Quick answer: Datong is one of the best 1-2 day side trips from Beijing for history lovers: the Yungang Grottoes (UNESCO Buddhist cave temples from the 5th century) and the Hanging Temple (Xuankong Si) are the two must-sees. High-speed trains from Beijing take about 1.5-2 hours, and most visitors plan one night in Datong.
Best for: travelers who want world-class historical sites without the crowd levels of the Forbidden City, plus a quieter look at northern China.
Last reviewed: August 2026. Tickets, opening hours, and train times change, so confirm current details before booking.
Why visit Datong?
Datong is a mid-sized city in Shanxi province, about 300 km west of Beijing. Its two headline sites are different from most Chinese attractions: the Yungang Grottoes are massive Buddhist cave sculptures carved into a sandstone cliff, and the Hanging Temple is a wooden temple built into a cliff face. Both are easily reached in a short trip, and Datong is far less crowded than Beijing’s major sights.
Yungang Grottoes: what to see
Yungang has more than 50 main caves and tens of thousands of carved figures. Most first-time visitors focus on the early central caves and the giant Buddha in Cave 20. Plan about 2-3 hours: the site is spread out, with wooden walkways in front of the cliff. Adult admission is typically around RMB 120, and the site has shuttles and a museum at the entrance.
Photography rules matter: flash is usually not allowed inside the caves, and some inner statues are protected. Go early or late in the day for lighter crowds, and avoid Chinese public holidays.
Hanging Temple (Xuankong Si)
The Hanging Temple sits about 80 km southeast of Datong, on the cliff of Mount Heng. It is a compact site: you climb narrow wooden stairs and corridors, with views over the gorge. Plan 1.5-2 hours. Admission is typically around RMB 100-120, and the temple sometimes closes or limits access when visitor numbers are high, so going early helps.
How to get to Datong and between the sights
From Beijing, the easiest option is the high-speed train from Beijing North or Beijing West to Datong South, about 1.5-2 hours. See our 12306 train guide for booking with a foreign passport.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This never affects what we recommend or what you pay. We are not paid to publish positive reviews.
Yungang Grottoes are about 30-40 minutes from central Datong by taxi or bus. The Hanging Temple is the harder one: it is far outside the city, so a private car or day tour is the most practical option for most foreigners. Compare Datong day tours and private transfers on Klook, and confirm the meeting point and whether the entrance ticket is included.
One-day or two-day plan?
- Express one day: morning Yungang, afternoon Hanging Temple, evening train back to Beijing. Busy but doable with a private driver.
- Relaxed two days: day one Yungang plus Datong old town, day two Hanging Temple, then return. Better if you dislike rushed sightseeing.
If you are already heading west on a longer route, Datong also connects naturally with Gansu and the Silk Road and Pingyao.
When to go and what to bring
April to October is the most comfortable window; winter is cold but the sites are much quieter. Bring cash plus Alipay or WeChat Pay, comfortable shoes for stairs and walkways, and a charged phone with Amap / Gaode Maps downloaded. A travel eSIM such as Airalo keeps maps and translation working on the train and at the sites.
Related China travel guides
- Pingyao ancient city guide
- Gansu and the Silk Road
- Beijing to Xi’an by train
- 12306 train booking for foreigners
- How to use Amap / Gaode Maps
Affiliate note: We may earn a commission from a qualifying Klook or eSIM booking made through this guide, with no extra cost to you.