Datong
Yungang Grottoes · Huayan Temple · Ming Ancient City Wall · Hanging Temple
Last updated 22 July 2026 · by the Walk Voyage Editorial Team
Visitor data snapshot
What travelers actually experience in Datong
Verified visitor numbers, ratings, and ticket prices from a third-party travel platform. Trip.com international edition (USD pricing), snapshot 2026-08-01 · snapshot 2026-08-01.
5
Bookable attractions
4.66/5
Average rating
60K
Total reviews
1
Free entries
| Top attraction | Rating | Reviews | Ticket (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yungang Grottoes | 4.8 | 38,071 | $17.73 |
| Huayan Temple | 4.8 | 14,067 | $7.39 |
| Shanhua Temple | 4.8 | 1,854 | $5.91 |
| Datong Fantawild Adventure | 4.7 | 6,949 | $23.49 |
| Dai Wang Fu Ming Hundred Arts Garden | 4.5 | 2,495 | $5.62 |
Source: Trip.com international edition (USD pricing), snapshot 2026-08-01. Prices and review counts shift over time; check the source platform for current booking.
Datong at a glance
Travel snapshot- Province
- China
- Best season
- May-Oct
- Trip length
- 2 days recommended
- Avg budget
- $214 per person
- Top attractions
- 8 featured · 5 rated 4.7+
- Food picks
- 6 signature dishes
- Routes curated
- 3 multi-day itineraries
- Budget
- ¥4097 itemized
About Datong
Datong, the northern-most major city in Shanxi and the capital of the Northern Wei dynasty (398-494 AD), sits on the western edge of the Yanmenguan (Yanmen Pass) corridor where the Great Wall meets Inner Mongolia. The city is a 1,500-year-old Buddhist-art capital: the Yungang Grottoes (UNESCO World Heritage, 252 caves with 51,000+ statues carved 1,500 years ago) are the most-photographed Buddhist site in northern China. The reconstructed Ming-era Ancient City Wall (7.24 km, the only completely-restored Ming walled city in China) and the Liao-Jin dynasty Huayan-Shanhua temple pair make Datong the densest heritage cluster in Shanxi. The 9th-century Datong Earth Forest (volcanic-ash landform) and the Fantawild Adventure theme park round out the modern attractions.
Best Season
May-Oct
Days Recommended
2 Days
Avg Budget
$214
Location
Shanxi, China
Must-See Spots
Top Attractions in Datong
Yungang Grottoes (Yungang Shiku)
A UNESCO World Heritage Buddhist cave complex 16 km west of Datong, carved 1,500 years ago during the Northern Wei dynasty (5th century). The 252 caves contain 51,000+ Buddhist statues, the most-photographed being Cave 20's open-air Buddha (the only Northern Wei open-air Buddhist statue in the world) and the Cave 5 'Five-Door Hall' with the 17-meter-tall seated Sakyamuni. The caves span 60+ years of Northern Wei construction (460-525 AD), making them the most important Northern Wei Buddhist art site. Top Trip.com Shanxi attraction (38,071 reviews, 4.8/5).
Allow 3-4 hours. The Caves 5, 6, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 are the highlights - don't miss Cave 20. The 1.6-km walk between the front gate and Cave 20 has the scenic view. Take a guided tour (50 RMB) for the historical context.
Huayan Temple (Huayan Si)
A 1,000-year-old Liao-Jin dynasty Buddhist temple in central Datong, paired with the Shanhua Temple next door. The 4A complex has the Lower Temple (Lower Monastery) and the Upper Temple (Upper Monastery) - the Lower is the older Liao-dynasty section, the Upper is the Jin-dynasty section. The most-photographed is the Lower Temple's main hall (the largest Liao-dynasty hall in China) and the Bojia Hall (a Ming-dynasty addition with 2,000+ unique painted-clay Buddhist statues). Top-rated Datong heritage site (14,067 reviews, 4.8/5).
Combined ticket with Shanhua Temple and Nine Dragon Wall is 80 RMB. Allow 2-3 hours for both temples. The Lower Temple's main hall has the original Liao-era wooden architecture, the oldest of its kind in northern China.
Shanhua Temple (Shanhua Si)
A 1,100-year-old Liao-dynasty Buddhist temple in central Datong, paired with the Huayan Temple. The temple is the original Northern Wei capital's principal temple and was rebuilt by the Liao emperor in 1140. The 1,800-square-meter main hall (Daxiongbaodian) is the largest surviving Liao-dynasty wooden building in China, with the original 1,100-year-old painted clay Buddhist statues and the 'wall-painting' of 500 arhats. The 1,854 Trip.com reviews rank it the second-highest Datong heritage site.
Combined ticket with Huayan and Nine Dragon Wall. The main hall is the highlight - the original Liao-era wooden beams and painted clay statues are unique in China.
Datong Ancient City Wall (Datong Guchengqiang)
The completely-reconstructed 7.24-km Ming-era city wall in central Datong, the only Ming-era walled city in China fully rebuilt to 14th-century specifications. The 4A wall has 4 main gate towers, 28 bastion towers, and the 14-meter-tall granite walls. The night-illumination of the wall is the most-photographed Datong scene, and the West Gate's night-time light show recreates the Ming-era garrison. Free entry to walk on top of the wall.
Free entry to walk on top. Best at sunset (17:30-19:00) for the gold-tinted wall and the 18:00 night-illumination. The West Gate is the most-photographed entrance. Allow 1-2 hours for the full wall loop.
Nine Dragon Wall (Jiulong Bi)
A 600-year-old Ming-dynasty glazed-tile nine-dragon screen wall, originally built in 1392 for the Prince of Dai's mansion and now the largest surviving nine-dragon wall in China (45.5 m long, 8 m tall, 2 m thick). The wall is 200 years older than Beijing's Forbidden City nine-dragon wall and the largest of its kind in the country. The 1,971 Trip.com reviews rank it the top-rated Datong cultural site.
Combined ticket with Huayan and Shanhua. The most-photographed is the central 'Pulao' dragon. The 1,000-year-old glaze techniques are unique. Allow 30 min.
Datong Fantawild Adventure
North China's largest theme-park cluster, 10 km north of Datong, the 4A park with the indoor-outdoor roller coasters, the cultural-themed rides, the 1,000-mu (66-hectare) park, and the seasonal night shows. The 6,949 Trip.com reviews rank it the most-photographed Datong family destination.
Allow 5-6 hours. Buy tickets online for 10% off. The indoor zone is best for cold-weather days. The summer night show (June-August) is the highlight.
Datong Clay Forest (Datong Tulin)
A 200,000-year-old volcanic-ash soil-pillar landform in Datong county, 30 km south of the city center. The Mars-like landscape has the 1-km circular walking path through the 1,000+ red-rock soil pillars, the largest being the 'Wolong' (Crouching Dragon) 8-meter-tall pillar. The 895 Trip.com reviews rank it the top-rated Datong nature site.
Free entry. Best at sunset (18:00-19:30) when the red-rock glows. The 1-km walk is well-marked. Combine with the Wulongxia Eco-Tourism Resort for a half-day southern-Datong loop.
Hanging Temple (Xuankong Si) - day trip to Hunyuan
A 1,500-year-old cliff-temple 65 km southeast of Datong in Hunyuan county, the most-photographed Tang-era cliff-temple in China. The temple has 40+ halls perched on a vertical cliff face 75 meters above the ground, supported by 27 wooden poles (only half are load-bearing - the rest are decorative). The 1,496-year construction under the Northern Wei emperor Xiaowen is the only temple in China that has Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian deities under one roof. Top Trip.com Shanxi (non-Datong) attraction (11,496 reviews, 4.7/5).
Day trip from Datong (2-hour drive each way). Combine with Hengshan (the 'North Mountain' sacred peak) for a full day. The temple is closed on rainy days. Allow 1-2 hours on-site.
Local Flavors
What to Eat in Datong
Datong Knife-Cut Noodles (Datong Dao Xiao Mian)
Datong's northern-Shanxi version of knife-cut noodles - thicker and chewier than the Taiyuan version, with a stronger-aged-vinegar broth and the signature topping of mutton fat. The 1,000-year-old recipe is the most-recognizable Datong dish. Found at every morning noodle stall in the Drum Tower area.
Recommended: Drum Tower area morning noodle stalls, or the restored Ming-era courtyard restaurant on Huayan Street
Yellow Cake (Huang Gao)
A 1,000-year-old Datong festive dish - steamed glutinous rice and yellow soybean flour cake, served with a red-fruit jam. The traditional Datong New Year and wedding dish, with a soft chewy texture and the subtle yellow-soy aroma. Found at every Datong morning market and the Yungang night market.
Recommended: Drum Tower morning market, or the Yungang night market vendors
Sheep Offal Soup (Yang Za Soup)
A Datong cold-climate winter specialty - mutton offal, blood curd, and vermicelli in a spicy sour broth with cilantro and aged vinegar. The defining Datong cold-weather comfort food, found at every morning market and night stall.
Recommended: Drum Tower morning market, or any night stall around the Huayan Temple area
Datong Shaomai (Datong Shaomai)
The 1,000-year-old Datong version of shaomai - a half-moon shaped dumpling with pork and shrimp filling, steamed in 5 minutes. The Datong version is distinctive for the thin wheat-flour skin and the lighter seasoning. Found at the morning shaomai stalls in the Drum Tower area.
Recommended: Drum Tower morning shaomai stalls
Hunyuan Cold Noodles (Hunyuan Liang Fen)
A 1,000-year-old Hunyuan county (south of Datong) specialty - buckwheat noodles served cold with aged vinegar, chili oil, garlic, and Chinese parsley. The most-recognizable Hunyuan dish, found at the Hanging Temple area vendors and Datong's Drum Tower night market.
Recommended: Hanging Temple visitor-area vendors, or the Drum Tower night market in Datong
Datong Stuffed Lamb (Datong Kao Quan Yang)
A 500-year-old Datong specialty - whole lamb stuffed with glutinous rice, chestnuts, and local herbs, then slow-roasted over juniper wood for 6 hours. The Datong wedding and festival dish, served family-style on a large platter. Found at the Huayan Temple-area Datong restaurants.
Recommended: Fenglin Yuan (凤临院) on Huayan Street, or the Datong Old Mansion restaurant
Curated Itineraries
Suggested Routes in Datong
Datong Yungang & Ancient City 1-Day Trip
A 1-day trip covering the Yungang Grottoes, the Huayan-Shanhua temple pair, and the Ancient City Wall. Best year-round.
Datong + Hanging Temple 2-Day Trip
A 2-day trip combining the Yungang Grottoes and Datong Ancient City with the Hanging Temple and Hengshan Mountain. The most-popular first-time Datong itinerary.
Datong + Mount Wutai 3-Day Cultural Trip
A 3-day cultural loop combining Datong's heritage with the UNESCO Mount Wutai Buddhist sacred mountain.
Trip Planning
Travel Budget for Datong
Transport
Dining
Attractions
Accommodation
Total estimated budget: $214 per person
Actual costs vary by travel style, season, and booking choices.
Common Questions
Datong Travel FAQ
What is the best time to visit Datong?
May-Oct is generally the best season, with comfortable weather for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
How many days are recommended for Datong?
2 days is a practical baseline for first-time visitors covering major highlights.
What is a typical travel budget in Datong?
A common reference is around $214 per person, depending on hotel level, transport, and attraction choices.
Is Datong suitable for family travel?
Yes. Datong has diverse attractions, flexible route options, and accommodation levels suitable for family trips.
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