Datong

Datong (大同 Dàtóng) is a city in northern Shanxi Province, China. A former frontier town and Northern Wei capital, it is best known for the Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Monastery, as well as numerous religious sites in its redeveloped Ancient City center.

Datong is a small city with relatively little experience with foreigners. People here are friendly and curious.

Datong, then named Pingcheng, served as the capital during the Northern Wei Dynasty. It was a secondary capital during the Liao and Jin Dynasties. During the Ming Dynasty, it was one of the nine important border towns. Today, Datong offers convenient transportation, relatively low prices, and numerous tourist attractions, making it one of the most worthwhile tourist destinations in Northern China.

Datong has a continental, monsoon-influenced steppe climate, influenced by the 1,000 metres (3,300 ft)+ elevation, with rather long, cold, very dry winters, and very warm summers.

• 40.0561113.48191 Datong Yungang Airport (DAT  ^IATA) (18 km outside the city). Flights primarily from southern Chinese cities, Hong Kong, and Bangkok. There are no flights from Beijing – take one of the many daily high-speed trains.  

High-speed trains stop at the 40.04339113.358092 Datong South Railway Station (Datongnan). Trips from Beijing, Hohhot, and southern Shanxi cities such as Taiyuan and Pingyao are all less than 2.5 hours, and often much faster.

Conventional trains stop at the 40.11909113.2963383 Datong Railway Station.

40°5′27″N 113°17′20″E

Map of Datong

Buses run frequently within Datong and cost ¥1 per ride (2026). The bus system can be navigated in English using the Amap map app on your phone.

Unlike most other Chinese cities, as of 2026 you need a mainland Chinese ID number to acquire a Datong City Bus card in Alipay. Therefore, foreigners must pay cash for the bus. Make sure you have sufficient ¥1 notes, as no change is given.

DiDi is readily available. It may be convenient and less stressful to hire a taxi to visit the main sites out of town such as the Hanging Monastery and the Wooden Pagoda.

Walking is practical within the walls of the Ancient City. Outside the Ancient City, be aware that Datong is spread out in the typical northern Chinese fashion, and distances elongate fast. What might look like a casual 3-block stroll might take 30 or even 45 minutes!

The star attractions of Datong, namely the Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Monastery, lie outside the city proper. At the city's center, surrounded by impressive walls, is the Datong Ancient City, which is a largely redeveloped tourist shopping area (in the redeveloped "ancient city" style common throughout touristed China) punctuated by beautiful temples and mosques. As is typical in China, many attractions, even free ones, require your passport for entry (assuming you don't have a mainland Chinese ID).

• 40.091453113.2880461 Huayan Monastery (华严寺), ☏ +86 352 204-2025. Closes 19:00. Huayan Temple was built during the Liao Dynasty and was 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. Huayan Temple is 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. ¥50 (Full price during peak season); ¥40 (Full price during off-season).  
• 40.090829113.2935372 Chunyang Taoist Temple (纯阳宫). A small collection of Daoist temples and a peaceful courtyard. A more human scale than the nearby Huayan Monastery. Completely rebuilt in 2010. ¥30 full price, ¥15 students.  

• 40.086667113.2992963 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. Built in the Tang Dynasty, rebuilt in the Liao Dynasty, and then largely destroyed by war, the monastery 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." ¥50 (full price during peak season); ¥40 (full price during off-season).  (updated Apr 2015)

• 40.09069113.298684 Datong Guandi Temple (关帝庙), No. 36, Xianlou North Street, Pingcheng District. 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. Free.  (updated Nov 2025)

• 40.08722113.299585 Datong Confucian Temple (大同府文庙), Yunlu Street, Pingcheng District, ☏ +86 352 253-9436. 08:30-18:00. Datong was the first city outside of Qufu to establish a place for worshipping Confucius. 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 such as the "Wild Goose Pagoda" and the glazed five-dragon wall. Free.  (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.088879113.2998066 Emperor Temple (帝君庙), No. 67, Shizi Street, Pingcheng District. 08:30-17:00. The Dijun Temple 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. Free.  (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.090853113.2935347 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. Free.  (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.091519113.2934588 Great Mosque (清真大寺), No. 5, Jiulou Lane, Pingcheng District. 08:00-18:00. First built in the second year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, and rebuilt during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The current structure dates from the Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China period. The Great Mosque is an example 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. Free.  (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.091333113.2858349 Yuantong Temple (圆通寺), Pingcheng District, Bawutujing Lane, ☏ +86 186-3520-2066. 06:00-18:00. The first temple was built here in the Ming Dynasty but was destroyed during the Qing army's massacre at 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. The buildings along the central axis are Qing Dynasty structures. Free.  (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.089871113.2867110 Datong Christian West Church (大同基督教西堂), No. 13 Qipan Street, Pingcheng District. The West Church was renovated in 2006, and its spire with a cross is a key feature of the ancient city's skyline. Free.  (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.091671113.30003411 Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (圣心圣母教堂), No. 4, Dusi Street, Pingcheng District. An 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)

• 40.08715113.3664812 Datong Museum (大同博物馆). The second largest museum in Shanxi Province with numerous cultural relics and most of the local archaeological finds. Free.  
• 40.089124113.29785813 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. Datong is renowned for its bronze ware production and the museum's permanent 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. Free.  (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.087713113.2979214 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, this permanent exhibition 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 and worker movements. Free.  (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.08626113.29761415 Memorial Hall of the Former Residence of Zhang Aitang, No. 18, Mawangmiao Street, Pingcheng District, ☏ +86 176-2696-9360. Tu-Su 09:00-17:00. Entry will stop 30 minutes before closing time. 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, and in modern times calligraphers such as Zhang Aitang inherited and developed this style. The museum showcases Zhang Aitang's life and his calligraphy. Free.  (updated Nov 2025)

• 40.092168113.30588716 City Walls, ☏ +86 352 7699269. Although the city walls are in the Ming Dynasty layout, many sections retain rammed earth layers dating to as early as the Han Dynasty. Since 2008, restoration work has been carried out on the brickwork, gate towers, and city gates, as well as the dredging of the moat. The city walls have four main gates: Heyang Gate to the east, Yongtai Gate to the south, Qingyuan Gate to the west, and Wuding Gate to the north. Free.  (updated Apr 2015)

• 40.093302113.30354617 Nine Dragon Screen (九龙壁 Jiŭlóngbì), Dàdōng Street 大东街 (in the center of the town). 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. Only three nine-dragon walls exist in China. The Datong Nine-Dragon Wall was built during the early Ming Dynasty as a screen wall for the residence of Zhu Gui, the thirteenth son of Zhu Yuanzhang. ¥10, students and 60-69 yr ¥5, children under 1.3 m, disabled, 70 and over free.  (updated Nov 2025)

• 40.09031113.2952418 Drum Tower (鼓楼) (middle section of Yongtai Street). 08:30 to 17:00; extended hours during holidays such as the Spring Festival. 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. Climb to the top floor to enjoy a 360-degree view of Datong's ancient cityscape. There are some historical photo exhibitions of Datong within the building. Free. Bring your passport.  (updated Oct 2025)
• 40.092341113.29236219 Bell Tower (钟楼), Pingcheng District, Qingyuan Street Center (middle section of Qingyuan Street). Tu-Su 09:06-11:33, 14:58-18:58. The tower was orginally built in the early Ming Dynasty but demolished in 1951. It was rebuilt in 2015 based on survey data and historical images, although 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, and the tower hosts frequent bell-ringing ceremonies for blessings. Free; climbing ticket ¥9.9.  (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.089668113.29804620 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. A three-courtyard siheyuan (traditional courtyard house) built in the late Qing Dynasty. It is named after two Datong County magistrates who resided here during the Republic of China period. Free.  (updated Nov 2025)

• 40.11143113.1323321 Yungang Grottoes (云冈石窟 Yúngāng Shíkū) (10km northwest of the city proper; you can easily take a bus), ☏ +86 352 799-2622, +86 352 799-2655. 9:00-17:00. By far the greatest attraction of the area is the 1,500-year-old Yungang 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. ¥120. Full-time students and 60-69 yrs half price. Disabled, 70 and over, children under 1.4 m free.  (updated May 2026)

• 39.665833113.70522 Hanging Monastery (悬空寺 Xuánkōngsì). 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. It was built in 490 and renovated several times, including in 1900; much of the current structure dates from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Visiting is not recommended on rainy or snowy days due to 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 ¥115. Students, 60-69 half price. Disabled (残疾人), 70 and over, less than 1.2 m tall children free.  (updated Feb 2015)
• 39.565278113.18194423 Yīngxiàn Wooden Pagoda (应县木塔 Yīngxiàn Mùtǎ), 应县, Yīngxiàn Town. 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 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 is open to visitors. Inside the pagoda, you can see a big Buddha statue. Tickets ¥60. Full-time students, 60-69 years old & disabled half-price. 70 and over, less-than-1.2-m-tall children free.  
• 39.665384113.72456824 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). World Heritage Tentative list (UNESCO). This is the least religiously important of the 5 Sacred Mountains of Taoism. ¥45.  
• 39.946273113.47428625 Tulin (大同土林, Devil City) (20km southeast of the city). Wind-eroded loess pillars and walls create a surreal landscape. Presents a beautiful scene at sunset. ¥50.  

• 40.078293113.2783661 Children's Park (儿童公园), Yingbin Street/Yunzhong Street Crossing. A large park with many family attractions.  (updated Apr 2015)

There are many specialty and tourist stores in the Ancient City center. Many of them are nestled in peaceful courtyards which you can pop into. Just walk around and see what you find.

• 40.0902113.2967821 Gulou East Street (鼓楼东街). 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.  (updated Nov 2025)
• 40.089908113.2900072 Huayan Street (华严街). One of the main pedestrian streets in the southwest corner. 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 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.  (updated Dec 2025)

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

• 40.1036113.30781 Erban Datong Sliced Noodles (大同刀削面). 06:00-14:00,17:00-21:00. Delicious knife-cut noodles and friendly service. All bowls come with pork; you choose the rest of the ingredients. Small pork bowl ¥9; larger bowls with extra ingredients go up to ¥32.  (updated May 2026)

As with anywhere in China, Trip.com is your friend, offering the widest selection of foreigner-friendly hotels in Datong as of 2026.

• 40.1179113.29351 DaTong Green Island Youth Hostel Railway Station, F5, Block A, Jin Hu International Tower, No.1029 Wei Du Avenue (opposite the train station).  (updated May 2015)

• Beijing – just 1.5 hours away by train
• Pingyao – a southern Shanxi city with arguably a more impressive old town than Datong, reachable by high-speed train