Planning a datong day tour but worried about tight logistics, massive tourist crowds, and tickets selling out? Look no further. This raw, battle-tested datong day tour breaks down exactly how to conquer Datong’s top national treasures—the Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Temple—in a single, flawless day.
The Perfect Timeline for Your Datong Day Tour
To fit everything without feeling rushed, hiring a chartered car (private driver) is highly recommended.
- 07:00 AM: Depart from Datong Ancient City by chartered car.
- 08:00 AM: Arrive at Yungang Grottoes right as it opens (beat the tour buses).
- 08:00 AM – 11:30 AM: 3.5 hours of exploring the caves with a guide.
- 12:00 PM: Leave the park and head for lunch at Sunji Baozi.
- 02:00 PM: Arrive at the Mount Heng Visitor Center and catch the park shuttle.
- 02:20 PM – 04:30 PM: Arrive, queue, and climb the Hanging Temple.
- 06:00 PM: Return to Datong Ancient City for an epic local dinner.
Ticket Booking Hacks: Read This Before You Go
Both attractions implement strict daily visitor caps. If you do not book in advance, your datong day tour will fall apart.
1. Yungang Grottoes (Book 3 Days in Advance)
- Price: 120 RMB/person.
- How: Book via the official WeChat Mini-Program 2 days before your visit.
2. Hanging Temple Climbing Ticket (Book 7 Days in Advance – Crucial!)
- Price: 115 RMB/person (Admission + Climbing).
- Daily Cap: Strictly limited to 2,475 climbing visitors per day.
- The 7:20 AM Battle: Tickets release exactly 7 days prior at 7:20 AM on the “Beiyue Yunyou” (北岳云游) WeChat Mini-Program.
- Pro-Tips for Families: Pre-enter your passport/ID info the night before. Enter the app at 7:19 AM and refresh constantly. Note: One WeChat account can only book a maximum of 2 adults + 1 child.
- Missed out? Do not panic. Check the app at the top of every hour (10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM). Glitched and canceled tickets often drop back into the system—many travelers successfully snagged tickets at 10:05 AM. Alternatively, you can queue at the Mount Heng Visitor Center for offline tickets, but expect at least a 1-hour wait with a high risk of sellouts.
Morning: Yungang Grottoes Ultimate Guide
Entering right at 8:00 AM is the golden rule of this datong day tour. After 9:00 AM, the crowds arrive, and queuing inside the key caves becomes exhausting. Bring a portable mini-fan or a traditional hand fan to stay comfortable.
Walking vs. Boat Route
Upon entering, you can choose to walk or take a scenic boat ride. They offer entirely different views and vibes. However, when exiting, always pay for the sightseeing shuttle cart. The walk back is incredibly long, and your feet will thank you after hours of exploring.
Key Highlights and Must-See Caves:
Hire an official guide at the entrance for the best experience. Kids will love it more if they watch introductory documentaries beforehand.
- Cave 6: Features breathtaking wall-to-wall reliefs detailing the life of Shakyamuni Buddha.
- Cave 11 & Cave 19: These hold the viral, world-famous Buddha statues that have taken social media by storm. The sheer visual scale here is unmatched.
- Cave 20: The legendary 13.7-meter open-air grand Buddha and the ultimate photo landmark of Datong.
Afternoon: The Gravity-Defying Hanging Temple
Located about 85 km from Datong Ancient City, you will arrive around 2:00 PM. Take the scenic shuttle from the visitor center to the base.
Because the wooden cliffside walkways are extremely narrow, safety pacing is strict. Arriving around 2:20 PM usually means a manageable 20-minute wait before climbing. Note: Afternoon light is slightly less optimal for photos than morning light, but it comes with shorter lines.
Best Free Photo Spots (No Climbing Ticket Required)
If you cannot secure a climbing ticket, the view from the ground is still absolutely spectacular.
- Li Bai’s Calligraphy Rock: Snap a photo next to the giant stone carved with Li Bai’s famous tribute to the temple (“壮观”).
- Black Myth: Wukong Spot: Find the exact angles featured in the hit video game.
- Xiake Pavilion (侠客亭): Skip the paid photo booths. The area near Xiake Pavilion offers a stunning, completely free, wide-angle panoramic view of the entire temple clinging to the sheer cliff.
Fueling Your Day: Authentic Datong Eats
An epic datong day tour requires great food. Since breakfast options can be sparse early in the morning inside the Ancient City, ask your chartered car driver to help pick up local breakfast on the way.
Lunch: Sunji Baozi (Sun Kee Buns – Fenglin Yijing Branch)
Located just 20 minutes outside the Yungang Grottoes exit. This spot offers incredible value for money, serving massive, juicy local steamed buns and classic Shanxi side dishes.
Dinner: The Ancient City Battle
When you return to the Ancient City, prepare for massive restaurant crowds. High-end spots like Fenglingei (凤临阁) and popular noodle chains fill up fast.
- Xijindao Sliced Noodles (喜晋道): Known for being incredibly honest and generous, but they stop handing out queue numbers as early as 7:00 PM.
- Zini 369 Coarse Grains (紫泥369粗粮馆): If Xijindao is full, walk over here. Be prepared to wait—queues can last up to 2 hours (eating around 9:40 PM is common).
- What to Order at Zini 369: The Pineapple Pork Ribs (凤梨手抓小排) and Preserved Mustard Greens Chicken Wings (梅菜干鸡翅) are phenomenal. Skip the local signature eggplant (it can be a bit dry) and the Mongolian Cheese Pie (which gets a bit heavy/greasy).
Best Souvenirs to Take Home
Don’t leave without grabbing Datong’s viral official merchandise.
- Where to Buy: You can find official flagship stores at the Mount Heng Visitor Center and authorized boutiques inside Datong Ancient City.
- What to Get: Look for the “Fo Xiao Ban” (佛小伴) and “Fo Bao Bao” (佛宝宝) series. The classic “Fo Xiao Ban” figurine series is a massive hit with international travelers and makes for the perfect desk companion.