An old frontier city in northern Shanxi, Datong guards two of China's most astonishing sights: the 5th-century Yungang Grottoes and the gravity-defying Hanging Temple clinging to a cliff.
History & culture
Capital of the Northern Wei dynasty in the 5th century, Datong was a melting pot of Buddhist art where Silk Road and steppe cultures met, producing the colossal carved buddhas of Yungang.
What to see & do
- ◆Yungang Grottoes' 50,000+ carved statues
- ◆The Hanging Temple (Xuankong Si) on a cliff face
- ◆Datong's rebuilt Ming city walls
- ◆The Nine Dragon Wall
- ◆Huayan Monastery's timber halls
What to eat
- ●Shanxi knife-shaved noodles
- ●Yellow rice cakes (huang gao)
- ●Braised donkey or hearty mutton dishes
Getting there
Datong has an airport and high-speed rail (~2h from Beijing). Tours or hired cars reach Yungang and the Hanging Temple.
Avoid the pitfalls
- Yungang and the Hanging Temple are in different directions — plan two half-days or a long single day.
- The Hanging Temple's walkways are narrow and timed; expect queues in peak season.
- Northern Shanxi is dusty and cold in winter; bring wind protection.
Planning a trip around Datong? Our AI itinerary planner is on the way.
Explore more on the map