Pingcheng Hostel | 60–100 per bed | Clean dorms, rooftop terrace, good for solo travelers | Shared bathrooms, noisy at night |
For most tourists, I recommend the Ancient City Inn. The location is unbeatable. But be warned: the receptionist’s English is basic. Have your booking confirmation printed out.
One Day in Datong Ancient City – My Suggested Route
08:00 – Start at the south gate. Buy your ticket at the east kiosk (remember my trick). Walk up to the wall for sunrise photos.
09:00 – Shanhua Temple. Enjoy the silence before the crowds arrive.
10:30 – Walk north to Huayan Temple. Pay the extra entrance. Spend 1.5 hours inside.
12:30 – Lunch at Old Ma’s Fried Pork. Try the pork with wood ear – it’s addictive.
14:00 – Rent a bike on the east wall and ride north. Take your time. Stop at the watchtower for panoramic views.
16:00 – Explore the minor temples on west side. Not many people go there – it’s my hidden retreat.
17:30 – Dinner at Cai Ji Noodle. Order a big bowl, you’ll need energy.
19:00 – Evening stroll on the wall (the gates are open until 21:00). The lit towers are gorgeous.
Rainy day plan: Skip the wall bike ride and spend more time at Huayan Temple – its indoor halls are massive. Or visit the Datong Museum (free, inside the city wall).
FAQs from Travelers Like You
This content has been fact-checked to ensure informational precision. Based on field experience guiding groups in Datong.
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