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Jack Zhou
At a Glance
I’ve been leading tours through Datong for the better part of a decade, and I still get that tingle every time I walk into the Yungang Grottoes. Most foreign visitors rush through this city in two days, missing half the story. This 5-day itinerary is designed for travelers who want depth, not just check-ins. We’ll hit the iconic sights, but I’ll also show you where to find the quiet corners, the best street food, and the tricks that keep you ahead of the tour bus crowds.
Day 1: Yungang Grottoes and Downtown Datong
Morning: Yungang Grottoes
Get there by 8:30 AM. The gates open at 8:30 (or 9:00 in winter), and the first two hours are pure magic—fewer people, softer light, and you can hear your own footsteps. Take bus 3 from Datong Railway Station (stop: Yungang Grottoes, about 40 minutes) or a taxi for around 30 CNY. The entrance fee is 120 CNY (free for kids under 6 and seniors over 60 with ID). You absolutely need to scan their official WeChat mini-program to book a timed slot in advance—last summer I saw people turned away because they didn’t reserve.
Inside, ignore the temptation to stop at every niche. Focus on Caves 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, and 20. Cave 6 has the most intricate carvings; Cave 20’s giant Buddha is the postcard shot. By 11:00 AM the tour groups flood in, so I always guide my people to the back of the complex first (Caves 16–20) and work forward. Bring a water bottle—the only shop is near the entrance and charges double.
Afternoon: Datong Ancient City Wall
Head back to the city center. Grab lunch at Hua Lin Restaurant (address: 83 Yingze East Street), famous for dao xiao mian (knife-cut noodles) with braised pork — 25 CNY a bowl, hearty, and they have picture menus. Then walk off the carbs on the Ancient City Wall. The south gate (Yongtai Gate) is the best entry point. Rent a bicycle (30 CNY per hour) and cycle the full 7.2 km loop — it takes about 45 minutes without stopping. The wall is open until 10 PM, but sunset around 6:30 PM gives you unreal views of the old city.
Evening: Datong Night Market
Walk over to Gulou Night Market near the Drum Tower. Try the lamb skewers (10 CNY for 5), and the youtiao (fried dough sticks) wrapped in sticky rice — weird but addictive. Most stalls only accept Alipay or WeChat Pay, so download one of those apps before your trip. Cash might work at a couple of places, but don’t bet on it.
Day 2: Hanging Temple and Mount Heng
Full Day: Hanging Temple (Xuankong Si) & Mount Heng
This day requires a private car or a taxi. From Datong downtown, it’s about 1.5 hours east (80 km). Hire a driver through your hotel for 400–500 CNY round trip. Alternatively, take bus 901 from Datong Bus Station to Hunyuan County, then a local taxi (30 CNY) — but you’ll waste time. I always recommend the private car.
The Hanging Temple opens at 8:00 AM (115 CNY entry). Go right when it opens — the site is tiny, and by 9:30 AM the single-file boardwalk gets jammed. The temple is built into a cliff face with wooden stilts. Yes, it looks scary, but it’s perfectly safe (they reinforced it in 2017). You’ll be in and out in one hour. Then drive 10 minutes to the base of Mount Heng (Hengshan).
Mount Heng is one of China’s Five Sacred Taoist Mountains. The cable car (70 CNY one way) saves you 3 hours of uphill slog. I take my groups up by cable car, then hike down — the trail passes temples and pine forests and takes about 2 hours. Wear good shoes; the stone steps are uneven. The park entrance is 45 CNY. Note: The cable car stops running at 5:30 PM, so plan to descend by 4 PM if you’re walking down.
Evening: Back to Datong
By 6 PM you’ll be back in Datong. Head to Feng Ling Ge (address: 199 Nanhuan Road) for their signature crispy chicken and fried millet cake. It’s popular with locals — expect a 20-minute wait around 7 PM. No English menu, but just point at what others are eating.
Day 3: Datong Ancient Walls and Temples
Morning: Shanhua Temple & Huayan Temple
Two of China’s best-preserved Liao-dynasty temples are right in the city. Start with Shanhua Temple (50 CNY, 8:00–17:00) at 8:30 AM. The main hall has a stunning 15-meter clay Buddha — bring a flashlight because the interior is dim. Then walk 15 minutes north to Huayan Temple (80 CNY, 8:00–18:00). The Upper Monastery has a wooden pagoda you can climb for city views. Pro tip: Huayan Temple’s busiest hours are 10 AM–2 PM, so go early. Both sites accept WeChat booking but you can also buy tickets at the gate without reservation (though it’s safer to book).
Afternoon: Datong Museum & Nine-Dragon Screen
The Datong Museum (free, closed Mondays) is a 10-minute drive from the temples. It’s modern, well-curated, and covers Datong’s history from the Northern Wei to the Ming dynasty. The exhibition on the Silk Road is world-class. You need a reservation via their WeChat mini-program — I’ve seen tourists turned away for not having one. Allow 2 hours. After the museum, walk to the Nine-Dragon Screen (10 CNY, 8:00–18:00), a Ming dynasty glazed tile wall that’s the largest of its kind in China. Take a photo from the side to avoid the tour groups blocking the front.
Evening: Free time
I usually let my guests explore the Drum Tower area on their own. Try the street stalls near the tower for suan cai bi ye (sour cabbage noodles) or just grab a coffee at Muse Coffee, a tiny shop tucked in a hutong — order their oat latte (28 CNY), a rare find in Datong.
Day 4: Huayan Temple and Datong Museum (Alternative)
Wait — I already covered these on Day 3. Let me adjust: Day 4 is actually for the Datong Great Wall. Most people don’t know Datong has a section of the Ming Great Wall, just an hour north. Head to Desheng Fort (free entry, open 24/7), a well-preserved Ming stronghold. Take bus 2 from the city center to the suburb, then a local minibus (30 min, 15 CNY). Or hire a driver for half a day (200 CNY). The wall here is wild and unrestored — you can walk for miles without seeing another tourist. Bring snacks and water; there’s nothing nearby.
In the afternoon, visit Yungang Grottoes again? No. Try Lingqiu Cool Mountain if you like nature — it’s a 2-hour drive, so better skip unless you have a car. Instead, go to Datong Paper-Cut Museum (free, 9:00–17:00) near the Drum Tower to see local folk art. You can even try a cutting workshop for 50 CNY.
Evening: Hotpot
Datong is famous for its lamb hotpot. Go to Donglao Tang (address: 95 Weidu Avenue). Their broth is clear and fragrant, and the sliced lamb (68 CNY per plate) melts in your mouth. They accept international credit cards at the counter, but it’s smoother with Alipay. Don’t miss the hand-pulled noodles — they’ll cook them in the broth at your table.
Day 5: Relaxed Exploration or Side Trip
Option A: Datong Hutong Walk & Local Markets
Spend the morning exploring the old hutong alleyways west of the Drum Tower. Start at Gulou Street and wander into the narrow lanes. You’ll find old courtyard homes (siheyuan) and small temples hidden behind metal gates. Stop at Xinhua Market on Jiaochang Street — an indoor wet market where you can buy dried hawthorn, dates, and local tea. Most vendors don’t speak English, but smiles and pointing work fine.
Option B: Datong to Pingyao Side Trip (if you have extra time)
Datong is 3 hours by high-speed train from Taiyuan, and then 1.5 hours to Pingyao. But it’s tight for a day trip. I’d skip it unless you have an extra day. Instead, take a 2-hour bus to Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (60 CNY, 8:00–18:00) — the oldest wooden pagoda in China, built in 1056. It’s leaning slightly now, but still magnificent. You can book the bus at Datong Bus Station (45 CNY each way).
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