Hui Lin
Quick Read: Your Free Datong Game Plan
You walked out of Datong railway station with a rumbling stomach and a cautious wallet. I get it. Many first-timers follow outdated guides and end up paying entrance fees for every temple. But here is a truth I use in every private tour: the heart of Datong is free. You just need to know where to step.
Over the years, I have organised countless China tours for foreign guests. The first question I always hear is: 'aren't Datong's best spots only the Yungang Grottoes?' So I decided to map out a full day of free things to do in Datong. And yes, it is absolutely possible to spend eight hours exploring without pulling out your Alipay once.
Here is your biggest money-saving secret: the ancient city wall, a thousand-year-old temple, and a surprisingly rich provincial museum all charge zero yuan. Even better, most of them are within walking distance. I will show you the exact walking route, the only booking app you need, and which tourist traps to skip. Grab your passport — this is what a local guide actually does.
What Are the Best Free Things to Do in Datong?
Below is my honest list of the top 7 free activities. I have tested every one of these with my own guests, often multiple times each season. The table gives you the essentials; the detailed sections afterwards include the little details that turn a good visit into a great one.
| Attraction | Address (Show Taxi Driver) | Hours | Admission | Booking Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient City Wall | 大同古城墙 (Dàtóng Gǔchéngqiáng) | Sunrise - 21:00 | Free | No |
| Shanhua Temple | 善化寺 (Shànhùa Sì) | 08:30 - 17:30 | Free | No |
| Datong Museum | 大同博物馆 (Dàtóng Bówùguǎn) | Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00 (closed Mon) | Free | Yes |
| Huayan Temple Square | 华严寺广场 (Huáyán Sì Guǎngchǎng) | All day | Free | No |
| Drum Tower District | 鼓楼周边 (Gǔlóu zhōubiān) | All day | Free | No |
| Wenying Lake | 文瀛湖 (Wényíng Hú) | 24 hours | Free | No |
| Volcanic Field | 大同火山群 (Dàtóng Huǒshānqún) | Daylight | Free | No (but transport needed) |
1. Walk the Ancient City Wall
One of the simplest joys in Datong is this: standing on a fully restored Ming dynasty wall in the middle of a modern city. The wall surrounds the old town completely. You can walk, jog, or even rent a bicycle (small fee) along its 7.2km loop. Entry to the wall itself is free. Gate hours typically run from sunrise to around 21:00, but I always recommend going around 17:00 to catch the golden light. Show this to your taxi driver: 大同古城墙 (Dàtóng Gǔchéngqiáng). If you are starting from the south gate, you will see the Yongding Gate tower. Use the free staircase next to the entrance. No booking is needed for the wall, but you must carry your passport because the security guard may ask for it as ID. My favourite stretch is the northeast corner, where the view over the old rooftops and the Haotian Tower is unbeatable. Bring plenty of water — there are vending machines only near the main gates.
2. Enter the Shanhua Temple
Shanhua Temple is a hidden gem that most foreign tourists miss. Unlike the famous Huayan Temple, Shanhua charges nothing at the entrance — a huge relief when your budget is tight. Located at 2 South Street, Pingcheng District, the temple dates back to the Tang dynasty. Show the taxi driver: 善化寺. It is open from 08:30 to 17:30 (closed on some afternoons for maintenance, so check the official signage). The real highlight for me is the Mahavira Hall, with its subtle Liao dynasty statue. The courtyards are usually quiet, making it perfect for sketching or sitting people-watch. Here is a pro tip: the entrance gate is easy to walk past because it is modest and sits beside a busy intersection. There is no official English guide, but you can download a free audio guide via the Google-like app 'Listen Around'. Just bring your passport; they require real-name registration at the ticket window, even though it is free.
3. Explore the Datong Museum
Datong Museum is a modern masterpiece that rarely appears in English-language itineraries. It is free to enter, but you must pre-book. The easiest way is to ask your hotel to make the reservation on the official WeChat account, or use the English-friendly Trip.com site. The museum is located at 1 Dongyuan Square, east of the city. Taxi address: 大同博物馆. Opening hours: Monday closed, other days 09:00-17:00 (last entry 16:00). The collection focuses on the Northern Wei dynasty and the history of the Silk Road. The real showstopper is the Huayan Temple wing, with a giant enamel vase that no photography can do justice. Note that the museum is a sprawl of four buildings connected by an open plaza — wear light shoes. The café inside is overpriced; I'd rather walk 10 minutes to the nearby Wanda Plaza for noodles.
4. Wander Around Huayan Temple Square
The square in front of Huayan Temple is a free open-air experience even if you do not pay to enter the temple itself. Located in the middle of the old town, the square is always alive with lanzhou noodle stalls, kite sellers, and retired men playing chess. I love sitting on the steps in the early evening, watching the temple's red walls glow against the fading light. The square is free to enter, and visitors are welcome to linger as long as they want. The temple itself charges admission — around 50 yuan if you decide to go inside. From the square, you can also see the drum tower and city wall in one glance. Address: 100 South Street, Pingcheng District — show the driver 华严寺广场. The best people-watching time is 16:00-18:00, when locals come out to stroll.
5. Stroll Through the Old Drum Tower District
Just south of Huayan Square lies a network of narrow alleys known as the Drum Tower district. The ancient drum tower itself towers over the intersection; climbing it costs 10 yuan, but I argue you should save your money — the view from the surrounding rooftops is just as nice, and it's free. Wander into the side streets to see old brick courtyard homes. Many have been converted into boutique cafes and handicraft shops. For a true free experience, just stroll the lanes and inspect the old wooden doors. The best starting point is at the Drum Tower, then walk west along 二条巷 (Ertao Lane). You won't get lost — every alley leads back to a main road. Watch out for e-bikes. They zip through here silently.
6. Picnic at Wenying Lake
If you want a break from temples, head east to Wenying Lake, a man-made lake ringed by a free public park. Locals call it 文瀛湖. It is about a 20-minute taxi ride from the old town. The park itself charges no entrance fee, and there are plenty of quiet benches, willow trees, and a strangely photogenic bridge. On weekends, families fly kites here. For a budget meal, buy some bread and fruit from a local bakery before you go. Address: 7 Weidu Avenue, Pingcheng District. The lake is best in the late afternoon, when the water reflects the nearby mountains. If you are into jogging, the loop around the lake is exactly 10km, with drinking fountains near the restrooms.
7. Marvel at the Datong Volcanic Field
Nature lovers — this one is for you. The Datong Volcanic Field is one of China's most accessible volcanic landscapes, and the main viewing areas are free. About 40km northeast of the city, you can see a cluster of ancient cones. The most famous is Jinyang Lake (金阳湖) at the base, but for free access, simply drive or take a chartered taxi to the Huishan Volcano (金山坡) viewpoint. There is no entrance fee, but a chartered car will cost you around 150 yuan round trip — arguably worth it for the scenery. The landscape has a raw, lunar feel. Bring sun protection, because there is zero shade. Show the driver: 大同火山群. To get there, use the main road from Datong city, then follow signs to 大同火山地质公园. No official bus goes directly, so a taxi is your best bet.
How Do You Travel Between Datong's Free Attractions?
Datong's city center is compact. You can walk from the city wall to Shanhua Temple in about 15 minutes. For longer distances, use a ride-sharing app like DiDi (Uber's Chinese brother). Payment: if you have Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to a foreign card, you can pay in-app. Otherwise, you can still use a taxi and hand over cash (rare, but accepted). Important: Google Maps doesn't work well in China. Download the 'AMap Global' app that can navigate to the Chinese addresses I gave you. Yes, English navigation is limited, but you can type the Chinese characters for your destination. For inter-city travel, check the official schedule on the China Railway website.
How to Book Free Attractions in Datong as a Foreigner?
Shanhua Temple and the city wall don't require pre-booking, but the Datong Museum does. The best way is to ask your hotel's front desk to book for you — they can do it in less than a minute. Alternatively, use the official Datong Museum reservation on Trip.com, which supports foreign passports. When you arrive, show the booking QR code along with your actual passport. Don't worry if the site is all in Chinese; the museum staff see foreigners every day. Just remember: no passport, no entry. For entry rules and visa-related questions, the National Immigration Administration is the authoritative reference.
Insider Tips to Beat the Crowds and Stay Safe
Pro Tip: Visit the city wall at sunset not noon. The heat and light are brutal around 14:00.
- Shanhua Temple is quietest right after opening at 08:30.
- At the museum, avoid the weekend crowds by going on a Tuesday morning.
- The stone steps on the wall can be slippery after rain — watch your step.
- Pedestrians in Datong don't have right of way. Wait for cars to pass.
- Always carry your passport; free doesn't mean no ID check.
No comments yet.