Things to do & places to visit in Datong, Shanxi, China

Datong city in Shanxi, China. Timezone: Asia/Shanghai, current date and time: Monday, April 29, 2024, 22:12.

Datong Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in April

61°F - 32°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Cold and breezy

Feels like

13%

Chance of rain

47.0 millimeters

Amount

15.4 mph

Wind speed

42%

Humidity

13.2

Daylight length

5:50 AM

Sunrise

7:03 PM

Sunset

61%

Cloud cover

Jacket

What to wear

Top things to do (17)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Wuguantun Grotto (59 reviews)
- It's awesome but keep in mind that Yungang Grotto and Wuguantun Grotto are one place ;)
Monday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM Caverns & Caves

In Trip Advisor there are two different places worth see - Yungang and Wugantun Grotto - but it's the same! Nevertheless it's breath taking place. See more..
5.0 Tan Mei Kee Nuns Statues (7 reviews)
- Go in
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Monuments & Statues

Don’t miss to go in you can be sure you will open your mouth more than once. Photos are forbidden, I agree because it is delicated over all the colors so please look but don’t take pictures. See more..
5.0 De Sheng Bao (5 reviews)
- Great Wall living history / China’s largest fort complex
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

Must-visit for people interested in history and culture to see remaining unrestored sections of the Great Wall and China’s largest fort cluster (see picture). The original layout contained two forts, a wool and horse market, tax office, temples etc. You can still see the 得胜堡 (Deshengbao) fort, 德胜口 (Deshengkou) gate to Inner Mongolia and remaining parts of the wall of the Datong section around 1km beyond 得胜堡village. The elderly villagers in the little town are friendly and helpful. See more..
5.0 Northern Wei Dynasty Empress Feng Grave (2 reviews)
Historic Sites

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5.0 Pingcheng Site (1 review)
Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites

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4.5 Yungang Grottoes (974 reviews)
- Very Cool History
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5:20 PM Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Caverns & Caves

There are over 50 caves with over 50,000 well-preserved Buddhist statues from the 5th century. See more..
4.5 Hengshan Hanging Temple (Xuankong si) (778 reviews)
- Impressive cliff-hanging temple
Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

The monastery was built on the cliffs of Mt. Hengshan, one of the five most sacred mountains in China. The caves and halls are connected by winding corridors and bridges. See more..
4.5 Shanhua Monastery (36 reviews)
- Good experience
Monday: 6:30 AM - 7:00 PM Ancient Ruins • Religious Sites

Honestly, in China it is so very easy to get “Templed-out” from all the temples and monasteries there are. They all follow the same patterns, architecture, style and colours. Eventually you dread going to yet another “famous” temple, because they all start to look the same. That all being said, I’m happy I paid a visit to this place. It doesn’t feel like many other temples that came from the same temple factory. Yes, the place has been around for 1000 years and has likely been rebuilt a dozen times in that period, including recently, but there are some buildings here that look and feel, “old”. It’s a nice change. There are great opportunities here for some photos. There is a wonderful water area that makes for great photos. Very few people as it is away from the main tourist area. Free admission. There is a 5-dragon wall outside. If you only have time for one temple or monastery on your trip, head to this one. See more..
4.5 Datong Museum (12 reviews)
- Well Done
Monday: Spent 2-3 hours Natural History Museums

The Museum, as Museums go, is quite excellent. They have many pieces from different periods and peoples of Northern China, including weapons, money, pottery, and Dinosaurs. While we were there, they also had an exhibition of African art and masks, again, it is well done. Most pieces had an English title, but no in-depth description in English. Not really a place for little kids, unless you want to get them through the dinosaurs, the other stuff may bore them. No issue recommending this place for those that enjoy history. See more..
4.5 Chinese Sculpture Museum (6 reviews)
- Really a very nice museum
Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums

It was raining that day in Datong so we spent several hours in this museum. Well worth a visit to see Chinese contemporary art. There were no crowds which was great. A nice quiet place. The art was really unique. See more..
4.5 Yungang Forest Park (6 reviews)
- 青翠欲滴，郁郁葱葱
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Amusement & Theme Parks

寻一处清闲，寻一丝幽静，云岗森林公园绝对是一处好的去处，清净，悠闲，放眼望去，青翠欲滴，郁郁葱葱，花虫鸟兽在其中尽情徜徉，身在其中，身心都得到放松，闲暇的工作之余来轻松一下，也是个不错的选择。 See more..
4.5 Hualin Xintiandi Plaza (4 reviews)
- Not good
Shopping Malls

Not a very nice shopping centre quite run down and a little bit out of the way for normal tourists. A real local place so guess you can't expect much more. See more..
4.5 Wenying Lake (2 reviews)
- 放松心情
Bodies of Water

自大同城建那天开始，文瀛湖就展露出独特的风采。以前，大同城区比较小，文瀛湖就离人们的生活特别远，加之没有必要的绿化和保护，文瀛湖一度沦落成为了臭水沟。后来，大同扩建，文瀛湖逐渐离人们的生活越来越近。加之公园的建立和绿化的大面积覆盖，这片湖水焕发了生机。现在不仅有水鸟栖息，而且还大力改善湖中岛，使之和岸边相连。现在成为了大同人夏季纳凉，冬季滑冰的好场所。 See more..
4.5 Three-Dragon Screen (2 reviews)
- One of three
Monday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
This is one of three screens you can visit in Datong, beautifully glazed tiles and I would recommend a visit to all the screens if you can as they are all a little different and all super. See more..
4.0 Ying Xian Wooden Pagoda (178 reviews)
- The wooden Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple
Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

A work of fine craftsmanship and art. In 1056, Emperor Daozong of Liao had the wooden pagoda built at what was his grandmother's home. It is the world's oldest wooden pagoda and has withstood earthquakes and and wars. See more..
4.0 Huayan Temple of Datong (144 reviews)
- Beautiful view
Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Religious Sites

This is in the middle of the Ancient City, a very large Temple complex, 50RMb entrance fee. If I recall correctly, almost the entire place is a rebuild for <15 years ago, in fact almost all the Ancient City is a modern rebuild. If you like Chinese Temples, go have a look see. It’s the same pattern and architecture you’ll see at almost all Chinese Temples, so if you don’t have the time to have a look, you’ll be okay. Two cool parts, they have a relic of the Buddha in the underground part of a Temple, his finger bone. There is also a huge Temple you can climb up and get a great view of the city. As Temple complexes go, it’s very well done, lots of photo opportunities. If you have the time, go have a look. See more..
4.0 Datong City Walls (114 reviews)
- Nice place and must to see.
Historic Sites

I visit Datong city wall November 2020 and it was very pleasant experience. Basically just me and my friend there. No rush no crowd just enjoyable wandring around wall. City wall itself is well rebuild and top of it can see old datong as well as new part of Datong. Rent bike is also available and recommed if want to see whole wall. See more..
4.0 Datong Drum (54 reviews)
- Drum Tower
Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

Entrance fee is 10 RMB. Its restored and gives you feeling of the Asien time. You can walk up and have a 360 degree view around. Inside are also some old pictures of the city and new drawings of some sightseeing spots around. The location is very central to other spots. In the area around a lot of restore work is ongoing so some renovation spots will be open or other are close due to that work. Thanks for reading my review and I hope it was helpful for your trip. See more..
4.0 Heng Mountain Zhuangguan Monument (38 reviews)
- Incredible views and temples
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Monuments & Statues

This was a wonderful experience! I love nature, hiking and visiting historical architecture bursting with culture and this experience combines all three. The paths leading up to the many temples and lookout points are surrounded by fragrant pine trees that help to cleanse your lungs of all the coal pollution from Datong. I highly recommend combining this trip with visiting the Hengeng Monastery which is practically next door. We ate lunch at a little stand next to the carpark and was impressed with the cleanliness and fresh taste of the food. Be warned, the cable car officially closes at 3pm so unfortunately, we did not get a chance to take it down from the top because it was already past 5pm when we realized and ended up trekking back by foot. See more..
4.0 Beyond the Great Wall (27 reviews)
- Best guide ever to The Great Wall - China
Historic Sites

We just returned from a visit to the Great Wall in China. Excellent tour guide picked us up at airport - Shane will gladly give u his contact info on request. See more..
4.0 The Grand Mosque (19 reviews)
- Nice
Monday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

It is in the middle of the mosque place and even when it is very animated zone, it was a palace before and it keeps the luxury. See more..
4.0 Fahua Pagoda (6 reviews)
- Evening visit
Observation Decks & Towers

Super, beautiful, tranquil temple. Lovely construction and details on the inside walls of each section. We went toward evening time as it was closing and the monks were emerging to walk around the courtyard (3 times clockwise I believe is the tradition). Some unique gems as well. As the ladies were closing up the library at the very back of the temple, they invited us in to show us a phenomenal art work; they explained to my Chinese colleague that a famous book (I believe it was found under the base of the unique central tower, but I may have misunderstood) has been transcribed onto a huge fabric or paper in the shape of a Chinese temple - you have to see it to believe it. It took a 40 y/o monk 3 years and the whole thing is written in his own blood! I found the whole place captivating. See more..
4.0 Jinhua Hall Mine (5 reviews)
- 已经不能体验矿井了
Mines

中国煤矿看山西，山西煤矿看大同，而大同煤矿则要看晋华宫。中国最好煤矿之一的晋华宫矿山的一部分现在作为工业旅游对外开放，伟大的矿井体验现在已经关闭了，但至少你还可以去看看煤矿博物馆。博物馆里照例介绍了全世界的煤矿、中国的煤矿、山西的煤矿以及大同的煤矿，非常详细的介绍了大同煤矿的过去与现在（日占时期很详细，所以没去成万人坑纪念馆也不太过遗憾）。在此你还可以看到号称世界最大的井下挖出的一整块煤。这个博物馆会让你联想到抚顺的西露天煤矿博物馆，但缺少了视觉冲击力的大型工业设备，抚顺煤矿枯竭后开始技术输出挖掘全国乃至全球的其他煤矿，而大同则仍然还是立足本地。 See more..
4.0 Luban Kiln Caves (1 review)
Monday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM Caverns & Caves
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3.5 Nine Dragon Screen (244 reviews)
- 15 minutes
Monday: 9:00 AM - 4:50 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Libraries

Not really much to say, it’s a wall with 9 dragons ceramic on it. The wall is not original, the dragons appear to be. It’s free admission, in a nice little park, there are washrooms and a little gift shop. The Shanhua Monastery down the road has an almost identical wall with 5 dragons on it. Go have a look, get some photos and then 10 minutes later go see something else. See more..
3.5 Shanhua Temple Five-Dragon Screen (21 reviews)
- Heavily restaured, still interesting.
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

This inner city temple and its 5 dragon wall is situated within the great walls and easy walking distance of the garden hotel and other attractions in Datong. Nicely kept and landscaped. Worth a visit. See more..
3.5 Datong Stadium (3 reviews)
- went to the closing ceremony of the 5th JACKLIE CHAN FILM WEEK ASVIP GUESTS
Monday: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM Arenas & Stadiums

i was with JACKIE CHANS 5TH INTERNATIONAL FAN PARTY and we were staying in datong as part ofhif film week we were very lucky to be vips JACKIE TO WATCH HIM AND A SPECTACULAR CLOSING CEREMONY beautiful huge 66000 stadium See more..
Deshengma Market (0 review)
Monday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM Shopping Malls
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Luye Yuan Grottoe (0 review)
Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Caverns & Caves
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Baideng Mountain (0 review)
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Mountains
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