Datong 2-Day Itinerary: Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Temple & the Old City (2026)

Datong sits in the far north of Shanxi province, a few hours by train from Beijing, and it punches well above its weight. Travelers come for two world-class sights, the Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Temple, and stay for a compact walled old town packed with Liao and Jin temples. Long ago this was Pingcheng, capital of the Northern Wei, and that imperial past is written all over the city. Two days is enough to see the best of Datong without rushing, and this itinerary splits them cleanly: the grottoes and the old city on day one, the cliffside monastery and the museum on day two.

Getting to Datong

High-speed G trains run from Beijing to Datong South (Datongnan) station in about 100 minutes to two hours, and there are fast services from Taiyuan in roughly 90 minutes too. Book a day or two ahead in peak season. From Datong South it is around 20 minutes by taxi or bus into the old city, where most hotels sit. Datong is over 1,000 metres up, so pack a warm layer even in summer; evenings are cool and winters are genuinely cold.

Day 1: Yungang Grottoes and the old city

Start early at the Yungang Grottoes, about 16 km west of the centre. Carved into a sandstone ridge in the fifth century by the Northern Wei court, the 45 main caves hold more than 50,000 statues, from a colossal seated Buddha you can see from the entrance to walls covered in tiny carved figures. Entry is around 120 yuan (about US$20), the site opens 08:30 to 17:00 with last entry at 16:30, and visits run in timed morning and afternoon sessions, so reserve ahead online and aim for the morning slot. Give it three hours.

Head back to the old city for the afternoon. The temples here cluster within easy walking distance. See Huayan Temple, the largest surviving Liao-Jin Buddhist complex in China, then the glazed Nine Dragon Wall, the oldest and largest of its kind. Pass the Drum Tower at the centre of the grid, and finish at Shanhua Temple near the south gate. As the light softens, climb the rebuilt Datong Ancient City Wall for a loop above the rooftops.

For dinner, the lanes near the Drum Tower are the place to try Datong's knife-cut noodles, sliced straight off the dough into boiling water, and a fried millet cake called you zha gao.

Day 2: Hanging Temple and the museum

Devote the morning to the Hanging Temple, about 65 km southeast near Hunyuan, roughly 90 minutes each way by car or tour bus. Built into a sheer cliff face more than 1,500 years ago, its halls are propped on slim wooden poles above the gorge, and it is the only temple in China to honour Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism together. It reopened on 1 May 2026 after maintenance. Entry is around 100 yuan, with a separate fee to walk the elevated boardwalks; numbers on the walkways are capped, so go early and check current prices.

Many drivers combine the temple with the nearby Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, the oldest and tallest all-wood pagoda in the world, if you have the time. Back in town, spend the afternoon at the Datong Museum, which is free but closed on Mondays and needs a reservation. Its Northern Wei galleries tie the whole trip together, with tomb figures and carvings from the era that built Yungang.

Where to stay and how to get around

Base yourself inside or just outside the old city walls, which keeps day one entirely on foot. For Yungang and the Hanging Temple, the simplest options are the tourist shuttle buses from the city, a half-day taxi charter, or a small-group tour; public buses reach Yungang but not the Hanging Temple easily. Spring and autumn bring the most comfortable weather, summer is busy and pleasant, and winter is striking but bitter.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Datong? Two full days cover the headline sights: Yungang, the Hanging Temple, the old-city temples and the museum. A third day lets you add the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda or Mount Heng at a slower pace.

How do you get from Beijing to Datong? Take a high-speed G train from Beijing to Datong South station, which takes about 100 minutes to two hours. Book ahead in peak season, then taxi or bus into the old city.

Can you see Yungang and the Hanging Temple on the same day? It is possible but rushed, because they lie on opposite sides of the city. Splitting them across two days, as above, is far more relaxed and lets you enjoy the old city too.

Is the Hanging Temple safe to visit? Yes. The walkways are maintained and railed, and visitor numbers are limited. They can feel narrow and high, so it is less ideal if you strongly dislike heights, but most people manage fine.

When is the best time to visit Datong? Late spring through early autumn is the most comfortable. Datong is high and cold, so winter visits need serious warm clothing, though snow on the temples is a memorable sight.