Datong travel guide

Datong is definitely a treasure city with delicious food, fun activities, and great shopping. If you don't visit Datong in your lifetime, you'll truly miss out.

As a tourist, an overly in-depth experience might not be realistic, but trust me, you need at least three days in Datong to even scratch the surface.

First thing in the morning on Day 1, visit Huayan Temple and Shanhua Temple in the ancient city. The morning sunlight is ideal for appreciating the murals and statues. At these two locations, you can see the grand Liao and Jin Dynasty architecture, exquisite ancient statues, and contemporary mural masterpieces.

After visiting these two places, it'll likely be noon. Grab a quick lunch and head to the Yungang Grottoes. Make sure to hire a guide there. You don't need an expensive one; the basic price is sufficient. Time flies at Yungang, and before you know it, it'll be closing time.

On Day 2, visit the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda and Hanging Temple in the south. These two locations and Datong form a triangle shape, each over an hour's drive away. Even without queuing, a day trip will be quite rushed. No need to elaborate on the major attractions, but remember not to miss the nearby Jingtu Temple and Yong'an Temple. One boasts a celestial palace ceiling, and the other has stunning murals, both national treasures.

Day 3 is for catching up on anything you missed. Since you've visited the most famous attractions in the first two days, the last day can be spent exploring museums. The Datong City Museum and the Mingtang are quite unique, and a morning should be enough to see them. Depending on your energy levels, you can spend the remaining half-day exploring other cultural attractions within the city.

Three days in Datong is quite tight and intense, and you'll be exhausted afterward. But considering what you'll have seen, it's definitely worth it.

Finally, I recommend renting a car or hiring a car service in Datong. Although it's a bit more expensive, it saves a lot of time, which is invaluable.

Post by maybe_pry | Mar 17, 2025