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Datong — China travel

14 Days in Datong

Two weeks for the full loop — Yungang, the coal city, volcanoes and earth forest, Hunyuan, the Shuozhou pagoda, Lingqiu's pass — with honest days at Wutaishan and Zhangjiakou.

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Best time: May-June or September-OctoberBudget: mid-range

Quick Answer

Is 14 days enough for Datong?

14 days lets you go beyond Datong's core into neighborhoods, food markets, and one or two day trips at a relaxed pace.

Source: NihaoVisit Datong guide

14-day Datong itinerary at a glance

Use our full Datong travel guide as the base and adapt it to 14 days. Keep the city's three signature attractions as the backbone; fill the rest with neighborhood walks, food markets, and an easy day trip.

Yungang Grottoes (UNESCO 2001)Liao-Jin temples & Ming wallsJinhuagong coal-mine heritageVolcano cones & earth forestHanging Temple & Northern PeakWutaishan (Xinzhou) & Dajingmen (Hebei)
1
Day 1

Arrival, Huayan Temple & the Dragon Screen

The 1038 sutra hall with its carved scripture cabinets, the 1,559-square-metre main hall of 1140, and the 45.5-metre glazed screen raised for prince Zhu Gui in 1392.

Scenes from Datong, China
  1. datong huayan temple
  2. datong nine dragon screen
2
Day 2

Yungang Grottoes, All Day

Inscribed in 2001 — 45 major caves and 51,000-plus figures carved mainly between 460 and 525, from the five Tanyao caves to the 13.7-metre Buddha of Cave 20.

Scenes from Datong, China
  1. datong yungang grottoes
3
Day 3

Museum Morning & Floodlit Walls

Northern Wei lacquer, pottery figurines and stone carving indoors, then the first circuit of the restored 7.2-km Ming walls — begun in 1372 — after dark.

Scenes from Datong, China
  1. datong museum
  2. datong city walls
4
Day 4

Shanhua Temple & Old Town Quarters

Shanhua's Liao-Jin timber halls, the Drum Tower lanes, and market suppers of rabbit head, knife-shaved noodles and baked shaomai.

Scenes from Datong, China
  1. datong shanhua temple
  2. datong city markets
5
Day 5

Volcano Cones & Earth Forest

East to Yunzhou's Quaternary field of more than 30 dormant cones, then the eroded earth columns at Duzhuang on the Sanggan terraces; back by evening.

  1. datong volcano cluster
  2. datong earth forest
6
Day 6

Hunyuan — Hanging Temple & Northern Peak

The temple raised around 491 on stilts some 50 metres above the gorge, then the 2,016-metre Tianfeng ridge of the Northern Peak. Overnight in Hunyuan.

  1. datong hanging temple
  2. datong hengshan
7
Day 7

Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (Shuozhou)

An honest neighbouring-prefecture day — the 67.31-metre pagoda of 1056, nail-free and wrapped in dougong brackets, about 75 km south; return to Datong for the night.

  1. shuozhou yingxian wooden pagoda
8
Day 8

Lingqiu — Pingxingguan Pass

Southeast into Lingqiu County for the pass of the September 25, 1937 engagement, its memorial hall and the qiaogou ravine; a factual visit among Taihang foothills.

  1. datong pingxingguan
9
Day 9

To Wutaishan (Xinzhou)

An honest Xinzhou day — the road south takes about three hours to the five-terrace mountain UNESCO listed in 2009; Taihuai's temple quarter by evening.

  1. xinzhou wutaishan
10
Day 10

Wutaishan Terraces & Return

The 1,080 steps up Dailuoding, views towards the 3,061-metre North Terrace — the roof of North China — then the ride back to Datong.

  1. xinzhou wutaishan
11
Day 11

Coal City — Jinhuagong Mine Park

Datong dug coal for decades; at the Jinhuagong park a shaft gallery goes underground for the miner's-eye view, with the seam museum above ground.

  1. datong jinhuagong mine park
12
Day 12

Dajingmen Day (Zhangjiakou)

An honest Hebei day — around 40 minutes by HSR to the Great Wall gate raised in 1644, once a gate of the tea-and-fur trade road; evening back in Datong.

  1. zhangjiakou dajingmen
13
Day 13

Slow Old Town Day

Markets in the morning, Huayan's halls again in soft light, a long lunch, and the floodlit wall circuit you saved for the last night.

  1. datong city markets
  2. datong city walls
14
Day 14

Farewell & Departure

A last look at anything missed in the galleries, then the HSR — about two hours to Beijing, or the morning flight from Yungang airport.

  1. datong museum

Budget for 14 days in Datong

TierPer day14 days total
BackpackerUSD $50–$80USD $700–$1,120
Mid-rangeUSD $100–$200USD $1,400–$2,800
LuxuryUSD $300+USD $4,200+

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Frequently asked questions

What is the daily budget for Datong?
Budget travelers: USD $50–$80/day. Mid-range: $100–$200/day. Luxury: $300+/day. These cover hotel, three meals, transit, and one paid attraction per day.
Do I need a visa to visit Datong?
It depends on your passport — see our <a href="/china-visa-2026/">China visa guide</a> for the latest country-by-country list. Most Western passport holders can enter visa-free for 30 days as of 2026.
How do I get from the airport to the center of Datong?
Datong's main airport connects to the city center via airport bus, taxi, or metro where available. See the airport transfer section of our Datong guide.
Can I use 14 days for both Datong and a side trip?
Yes — with 14 days you can pair Datong with one nearby city (e.g. a short rail or bus side trip) and still have buffer days.
Is Datong safe for tourists?
Yes. Datong has very low violent crime rates and is widely considered safe for foreign tourists. Standard petty-theft precautions apply. See our <a href="/is-china-safe-2026/">is China safe</a> page.

See also: Datong travel guide, China visa 2026, China trip cost.