Things to Do in Datong: 5 Must-See Sites for First-Timers

I've been guiding travelers through Datong for nearly a decade, and I still get goosebumps every time I walk into the Yungang Grottoes. Most foreign visitors land here after Beijing, expecting another temple – and then boom, they're hit with 51,000 ancient Buddha statues carved into sandstone cliffs. But Datong is more than that cave complex. Let me walk you through what really deserves your time, and how to avoid the rookie mistakes that can eat up your day.

Yungang Grottoes – A Masterpiece of Buddhist Art

This is the heavyweight. Built between 460 and 525 AD, the grottoes stretch about 1 km along the Wuzhou Mountain. You'll see everything from 2-centimeter mini-Buddhas to a 17-meter seated colossus that'll make your neck hurt from staring up.

I always tell my groups: start from Cave 5-6 (twinned with the giant Buddha), then work your way west. Caves 16-20 are the earliest and have that raw, powerful style. Don't miss Cave 20 – the outdoor collapsed cave gives you a perfect photo without reflections. Most tourists rush to the end, but the middle section Caves 9-13 have incredible polychrome carvings that many skip.

One thing that drives me nuts: guides who herd you through in 1.5 hours. You need at least 3. Bring water, there's minimal shade between caves. In summer, the ticket line can stretch 20 minutes by 10 AM. If you can, book online via their WeChat mini-program (search 云冈石窟) – but honestly, the window line moves faster for cash than card sometimes. International cards? Hit or miss. Best to bring enough cash.

Hanging Temple – Defying Gravity for 1,500 Years

About 65 km south of Datong, this monastery clings to a vertical cliff at 75 meters high. It's a crazy mix of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism under one roof. The wooden beams are hammered into holes chiseled into the rock – and it's still standing.

Now, here's the catch. The temple itself is tiny – maybe 200 sq meters total. And they strictly limit the number of people climbing at once (around 80). That means in peak season (May, October), you could queue 1.5 hours just to walk through for 20 minutes. I usually advise my travelers: go on a weekday, aim for 2 PM arrival. The morning bus tours from Datong flood in at 10–11 AM. Also, if you're afraid of heights, you might want to skip the upper walkways – they are narrow and sway slightly. But the view of the canyon? Totally worth it for the brave.

One hidden gem: right next to the ticket area, there's a small museum explaining the restoration work. Most people ignore it, but it gives you huge respect for the engineering. And please, don't carve your name into the wood – it's a protected site, and yes, cameras catch you.

Mount Heng – A Sacred Hike with Panoramic Views

Mount Heng (Hengshan) is one of China's Five Sacred Mountains (the northern one). The hiking trails start near the Hanging Temple. If you're up for a half-day climb, the summit (Tianfeng Ling) is 2,016 meters above sea level.

The cable car (70 RMB one-way) gets you most of the way up, then it's a 40-minute walk to the top. But I prefer the hiking route from the East Gate – about 2.5 hours up, with beautiful pine forests and nine-turn paths. Be warned: the steps are steep and irregular. I've taken clients who are in decent shape and they struggled. Bring hiking poles if you can.

Temple lovers will enjoy the Beiyue Temple at the base (devoted to the god of Mount Heng) and the Stargazing Platform near the summit. The best season is autumn (September-October) for crisp air and golden leaves. Summer can be hazy. Winter? Snow-clad peaks are stunning but trails can be icy – check the weather.

Datong Ancient City Wall – A Walk Through Time

Right in the city center, you'll find one of the best-preserved Ming Dynasty city walls in China. It's 7 km long, 14 meters high, and wide enough to ride a bike on top. I love coming here at sunset – the light turns the bricks golden, and you can see the modern city sprawling inside and outside.

• Rent a bike: 30 RMB per hour, single or tandem. The full loop takes about 40 minutes cycling.
• Walking: 2 hours for a full circuit. Best to walk the south section to the east gate for the best views of the drum tower.
• Free entry – just show your passport at the ticket booth on the wall.
• Hours: 8:00 – 22:00 (light show at 20:30 in summer).
• Access points: South Gate (Yongtai Gate) is the main entrance with a big plaza.

A little secret: most tourists go to the south gate because it's closest to the shopping street. But the east gate has a small park with fewer people and a snack street right outside. The wall is also a great jogging spot in the morning – I join the locals sometimes.

Huayan Temple – A Glimpse of Liao Dynasty

Huayan Temple is a massive Buddhist complex from the Liao Dynasty (11th century). It's divided into upper and lower parts. The Upper Huayan Temple has the Grand Hall, with five huge Ming dynasty Buddhas and walls covered in flying Apsaras murals. The Lower Huayan Temple is famous for the Liao dynasty sutra cabinet – a 30-meter-high wooden structure with exquisite carving.

Ticket: 65 RMB. Hours: 8:30 – 17:30. It's located on the south side of the old city, a 15-minute walk from the South Gate. Inside, you'll find a museum with Buddhist artifacts, but the real gem is the painted statues in the main hall – no photos allowed inside, but you can buy postcards at the gift shop.

I always recommend visiting Huayan Temple first before the grottoes, as it gives you context for Buddhist art in this region. The contrast between the delicate temple craft and the massive cliff carvings is fascinating.

Where to Eat in Datong

Datong's food scene is underrated. The local specialty is datong hunyuan (a clear soup with lamb and flat noodles), and shao mai (steamed dumplings with meat filling). Here are my go-to spots:

Longju Xiang is my personal favorite – I've taken dozens of groups there. The hunyuan noodles come with a spicy broth that warms your bones. They also have an English menu with pictures, which helps. For shao mai, Fenglin Ge is a bit pricier but the ambiance is fancier. A heads-up: most places accept WeChat Pay, Alipay, and cash, but international credit cards are rarely accepted. Carry enough cash (500–1000 RMB) for meals and small purchases.

Suggested Itineraries for Datong

If You Only Have 1 Day

Start at Yungang Grottoes at 8:30 (3 hours). Grab a quick lunch at the grottoes' restaurant (not great, but okay). Take a Didi to Huayan Temple (30 min, ~60 RMB). Spend 1.5 hours there. Then walk to the Ancient City Wall (15 min) and rent a bike for sunset. End with dinner at Longju Xiang. This is tight but doable. Skip Mount Heng and Hanging Temple – they need a full day each.

If You Have 2 Days

Day 1: Morning – Yungang Grottoes. Afternoon – Huayan Temple + Ancient City Wall. Evening – walk through the old town night market (Gu Cheng). Day 2: Rent a car/driver (around 500–600 RMB for 8 hours) to visit Hanging Temple and Mount Heng. Start at 7 AM, finish by 4 PM, then return to Datong. You'll skip the worst crowds if you go early.

If You Have 3 Days

Add a trip to the Datong Museum (free, but you need to reserve via their WeChat official account – search 大同博物馆). It's a modern museum with exhibits on the Northern Wei dynasty. Also consider a half-day to see the Nine Dragon Wall (a glazed tile wall from the Ming Dynasty, 10 RMB, located in the east of the city).