Weekend Escape: 48 Hours in Datong, Shanxi

Since changing jobs, I’ve been fully immersed in adapting to the new role. On a relatively light weekend, I took a 48-hour trip to escape Beijing. The high-speed train from Beijing to Datong takes only about two hours, so I set off early Saturday morning. I barely made any plans and just went wherever I felt like. It’s worth mentioning that Datong in the off-season has much cheaper hotels and far fewer tourists, allowing for a very immersive experience. Although the weather was a bit cold, dressing warmly solved that. 🏨 Hotel: Datong Garden Hotel I chose this hotel based on recommendations I saw online. Many people commented that the hotel’s decor is old-fashioned, but I thought it was fine—not as old as I imagined. The overall environment was good, and the staff were especially friendly. You can have Chinese food on the second floor, with all dishes available in small portions at super cheap prices. I ordered various recommended dishes and was stuffed for only 76 yuan. The basement level has a leisure center where you can get a haircut, soak in a bath, or work out. 1️⃣ Day One: I arrived in Datong around 10:30 a.m. and took a direct shuttle bus from Datong South Station to the Yungang Grottoes. Upon arrival, I recommend sharing a gold-level guide with other tourists at the explanation area. I bought the official audio guide for 29.9 yuan, but the robotic voice kept reading nonstop, which wasn’t very effective. It drowned out the live sounds and lacked immersion. The Yungang Grottoes are truly breathtaking—how were the craftsmen from the Northern Wei period over 1,500 years ago so skilled? It’s really awe-inspiring. I slowly toured for four hours; without a guide, the experience would be greatly diminished. By the time I finished visiting the Yungang Grottoes, it was almost 4 p.m., so I returned to Datong Ancient City. Feeling a bit tired, I went back to the hotel to eat and rest before heading to the ancient city wall. I recommend entering the city wall from Qingyuan Gate, which is free. Walking along the city wall at night is very pleasant. 2️⃣ Day Two: Feeling a bit worn out from the first day, I skipped the special forces-style trip to the Hanging Temple and Ying County Wooden Pagoda, thinking I could visit them next time since Datong isn’t far from Beijing. Instead, I chose to explore the ancient city on the second day. First, I checked in at Huayan Temple. The ticket costs 40 yuan, and stepping inside feels like traveling back in time. The Mahavira Hall was originally built during the Liao Dynasty and rebuilt in the Jin Dynasty. It is the largest surviving Buddhist hall from the Liao and Jin periods in China. Notably, the underground palace beneath the Huayan Pagoda is made entirely of pure copper—so luxurious. Next, I visited Shanhuasi Temple, where every Buddha statue is vivid and lifelike. The Four Heavenly Kings are adorable. I made a special visit to see the Goddess of Fortune, locking eyes with her for a few seconds, and unexpectedly felt a bit moved. Then I went to the Datong Museum, specifically to see the Northern Wei blue glassware. This “high-class blue” has transcended over a thousand years. The glassmaking technology from more than 1,600 years ago is extremely rare. These artifacts were excavated from the Northern Wei tombs in Datong, with walls only 2 millimeters thick. In short, two days in Datong over the weekend felt a bit short, but the impact was profound. After saying so much, I still find it hard to fully describe the beauty of Datong.