Datong Voyage Tips and guide

Datong (大同 Dàtóng) is a city in Shanxi Province, China. Datong offers convenient transportation, relatively low prices, a good environment, and numerous tourist attractions, making it one of the most worthwhile tourist destinations in North China. Compared to major cities like Beijing and Xi'an, there are fewer tourists, making it more suitable for in-depth cultural experiences.

Datong is a small city with relatively little experience with foreigners. People here are friendly and curious. For simple entertainment, stop at a chuanr (meat on a stick) stand near Red Flag square, or Red Flag square itself and chat up the locals. Datong served as the capital (Pingcheng) during the Northern Wei Dynasty, and as a secondary capital (Xijing Datong Prefecture) during the Liao and Jin Dynasties. In the Ming Dynasty, it was one of the nine important border towns. Today, Datong offers convenient transportation, relatively low prices, a good environment, and numerous tourist attractions, making it one of the most worthwhile tourist destinations in North China. Compared to major cities like Beijing and Xi'an, there are fewer tourists, making it more suitable for in-depth cultural experiences.

• 40.0561113.48191 Datong Yungang Airport (DAT  ^IATA) (18 km outside the city). Daily flights from Beijing Capital Airport and from Nanyuan Airport. The flight is ~1 hour and often heavily discounted. Changes on carrier discretion and seasonal requirements. There is a free shuttle bus from several hotels in town. It costs ¥15 per person and stops at the Datong Jiudian. You can take the bus back to the airport from there until 17:30.  

• Hohhot - Buses depart from Hohhot's bus station (next to the train station) regularly all day. Just turning up and buying a ticket should usually get you on a bus within an hour, two at most. The journey takes about 5 hours with average traffic conditions, costing ¥85 (August 2013) The buses terminate at Datong main bus station (a ¥6 taxi ride from the train station).
• Wutai Shan - Three buses a day in summer from Wutai Mountain from 08:00 to 13:00. ¥75.

Long-distance trains stop at the 40.11909113.2963382 Datong Train Station.

• Beijing - 6 hr. Daily overnight trains run from Beijing to Datong and back. A hard sleeper ticket costs around ¥108. Night trains are available from both Beijing West Station (Beijing Xi Zhan) and Beijing Station (Beijing Zhan). In addition to the night train, there is a daily morning train, starting at 08:50 and ¥54 for a hardseater.
• There is a high-speed train to Datong South Station every ten minutes on average between Beijing North Station and Beijing Qinghe Station, with tickets costing around ¥200.
• Pingyao - overnight train
• Xi'an - overnight train, approximately 17 hr. Train leaves Xi'an at 22:54. Hard sleeper (Feb 2010) ¥140.

Temperate continental semi-arid monsoon climate. Affected by the monsoon, the four seasons are distinct.

40°5′27″N 113°17′20″E

Map of Datong

Buses within Datong are ¥1. Trips to the Yungang Caves are ¥1.5.

• Bus 4 - runs from the train station into town (6th stop (四牌楼) for 9 Dragon wall, 7th stop (清远街, bus sign “青年宫”) for Huāyuàn Monastery and Youth Hostel, 8th stop (红旗广场) for Red Flag square. The final stop on bus line 4 is the start of bus line 3.
• Bus 3 - runs from the Xinkaili bus station (final stop of bus 4) to the Yungang Caves (end of the line).
• Bus 15 - runs from train station to near the main bus station (the fifth stop from train station 市供排水集团 shìgōng páishuǐ jítuán, from that bus stop walk ahead to crossroads, turn left and main bus station 大同汽车站 is just ahead on left.)
• Bus 30 - runs from the train station all the way to the south bus station (新南客运站), the last stop (45 min or longer).

• Short trips in town cost at least ¥7.
• It may be convenient and less stressful to hire a taxi to visit the main sites out of town. A trip to the Hanging Monastery and Wooden Pagoda (both out of town - this is about 5 hours travel time) for 2 people was ¥260 in August 2011 - but agreeing to pick up other tourists on the way if available to fill the empty seats. You might not manage this cheaply. You can try to find a taxi yourself (e.g. in front of the train station in the morning there may be taxi drivers seeking this business) or ask at China International Travel Service (CITS, +86 0352 5101816, +86 13008088454). If asking via CITS, do not forget to ask for a new taxi or you may end up in an old car which is not safe for a trip out of town. You can join a day trip for the Hanging Monastery, Mount Heng and the Yungang Grottos including lunch for a little over ¥400 per person. Note that your time spent on the mountain is limited as most tour operators and guests expect to only climb 30 min to the last big monastery. Sometimes the tour guide asks to add the Wooden Pagoda at extra costs if enough/all guests agree. A round trip to all four attractions takes from around 07:30 to 18:00.

• 40.11143113.132331 Yúngāng Grottoes (云冈石窟 Yúngāng Shíkū) (take bus #4 to the end of the line [the end of the line is just a simple stop and then the bus starts going back, ask the driver for the grottoes and he will let you know where to get off] change to #3 and take that to the end of the line. Another bus to the Grottoes can be boarded here, here or here), ☏ +86 352 799-2622 / +86 352 799-2655FORMAT. 9:00-17:00. By far the greatest attraction of the area is the 1,500-year-old Yúngāng Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These mountain-side caves and recesses are filled with 51,000 Buddhist statues - the largest being a 17-metre Seated Buddha while the smallest is only a few centimetres tall. In addition to the carvings of the Buddha, there are also scenes depicting Buddhist teachings and famous monks. Unlike Dunhuang grottoes, most caves here permit photography, (notably excepting caves 5-10). The entrances to caves 5 to 10 are fronted by wooden temple structures. Caves 11-13 are under renovation. The cave walls at these entrances were damaged by graffiti during the cultural revolution although the majority of the site is well-preserved. At least you get the impression that the caves are mostly ancient/original and not reconstructed. The tour guides claim the Japanese took the statues' eyes during the occupation. The Yungang Grottoes are the largest grotto temple complex in China in terms of visitor volume. The Yungang Scenic Area comprises the temples in the style of the Northern and Southern Dynasties in front of the grottoes, the industrial heritage art area to the east of the grottoes, the Yungang Research Institute, and the Yungang Grottoes Museum to the southwest of the grottoes. A visit of 3-4 hours is recommended. ¥150. Full-time students and 60-69 yr half price. Serving military, disabled, 70 and over, children under 1.4 m free. Discounts require documentary proof.  

• 39.665833113.7052 The Hanging Monastery (悬空寺 Xuánkōngsì) (65 km to the southeast of Datong. From Datong train station, fifth stop on bus line 15 takes you to 市供排水集团 Shìgōng Páishuǐ Jítuán. From there, walk ahead to crossroads, turn left and main bus station 大同汽车站 Dàtóng Qìchēzhàn is just ahead on left. [May 2013 : bus station moved because of works, still take bus 15 but ask the driver for the main bus station 大同汽车站 Dàtóng Qìchēzhàn which is now around 10 stops from the train station] Window 2 sells ¥26 tickets to 悬空寺 Xuánkōngsì. Buses leave frequently. After nearly a 2-hour journey you will be dropped off in a place where you can get a taxi for the final few miles. Prices seem to vary according to how much the taxi driver thinks he'll get from you, specially in Winter when there are not many taxis available. For coming back, there are taxis when exiting the monastery that go to Datong when they are full. In winter the taxis will drop you off back at the bus station. Expect to pay 50% to 100% more than what you paid for the first leg of the trip, and expect a 50% higher price if a toot take you to the taxi. If you are not fluent in Chinese you might find it cheaper and faster to arrange the transport to and from the monastery directly in Datong's bus terminal: many taxis and vans seem to be available for hire in the morning.). Lodged precariously on a cliff-face, this monastery is one of the more remarkable sights in China: a complex of 40 rooms linked by mid-air walkways. It appears to be stuck into the side of the cliff, but is actually supported by stilts. There is a '3 Religions Hall' with Buddha, Confucius and Laozi (founder of Daoism). It was built in 490 and renovated several times, including in 1900, and much of the current structure dates from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Less than an hour to visit and not for the faint of heart. The roads may be closed in winter after heavy snowstorms and it is not recommended in rainy days for the slippery ladders. The ticket checkers are supposed to only let 80 people in at a time but the monastery can be crowded as not everyone follows the same flow around. Stick to the walls! Entry full ¥130 summer, ¥125 winter. Students, 60-69 half price. Disabled (残疾人), 70 and over, less than 1.2 m tall children free. Discounts require documents.. (updated Feb 2015)
• 39.565278113.1819443 Yīngxiàn Wooden Pagoda (应县木塔 Yīngxiàn Mùtǎ), 应县, Yīngxiàn Town (about 75 km south of Datong and 70 km northeast of Shuozhou. The bus from Datong (¥20) takes about 2 hr, or from the Hanging Monastery (taxi to Hunyuan ¥10 after bargaining) it's about one hour (¥12) by bus, or you might find taxi drivers willing to take you directly from the Hanging Monastery car park to the Wooden pagoda for ¥40 per person). Summer 07:30-19:00, winter 08:00-17:30. This impressive pagoda is the oldest and tallest wooden structure in China, built in 1056 in the Liao Dynasty without any sort of nails. It is located within a Buddhist temple, some of which was rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty. There is an active temple in the back built in 2001. Only the ground floor of the pagoda are open to visitors. Inside the pagoda, you can see a big Buddha statue. Maybe half an hour needed to visit. To go back to Datong, go to Yingxian west bus station which is 2 km west from this temple. Take a 3-wheel taxi, and it takes 5 min from here with ¥5. (Last bus to Datong: summer 18:30, winter 18:00). Tickets ¥60. Full-time students, 60-69 years old & disabled half-price. 70 and over, less-than-1.2-m-tall children free. Discounts require documents..  
• Daoist Monastery (on bus line 4 it is somewhere near stops 6 and 7, between the drum tower and Huáyán Monastery). A small collection of Daoist temples and a peaceful courtyard. A more human scale than the nearby Huáyán Monastery - half an hour at most - unless you are intercepted by a Daoist monk and have a chat or are given an explanation. Completely rebuilt in 2010. ¥30 full price. ¥15 students, etc.. 

• 40.091453113.2880464 Huáyán Monastery (华严寺) (on bus line 4 it is near the seventh stop from the train station), ☏ +86 352 204-2025. Closes 19:00. Designated as one of the first batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units and a National AAAA-level Tourist Attraction, Huayan Temple was originally built during the Liao Dynasty and has been repaired in subsequent dynasties. It is the largest existing Liao-Jin Dynasty temple in China, containing the Liao Dynasty's Bojiajiaozang Hall and the Jin Dynasty's Daxiong Hall, as well as numerous painted sculptures, possessing extremely high cultural and artistic value.
  
  Unlike most buildings that face south, Huayan Temple faces east and can be divided into upper and lower sections. The main hall of the upper temple is the Mahavira Hall, built in the third year of the Tianjuan era of the Jin Dynasty (1140). It is the largest existing Buddhist hall in China and the largest existing single-eaved wooden structure ancient building. The main hall of the Lower Temple is the Bojia Teaching Hall, built in the seventh year of the Chongxi reign of the Liao Dynasty (1038), and is one of the "Eight Great Liao Structures". The caisson ceiling, wall hangings, and 31 statues inside the hall are original Liao Dynasty artifacts. Among them, the Bodhisattva with hands clasped and teeth showing (third from the left in the right picture) is extremely rare in the world, and the Buddha statues are also very rich in Liao Dynasty style. There are two layers of wall hangings on the four walls of the hall, and the central room at the back is a celestial palace pavilion. The carving is extremely exquisite. It is the only existing model of Liao Dynasty wooden architecture in China. It was praised by Liang Sicheng as "a unique piece in the country" and is regarded as an important example in the chapter on small woodwork in the book "Yingzao Fashi".
  The temple still retains a series of Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, including the Guanyin Hall, the Upper Temple Gate, the Passing Hall, and the Arched Gate, as well as the restored Puguangming Hall and Huayan Pagoda, whose architectural styles and construction are exquisite and harmonious with the overall temple complex. The Puguangming Hall contains a mural depicting "Sudhana's Fifty-Three Visits," painted by Professors Sun Jingbo and Wang Yingsheng of the Central Academy of Fine Arts and students from the Mural Painting Department. The mural is beautiful, vibrant, and lifelike. The Huayan Pagoda was built based on historical records and the construction methods of the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, and is the tallest wooden pagoda in China that can be climbed. Climbing the pagoda allows for close observation of the pagoda's structure from the Song and Liao dynasties, such as the absence of a central pillar and the arrangement of hidden layers. The top of the pagoda is the highest point in the ancient city, offering panoramic views of Huayan Temple and the ancient city of Datong.
  
  Outside the mountain gate is a square called Huayan Square. The shops around it and the Sky Pavilion in the center are enlarged versions of the murals on the walls of the Bhagavan Buddhist Temple. This not only makes up for the fact that ordinary tourists can hardly see the originals, but also provides some leisure and commercial options. The fountain in front of Huayan Square is unique in appearance because it is inspired by the "Tao Lianzhi Lamp" (now in the Datong City Museum), a Han Dynasty artifact unearthed locally. ¥50 (Full price during peak season); ¥40 (Full price during off-season).  

• 40.093302113.3035465 Nine Dragon Screen (九龙壁 Jiŭlóngbì), Dàdōng Street 大东街 (in the geographical center of the town, south of Datong Street, east of the main intersection of Dongjie Street, and one block north of the Drum Tower; take bus No. 35, continue walking in the direction the bus is traveling, turn left at the intersection, and walk 200 m, and the Nine Dragons Monument will be on your right). 07:30-19:00. A 600-year-old screen made of glazed tiles and depicting nine dragons, this is the oldest glazed screen in China. Most people will visit this for less than 5 minutes. It is a pity that the pond in front of the screen is no longer filled with water."A National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit." The dragon wall is a type of traditional Chinese screen wall, with the nine-dragon wall being the most prestigious, reserved for imperial architecture during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Only three nine-dragon walls exist in China: the Nine-Dragon Wall at the Huangji Gate of the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Nine-Dragon Wall at Xitian Fanjing in Beihai Park, and the Datong Nine-Dragon Wall. The Datong Nine-Dragon Wall was built during the early Ming Dynasty (Hongwu era) as a screen wall for the residence of Zhu Gui, the thirteenth son of Zhu Yuanzhang (the Prince of Dai's Mansion).
  It is 45.5 m long, 8 m high, and approximately 2 m thick. The top of the wall is decorated with lotus flowers and dragons, the body of the wall is carved with nine dragons, and the background features flowing clouds and seawater. The Sumeru pedestal is carved with floral patterns and animal reliefs. The Nine-Dragon Wall is well-proportioned, with a regular shape and smooth carving technique, making it a representative work of early Ming Dynasty sculpture art. The Datong Nine-Dragon Wall is the largest existing dragon wall in China, about twice the size of the Beihai Nine-Dragon Wall; it is also the oldest existing dragon wall, dating back to the Ming Dynasty, more than 300 years earlier than the Nine-Dragon Walls in the Forbidden City and Beihai Park. ¥10, students and 60-69 yr ¥5, children under 1.3 m, current-serving military, disabled, 70 and over free. Discounts require documents. (updated Nov 2025)

• 40.09031113.295246 Drum Tower (鼓楼). Drum Tower is free to enter, with operating hours typically ranging from 08:30 to 17:00, and extended hours are available during holidays such as the Spring Festival.. Like many cities in China, Datong has its own Drum Tower.Datong Drum Tower is located in the middle section of Yongtai Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province.There are some historical photo exhibitions of Datong within the building. As you climb to the top floor, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of Datong's ancient cityscape, taking in all its streets, alleys, and buildings, and experiencing its charm.
  It is the overpass pavilion on Yongtai Street in South Street. Built in the Ming Dynasty, it was repaired several times in the Qing Dynasty. Unlike the drum towers in Xi'an and Beijing, the Datong Drum Tower is not built on a high platform, but rather on the ground floor in the center of the street, with a cross-shaped gate on the first floor.
  The Drum Tower is located at the boundary between the southeast and southwest corners of the ancient city. Drum Tower West Street and Drum Tower East Street on either side are the core pedestrian streets of Datong Ancient City, bustling with commerce.The Drum Tower has always been one of the commercial centers of Datong, once a distribution center for clothing, electronic equipment, and other goods. Today, there are decent local restaurants at all four corners of the Drum Tower. You can eat nearby and experience Datong's unique cuisine. You can scan your ID card to enter the building on-site for a visit. The stairs inside are steep, so be sure to pay attention to safety when climbing. (updated Oct 2025)
• 39.665384113.7245687 Heng Mountain (恒山 Héng Shān) (the entrance gate is 2 km past the Hanging Monastery, then it's another 12 km to the scenic area; a cable car can take you directly to the temples or you can take the half hour walk). This is the least religiously important of the 5 Sacred Mountains of Taoism. Due to its northerly location, it has been impossible for pilgrimages by the Chinese to take place for much of its history. ¥55.  
• 40.08715113.366488 Datong Museum (大同博物馆). The museum covers an area of 5600 m², of which 1,800 m² exhibition area, has now become the second largest museum in Shanxi Province, 1.3 million pieces of cultural relics, a product 132. Most of the local archaeological finds. Meet the public more than pieces of precious relics in 1000, half of the initial display of rare collections.  

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  40.092168113.3058879 City Walls, Several entrances along the city walls - main one seems to be in the east side, ☏ +86 352 7699269. Designated a "Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit" and a "China AAAA-level Tourist Attraction," the city wall has a circumference of 7.4 km and a height of approximately 14 m. A moat, about 10 meters wide, extends 40 m beyond the wall. The current city wall reflects the Ming Dynasty layout, but the site has remained virtually unchanged, with many sections retaining rammed earth layers dating from the Han to the Ming dynasties. Since 2008, restoration work has been carried out on the brickwork, gate towers, and city gates, as well as the dredging of the moat. It is now one of Datong City's landmark attractions.The city wall has four main gates: Heyang Gate to the east, Yongtai Gate to the south, Qingyuan Gate to the west, and Wuding Gate (Datong) to the north. Small gates for vehicular traffic are located approximately 500 m to either side of each main gate. Each gate has a single-eaved, three-tiered gate tower, surrounded by a barbican and an outer wall, with a moon tower and arrow tower on top. Each side of the wall has 12 watchtowers, and there is a corner tower at each of the four corners, with a military control platform outside each corner tower. Overall, the city wall is high and wide, with a high density of watchtowers, reflecting Datong's status as a key border town. During the restoration process, several public cultural venues were established in the interior space of the city gate area where the rammed earth walls were severely damaged: the Heyang Art Museum and Xinhua Bookstore are located inside the Heyang Gate; the China Sculpture Museum (a national second-level museum) is located inside the Wuding Gate; and the Datong City Wall Relics Exhibition Hall is located on the south side of the Qingyuan Gate.
  
  The Datong City Wall features many distinctive architectural features compared to other city walls: the northwest corner tower, known as the "Qianlou," is a five-tiered, cross-shaped hip-and-gable roof pavilion, constructed entirely of wood. Rebuilt in 2013, it stands 43 m tall and is a representative example of antique-style wooden architecture in China. To the southeast of the city wall is the seven-story Wenfeng Pagoda, locally known as the "Wild Goose Pagoda" (pictured right). This Ming Dynasty brick and stone pagoda served a military observation function. The original pagoda was moved to the Datong Confucian Temple for preservation after 2008, and a new pagoda was reconstructed on the city wall according to its original design. The structure of the South Gate is particularly complex, stemming from the addition of sub-city walls (East Small City, South Small City, and Caochang City) to the east, south, and north of Datong City during the mid-Ming Dynasty. The South Gate's moon gate is shared with the North Gate of the South Small City, forming a nested inner and outer city structure. The south gate has four gates: Yongsheng Gate to the north, Yonghe Gate to the south, Yinghui Gate to the east, and Yongfeng Gate to the west; the east and west gates have barbicans, called ear cities. ¥0. (updated Apr 2015)

• 40.086667113.29929610 Shanhua Ancient Monastery (善化寺 Shànhùa Sì), Yongtaimennei Street (大同市楼房巷南寺街6号). 08:30-17:00. Designated as a "First Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units" and a "National AAAA-level Tourist Attraction," Shanhua Temple is "the best-preserved early temple in China" (from the Tang to the Yuan Dynasty). It was built in the Tang Dynasty, rebuilt in the Liao Dynasty, and then was largely destroyed by war. It was rebuilt in the Jin Dynasty under the supervision of the great Southern Song scholar Zhu Bian. The temple has four high-value ancient buildings: one from the Liao Dynasty and three from the Jin Dynasty. The mountain gate (Hall of Heavenly Kings), the Hall of Three Saints, and the Puxian Pavilion are Jin Dynasty buildings, while the Mahavira Hall is a Liao Dynasty building, one of the "Eight Great Liao Structures." The main gate is flanked by statues of the Four Heavenly Kings from the Ming Dynasty, their expressions lively and full of charm. The side halls of the Three Saints Hall feature extremely intricate slanted bracket sets resembling blooming flowers, representing a masterpiece of Liao and Jin Dynasty dougong (bracket sets). Inside the Mahavira Hall are Jin Dynasty clay sculptures of the Five Buddhas, flanked by Jin Dynasty clay sculptures of the "Twenty-Four Devas," remarkably lifelike, representing the pinnacle of Liao and Jin Dynasty sculpture art. Among them, the statue of the "Great Merit Deity" is particularly praised for its expressive features and character; the statues of the Four Heavenly Kings beside and opposite him are dignified and respectful, and the style of their ritual implements became a "standard" adopted by later Buddhist temples for their Heavenly King statues, profoundly influencing the development of Chinese Buddhist art.
  
  Four steles still exist in the Three Saints Hall, including two Jin Dynasty steles on the west side. The most famous is the "Stele of the Great Hall of Pu'en Temple," erected in the sixteenth year of the Dading era (1176), which bears the inscription "Record of the Reconstruction of the Great Hall of the Great Pu'en Temple in Xijing of the Jin Dynasty" written by Zhu Bian. This inscription details the state of the Great Pu'en Temple (also known as Shanhua Temple) after its destruction at the end of the Liao Dynasty and the process of its restoration. The writing is fluent, the seal engraving is clear, the calligraphy is excellent, and the historical value is high, earning it the reputation of the "Three Perfections Stele." There is also the "Stele Inscription and Preface of the Reconstruction of the Great Pu'en Temple of the Jin Dynasty in Xijing of the Jin Dynasty," erected in the first year of the Mingchang era (1190). The original text comes from Wang Bo's "Record of the Enlightenment of Shakyamuni Buddha."
  
  In front of the temple stands a Ming Dynasty glazed five-dragon wall, originally the screen wall of the mountain gate of Xingguo Temple (a national key cultural relics protection unit), located one kilometer away. It was later moved and protected in front of the mountain gate. The square between the mountain gate and the five-dragon wall is a popular activity area for local residents, where local drama and folk music enthusiasts often perform. ¥50 (full price during peak season); ¥40 (full price during off-season); ¥40 (July 15, 2025 - March 31, 2026); ¥0 (before July 15, 2025). (updated Apr 2015)

In the southeast corner of Datong Ancient City, the complete layout of the Wenwu Temple (Confucian Temple and Guan Yu Temple) is preserved. The two are close to each other and can be visited together during a more in-depth tour or a stroll through the city.

• 40.09069113.2986811 Datong Guandi Temple (关帝庙), No. 36, Xianlou North Street, Pingcheng District. Ticket sales and entry will stop 30 minutes prior to the start of the event, which runs from 08:30 to 17:30. It is a "National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit". The temple's buildings include the mountain gate, the main hall, the east and west corridors, the main hall, and the Chunqiu Tower, and the main deity is Guan Yu.Based on its layout, the main hall of the Martial Saint Hall is the only remaining Yuan Dynasty building in the ancient city, while the covered porch in front of the hall was added during the Qing Dynasty. The walls inside the hall feature murals from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and between the two pillars at the rear is a Qing Dynasty wooden shrine with exquisite and intricate carvings, representing an important example of Qing Dynasty northern woodworking.The temple also houses 26 newly created statues by renowned sculptors such as Wu Weishan and Huang Wenshou, as well as over 700 m² of murals painted by faculty and students of the China Academy of Art.
  Outside the mountain gate, directly opposite the square, is a stage dating back to the mid-Qing Dynasty (the Guandi Temple Stage, a "Datong City Cultural Relics Protection Unit"). Its architectural structure is characteristic of northern Shanxi. During festivals, local traditional operas such as Beilu Bangzi and Jinju are performed. Visitors can experience Datong's unique opera culture. ¥0. (updated Nov 2025)

• 40.08722113.2995812 Datong Confucian Temple (大同府文庙), Yunlu Street, Pingcheng District (take the inner loop line of the ancient city, bus route 35, night bus route 3, or bus route 61 and get off at Yongtai East Gate ; walk up the steps and forward about 200 m), ☏ +86 352 253-9436. 08:30-18:00. "A cultural relic site under the protection of Shanxi Province." A representative of Chinese Confucian culture: Confucius. Datong was the first city outside of Qufu to establish a place for worshipping Confucius, pioneering the establishment of a Confucian temple within a city. The current Confucian temple was built in the early Ming Dynasty, and its original features include the Halberd Gate, Dacheng Hall, Ancestral Hall of Local Worthies, Ancestral Hall of Famous Officials, Divine Storehouse, and Divine Kitchen.
  
  The Confucian Temple also preserves some relocated historical buildings. The Ming Dynasty watchtower "Wild Goose Pagoda" (Wenfeng Pagoda, a cultural relic protection unit of Datong City) on the south city wall of Datong has been moved and protected to the east courtyard of the Confucian Temple; the glazed five-dragon wall in front of the Tianzhu Temple in Sandaoyingfang Lane has been moved and protected to the west courtyard of the Confucian Temple, and is one of the three five-dragon walls open to tourists in Datong. There are also four one-dragon walls between the main gate archway, which are judged to be Qing Dynasty dragon walls based on their style. (updated Nov 2025)

The ancient city is divided into three areas by two streets: the Gulou East Street area to the west, the Southeast Yi area to the east, and the Confucian Temple-Emperor Temple area to the south.

• 40.0902113.29678213 Gulou East Street (鼓楼东街). Open 24 hours. One of the eight alleys, it stretches from the Drum Tower in the west to the west side of the Guandi Temple in the east. The area includes one municipal-level cultural relic protection unit (the former site of the CPC Datong Working Committee) and 13 immovable cultural relic courtyards, representing the courtyard-style residential architecture of northern Shanxi. At the street entrance stands a stone archway inscribed "Drum Tower East Street," its decorations rich in local characteristics; the cultural relic buildings on both sides of the street house various types of street-front businesses. ¥0. (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.089124113.29785814 Ancient Bronze Art Museum (古代铜造艺术博物馆), No. 11-12, Gulou East Street, ☏ +86 352 791-6905. Tu-Su 09:00-17:00; entry will stop 30 minutes before closing time. This is part of the Datong Museum. Datong is renowned for its bronze ware production, with a documented history of over 600 years, and it is now a "National Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Project." The museum's permanent exhibition, "Bronze Splendor in Datong: Ming and Qing Dynasty Datong Bronze Art Exhibition," includes imitations of Shang and Zhou bronze ritual vessels, Xuande incense burners, scholar's objects, and Mongolian and Han goods made in the Datong area during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is divided into four sections: "Ancient Charm and New Style," "Masterful Craftsmanship," "Leisurely Appreciation," and "Luxurious Bronze Enjoyment," showcasing the bronze-making techniques of the Datong area during the Ming and Qing dynasties and offering a glimpse into the commercial, cultural, and ethnic integration of Datong during that period. Free. (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.088879113.29980615 Emperor Temple (帝君庙), No. 67, Shizi Street, Pingcheng District. 08:30-17:00. The Dijun Temple, a cultural relic protection unit of Datong City, was built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. It is a three-courtyard temple dedicated to the Taoist deity Wenchang Dijun and also serves as the location of the Datong Taoist Association. The main hall (Yuhuang Pavilion), side halls, and western side hall are Ming Dynasty structures. Wenchang Dijun is the deity who protects literary fortune and examinations.In ancient China, worshipping Wenchang was almost as important as worshipping Confucius for scholars, reflecting a deep and long-standing belief. The Datong Prefectural Confucian Temple is located across the alley from the front gate of the Dijun Temple; they are essentially the same architectural complex, demonstrating a complete system of folk religious rituals. According to local records, on the third day of the second lunar month and the first day of the eighth lunar month, local scholars and literati of Datong would hold Wenchang gatherings at the Dijun Temple, composing poems and essays. Free. (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.090099113.30119516 Lingqiu Courtyard (灵丘大院). (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.090087113.30088617 Hengshan Ruxing·Hunyuan Guild Hall (恒山如行·浑源会馆). (updated Nov 2025)

The southwest corner is the most valuable and culturally significant area within the ancient city of Datong, home to two national treasure-level temples, Huayan Temple and Shanhua Temple, both among the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units. Between these two grand temples lies the Gulou West Street area. This district bears witness to Datong's Silk Road trade and tea-horse trade. Some of its street layouts overlap with the boundaries of the traditional neighborhood layouts from the Northern Wei to the Liao and Jin dynasties, while simultaneously preserving the essence of its winding and secluded traditional residential architecture through spontaneous evolution. The area and its surroundings once housed religious relics from multiple dynasties, and also preserve modern celebrity residences, educational institutions, and long-established shops, comprehensively recording the historical context of Datong's multicultural integration and community development.

• 40.090265113.29198718 Gulou West Street (鼓楼西街). Open 24 hours. The main street, "Gulou West Street" (a first-class historical street), has been an important retail commercial street in Datong since the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, standing on Gulou West Street and looking east, the Drum Tower stands in the center, with shops bustling on both sides. Standing at the intersection of Yuanxiang (a second-class historical street), you can see the Bell Tower to the north and the Drum Tower to the east, allowing you to experience the atmosphere of morning bells and evening drums in Datong during the Ming and Qing dynasties.Standing at the intersection and looking west, Chunyang Palace and the Mosque stand opposite each other, while the distant skyline overlaps with the Christian West Church, the watchtower of the west city wall, and the pagoda of Huayan Temple, providing a real experience of Datong's diverse and integrated cultural personality. ¥0. (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.090853113.29353419 Chunyang Palace (纯阳宫), No. 8, Gulou West Street, Pingcheng District. 08:00-18:00. Chunyang Palace is the largest Taoist temple in the ancient city of Datong. The temple is divided into two sections: the western section is a garden, and the eastern section has three courtyards. Along the central axis are the mountain gate archway, Lingguan Hall, Zushi Hall, and Sanqing Hall, with side halls and kiln houses on either side. The palace buildings feature Taoist-themed murals painted by students and faculty of the Mural Painting Department of the China Academy of Art, along with folk mural artisans. The murals are meticulously painted with vibrant colors and gilded details, creating a magnificent spectacle.
  The palace is a popular place of worship, holding grand religious ceremonies on occasions such as Chinese New Year and Chunyang's birthday. It also offers rituals such as fasting, divination, and character analysis to believers. The "Chunyang Palace Square" is located south of the mountain gate and includes a stone archway, Changsheng Pavilion, Xuantian Pavilion, east and west corridors, east and west Yuxiantai (meeting immortals' platforms), east and west Bagua (eight trigrams) buildings, and Juxianlou (gathering immortals' pavilion). The first floor of Juxianlou is a stage ("Chunyang Palace Stage"), where local traditional dramas such as Jinju, Beilu Bangzi, and Shuahair are performed during traditional festivals. Free. (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.091519113.29345820 Great Mosque (清真大寺), No. 5, Jiulou Lane, Pingcheng District. 08:00-18:00. According to the temple's inscription, it was first built in the second year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, and was rebuilt during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The current structure dates from the Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China period. The central axis includes the mountain gate, the Shengxinlou (省心楼), and the prayer hall, as well as a stone bridge, a seepage pool, a lecture hall, and a bathhouse. The Great Mosque is a typical example of "Chinese-style mosque architecture" in northern China, exhibiting numerous eclectic examples of the fusion of Chinese and Islamic architectural styles. For instance, the main prayer hall is largely in the style of Qing Dynasty architecture, but its domed roof, niches within the hall, a platform on the northwest wall, and three domed doorways in the center are typical of Arabic architecture. The Shengxinlou has a square plan, with a cross-shaped brick archway at the bottom and a double-eaved hip roof supported by five tiers of brackets at the top. The Wangyuelou (望月楼) is based on the Chinese pavilion style, but its roof decorations have a distinct Islamic influence. These are just a few examples of its many features.
  
  The Great Mosque is the largest mosque in the ancient city of Datong, and is frequently visited by worshippers; therefore, it may be open only to Muslims on certain dates. Free. (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.091333113.28583421 Yuantong Temple (圆通寺), Pingcheng District, Bawutujing Lane, ☏ +86 186-3520-2066. 06:00-18:00. Originally built in the Ming Dynasty, it was destroyed during the "Datong Massacre" (the Qing army's massacre of Datong). In 1664, Emperor Kangxi ordered its reconstruction to pray for the souls of those killed in the massacre. This temple is the only one in the ancient city of Datong that faces north, with three courtyards. The buildings along the central axis are Qing Dynasty structures.
  For over three hundred years, Datong has had a tradition of worshipping Buddha and ancestors at Yuantong Temple. Even Buddhist pilgrims and traveling monks on their way to Mount Wutai often use Yuantong Temple as a lodging when passing through Datong. Today, Yuantong Temple is a popular place of worship, frequently holding religious ceremonies. On the anniversary of Buddha's enlightenment (Laba Festival), it distributes porridge to the public. Free. (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.089871113.2867122 Datong Christian West Church (大同基督教西堂), No. 13 Qipan Street, Pingcheng District. In China, "Christianity" specifically refers to "Protestantism," which was introduced to Datong in 1886. It was subsequently impacted by the Boxer Rebellion. After the Eight-Nation Alliance invasion of China, Datong re-established Christian churches in 1903, and in 1905, two churches were established within the city, which remain to this day: one located in the northeast corner of Chaishi, known as the East Church, and the other as the "West Church." The West Church served as the Datong Protestant General Association and the center for religious activities in the area north of Yanmen Pass.During the Cultural Revolution, it was sealed off by the Red Guards, but the West Church's office building was occupied by a hospital, thus preserving it. After 1980, the Three-Self Patriotic Movement of Christianity took over both churches and resumed religious activities; today, it is one of the largest churches in Datong. The West Church was renovated in 2006, and its spire with a cross, along with the Huayan Pagoda across the street, has become an important part of the ancient city's skyline. Free. (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.092341113.29236223 Clock Tower (钟楼), Pingcheng District, Qingyuan Street Center. Tu-Su 09:06-11:33, 14:58-18:58. Located in the middle section of Qingyuan Street, it is an overpass on the west side of Datong City. Originally built in the early Ming Dynasty, it was surveyed and mapped, but demolished in 1951 for "obstructing traffic." It was rebuilt in 2015 based on survey data and historical images, but with slight changes. The bell tower is a single-eaved hip-roofed pavilion with three tiers, four stories high (two of which are hidden levels). It houses an iron bell cast in the mid-Ming Dynasty (a Datong City cultural relic protection unit), and since 2012, there have been frequent bell-ringing ceremonies for blessings.
  The Bell Tower is located at the intersection of Qingyuan Street (one of the "Four Main Streets") and Yuanxiang and Shuaifu Street (two of the "Eight Alleys"), and has been a thriving commercial area since the Ming Dynasty. The area around the Bell Tower boasts numerous well-regarded local restaurants, as well as shops specializing in Datong's famous "Shuaifu Street Spiced Rabbit Head." Tickets can be purchased on-site to ascend to the third floor for panoramic views of Datong's ancient city. Free; climbing ticket ¥9.9. (updated Nov 2025)

• 40.094069113.29124924 Red Flag Square (红旗广场 Hóngqí guǎngchǎng) (8th stop on bus line 4 from train station). The square used to be for entertainment at night, dancing and music, but has now been replaced to make way for the full circle of the rebuilt city wall.  
• 40.098792113.2913351 Datong Park (大同公园), Weidu Avenue, Pingcheng District (大同市平城区魏都大道). A free park that contains amusement rides. (updated Apr 2015)
• Children's Park, Yingbin Street/Yunzhong Street Crossing. A large park still under construction. When it opens it is supposed to have many family attractions. (updated Apr 2015)
• 40.087713113.297922 Datong Red Memory Museum, No. 6-9, Xianlou South Street, Pingcheng District, ☏ +86 352 791-6906. 09:00-18:00, entry will stop 60 minutes prior to the start of the day.. Part of the "Datong Museum". The permanent exhibition is "Red Memories - Exhibition of Historical Relics of Modern Revolution in Datong", which mainly displays relics from the Chinese Communist Party and the Communist Youth League organizations in the Datong area from 1921 to 1949, as well as their student, worker and mass movements. It is of certain value for understanding the history of the Datong area in the first half of the 20th century, although the perspective of the CCP may not be suitable for all foreign tourists. Free. (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.08626113.2976143 Memorial Hall of the Former Residence of Zhang Aitang, Calligrapher of Wei Stele Style, No. 18, Mawangmiao Street, Pingcheng District, ☏ +86 176-2696-9360. Tu-Su 09:00-17:00. Entry will stop 30 minutes before closing time. This is part of the Datong Museum. Wei stele calligraphy is a style of calligraphy found on stone tablets in northern China during the Northern and Southern Dynasties period. Among the Northern Dynasties, the Northern Wei Dynasty had the longest reign, hence its name. Datong was the capital of the Northern Wei and the place where Wei stele calligraphy took shape, developed, and flourished.In modern times, calligraphers such as Zhang Aitang further inherited and developed this style, thus preserving many Wei stele works. The museum's basic exhibition includes two parts: Zhang Aitang's life and his calligraphy art. It displays over 270 pieces (sets) of Zhang Aitang's personal belongings and calligraphy works, illustrating the artistic and moral value of Mr. Zhang Aitang's calligraphy. Free. (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.089668113.2980464 Memorial Hall of the Former Residence of the County Magistrate of Datong County (County Magistrate's Compound). Tu-Su 09:00-11:30, 14:30-19:00. This immovable cultural relic in Datong City was first designated as No. 11, Xianlou North Street. It is a three-courtyard siheyuan (traditional courtyard house) in the style of northern Shanxi, built in the late Qing Dynasty or the Republican era, covering an area of approximately 1500 m². It is named after two Datong County magistrates who resided here during the Republic of China period. Free. (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.09004113.3007745 Southeast County (Guangfujiao Historical and Cultural District). Open 24 hours. The "Shanxi Provincial Historical and Cultural Block" mainly includes streets and alleys such as Damiaojiao, Lihuaijiao, Guangfujiao, Houweijiao, Zhengfuxiang, Caijiaxiang, Dongmen Daxiang, and Shirenjie. This block is the best-preserved area of Datong City in terms of its old appearance and historical sites.It has one Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit ("Lihuaijiao No. 31 Residence"), more than 30 immovable cultural relics, and more than 20 historical buildings. The core area, "Southeast Three Alleys" (namely Guangfujiao, Zhengfuxiang, Caijiaxiang and the surrounding area), is a high-quality independent commercial block in Shanxi Province. It also has two high-end resort hotels and several courtyard-style guesthouses. Free. (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.091671113.3000346 Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (圣心圣母教堂), No. 4, Dusi Street, Pingcheng District. An immovable cultural relic of Datong City. It was built in 1891, and was burned down by the Boxers and rebuilt in 1906. The bell tower was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution and renovated in 1982, followed by further restoration in 2006 and 2016. It is one of the landmark buildings of the ancient city of Datong. It now serves as the cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Datong and the residence of the diocese leaders. Free. (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.089908113.2900077 Huayan Street (华严街). Open 24 hours. One of the main pedestrian streets in the southwest corner (a second-level historical street). The street is named after its proximity to Huayan Temple and its undulating terrain. The street was originally divided into three sections: Xiasipo Street (from the intersection of Gulou West Street to Qingyuan Street), Tangshijiao (from Gulou West Street to Ximashijiao), and Duanshijiao (from Ximashijiao to Jiaochang Street). It appeared no later than the Liao Dynasty. The Tangshijiao and Duanshijiao areas in the central and southern sections are the only "Silk Road trade history relics" in Datong Ancient City. The history of the street can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty, proving Datong's status as the "starting point of the Silk Road" from the Northern Wei to the Tang and Liao Dynasties.
  
  In the early 21st century, the street underwent renovation and was merged into an "Antique Street" or "Xia Sipo Street," and is now a pedestrian commercial street. At the north entrance of the street is a wooden archway in the Liao and Jin styles, next to Huayan Temple Square; the streets are lined with tea shops, cafes, snack bars, travel photography studios, and other businesses. ¥0. (updated Dec 2025)

Knife-cut noodles (dāoxiāomiàn, 刀削面) are a Shanxi specialty that you can find in restaurants.

• Best Pizza (near Huāyuàn Monastery on way to Daoist temple.). Consider for the experience, not the food. Chinese-style western restaurant, designed for Chinese people, not Westerners (i.e. luxurious sofas as seats, ice in champagne bucket to put in your beer to make it cold, asking for salt&pepper not thought strange but not already at every table, only has squat toilet). You will probably think the thick-base pizza is a reasonable imitation, but you may also realise why some Chinese people say that Western food basically isn’t as tasty as Chinese food. ¥50 up. Other passable Western food. 
• 40.087805113.2978881 Mǎdàhā Hotpot (马大哈火锅), Datong City building lane Yanhua Road (大同市楼房巷严华路). A well-known place among locals serving Shanxi hotpot although the same is now available everywhere in other China where each person has their own pot instead of sharing. There are several locations for this chain in Datong alone. You pick your soup and meats, then take a tray for the veggie and seafood. Drinks, ice cream, sauce, cold side dishes and fruit are free. Some locations have a play ground for kids inside. Very family friendly place.  

• 40.07476113.3035121 Yùshèngxiáng Cháguǎn Tea house (裕盛祥茶馆), Gongnong Road, Glanyuntian outer 2 (工农路格兰云天外围2号) (near Huāyuàn Monastery on the way towards the Youth Hostel). Noon-midnight. Don't believe the sign: it is not open in the morning. Cups of tea start at ¥10 but you may prefer to try a pot ~¥30. Xīhú Lóngjǐng green tea is worth a try. Best just before sunset if they open the shutters - see sun fall over Huāyuàn Monastery, look out of 2nd floor window onto street below or just relax - actually part of a chain with origins more than 100 years ago that has not spread out of Shanxi yet - but you might not realise it. Don’t step in the indoor stream. There are extra charges if you use a private room at the side (¥28/hr) or want a tea master to stay at your table (after a free quick lesson) topping up your tea pot. (¥60/hr). The prices in the English menu may be out of date - and the Chinese menus may also not be accurate for seasonal teas (e.g., they may be lower than printed). Spoken English not good - but you should be able to come to an understanding what is available at what price. Free hot water top-ups on request. Freshly-ground coffee (现摩咖啡), beer (啤酒), popcorn (爆米花), sweets/candies (糖), raisins (‘香妃’／葡萄干), roasted watermelon seeds (烤西瓜子), peanuts (花生), cashew nuts (腰果) and almonds (大杏仁) are available but not on the English menu. Busy at weekends. (2011) From ¥10.  

• ^{[dead link]} Qīngnián Lǚshè Youth Hostel (青年旅社), 华严街 Huáyán Jiē, Huáyán Street (before 20:30 take no. 4 bus (¥1) from train station 7 stops to 清远街 Qīngyuǎn Jiē for Huáyán monastery. [After 20:30, take taxi (¥8) to 华严寺 Huáyán sì.] Get off bus and walk forwards 200 m, cross road and enter ancient area under arch (Huáyán Street) first passing Huáyán monastery on your right and then carrying straight on. In less than 5 minutes you come to a sign on the right 青年旅社, go in through children's clothing shop), [email protected]. This is a small, clean, busy youth hostel in a central location. Views from bedrooms over real crumbling old town. Booking by email advisable. [email protected]. Not all staff speak English although more can read it. Tel 0352 2427766. Bed space in dorm ¥50 per night (Aug 2011), member ¥45. Standard ensuite rooms (comfortable, flat screen TV, kettle, western toilet) ¥158. Free wifi+internet terminals. Laundry ¥5 per load. 
• 40.117189113.304251 Tōngmíng Kuàijié Jiŭdiàn (通明快捷酒店), No.36 站前街 Zhànqián Street (turn left out of the train station and walk straight ahead for 5 minutes past a couple of expensive hotels and then a string of cheap Chinese hotels that are not allowed to accept foreigners; on the right is a taller red hotel with a name in red letters 通明快捷酒店 客房). This hotel offers a range of rooms, many with wifi access. Hot water 20:00-00:00? TV, kettle, Western toilet. The beds are hard, the rooms in the basement are cold and smell of cigarettes but the location may be convenient. Further down this street on the right, some other hotels might also be willing to accept foreigners at lower prices than Tōngmíng. Don't believe rack rates. A basement double room with ensuite can be secured for ¥100 (Feb 2011). Single ensuite ¥80 (Aug 2011).  
• DaTong Green Island Youth Hostel Railway Station, F5, Block A, Jin Hu International Tower, No.1029 Wei Du Avenue (opposite the train station) (biggest tower across train station. entrance is from behind.). A young hostel offering most satisfying help by the staff. ¥160 for double room. (updated May 2015)

• Hongqi Dafandian, Huochezhan BeiLu, ☏ +86 352 2816813, fax: +86 352 2816671. 
• Yanbei Binguan, 1 Yuhe Beilu, ☏ +86 352 6024116, fax: +86 352 6027287. 

• Datong Binguan, 37 Yingbin Xilu, ☏ +86 352 2032476, fax: +86 0352 2035174. 
• Hongqi Grand Hotel, NO.11, S Zhanqian, ☏ +86 352 5366888, fax: +86 0352 5366222. It is a 3-star hotel just across the train station which is very convenient. A price for a night in a room with two beds is ¥265 (as of Dec 2009). Rooms are very comfortable. On the negative side the staff barely speaks English but one or two of the girls at the counter can help you. The hotel has an excellent restaurant frequented by visiting Chinese. You do not have to be a guest to eat here. Meals vary in price from ¥15 to ¥268 for duck. The menu has pictures. Around the block are a number of places to eat, bakeries and a supermarket. 

Booking tickets at the Datong Train Station can be difficult because many tickets for popular routes are snatched by black market sellers when they become available four days before the train runs. So book tickets from Datong as early as possible.

• Beijing - Approx eight buses a day depart for Beijing from the Xīnnán Bus Station. ¥128 ordinary seat, ¥158 luxury seat. Approx 4½ hours depending on the traffic.
• WuTai Shan - 2 buses per day in summer at 08:30 and 14:10 from Xīnnán Bus Station. ¥75. 4 hours.
• Taiyuan - Many buses per day, or coaches. From Taiyuan you can continue to Pingyao or try to find a direct bus.

Xīnnán Bus Station (新南客运站 Xīnnán Kèyùnzhàn) is the last stop on Datong local bus 30 that departs from Datong Train Station. 45 minutes or more, depending on traffic.