Datong大同

The questions people ask first about Datong, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
• SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
• Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
• TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
• SafetyDatong is a low-crime city and the main risks are practical: winter cold, slippery monastery ladders, and long unwalkable distances outside the walls.
• RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
• Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
• Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
• Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
• AirportDAT Datong Yungang Airport (About 18 km from the centre; domestic and regional flights only, no Beijing service — take the train.).DAT Datong Yungang Airport (About 11 mi from the centre; domestic and regional flights only, no Beijing service — take the train.).
• Getting aroundBuses cost ¥1 (≈ under US$1) and need exact change — foreign cards cannot load a Datong bus card, so carry ¥1 (≈ under US$1) notes.

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5)
• Street or quick mealNoodle bowl (knife-cut noodles)¥15–40 (≈ US$3–6)
• Beerdraught in a restaurant / can at a shop¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5)¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
• Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 mi5 km DiDi ride3.1 mi DiDi ridecheck¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4)
• Metro or bus rideBus rideExact change only.¥1 (≈ under US$1)
• Museum or sight ticketNine Dragon Screen entry¥10 (≈ US$2)
• Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personCN¥60 (≈ US$9)
• Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomCN¥350 (≈ US$50)
• High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomCN¥700 (≈ US$100)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥300 (≈ US$45) · Mid CN¥600 (≈ US$85) · High CN¥1,200 (≈ US$170)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

Buses cost ¥1 and need exact change — foreign cards cannot load a Datong bus card, so carry ¥1 notes. DiDi works well and is the easy way to reach the Hanging Monastery and Yingxian. Walking is fine inside the walls; outside them, blocks stretch and a 3-block walk can take 30–45 minutes.

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Datong. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

• officialDatong municipal government
• officialYungang Grottoes official site
• officialDatong Museum
• officialHeng Mountain official site
• secondaryWikivoyage: Datong, revision 5297122 (CC BY-SA 4.0)