Datong is a coal city on the northern edge of Shanxi, sitting in a basin at over a thousand metres, ringed by mountains on three sides and open to the steppe beyond. Winters are long, cold and very dry; summers are warm, and most of the year's rain falls between June and September. Sunshine is plentiful, and the gap between day and night temperatures is wide, so pack for both.
For a visitor, the useful split is between the old city at the centre and everything outside it. The old city holds the surviving historical sites — the Nine-Dragon Wall, the Huayan Monastery and the Shanhua Temple — and its Ming-era defensive wall has been reconstructed around the edge. The Yungang Grottoes lie about 16 km west of the city, and the Hanging Temple is further out near Mount Heng. This guide covers which parts of Datong to base yourself in, and what each is like for getting to those sights.
Best areas to stay in Datong
1. The old city
The old city is the historic core, defined by the reconstructed Ming dynasty wall and holding the sites that survive within it: the Nine-Dragon Wall, the Huayan Monastery and the Shanhua Temple. It has been through heavy redevelopment since 2008, with large areas rebuilt and the resident population falling sharply, so parts of it can feel half-finished and quiet rather than bustling. It remains the most convenient base for walking to the in-town sights.
This suits first-time visitors who want the historic sights on foot and don't mind a centre that is still filling in. Expect a mix of accommodation types rather than one dominant kind. Note that the old city is small in population now and has fewer government facilities than before, so services are thinner than in a typical Chinese city centre.
2. Pingcheng District
Pingcheng is one of the two urban districts that make up the built-up city, and it contains most of the urbanised area. If you want to be in the working city rather than the reconstructed historic core, this is where the everyday urban fabric is.
It suits travellers who prefer to be near transport, shops and services, and who are happy to travel to the sights rather than step out to them. Connections to the rest of the city and to the railway station are the practical reason to base here.
3. Yungang District
Yungang is the other urban district in the built-up area, and it shares its name with the grottoes, which lie about 16 km west of the city. Basing yourself on this side shortens the trip to the Yungang Grottoes, the UNESCO World Heritage site and the single most important attraction in the area.
This suits visitors whose priority is the grottoes and who want to reach them without crossing the whole city. It is less useful if you plan to spend your time on the in-town temples and the old city, which are on the other side.
4. Around the railway station
The area by the train station, on Wei Du Avenue, is the arrival point for most visitors coming by rail and has at least some traveller-oriented accommodation. It is a practical base rather than a scenic one.
This suits budget travellers and anyone on a short stop who wants to drop their bags and go. It also works if you are using Datong as a rail hub: the city is an important distribution and warehousing centre for Shanxi, Hebei and Inner Mongolia, and the railway is central to how it functions. Expect to travel to the old city and the grottoes from here.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: youth hostels and simple guesthouses, with at least one known to sit opposite the train station on Wei Du Avenue. Book through a platform with a wide selection of foreigner-friendly properties, since not every place accepts foreign guests.
- Mid-range: standard city hotels. Availability in Datong is thinner than in larger Chinese cities, so book ahead rather than expecting to walk in and choose.
- Splurge: the top end of the market here is limited. Set your expectations accordingly and confirm what a property actually offers before booking.
Best area for a first visit
Base yourself in the old city. It puts the Nine-Dragon Wall, the Huayan Monastery and the Shanhua Temple within walking distance, and the reconstructed wall gives you a clear sense of the place's shape. You can reach the Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Temple as day trips from there.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Datong?
Summers are very warm and winters are long, cold and very dry, with almost no precipitation between them. More than three-quarters of the annual rain falls from June to September. Day-to-night temperature swings are large year-round, so bring layers whatever the season.
How do I get to the Yungang Grottoes?
The grottoes are about 16 km west of the city, so you will need transport rather than a walk. Staying in Yungang District shortens the journey; from the old city or the railway station, treat it as a half-day trip.
Do I need to worry about pollution?
Datong is an old-fashioned coal mining city and has a reputation as one of China's more polluted cities, though it has been working on environmental cleanup and moving into tourism and other industries. If you are sensitive to air quality, check conditions during your stay.
Will I find accommodation that accepts foreign guests?
Not every property does. Booking through a platform with a wide selection of foreigner-friendly hotels in Datong is the reliable way to filter for this before you arrive.
Compare live prices for your dates with the booking tools on this page before you commit.