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Datong
Yungang Grottoes
Datong Ancient City
Heng Shan Mountain
Datong Museum
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Datong

Things to Do in Datong in 2025 - Top Attractions, Local Food, Hotels & Travel Tips (Updated July, 2025) | Trip.com

About Datong

Recommended trip: 2–4 day(s)

Recommended trip: 2–4 day(s)

Current Weather Conditions

20°C

Datong Local Experiences Map

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Trending in Datong

Hanging Temple: Cliffside Wonder That Awed Li Bai With a Single Point of Awe@Xuankong Temple

Hanging Temple: Cliffside Wonder That Awed Li Bai With a Single Point of Awe@Xuankong Temple

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Datong Local Travel Guide 2025

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Datong Brief Guide

Datong is a famous historical city in the northern part of Shanxi. Previously, it was the capital city of the Northern Wei Dynasty. The nomads from the north left behind all sorts of precious heritage sites such as the Yungang Grottoes. Inside the city lies a rare Liao Dynasty temple - Huayan Monastery. Everything about this place evokes a sense of wonder among history lovers. If you have the time to go a bit farther, the Hengshan Mountains in southern Datong are among the most famous mountains in China. The mountain scenery is both elegant and beautiful, peppered with many Taoist temples, monasteries, and other structures. The Hanging Monastery on the cliffs at the foot of the mountain are a wonder to behold. The ancient engineers who designed and built them must have been extremely skilled.

Datong Must-try Local Experiences

1. Discover the Yungang Grottoes and Huayan Monastery Explore the Yungang Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site with thousands of ancient Buddhist sculptures, and visit the Huayan Monastery, a gravity-defying monastery built into a cliffside. 2. Explore Datong Ancient City Wall Walk along the well-preserved Datong Ancient City Wall for panoramic views and a glimpse into the city's historical defense mechanisms. 3. Experience the Nine-Dragon Wall Admire the Nine-Dragon Wall, a masterpiece of Chinese glazed art featuring vibrant colors and detailed dragon depictions. 4. Witness the Datong Opera Enjoy a captivating performance of Datong Opera, known for its lively music, expressive singing, and colorful costumes. 5. Learn the Art of Paper-cutting Participate in a workshop to learn the traditional craft of Datong paper-cutting and create your own designs. 6. Explore the Vibrant Local Markets Immerse yourself in Datong's bustling markets, sample regional delicacies, and browse handcrafted souvenirs. 7. Visit the Datong Museum Explore the Datong Museum to learn about the city's rich history and culture through various artifacts and exhibits. 8. Celebrate the Datong Photo Festival Attend the Datong Photo Festival to see stunning photography and participate in workshops and discussions. 9. Enjoy the Datong Chrysanthemum Festival Visit the Chrysanthemum Festival in autumn to enjoy beautiful flower displays, cultural performances, and local crafts. 10. Savor Datong's Culinary Delights Indulge in Datong's local specialties like knives-cut noodles, savory bean curd dishes, and flavorful meat pies. 11. Explore the Datong Shopping Mall For a modern shopping experience, visit the Datong Shopping Mall, offering local brands and unique dining and entertainment options. 12. Hike Hengshan Mountain Enjoy a scenic hike through Hengshan Mountain, one of China's Five Sacred Mountains, with panoramic views and ancient temples. In the process of climbing the mountain, you can have a panoramic view of the magnificent natural scenery and unique landscape of Hengshan, and record it.

Datong Must-see Attractions

Datong is rich in both cultural depth and historical significance, offering a range of attractions from the ancient Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Monastery to the modern Fantawild Adventure theme park, all set against a backdrop of serene natural landscapes and historic sites.

Datong Food Guide

Datong's cuisine is celebrated for its distinctive northern flair. Favorites among locals and tourists include the spicy and aromatic rabbit heads, an assortment of noodles like the hand-sliced variety, traditional mutton offal noodle soup, and the regionally distinct Sticky Millet Cake.

Datong Transportation

Datong's transportation infrastructure is well-developed, with its airport and railway stations being the primary hubs for intercity travel. Datong Yungang International Airport (IATA: DAT, ICAO: ZBDT) serves as a key gateway to the city, located approximately 15.2 kilometers from the city center. It operates both domestic and international routes, connecting Datong to major cities in China and Southeast Asian destinations like Siem Reap and Bangkok. To reach the city from the airport, travelers can take a taxi or arrange for private transportation. Datong South Railway Station, which opened in 2019, is another significant transportation hub. It is situated in the Pingcheng District, about 6 kilometers southeast of the city center, and serves high-speed trains on the Datong–Xi'an and Datong–Zhangjiakou lines. The station has the capacity to handle a large number of passengers and is equipped with modern facilities. To get to the city from Datong South Railway Station, passengers can use taxis or the city bus service, with bus numbers 14, 31, and 61 mentioned as options.

Datong Where to Stay

Datong is a city rich in cultural heritage and natural beauty, making it a top destination for travelers interested in historical sites and scenic landscapes. The city's accommodation options are primarily concentrated around major tourist attractions, including the Datong Ancient City Wall, Yungang Grottoes, and the Hanging Monastery. Each of these areas offers unique characteristics and conveniences for visitors.

Datong Best Time To Visit

The optimal time to visit Datong is from April to October, with particular emphasis on the months of May, June, September, and October. During these months, the climate is comfortable, avoiding the extreme heat of July and August. This period is ideal for exploring Datong's historical sites, such as the Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Monastery, as well as enjoying outdoor activities under clear skies. Additionally, the Lantern Festival during the Spring Festival offers a unique cultural experience, despite the colder weather. It is advisable to bring warm clothing for the cool nights in autumn and rain gear during the rainy season from May to September.

Datong Useful Guide

Datong, located in Shanxi Province, China, predominantly speaks Mandarin, the official language of China. While Mandarin is widely understood, local dialects may also be present. Travelers can utilize translation apps or local interpretation services to navigate language barriers. For non-Mandarin speakers, learning basic phrases, using gestures, and carrying a translation app are effective communication strategies.

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Things to do in Datong

What to Do

Looking for things to do in Datong? We provide up-to-date info on everything from must-see scenic spots to local hangouts.
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Yungang Grottoes

Yungang Grottoes

4.8/525,033 Reviews
"Historic buildings"
Xuankong Temple

Xuankong Temple

4.7/57,967 Reviews
"Historic buildings"
Datong Ancient City

Datong Ancient City

4.6/5144 Reviews
"Night view"
Heng Shan Mountain

Heng Shan Mountain

4.4/54,028 Reviews
"Mountain climbing"
Datong Museum

Datong Museum

4.5/5516 Reviews
"Museums"
Datong Fantawild Adventure

Datong Fantawild Adventure

4.7/56,680 Reviews
"Amusement parks"
"Night view"
Datong Clay Forest

Datong Clay Forest

4.3/5791 Reviews
"Natural scenery"
Yong'an Temple

Yong'an Temple

4.8/567 Reviews
"Historic buildings"
Datong Volcanic Group

Datong Volcanic Group

4.3/5105 Reviews
"Mountain climbing"
Hunyuan Ancient City

Hunyuan Ancient City

4.9/514 Reviews
"Historic buildings"
"Night view"

Where to Stay

Discover the most popular places to stay in Datong, complete with recommendations from fellow travelers and special hotel offers
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HengTingXuanCountyardlnn

HengTingXuanCountyardlnn

4.8/5501 Reviews
Hampton by Hilton Datong

Hampton by Hilton Datong

4.8/54,437 Reviews
Howard Johnson Plaza Jindi

Howard Johnson Plaza Jindi

4.8/53,653 Reviews
Datong Xinyu Crown Hotel

Datong Xinyu Crown Hotel

4.7/51,246 Reviews
Datong Boya Business Hotel

Datong Boya Business Hotel

4.7/51,754 Reviews
Beiyue Yunshe Homestay

Beiyue Yunshe Homestay

4.7/5186 Reviews
Cloud Hotel

Cloud Hotel

4.7/5613 Reviews
Datong Hotel

Datong Hotel

4.6/51,774 Reviews
I Lai Hotel

I Lai Hotel

4.7/51,695 Reviews
BaiyuLan BusinessHOTEL

BaiyuLan BusinessHOTEL

4.6/5165 Reviews

What to Eat

Want to eat like a local? Don't miss out on these top Datong dishes and foodie spots.
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FENG LIN GE

FENG LIN GE

4.5/5829 Reviews
"Shanxi Cuisine"
"Filming Locations"
Fenglinge

Fenglinge

4.6/5156 Reviews
"Shanxi Cuisine"
"Time-honored Brand"
KAI GE JIU LOU

KAI GE JIU LOU

4.9/568 Reviews
Huayuanda Restaurant

Huayuanda Restaurant

5.0/511 Reviews
ZINI 369 CULIANG JI

ZINI 369 CULIANG JI

4.4/5127 Reviews
"Shanxi Cuisine"
LAO YE MIAO FENG WEI MEI SHI FU

LAO YE MIAO FENG WEI MEI SHI FU

4.4/553 Reviews
"Shanxi Cuisine"
Northern Wei family feast

Northern Wei family feast

4.7/528 Reviews
"Shanxi Cuisine"
王府至尊酒店·自助餐厅

王府至尊酒店·自助餐厅

4.4/525 Reviews
"Buffets"
Yong he hong qi mei shi cheng

Yong he hong qi mei shi cheng

4.3/527 Reviews
"Shanxi Cuisine"
Kaige Restaurant (caochangcheng)

Kaige Restaurant (caochangcheng)

4.7/5101 Reviews
"Shanxi Cuisine"

Datong Moments: Through Travelers' Eyes

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#china
#travel
#datong
Highly recommended (Datong)

Highly recommended (Datong)

agleam.brianna
agleam.brianna
4
Just got back from Datong, here’s some blunt truth

Just got back from Datong, here’s some blunt truth

EemilKokko
EemilKokko
I've returned from Hanging Temple, it was truly spectacular and highly recommended

I've returned from Hanging Temple, it was truly spectacular and highly recommended

EtherealMajestic
EtherealMajestic
16
Datong is incredibly beautiful, but I honestly don't recommend visiting in July because.............

Datong is incredibly beautiful, but I honestly don't recommend visiting in July because.............

OliviaMcPhee29
OliviaMcPhee29
1
It was my first time in Datong, and I was amazed!

It was my first time in Datong, and I was amazed!

JAKE BLAIR
JAKE BLAIR
10
Average 22°C! Stay in These 8 "Reverse Summer Escape" Towns for Cooler Comfort Than AC

Average 22°C! Stay in These 8 "Reverse Summer Escape" Towns for Cooler Comfort Than AC

Trip Trending
Trip Trending
Datong|The Buddhist Scroll and Frontier Charm of the Ancient Capital

Datong|The Buddhist Scroll and Frontier Charm of the Ancient Capital

NatureExplorer
NatureExplorer
The Cloud City on the Hanging Temple

The Cloud City on the Hanging Temple

sylas_3344
sylas_3344
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