Hui Lin
I almost skipped it. First trip to Datong, 2016—jet-lagged, overwhelmed by guidebooks. But a local friend dragged me there. 'Trust me, it's not just a wall.' She was right. The Nine-Dragon Screen is Datong's soul. But visiting it? That can be a headache—wrong queue, wrong time, wrong expectations. Let me fix that.
Here is the catch: most online guides tell you to go at noon. Don't. The sun blasts the glazed tiles flat. You won't see the dragons 'breathe'. I always tell my clients: 4 PM, or early morning right after opening. The light hits the screen at an angle—the colors pop, literally. And those crowds? Thinner than you think if you time it right.
What You'll Learn Here
Location & Hours: Where and When to Go
The Nine-Dragon Screen sits on Da Dong Jie in the ancient city center, right opposite the former Prince Palace (now a museum). You can't miss it—it's the long, colorful wall spanning 45 meters.
Address: No. 7, Da Dong Jie, Pingcheng District, Datong, Shanxi. Punch that into Didi or a taxi—most drivers know it as 九龙壁 (Jiǔ Lóng Bì).
Hours:
- Summer (Apr–Oct): 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last entry 5:30 PM)
- Winter (Nov–Mar): 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM)
- Closed on Monday mornings for maintenance (only the first Monday of each month, but double-check)
Tickets & Booking: How to Avoid the Ticket Line
Pricing (2024 rates, unchanged for a while):
| Category | Price (CNY) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 10 | Cheapest ticket in Datong, honestly |
| Child (6–18) | 5 | Valid ID or passport required |
| Senior (60+) | Free | With valid ID |
| Child under 6 | Free | Accompanied by adult |
Booking needed? Yes—since 2023, they require online reservation via the official WeChat mini-program (search '大同九龙壁'). It's in Chinese only. I always tell my guests: ask your hotel receptionist or a local friend to book for you. Walk-ups might be accepted if capacity allows, but don't risk it—especially during Chinese holidays. You can also book via trip platforms like Trip.com (search 'Datong Nine-Dragon Screen ticket').
Now, let me save you some money: the ticket is only 10 yuan, but some touts outside try to sell you 'fast entry' for 50. Ignore them. There's no fast lane—the line moves fast anyway.
Getting There: Best Transport for Foreigners
From Datong city center, you have three main options:
| Method | Duration | Cost (CNY) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi / Didi | 10–15 min | 10–15 | Convenience, especially if coming from Datong Railway Station (old station) |
| Bus #4, #15, #30 | 25–35 min | 2 | Budget travelers; get off at '九龙壁' stop. Walk 3 min north. |
| Walking from Huayan Monastery | 15 min | 0 | Combine with nearby attractions; exit monastery east gate, follow the red wall. |
Note for Didi users: Set the drop-off point to '九龙壁景区' (Jiǔ Lóng Bì Jǐngqū). The car will stop on Da Dong Jie—cross the street and you'll see the screen.
I always recommend walking if you're already in the old town area. The streets are narrow, cars get stuck, and you'll miss the local vibe.
What to See: Beyond the Screen
The screen itself is a Ming Dynasty masterpiece—nine coiled dragons made of glazed tiles. But most visitors spend only 10 minutes looking at it. Don't be that person. Here's what to notice:
- The central dragon – the largest; it's yellow and represents the emperor.
- The base – look for the patterned 'clouds' and 'waves' at the bottom; each dragon emerges from the sea.
- The back – the reverse side has a different design: flowers and rocks. Go around the back (free, no extra ticket).
- The small exhibition hall – inside the courtyard (included in ticket). It has a model of the original Prince Palace and some tile fragments.
Honestly, the screen is smaller than you might imagine from photos. But the craftsmanship is insane. Spend 20–30 minutes here, max.
Photo Tips: Capture the Dragons Right
Most tourists take a flat, front-on shot. Boring. Try these:
- Shoot from the side – stand at a 45-degree angle to catch the 3D effect of the glazed tiles.
- Go low – crouch down to include the stone base and the sky; it makes the screen look grander.
- Golden hour – 4:30–5:30 PM in summer; the warm light makes the dragons glow. In winter, 3:30–4:30 PM.
- No flash – the glaze reflects flash horribly. Use a higher ISO instead.
I once saw a tourist using a selfie stick right in front of the screen, blocking everyone. Please don't. There's a designated 'photo spot' marked on the ground—use it.
Combine with: Make a Day of Datong
The Nine-Dragon Screen is small. Don't make a special trip just for it. Combine with these nearby spots in a logical order:
| Attraction | Distance from Screen | Time needed | Must-see? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huayan Monastery | 8 min walk | 1.5–2 hr | Yes—largest wooden Liao dynasty structure |
| Shanhua Monastery | 15 min walk | 1 hr | Yes—free; beautiful Tang-style hall |
| Datong Ancient City Wall | 10 min walk | 30 min (cycle or walk a section) | Optional—great for sunset views |
| Yungang Grottoes | 30 min drive | 3–4 hr | Yes—the main reason to come to Datong |
Suggest a morning visit to Yungang Grottoes, lunch in town, afternoon for Huayan Monastery + Nine-Dragon Screen, evening walk on the city wall. That's a packed but doable day.
FAQ: Your Quick Answers
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I almost skipped this because of reviews about overcrowding, but so glad I didn't. Used the 'go late afternoon' tip and arrived around 5 PM – only a handful of people there. The golden hour lighting made the dragons look like they were breathing fire. It's a small site, but the artistry is world-class. Perfect 10-minute stop that feels like a hidden gem. Highly recommend!
This review is specifically for the 'skip the crowds' hack – it works! We showed up at 8:25 AM (just before the 8:30 opening) and were the second group in. Had the entire screen to ourselves for almost 10 minutes. The relief sculptures are incredibly detailed, and the morning light makes the colors pop. If you're short on time like we were, this is a must-do. 5/5 for efficiency and beauty.
Hands down the best strategy for visiting! Followed the tip to come early and it paid off big time. The nine dragons are even more vibrant in person than any photo can capture. We spent a good 20 minutes just staring at the different colors and textures. No rush, no pushing – just pure admiration. Absolutely loved it and would recommend to anyone visiting Datong.
Beautiful piece of history, and the skip-the-line advice in the article actually helped. We went around 4 PM on a Tuesday and had the screen almost to ourselves for 15 minutes. The glazed tiles are stunning up close. Only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because the short info plaques are faded and hard to read – wish they'd update them. Still well worth a stop if you time it right.
We arrived just after opening and still found the place packed. The screen itself is impressive, but you're constantly jostled by tour groups. Spent more time waiting for a clear photo than actually appreciating the details. If you want to save time, go on a weekday or right before closing. Not a bad spot, but the crowds really killed the vibe for me.