2025 Datong Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in March)

Hey guys, I went to Datong a while ago, and it was an unforgettable trip! Today, I'm going to share my travel guide with those of you who are planning to visit Datong for the first time~ Travel Preparation Before you leave, be sure to check the weather in Datong in advance and prepare appropriate clothing 🧥 When I went, the temperature difference between morning and evening was quite large, so I brought a thick coat. Also, don't forget your ID card and other documents. If you have a student ID or senior citizen card, bring it with you, as many attractions offer discounts! Also, download "Cloud QuickPass" on your phone in advance, so you can pay for the bus by scanning a QR code, which is super convenient! Must-Visit Attractions 📍Datong City Wall: You must come to see this spectacular ancient city wall when you visit Datong. Climb the city wall at dusk, and the afterglow of the sunset will shine on the ancient city wall, dyeing the whole city in warm colors. It's breathtaking! You can rent a bike and ride around the city wall to experience the fusion of history and modernity. The night view of the city wall is also amazing. When the lights come on, it's a whole different scene✨ 📍Yungang Grottoes: This is a World Cultural Heritage Site and definitely Datong's top attraction! When I walked into the grottoes and saw the exquisite Buddha statues and murals, I was really shocked by the wisdom and skills of the ancients. Be sure to hire a guide to explain the stories behind these Buddha statues, as each grotto has its own unique historical and artistic value, which is really worth savoring. Local Delicacies 🍜Sliced Noodles: When you come to Datong, sliced noodles are a must-try! The noodles are thick in the middle and thin on both sides, smooth on the outside and chewy on the inside, soft but not sticky, and the more you chew, the more fragrant they become. I randomly found a small street shop, and the taste was very authentic. You can choose the toppings according to your preference, such as meat sauce, ribs, tomato and egg, etc. None of them will disappoint you. 🥟Lamb Offal: Lamb offal is also one of Datong's specialties. A bowl of lamb offal is full of lamb tripe, liver, blood, etc., with vermicelli and rich soup. One bite will warm your heart. You can add some chili and vinegar according to your taste, and it will taste even better! Tips 🎫Attraction Tickets: When buying attraction tickets, be sure to go through official channels. Don't trust those who sell tickets at the entrance of the attractions, as you may end up buying fake tickets or overpriced tickets. 🚗Transportation: Datong's transportation is relatively convenient, but during the peak tourist season, the ancient city may be congested. If you plan to visit attractions in the ancient city, it is recommended to choose public transportation or shared bikes to avoid traffic jams. This trip to Datong left a very deep impression on me. Whether it was the ancient history and culture or the delicious local food, I couldn't get enough of it. For those of you visiting Datong for the first time, follow this guide and you won't go wrong! Pack your bags and embark on a spontaneous trip to Datong💖

In the quiet of the Shanxi Datong Earth Forest, gaze at the distant horizon at dusk, and the whole place is bathed in a warm orange glow, like a grand painting unfolding before your eyes. About 40 km from Datong city, it feels like stepping into another world. On this vast land, time seems to slow down, and the sky gradually turns red and purple, blending with the golden sunset. The light and shadow dance, and a gentle breeze carries the dry scent of earth and the fragrance of distant wild grass. In the lens, the Earth Forest looks even more mysterious in the afterglow of the sunset. They are like giant stones carved by time, layered and varied in shape. Those irregular lines and shapes seem to tell stories of a forgotten past. If you look closely, it seems as if there are ancient marks left on the stones, bearing witness to history. In the light of the setting sun, these Earth Forests seem to be infused with life. Looking at the colorful land bathed in the glow of the sunset, it is like a poem or a painting. Looking at the distant sky dyed red by the sunset, it is like a giant oil painting hanging in the sky. And you stand on that land, feeling the magnificence and beauty of nature. At this moment, the Shanxi Datong Earth Forest seems to be the most beautiful painting between heaven and earth, full of poetry and stories. It is a place that can intoxicate and fascinate, a paradise for photographers. At that moment, time seems to stand still, leaving only you and this beautiful land.

Datong Yungang Jianguo Hotel Location Located on the bank of Yudong Yingbin Bridge, it is a new landmark building in the Yudong CBD business district. It is 12 km from the airport, 3.8 km from the high-speed railway station, 18 km from the Yungang Grottoes, a World Cultural Heritage site, and close to the bustling commercial and entertainment district of Wanda Plaza and Fantawild Adventure, making it a convenient place for leisure, shopping, and entertainment. Room environment The room I stayed in was super spacious and full of design. The room is mainly decorated in white, black, and gold, which is both modern and tasteful. In addition, each room has bright floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing you to enjoy the city view of Datong. The soundproofing of the room is also super good, once you close the doors and windows, the noise outside is no longer your concern. Dining experience When it comes to food, the restaurants and bars in the hotel will definitely satisfy your picky taste buds. The hotel has a 2,200-square-meter pillarless banquet hall, which is a must for high-end events and large conferences, and 14 exclusive themed banquet halls for you to enjoy the perfect presentation of visual culture. The Chinese and Western buffet restaurant is surrounded by water, as if you are in nature, and you can enjoy the food in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Leisure and entertainment The leisure and entertainment facilities are also very complete, the hotel has a spa, providing a full range of relaxation and rejuvenation atmosphere. There is also a 12-meter swimming pool surrounded by loungers, which is the perfect place to swim or simply relax. In addition, the hotel's Terrat rooftop bar offers an unforgettable all-day outdoor experience where you can enjoy a variety of drinks and cocktails while relaxing and watching the sunset in Datong. Service experience In terms of service, Datong Yungang Jianguo Hotel is really doing a good job. Their staff adhere to the customer-first service concept, providing you with a home-like experience. I personally experienced their professionalism and enthusiasm, and every little detail was taken care of. Overall, Datong Yungang Jianguo Hotel gives me the feeling of being high-end, stylish, and well-serviced. If you are a traveler who comes to Datong in pursuit of quality and luxury experience and want to find a unique accommodation experience, I sincerely recommend you to try it here. I was quite satisfied after staying here, and I will probably choose this place again next time I come to Datong.

Why not visit Taiyuan, Shanxi? This ancient city has a history of over 2,500 years and was the filming location for the movie "Red River Valley". The city is home to many historical buildings and has a clear cross-street layout and well-preserved streets and lanes. It is shaped like a phoenix with its head to the north and tail to the south, hence its nickname "Phoenix City". "One city to see Shanxi, one street for 5,000 years", you must visit Taiyuan Ancient County City! For accommodation, we recommend Home Inn Taiyuan World Trade Center Changzhi Road Wangcun South Street Subway Station. Experience a different kind of service and experience. Come and feel it!

The first thing I did when I arrived in Datong was to visit the Yungang Grottoes in the west of the city, It's simply spectacular! The caves stretch for about 1 km from east to west, The tallest statue is 17 meters high! Because it was carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty, The style of the statues has changed over time, From Hu style and Hu rhyme to Han style and fusion, Therefore, there are many highlights in the structure of the caves, the costumes and appearance of the statues, etc., There are many double caves and two Buddhas sitting opposite each other, It is indeed a treasure house of Chinese art❗️ - ♾️「Visiting Guide」 The Yungang Grottoes are mainly divided into 3 periods according to the shape of the caves, the style and content of the statues: Early, Middle and Late. ►Early: Caves 16～20 (Dayao Five Caves) ►Middle (Most prosperous): 1, 2, 5～13, and the unfinished Cave 3, this stage can see the changes from Hu style to Han style and Han style to Hu style ►Late: Caves 4, 14, 15 and the caves west of Cave 20 (fewer large caves, more small caves, Han style) - 🔆「Amazing caves that will wow you! Must-see!」 ✔️Cave 3: Although the cave was carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty, there are also statues from the Sui, Tang and Liao Dynasties. The north wall is carved with the "Three Saints of the West", and there is a skylight opposite that shines light on the statue, giving it a sense of destiny! . ✔️Caves 5 and 6: This is a pair of caves. The two walls of the entrance to Cave 5 are carved with the classic style of two Buddhas sitting opposite each other under a Bodhi tree. I even bought a refrigerator magnet with the same design! The north wall is the tallest Buddha statue in Yungang Grottoes, with vibrant colors; Cave 6 is carved with large and small stone carvings, known as "Yungang's First Great Spectacle" . ✔️Caves 7 and 8: The earliest double caves in Yungang, with the "Six Beauties of Yungang" and multi-headed and multi-armed statues. . ✔️Cave 12: The famous Music Cave, the front room is carved with musicians and dancers, the instruments in their hands are lifelike and colorful, which is a feast for the eyes! (Caves 9-12 are commonly known as the Five Flower Caves, all with later mud-painted murals, visually rich) . ✔️Caves 16～20 (Dayao Five Caves): Overall tall and complete, mainly with Three Generations of Buddhas, representing the five emperors of the Northern Wei Dynasty, the statues have Western Region characteristics, high noses and long eyes, tall and strong. Cave 20, the White Buddha Cave, is open-air and the best place to take photos! - 📸「Photography Guide」 Go early, take photos of Cave 20 first, then return to Cave 3, and finally view in order, avoid the main group viewing order, the least people, the best photos～ - 🚗「Transportation Recommendations」 🚌Bus No. 3 can go directly, frequent departures, the road is also very smooth 🚕Taxi, about 17 km from the city center, not too far - 📌Small tips: ✔️It is recommended to choose a scenic electric car before, 15 yuan round trip, save a lot of time and effort, return can be parked at Mimi Main Creative Store, get Black Goku Pass, stamp ✔️Currently no need to book in advance, buy tickets anytime ✔️Watch the official website introduction, documentaries, etc. in advance to increase your knowledge. You can find a tour guide on the spot, 180-380, expert explanation needs to be booked in advance, more people are more cost-effective, electronic explanation 💰10

Compared to the Pingyao Ancient City which is now a tourist attraction, I prefer the Zhenguo Temple and Shuanglin Temple outside the ancient city. There are no bustling tourists here, only an immersive dialogue with the ancients. No wonder it became the filming location of "Black Myth: Wukong". · After leaving Zhenguo Temple, I headed straight to Shuanglin Temple, which was the most anticipated place for my second visit to Pingyao. Although it dates back to the Ming Dynasty and is not very prominent in Shanxi, which has many ancient buildings, the 2,052 Ming Dynasty painted clay sculptures scattered throughout the temple's halls are indeed top-notch in the country and are known as the "treasure house of oriental colored sculpture art." · At first glance, Shuanglin Temple is much larger than Zhenguo Temple, and there is a circle of tall rammed earth and brick walls around the temple, which looks a bit like a castle. The temple is divided into two parts, the western part is the temple courtyard, with more than ten halls and three courtyards; the eastern part is the Zen temple and scripture room, which are now basically destroyed. · When you enter Shuanglin Temple and follow the central axis, the first thing that comes into view is the Heavenly King Hall. Compared with the Heavenly Kings and Bodhisattvas in the hall, what impressed me more were the Four Great Vajras lined up under the eaves of the Heavenly King Hall. As images of guardian warriors, the four statues here are no longer the ferocious and terrifying Vajra in people's impression. Instead, they adopt a more realistic modeling technique. In addition to the grand posture in the space and the nearly 3-meter-tall body, in addition to the heroic spirit of "strength to pull mountains and courage to conquer the world", there is also a sense of closeness to the human world. · The Sakyamuni Hall is one of the main halls of the temple, with a width of five rooms and a depth of three rooms. In addition to the statues of the Three Holy Ones of Huayan in the hall, what is even more impressive is the use of hanging sculptures on the four walls of the hall, which adopt a layered combination and chain wall sculpture form to project the life of Sakyamuni into this hall. The Guanyin Crossing the Sea behind the screen wall is also a wonderful work of colored sculpture in Shuanglin Temple. · The Great Hall is the tallest building in the temple. The main statues are the Three Bodies of Buddha. Unfortunately, these statues were redecorated in the Qing Dynasty and are slightly inferior to the statues in other halls. Therefore, what is more worth seeing in the Main Hall is the mural "Worshiping Buddha" painted in the Ming Dynasty, but it is also a pity that it was covered with white powder in the early years of the Republic of China and was not partially washed out until 1982. Today, you can still see a glimpse of the mural, with upright line drawing and bright colors, which has the style of the Yuan Dynasty. · The Niangniang Hall is the last building on the central axis of the temple and was built during the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty. The statue of "Goddess of Childbirth" in the hall was sculpted based on folk legends and was redecorated in the Qing Dynasty. There is also a small hall on the east side named Zhenyi Temple, which contains statues of "Sleeping Aunt" and "Medicine Granny", which were rebuilt during the Republic of China period. Because the light in this hall is dim and many of the statues have their eyes damaged, they appear a bit ghostly. · Personally, I think the most wonderful colored sculptures of Shuanglin Temple are not in the main halls on the central axis, but in the Thousand Buddha Hall and Bodhisattva Hall, which are easily overlooked. There are more than 500 colored sculptures in the Thousand Buddha Hall alone, accounting for a quarter of the entire temple. There are two of Shuanglin Temple’s most popular colored sculptures here. One is the Guanyin with a serene and charming face and a comfortable and natural posture. One is a statue of Weituo, which is known as "the first Weituo in China". The statue is very individual, with both martial arts and culture, and is quite dynamic. It is a rare artistic masterpiece among the Ming Dynasty colored sculptures. In addition, the hanging sculptures and wall sculptures around the hall are also extremely splendid. Their clothing and accessories are even valuable materials for studying the development and evolution of Ming Dynasty clothing. · The most outstanding figure in the Bodhisattva Hall is the Thousand-armed Thousand-eyed Guanyin, who sits cross-legged in the center, with a gentle and graceful demeanor and ever-changing gestures. If it weren't for the many arms extending from behind, this Guanyin would look more like a beautiful, elegant, graceful and generous young woman. The hanging sculptures in this hall are also not to be underestimated. There are more than 400 Bodhisattvas, all with their feet on colorful clouds, giving a feeling that the walls are full of wind. · 🏠Name | Shuanglin Temple 🎫Tickets | 35 yuan ⛳Address | No. 28, Shuanglin Main Street, Pingyao County 🚗Transportation | Just use the "Shuanglin Temple" navigation system for self-driving

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Worshiping Hou Tu Niangniang, Quanzhen Sect of Taoism. ⭕️Taiheyan Archway: An experience of a thousand years at a glance! It is also the only glazed archway! ⭕️Zoroastrianism Tower: One of the three famous towers in Jin Dynasty, and the only Zoroastrianism building. ⭕️Zhangbi Ancient Castle: Peacock blue glazed plaques from the Ming Dynasty, the structure of the ancient castle Note⚠️ 1️⃣The Taiheyan Archway is far away. Take a bus from Jiexiu Station for 1 hour and walk about 1 kilometer after getting off 2️⃣ Jiexiu will have a lunch break at noon except for the museum I have traveled to 100+ cities in depth Continuously updating...

Last year, I planned a trip to visit ancient buildings as a designer, and checked in at the following classic ancient buildings in Shanxi: Taiyuan: Jinci Temple, Qingyuan Confucian Temple, Tianlong Temple, Dou Dafu Temple, Shuangta Temple, Chunyang Palace Xinzhou: Drum Tower, Daizhou Confucian Temple, Foguang Temple, Nanchan Temple, Yanqing Temple, Hongfu Temple, Princess Temple, Yanshan Temple Datong: Yungang Grottoes, Huayan Temple, Shanhua Temple, Hanging Temple, Yong'an Temple, Yuanjue Temple Lvliang: Taifu Temple Shuozhou: Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, Chongfu Temple, Jingtusi Temple Jinzhong: Pingyao Ancient City, Houtu Temple, Zishou Temple, Zhenguo Temple, Shuanglin Temple, Jingxin Temple Ruicheng: Yongle Palace The twenty-day journey brought me so much shock. The aesthetics, wisdom, and craftsmanship of the ancients are all worth learning from! However, checking in at ancient buildings in Shanxi is not easy. There are many spots and they are scattered. It is recommended to drive by yourself. Some niche ancient buildings are not open to the public and require contacting cultural preservation personnel.

Seven destiny check-in spots discovered in northern Shanxi 🔗P1: Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, Shanxi Built in 1056 AD (the second year of Liao Qingning, the third year of Northern Song Zhihe), the pagoda is 67.31 meters high, with a base diameter of 30.27 meters and a total weight of about 7,400 tons. It is the tallest and oldest existing pure wooden structure pagoda-style building in the world. 🔗P2: Foguang Temple, Wutai Mountain, Shanxi It is the only palace-style building from the Tang Dynasty that has been preserved to this day, fully embodying the essence of Tang architecture. The grand dougong (bracket sets) and deep eaves give the impression of a great roc spreading its wings, creating a light and graceful atmosphere despite the otherwise oppressive architecture. 🔗P3: Hanging Temple, Datong, Shanxi The Hanging Temple was built in the late Northern Wei period (491 AD), over 1,500 years ago. It is a unique temple that integrates Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. The architecture of the "Hanging Temple" is highly distinctive, known for its perilous position as if it were on the brink of an abyss. It is famously described in the saying, "Hanging Temple, halfway up the sky, suspended by three horse tails," highlighting its precarious and lofty position. 🔗P4: Chongfu Temple, Shuozhou, Shanxi Chongfu Temple faces south and is grand in scale, with its main buildings located along the central axis of the temple, extending longitudinally from north to south. Despite the changes in dynasties, Chongfu Temple retains the memory of traditional architecture and the craftsmanship of various dynasties, continuing the architectural history and reflecting the technological and cultural levels of the times. 🔗P5-P7: Yungang Grottoes, Datong, Shanxi As the first royal-authorized grotto in China, the Yungang Grottoes reflect the political ambitions of the Northern Wei Dynasty. Compared to other grotto temples in China, the Yungang Grottoes are most influenced by Western styles, with strong elements of Indian and Central Asian art, as well as Greek and Roman architectural forms, decorative patterns, and facial features. This unique blend highlights the connections with major world civilizations and is unparalleled in the treasure trove of Chinese art, significantly influencing the development of Chinese culture and art in later periods. 🔗P8-P10: Huayan Temple, Datong, Shanxi Built in the eighth year of Liao Qingning (1062 AD), Huayan Temple is one of the earliest and most well-preserved Liao and Jin temple complexes in China, and one of the three major Liao temples still existing in China. 🔗P11-P12: Shanhua Temple, Datong, Shanxi The architecture of Shanhua Temple is staggered in height, with a clear primary and secondary structure, and symmetrical layout. It is the largest and most complete Liao and Jin period architectural complex still existing in China.

This Datong flash tour plan originally didn't include this place. When passing by the museum, I saw this modern and fashionable building and decided to come and take a look. It turned out to be the Datong Art Museum, no wonder it has such an artistic atmosphere inside and out～ The sharp corner design is fashionable and simple, and it is also a beautiful scenery line in this ancient cultural capital. 📷The photo spots are mainly divided into the exterior and interior of the building, two completely different styles ❤️The exterior features a red sharp corner design under the blue sky and white clouds, with a circle of photo spots suitable for taking pictures. Pay attention to the angle of the sun to avoid shadows making people look dark👨🏿‍💼 ❤️The interior is a pure white building with a strong sense of geometry. The lines paired with the minimalist style are the feel I like. It is very suitable for shooting those spacious environment portraits. However, due to limited time this time, I couldn't appreciate the artworks one by one, which is a pity. It is recommended that friends who want to visit here reserve 1-2 hours, the exhibitions are still worth visiting. 🌈Datong Art Museum ⏰Summer 09:00-18:00 📱No need to book in advance, you can make a reservation at the entrance, and the tickets are free～

Datong is a great weekend getaway destination for people from Beijing, Tianjin, and the surrounding areas. This time, taking advantage of the workday plus the off-season double buff, the experience concludes: Datong is worth a special trip! 🎈 Yungang Grottoes: Recommendation Rating⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The murals and Buddha statues of the four major grottoes are unparalleled, and a thousand-year dialogue makes the trip worthwhile. Special reminders: 1. The grottoes open at 9 am, don't go too early or you'll freeze! It's still quite cold in the morning now. 2. Tickets are 100, half-price for students at 50, make sure to bring your student ID. 3. The museum is not open. 4. Yungang Grottoes mini-program, search will redirect to Lijiang guide, which automatically explains based on your geographical location. 5. Generally, photography inside the caves is not allowed. 🎈 Huayan Temple: Recommendation Rating⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Tickets are 35. A thousand-year-old temple, the moment you step into the Mahavira Hall, you will definitely feel that the trip was worth it. You can climb to the top of the Huayan Pagoda! The underground palace contains relics, and the history of the Tripitaka is the oldest! 🎈 Shanhua Temple: Recommendation Rating⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An ancient architectural complex with a hundred years of history, the Tang Dynasty style will refresh your senses, as if the heyday of the Tang Dynasty was just yesterday. 🎈 Ancient City Wall⭐️⭐️⭐️ Following the principle of 'since we're here, let's do it', if you have enough energy, go up and take a look. The sightseeing car is not necessary. 🎈 Nine Dragon Screen⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Old stuff, very big! Free! 🎈 Fahua Temple⭐️⭐️⭐️ Free! The front is beautiful, the inside is new, come out in 5 minutes. 🚞 Itinerary: Day1, Yungang Grottoes — Huayan Temple — Lunch (Zini 369) — Shanhua Temple — Ancient City Wall — Nine Dragon Screen — Fahua Temple — China Sculpture Museum — Dinner at Longjuxiang Day2, Follow a one-day group tour, Hanging Temple — Hengshan — Yingxian Wooden Pagoda — Datong City Area — Dinner at Xijindao 🌳 Some suggestions: 1. Datong is really worth a detailed visit, if you have enough time you can go to a few more attractions. 2. The overall cost of living in Datong is low, and the local customs are simple. The phenomenon of overcharging tourists should not be too serious. In particular, jaywalking is a serious issue in Datong, so pay attention to traffic safety. 3. Besides the Yungang Grottoes, I highly recommend Huayan Temple, Shanhua Temple, and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda! They are truly ancient buildings that have stood for a thousand years, friends, what else can you say but 'impressive'? 4. The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda I visited with a group included a guide, and I think this is the attraction that most deserves a guided tour! If you go there on your own, be sure to hire one, because the guide will explain in great detail and make you feel passionate and slightly regretful. 5. For Hengshan, take the bus to the mid-mountain and then climb up. It takes one hour to climb up and 40 minutes to come down. To be honest, the scenery is just average. 6. Personally, I feel that the 100 ticket for the Hanging Temple is a bit expensive, and going up just means being pushed around by the crowd. 🌳 Shanxi may not have a high profile, but it is truly worth a visit. You will feel the charm of ancient Chinese architecture, and it will definitely leave you with lasting memories!

Traveling to Datong in winter is really great! There are hardly any tourists, you can enjoy the happiness of contracting the whole scenic area!! You can visit and take photos as much as you want, and the temperature has started to rise recently, with the highest temperature during the day approaching 0 degrees, and it's warm when the sun is shining, making the trip very comfortable. The entrance tickets for the scenic spots in the off-season are cheaper! Accommodation is also very cost-effective! Four or five stars are only about 200! There are so many delicious foods, such as Guo You Rou, Sha La Juice, Datong Knife-cut Noodles, Shao Mai, etc.~ It's a paradise for lovers of carbohydrates, meat and sweet and sour taste. I found that the portion of food here is so large, half a portion is close to the portion in the south!

Yungang Grottoes Located in Datong City, Shanxi Province, it was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty The Longmen Grottoes in Henan, the Yungang Grottoes in Shanxi, and the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang are collectively known as the three major grottoes in China. The Yungang Grottoes not only have traditional Chinese artistic style, but also integrate the artistic characteristics of ancient India, the Western Regions and various ethnic groups in the Central Plains. It is a famous historical site. The four characters "Enter the Buddha's Knowledge and Insights" are inscribed on the door at the entrance, which invites reflection. The guide spoke clearly and led the group one by one, so it was not crowded to visit the grottoes. Listed as a World Cultural Heritage in 2001 Recommendation index ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We stayed in Datong for 1 full day during January 2023. The temperature ranged between-10 and -20 so was pretty chilly and you need lots of layers. There are two main activities/ attractions in Datong, the Yungang Grottoes and The Hanging Temple. the Yungang Grottoes are close to the city about a 20min taxi from the centre and definitely worth a visit. The Hanging Temple is further away and requires a 1hr to 1hr and half taxi. Which our hotel helped organise. but this is definitely worth doing the Temple is just magical.#2023travelwish #datong

Datong's city wall was built in 1372 (early stage of Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644). Towering to 14 meters high with a perimeter of 7270 meters and 4 main gates, 4 turrets, and 46 watch towers. During the Ming Dynasty, the ancient wall was designated as one of the nine military towns along the Great Wall of China, defending against the steppe nomads from the north. #china #ancient #ancientWall #citywall #datong #shanxi #traditional #architecture #traditionalArchitecture

Datong city has lots of interesting places to visit. One of them - Buddhism Hanging Monastery in Heng Mountain. It’s an unusual place for such construction but mountain protects the building from sun, rain and snow. Plus it challenges the monks and gives the peace. When you look at it you can’t believe how it was possible to build it there. Monastery is hanging between the earth and the heavens. ✅The best time to visit this complex is from April till the end of October. ✅Working hours: from 8:00 am till 6:00 pm. ✅If you want to visit the monastery the entrance ticket will cost 130 rmb. If you want just to walk around and not to climb the mountain you need to pay only 15!rmb. #bucketlistreboot

It’s a Buddhist cave-carving complex. All the statues are carved in caves or small grottoes. They are dated 5th and 6th centuries. It’s a UNESCO heritage and it’s amazingly beautiful! Statues really impress. Some of them are big like skyscrapers, some statues are very small, but cover the whole wall in the cave. The complex is big, you can walk around. There is a part with caves, but the other part of mountains is surrounded by beautiful natural landscape. You can walk in the park, or alone the river. You will spend at around 4 hours there, so food 🥢🥡 options are available on the territory. #bucketlistreboot

Datong city is: coal, noodles and temples. We went to Datong during a chinese holiday, 8 hours drive from Beijing or 2-3 hours of high speed train. The must see attraction are: - the hanging temples (very long queue when we went but worth it, a stunning structure and view) - the Yungang grottoes (is incredible how these sculptures remained intact through the time, I was super excited to see these grottoes since I studied so much in my chinese art class in uni 😅--> love it despite the bad weather) - huayuan monastery (it's inside the city, and from the top of the tallest temple you can see pretty amazing views of the city. Be aware of the steep stairs 😣 ) - the city wall (this one was my fave ❤️ we did the tour during the night with the golf cart, but you can easily rent a bicycle, tandem or risciò and cycle around ) #naturalwonders#ancientarchitecture#historicculture#culturalattractions

Yungang Grottoes in China’s Datong. There are high figurines for Buddhist emperors of the Sinicized nomadic dynasty of Wei, We travelled to Datong on the 8:40am fast train from Beijing North and organised for the taxi driver we got at the new Datong South station to take us to the caves and then bring us back to the station after a few hours at the caves (we have some basic Chinese language skills) It was certainly very cold but the caves are so amazing that we didn’t even think about how cold we were. The whole place is very well done and seeing the caves is very easy - being so cold (-4 on the day we visited) we did pay the 15Y for the electric bus around the site. We highly recommend the Yungang Grottoes if you have time. #naturaloxygenbar #historicculture #museumquest #museumquest#artgallery#historicculture

Everyone needs to experience Datong! From the amazing historical sites to the delicious local food to the friendly people, Datong is a wonderful place to visit! The historical sites are very impressive, and some places are free to visit. The two main attractions are incredible - Yungang Grottoes and Hengshan Hanging Temple. There are other temples, parks and the city wall as well. To experience everything, you need several days. The food is all fantastic - walk into any restaurant or eat the street food, and you will love it! Getting There - airport, train Attractions - Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Temple and more Hotels - A wide variety to choose from and all conveniently located Food & Restaurants - all local food is great! Shopping - Markets and malls #unforgettableexperiences#scenicspotguide#deliciousfood#historicculture

Address - Datong Ambiance/Facilities - breakfast, pool, restaurants Highlights - great rooms, good food, good location, friendly and helpful staff Avg. Price per Person - 300rmb per room Rating - 5 diamonds #hotelstay

Datong is an old place on the mend. The city is trying to restore some resemblance to it's former glory. The city walls and temples are being rebuilt so it's possible to experience a traditional atmosphere if you ignore the construction equipment and rubble here and there. One would expect more ancient sites in the city itself, but the main attractions are out in the countryside. The Hanging Temple is a taxi ride away. It's slightly commercialized, but, nonetheless, the temple still stand. It's a grand old structure built into the mountainside adorned with carvings and old paintwork. Definitely worth a visit. Personally, the more impressive site is the ancient Yúngāng Grottoes. They're genuinely awe-inspiring! The statues are massive and well-preserved. Inside the caves are many detailed carvings that decorate the cave walls and roof. You might be pushed along by numerous tour groups, but it's worthwhile. All-in-all, it's a cool spot with a rich history. There aren't many fancy hotels or restaurants, so it might be best to plan a short backpackers-type trip grazing on noodles and street food. #ancientlandmark#historicculture

Getting There - Taxi Attractions - Yungang Grottes. Hotels - Pipa Hotel Food & Restaurants -  Shopping - 

#hengshan#datongshi#nanchengzhuang Village.You should not miss such places.

We visited these caves as well as the Longmen caves. Both are remarkable although Longmen has a greater “wow” factor. Keep in mind if you do go to Datong that it is a coal city and the air is often polluted. #wintergetaway #wintergetaway

Datong is the city located in the Northern part of Shanxi Province. Here you can visit some of very famous places. One of them is the city wall. The city wall of Datong is one of the oldest in China. Inside the city wall, there are some temples and museums as well as great places to eat and shop. Spend some time to walk around here as it is beautiful especially at night time. #HalloTrip

Yungang grottoes is located near the city of Datong. It is a very common place for tourists who come to visit Datong, as it is easy to reach. Public bus will take around 40 minutes so it is quite convenient. Inside, you will see really massive statues from the history which are just beautiful. There is also a museum inside. #HalloTrip  

The existing ancient city wall of Datong was built by the Ming Dynasty general Xu Da in the five years of Ming Hongwu on the basis of the Han, Wei, Tang, Liao, Jin and Yuan old cities. There are four main buildings, the main city gate, Yang, Yongtai, Qingyuan and Wuding. At the same time, there are also moats, suspension bridges and castle towers. The ancient city wall is free of visits to tourists. After boarding the city wall, you can choose a battery car or rent a bicycle to ride around the city for a week, 360 degrees to see the true Datong ancient city more than a thousand years ago. It coincides with the setting sun, and the beauty of the scenery cannot be described.