Major city · China
Datong大同
Give Datong 2 nights: one full day for the Yungang Grottoes and the Ancient City, one day trip to the Hanging Monastery and Yingxian Pagoda.
Datong is a former Northern Wei capital on the northern Shanxi frontier, about 1 h 45 min from Beijing by high-speed rail. The Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Monastery sit outside the city; the walled Ancient City is a rebuilt temple-and-shopping core. Two nights covers the essentials, three if you add Heng Mountain or Tulin.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Dec–Feb (very cold, dry), Jul–Aug rain
- Airport
- DAT
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Datong110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
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.
Show all 12 answers
- 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 (11 mi) from the centre; domestic and regional flights only, no Beijing service — take the train.).DAT Datong Yungang Airport (About 11 mi (18 km) 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.
Cost cheat-sheet
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 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) DiDi ride3.1 mi (5 km) 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 →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DAT Datong Yungang Airport (About 18 km (11 mi) from the centre; domestic and regional flights only, no Beijing service — take the train.)DAT Datong Yungang Airport (About 11 mi (18 km) from the centre; domestic and regional flights only, no Beijing service — take the train.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Dec
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C) low), wettest Jul (97 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Datong: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
2 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
4 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
21 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
33 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
53 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
97 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
76 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
60 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
23 rd
Nov
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
8 rd
Dec
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
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.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Yungang Grottoes
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Bus or DiDi about 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of the centreBus or DiDi about 6.2 mi (10 km) northwest of the centre
Allow 3–4 h on site; go at opening to beat the tour groups.
Hanging Monastery and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h each way
DiDi or hired car, about 65 km (40 mi) southeastDiDi or hired car, about 40 mi (65 km) southeast
Pair both in one day; the pagoda is a further 40 km (25 mi) south of the monastery.Pair both in one day; the pagoda is a further 25 mi (40 km) south of the monastery.
Heng Mountain
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h each way
Same road as the Hanging Monastery, then a cable car or a 30-min walk
Adds a half day; the least religiously important of the five Taoist sacred mountains.
Tulin (Devil City)
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min each way
DiDi about 20 km (12 mi) southeast of the cityDiDi about 12 mi (20 km) southeast of the city
Wind-eroded loess pillars; best at sunset, thin on facilities.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Inside the Ancient City walls
Walk to the Drum Tower, Huayan Monastery and the Nine Dragon Screen; best for a short stay.
Datong South Railway Station area
High-speed rail side, about 10 km (6.2 mi) from the walls; convenient for an early departure, thin on food.High-speed rail side, about 6.2 mi (10 km) from the walls; convenient for an early departure, thin on food.
Datong Railway Station area
Conventional trains and the older town; cheaper beds, a taxi or bus ride from the sights.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥250–450 (≈ US$35–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥450–900 (≈ US$65–130) excl. bed
- High
- ¥900 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 2 nights × CN¥350 | CN¥700 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CN¥600 | CN¥2,400 |
| Yungang Grottoes entry2 × CN¥120 | CN¥240 |
| Hanging Monastery entry2 × CN¥115 | CN¥230 |
| Yingxian Wooden Pagoda entry2 × CN¥60 | CN¥120 |
| DiDi day trip to the Hanging Monastery and back1 × CN¥400 · check | CN¥400 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥100 | CN¥200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥429 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥1,180 per person per day, bed included | CN¥4,719≈ US$700 |
2026 estimate in yuan; long-distance rail and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bus rideExact change only. | ¥1 (≈ under US$1) |
| Coffee or tea in a café | ¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Noodle bowl (knife-cut noodles) | ¥15–40 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Beer: draught in a restaurant / can at a shop | ¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5) / ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| 5 km DiDi ridecheck | ¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Nine Dragon Screen entry | ¥10 (≈ US$2) |
| Huayan Monastery entrycheck | ¥50 (≈ US$7) peak / ¥40 (≈ US$6) off-season |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bring your passport: many sights, including free ones, check it at the gate.
- No change is given on buses — keep ¥1 (≈ under US$1) notes.
- The Hanging Monastery ladders are slippery in rain or snow; skip it in bad weather.
- Only the ground floor of the Yingxian Pagoda is open.
- Winter is long and very dry, with lows well below freezing.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Datong大同
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
No US or UK embassy in Datong; the US embassy is in Beijing and the UK embassy in Beijing. Consulates-general sit in Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenyang (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Datong South → Beijing, high-speed rail: about ¥150–200 (≈ US$25–30) second class, under 2 h (check)
- DiDi Datong South → Ancient City: ¥30–45 (≈ US$5–7) (check)
- Bus in the city: ¥1 (≈ under US$1), exact change
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxie)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duōshao qián)
- 我要去这里 — I want to go here (wǒ yào qù zhèlǐ)
- 可以刷卡吗？ — Can I pay by card? (kěyǐ shuākǎ ma)
- 洗手间在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ)
Passport needed at most sights; carry ¥1 notes for buses.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
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.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Dec–Feb (very cold, dry), Jul–Aug rain · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DAT: last bus and DiDi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters inside the walls: Huayan Monastery, Drum Tower, Nine Dragon Screen, Confucian Temple.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Yungang, Hanging Monastery, Yingxian Pagoda, Huayan) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and rain fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialDatong municipal government
- officialYungang Grottoes official site
- officialDatong Museum
- officialHeng Mountain official site
- secondaryWikivoyage: Datong, revision 5297122 (CC BY-SA 4.0)