Top 20 Best Things to Do in Datong
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Top 20 Best Things to Do in Datong

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Trip.Best is a collection of travel rankings that takes into account the travel choices and genuine preferences of hundres of millions of Trip.com users. It is updated monthly based on real data.
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  • Yungang Grottoestop_1
    󰺂8.9
    45
    Datong14.3 km from downtown
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do
    Highlights:
    Stroll through the grottoes and explore Forty Caves
    59,000+ stone sculptures inside caves
    󱨠Saved by 845 users󱨠24617 positive reviews
    4.8/5
    M39***63M39***63

    The grottoes are a magnificent collection of sculptures, quite different from those in Dunhuang, Longmen, and Maijishan. There are a few unique hidden gems that require careful listening to the explanations to find. I visited them twice, and it would take a whole day to see them all!

  • Xuankong Templetop_2
    󰺂8.4
    129
    Hunyuan58.1 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoExperience the awe-inspiring heights of Xuankong Temple
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2025 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do
    Highlights:
    Admire Exquisite Wood Carved Murals Along the Plank Road
    󰋄Cliffside's breathtaking architecture
    󱨠Saved by 783 users󱨠7544 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    The Hanging Temple, a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, is located on the cliff of Cuiping Peak on the west side of Jinlong Gorge in Hengshan Mountain, Hunyuan County, Shanxi Province. It is known by the local saying, "The Hanging Temple, halfway to heaven, suspended by three horse tails." Built 1400 years ago in the late Northern Wei Dynasty, it is a unique temple in China that integrates Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, and is the oldest existing wooden structure complex built on a cliff in the world. Originally called "Xuankong Pavilion," it was later renamed "Hanging Temple" because the entire temple appears to hang on the cliff; in Chinese, "hanging" and "mysterious" are homophones.

  • Heng Shan Mountaintop_3
    󰺂7.5
    129
    Hunyuan58.6 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󰋄360° views of nature
    󱨜Hanging Temple: ancient wooden architecture
    󱨠Saved by 138 users󱨠2975 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    生活中的小确幸生活中的小确幸

    It's pretty good. The scenery is so-so, maybe because it's winter. There weren't many people, so you can climb at your own pace. Remember to allow 2.5-3 hours if you take the cable car. If you're climbing on your own, you can take a shuttle bus to the halfway point, then climb to the summit and take the cable car down. That will also take 3-4 hours. There are temples to visit.

  • Datong Ancient City
    4
    󰺂7.3
    45
    Datong.Ancient City Tourist Cultural Area1.9 km from downtown
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 100 - Night Attractions
    Highlights:
    󱓊Unique blend of ancient & modern
    󱓊Ancient & modern city vibe
    󱨠Saved by 178 users󱨠239 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    不帅不酷又矮没钱的大叔不帅不酷又矮没钱的大叔

    During my recent trip to Shanxi, I visited several ancient cities. Although many of the ancient cities we see today are rebuilt later, Datong Ancient City does have many historical sites worth visiting! Huayan Temple, Prince Dai's Mansion, Shanhua Temple, the Nine Dragon Wall, and many others are all historical relics well worth seeing. Therefore, I suggest that you allocate more time to Datong, a city full of cultural heritage!

  • Datong Museum
    5
    󰺂6.8
    Datong.Datong South Railway Station/Fantawild Adventure5.7 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 2 of Family-friendly Attractions in Datong
    Highlights:
    󱓊Dinosaurs' habitat recreated & displayed
    󱨜Artifacts showcase ancient Chinese history
    󱨠473 positive reviews
    4.4/5
    M22***51M22***51

    The tour guide's explanation was lively and informative, allowing me to fully appreciate the unique charm of the Datong Museum. Datong is not only resplendent with its ancient architecture, but also its underground cultural relics. I was particularly struck by the museum's treasures, which were truly stunning.

  • Datong Fantawild Adventure
    6
    󰺂6.4
    Datong.Datong South Railway Station/Fantawild Adventure6.2 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 3 of Family-friendly Attractions in Datong
    Highlights:
    Dinosaur Age Adventure Rapids
    󱨜Hua Xia Five Thousand Years Theme Area Experience
    󱨠5277 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    While it was freezing cold outside, the singing and dancing at Fantawild was ablaze with excitement. During the Spring Festival, discounted tickets were available, but outdoor attractions were closed, so only indoor ones were available. The attractions had a schedule, but due to time conflicts and locational issues, I wasn't able to experience all of them in one day. The festive atmosphere was there, and the joy of entertainment was there.

  • Datong Clay Forest
    7
    󰺂6.3
    214
    Datong20.3 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱓊Stunning sunrise & sunset views
    󱨜Near Hanging Temple & Yungang Caves
    󱨠Saved by 108 users󱨠632 positive reviews
    4.3/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    Visiting in winter is like having the whole place to yourself! For geography enthusiasts, the natural landscape here is a must-see. Nature's artistry has created a unique and breathtaking landscape.

  • Yong'an Temple
    8
    󰺂6.3
    Hunyuan53.5 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    Admire Yuan Dynasty Murals in Chuan Fa Zheng Zong Hall
    󱨜Jin Dynasty ancient temple has seen historical changes
    󱨠182 positive reviews
    4.8/5
    M14***58M14***58

    Yong'an Temple is located in Hunyuan County, Shanxi Province, very close to the Hanging Temple Scenic Area. I came specifically to see the murals of the Ten Great Kings. The ten kings in the murals are depicted with either three heads and six arms, or with blue faces and fangs, each holding a ritual implement, their eyes wide with anger, as if about to burst through the wall. The one that struck me most was the "Face-Tearing" King—tearing away the ferocious mask to reveal a compassionate Buddha face.

  • Jinhuagong National Mine Park
    9
    󰺂6.2
    Datong14.1 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱨜Admire the unique patterns of coalified petrified wood
    Underground Exploration Tour: Experience Industrial Culture
    󱨠350 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    钧儿宝贝钧儿宝贝

    Visiting the mining park during the off-season, we encountered an unexpected challenge in forming a group. Having booked the first session at 9:30 AM, we arrived early at 9:15 AM, full of anticipation, only to be shocked to be told that a minimum of five people were required to go down into the mine. This crucial requirement was not mentioned in the booking information we had reviewed beforehand. Fortunately, things changed a few minutes later. Around 9:30 AM, a young woman who had come alone and two men who had come together arrived one after the other, finally forming a "temporary miner team," allowing us to begin our underground tour. The underground scenery itself was very unique, and the immersive experience of going down into the mine to witness the real working conditions of the miners exceeded our expectations, making it well worth a visit. However, some service details during the visit were a letdown: the ticket office staff were curt and unpleasant; an extra 5 yuan guide fee was required to go down into the well, but the guide kept their distance from us throughout, like a pre-programmed NPC, lacking interaction and communication, making us feel that the 5 yuan was not worth it. Friendly reminder: If you buy tickets online for 85 yuan, you must purchase a group guide fee of 5 yuan per person at the self-service machine at the ticket office (this is not included in the experience ticket). Please check the size of both shoes in the changing room. Also, you cannot bring any of your own electronic devices; you need to rent a special explosion-proof phone for the scenic area to take photos, 50 yuan per time. The underground tunnels still retain their original excavated sections, and there are patrol personnel who regularly check for and handle any rockfalls, so please remember to keep your helmet welded securely on.

  • Wanlongbaideng Mountain Ski Field
    10
    󰺂5.7
    391
    Datong9.4 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoDatong Wanlong Ski Resort Begins Snowmaking | Nov 2025-Dec 2025
    trip best small logoNo. 1 of Ski Resorts in Datong
    Highlights:
    󱨜15 km of slopes suitable for all visitors
    󱨜The advanced slope has a vertical drop of 300m
    󱨠62% positive reviews
    4.3/5
    蜉蝣七号蜉蝣七号

    Pure skiing is good value for money, much cheaper than the Yangtze River Delta, and the outdoor ski resort is more comfortable. The equipment is the same, and it’s a waste to put on the equipment without a coach to help. It’s better to hire a coach for the first time skiing. It costs 260 per hour. Basically, you can learn to brake. You can go to the entry area and slide down slowly. It’s okay to fall twice more. The coach is quite responsible. The children learned to brake and turn. 4 hours is not enough, and I’m in the pit. Returning the equipment is also tiring. It’s a sin to take one more step. It’s recommended to make the process of returning the equipment easier. The snow is good. I have completed a new experience in life before the age of 40.

What Best Things to Do are there in Datong?
These are all Best Things to Do in Datong:Yungang Grottoes, Xuankong Temple, Heng Shan Mountain, Datong Ancient City, Datong Museum
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Datong?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Datong include:Yungang Grottoes:4.8, Xuankong Temple:4.7, Heng Shan Mountain:4.5, Datong Ancient City:4.7, Datong Museum:4.4
At what locations in Datong can Best Things to Do in Datong be found?
The Best Things to Do in Datong are mainly located in:Yungang Grottoes:Datong, Xuankong Temple:Hunyuan, Heng Shan Mountain:Hunyuan, Datong Ancient City:Datong, Datong Museum:Datong
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