KaigeHuoguo

Kaige Hotpot has delicious taste and a clean and tidy environment.

This trip to Datong was a last-minute decision, a three-day trip without checking the weather forecast. Unexpectedly, we encountered a major temperature drop in the north, with Datong experiencing heavy snow yesterday and the temperature plummeting to -5 degrees Celsius last night 🥶. After a day of hiking, feeling cold and hungry, my parents and I decided to head down the mountain for a hot pot meal 🍲! Our online research suggested trying the well-established Kaige Hot Pot, but on the way to our Didi ride, the driver insisted we try Tonglelou Hot Pot. He repeatedly emphasized that locals only eat there, and it was guaranteed to be good; if it wasn't, I could call him and complain. Being the kind of person who listens to advice, I immediately went! That's it! While in the car, I discovered their two-person set meal was only 80 yuan after using a coupon! They had a wide variety of dishes, so I thought I'd order this first and add more later if needed. But after getting out of the car and seeing the exterior and interior of Tonglelou, I thought: This is definitely the place! Haha First, let me praise the environment: it's very comfortable, clean, spacious, and bright. The decor is new and exudes a light, upscale feel. The staff are also neatly dressed. Each person gets their own small pot for hot pot. Since we had a two-person set meal, there were only two soup bases to choose from, and we weren't required to add any. Besides the 80 yuan two-person set meal, we only added a 15 yuan vegetable platter and one 26 yuan "Golden Goblet First-Class King" meat (highly recommended, delicious!) per table. The three of us only spent 135 yuan in total, which is incredibly cost-effective! And the meat quality was very high. I especially want to praise the self-service free food area: the free food is comprehensive and fresh, without any skimping. Seasonal fruits, Datong specialty cold noodles, and cold dishes are all available. Just trying all of these would have been a bit too much for three people even with the two-person set meal. In summary: the taste is good, the mahjong is great 👍. The meat is highly regarded by Inner Mongolians. Good things must be shared! My parents have already gone back for a second time! Those visiting Datong in winter should definitely try it! A meal here is warm and delicious, great value for money, definitely worth it!

In the morning, we visited the Volcano Group Geopark 🌋 and experienced the wonders of nature. Self-driving is recommended, as the area is vast, with several separate volcanoes, and walking can be tiring. Fortunately, the area is free, with no entrance fee! In the afternoon, we ate and strolled around the ancient city. It was lively, and the night view was even more stunning. Dinner was at Long Juxiang. Try to arrive early, as there will definitely be a wait. We waited an hour before we were served. Good food is worth the wait; it was absolutely delicious. The Shanxi-style traditional sweet and sour pork tenderloin and the Wenzhou beef were so tender and tender that even the kids had no trouble eating them. The flavors were incredible. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 The next day, we also tried the signature knife-cut noodles and Kaige hotpot. Both were excellent. The people of Datong are truly blessed. 🥰🥰🥰 This was just a brief tour; there are still many places I didn't see. I'll definitely come back sometime.

A 5-Day, 4-Night In-Depth Tour of Datong (Budget: 10,000 RMB) —From the Northern Wei Dynasty Grottoes to the Liao and Jin Dynasty Ancient Architecture, Journey Through a Thousand-Year-Old Buddhist Land and Savor a Carb Paradise! 📅 Itinerary Overview Suitable for: History Buffs/Architecture Enthusiasts/Carb Lovers/Photographers Best Season: May-October (Summer for escaping the heat, Autumn for admiring the poplar trees) Budget Allocation: Transportation 25% + Accommodation 30% + Food and Beverage 20% + Tickets and Experiences 25% 🚗 Day 1: First Visit to the Land of Buddhism: A Shocking Experience at Yungang Grottoes 📍Morning: Yungang Grottoes (Tickets: 120 RMB) Highlights: Cave 5 (17-meter Buddha), Cave 6 (Comic Strip-style Reliefs), and Cave 20 (Open-air Buddha) Secondary Activity: Join the Archaeological Team for a guided tour (Free daily at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM) 🍜Lunch: Sliced ​​Noodles at the Scenic Area Exit (25 RMB per person) Must-Add: Freshly Fried Chili Oil and Shanxi Aged Vinegar 📍Afternoon: Datong Museum (Free) Go straight to the second floor to see the lacquer screen from Sima Jinlong's Tomb (a national treasure prohibited from exhibition abroad) 🌃Overnight: Yungang Jianguo Guesthouse (500 RMB/night) Advantage: 10-minute walk to the Ancient City Wall Night Tour 🏯 Day 2: Ancient Architecture Tour: Huayan Temple Day and Night 📍Morning: Huayan Temple (Ticket: 50 yuan) Climb the steep Huayan Pagoda (climb to the summit for panoramic views of the ancient city) Fun Fact: The Chiwen in the Main Hall is 4.5 meters tall, the largest in China 📍Afternoon: Shanhua Temple and Nine Dragon Wall (Combined Ticket: 40 yuan) Compare Liao and Jin Dynasty architecture and locate the missing dragon claws in the Nine Dragon Wall (legend has it they were struck by lightning) 🍲Dinner: Fenglin Pavilion Baihua Shaomai (80 yuan per person) Must-Order: Three Fresh Fillings with Seabuckthorn Juice, Enjoy the Same Private Room as Empress Dowager Cixi 🌃Night Tour: Cycling Along the Ancient City Wall (Car Rental: 30 yuan/hour) ⛰️ Day 3: Hanging Miracles · Hengshan Journey 📍Full Day: Hanging Temple + Hengshan (Combined Ticket 125 Yuan) Get up early at the Hanging Temple (limited capacity, queuing required) and photograph the wonder of the "Three Horsetails Suspending the Temple" (see "Three Horsetails Suspending the Temple"). Take the Hengshan Cable Car (70 Yuan one-way) and trace the donkey hoof prints of Zhang Guolao, the legendary figure in the legend of "The Legend of Guolao" (Guolao's Wonderland). 🚐Transportation: Charter a car for 300 Yuan round-trip (saves 2 hours compared to public transportation). 🍛Dinner: Hunyuan Jelly Noodles (20 Yuan per person). Secret Way to Enjoy It: Add dried tofu and chili oil. 🌃Overnight: Hunyuan Prefecture Posthouse (400 Yuan/night). Special Feature: Renovated Ming Dynasty County Office, listen to the morning night watchman's call. 🎨 Day 4: Magical Earth Forest · Volcano Exploration 📍Morning: Datong Earth Forest (60 Yuan admission fee). Best Photography: The "Mars Surface" at sunrise/sunset. Warning: Wear non-slip shoes! Access to some areas is restricted during the rainy season. 📍Afternoon: Datong Volcanic Cluster (Free) Climb Langwo Mountain (the only area with access to the crater) and collect raw agate. 🍢Dinner: Kaige Hotpot (70 RMB per person) Sweet Dipping Sauce: Sesame Sauce + Chives + Fermented Bean Curd 🌃Overnight: Datong Garden Hotel (600 RMB/night) Bonus: Rooftop Bar Overlooking the Lights of the Ancient City 🛍️ Day 5: Carb-Sweeping and Souvenir Shopping 📍Morning: Antique Street Shopping Buy: Guangling Paper-Cutting (from 30 RMB), Yanggao Apricots (15 RMB/bag) Beware: Most of the bronze artifacts in the scenic area are from Yiwu. 📍Afternoon: Jinhua Palace National Mining Park (Underground Exploration: 198 RMB) Wear a miner's hat and ride a cage down a 300-meter-deep mine shaft. ✈️Return: Reserve 1 hour to try the "He Lao Ren Mutton Offal" at the airport. 💰 Budget Breakdown (for two people) Transportation: High-speed rail/chartered car approximately 2,500 yuan Accommodation: 2,000 yuan for four nights Food and Beverage: 1,500 yuan (including a Fengling Pavilion dinner) Ticket Experience: 2,000 yuan Empty Cash: 2,000 yuan (for shopping/emergency expenses) 💡 Local Tips The Yungang Grottoes open at 7:30 a.m., allowing you to reserve the site for photography an hour before the tour group. The Hanging Temple is accessible from a distance for those afraid of heights; a separate 100 yuan ticket is required for climbing. All noodles are instructed to be cooked soft, assuming they are firm. ✨ Highlights of this itinerary: Touching the lotus patterns on Northern Wei Dynasty Buddha statues during the day and eating knife-cut noodles with vinegar at night—this is the "Buddhist life" of the people of Datong!

Datong 4-Day, 3-Night Tour: Journey Through Thousands of Years, Savor the Charm of Northern Shanxi (Budget 6,000 RMB) Highlights: Journey Through Thousands of Years of History: Visit World Heritage Sites such as the Yungang Grottoes, the Hanging Temple, and the Huayan Temple, and experience the splendor of the Northern Wei, Liao, and Jin dynasties. Taste Northern Shanxi Cuisine: Savor local delicacies like knife-cut noodles, mutton offal, and steamed buns, and experience the culinary wonders of Datong. Comfortable Accommodation: Enjoy comfortable accommodations in distinctive hotels or B&Bs. Reasonable Budget: Stay within 6,000 RMB for a truly exceptional value. Itinerary: Day 1: Arrive in Datong and Experience the Charm of the Ancient City Morning: Arrive in Datong and check into your hotel (recommended: Datong Yungang Jianguo Hotel or Datong Ancient City Wall Boutique Hotel, approximately 500 RMB/night). Afternoon: Tour the Datong Ancient City Wall (free of charge), ascend the wall for a panoramic view of the ancient city, and immerse yourself in the rich history. Evening: Savor Datong's specialty, knife-cut noodles (recommended: Oriental Sliced ​​Noodles, 30 yuan per person). Afterward, stroll through the ancient city's night market to experience local life. Day 2: Explore the Yungang Grottoes and Experiencing Buddhist Art Morning: Proceed to the Yungang Grottoes (admission fee: 120 yuan) to admire the exquisite Buddhist stone carvings and witness the wisdom and craftsmanship of ancient artisans. Noon: Savor the local specialty, mutton offal, near the scenic area (recommended: Lao Sun's Mutton Offal, 50 yuan per person). Afternoon: Return to the city and visit Huayan Temple (admission fee: 50 yuan) to experience the grandeur of Liao and Jin architecture. Evening: Savor Datong Shaomai (recommended: Fenglin Pavilion, 80 yuan per person) to experience the local culinary culture. Day 3: Spectacular Hanging Temple and Ascend Mount Heng for a Panoramic View Morning: Proceed to the Hanging Temple (admission fee: 125 yuan) to experience the thrill of "hanging in mid-air" and marvel at the ingenuity of ancient architecture. Noon: Savor the local specialty Hunyuan jelly at the foot of Mount Heng (recommended: Xiaoxifu jelly, 30 yuan per person). Afternoon: Climb Mount Heng (admission fee: 45 yuan) to admire the magnificent natural scenery and experience the charm of one of the Five Great Mountains. Evening: Return to the city and enjoy a steaming hot meal at Datong Hotpot (recommended: Kaige Hotpot, 100 yuan per person). Day 4: Explore the Nine Dragon Wall and return Morning: Visit the Nine Dragon Wall (admission fee: 10 yuan) to admire the exquisite glass art and experience the ancient royal style. Noon: Savor the Datong specialty Huanggao (recommended: Laoye Temple Flavor Restaurant, 50 yuan per person). Afternoon: Depending on your return time, you may choose to purchase some local specialties (such as Datong bronzeware and Guangling paper-cuttings), then transfer to the airport or train station for your return trip. Budget Details: Transportation: Round-trip air/train tickets cost approximately 1,500 yuan (depending on your departure point), and local transportation costs approximately 200 yuan. Accommodation: 3 nights in a hotel, approximately 1,500 yuan. Food: Approximately 1,000 yuan. Entrance fees: Approximately 450 yuan. Other expenses: Shopping and other expenses, approximately 350 yuan. Travel Tips: Datong has a dry climate, so stay hydrated and wear sunscreen. The Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Temple are crowded, so it's recommended to book tickets in advance. Datong cuisine tends to be rich in flavors, so you can adjust your preferences to suit your taste. It's recommended to purchase travel insurance for travel safety. Summary: This guide covers Datong's most iconic attractions and restaurants, with a budget of around 6,000 yuan. It's suitable for travelers who want to fully experience Datong's history, culture, and cuisine. We hope this guide will help you plan an unforgettable trip to Datong! #DatongTravel #DatongTravelGuide #DatongTravel