By Plane

Datong Airport (DAT)

Name: Datong Yungang Airport

Distance to city: 15 km from city center

To city center: Airport shuttle bus (¥20, 30 min), taxi (¥40-60, 20 min)

Direct Flights From

Beijing

1h Daily

Shanghai

2h Daily

Guangzhou

2.5h Daily

Tip: Datong Airport has limited flights. High-speed train from Beijing is often faster and more convenient (1h45m).

By High-Speed Train

Datong South Station (大同南站)

Location: High-speed rail station, 8 km from city center

Take bus or taxi to Yungang Grottoes (30 min) or Hanging Temple (1.5h by bus).

Popular Routes

From	Duration	Price	Notes
Beijing	1h45m-2h30m	¥150-250	✅ Verified: 28 G-trains daily, fastest 1h45m (G2509, G2541). Very convenient for Yungang Grottoes day trip!
Taiyuan	1h-1.5h	¥80-150	Multiple daily G-trains, nearby provincial capital
Xi'an	3-4h	¥200-400	Via Taiyuan transfer

Tip: ✅ Data verified via 12306 on 2026-05-26. IMPORTANT: Datong is very accessible from Beijing with 28 daily G-trains (fastest 1h45m)! Perfect for visiting Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple. From Datong South Station, take bus K1 to Yungang Grottoes (¥2, 40 min) or tour bus to Hanging Temple (1.5h).

By Long-Distance Bus

Datong Long-distance Bus Station

Location: City center

Routes: Routes to Taiyuan, Beijing, nearby cities

Tip: Bus to Hanging Temple: ¥30, 1.5h from Datong. Train is faster for inter-city travel.

By Car

From Beijing

Distance: 350 km

Duration: 4h

Route: G6 Jingzang Expressway

From Taiyuan

Distance: 280 km

Duration: 3h

Route: G55 Erguang Expressway

Parking: Parking at Yungang Grottoes (¥10-20) and Hanging Temple (¥10-20).

Getting Around Datong

Public Transport

Bus to Yungang Grottoes (¥2, 40 min). Tourist bus to Hanging Temple (¥30, 1.5h). No metro.

Taxi & Ride-Hailing

Taxis affordable (starting ¥7). Didi app works. Taxi to Yungang Grottoes ¥30-50.

Bike Rental

Bike rental available in city center. Not practical for distant attractions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to get to Datong from Beijing?

✅ Verified: High-speed train is fastest - 28 daily G-trains, fastest takes only 1h45m! Tickets ¥150-250. Perfect for a day trip to Yungang Grottoes.

How do I get from Datong to the Hanging Temple?

Take tourist bus from Datong Bus Station (¥30, 1.5h). Or hire a taxi for the day (¥300-400). The Hanging Temple is 65 km from Datong city center.

Can I visit Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple in one day?

YES! Take early train from Beijing (arrive 9-10am), visit Yungang Grottoes in morning (2-3h), then Hanging Temple in afternoon. Return train in evening. Very doable day trip.

How much does a train ticket to Datong cost?

From Beijing: ¥150-250 (1h45m-2h30m). From Taiyuan: ¥80-150 (1h-1.5h). Book on 12306.cn or Ctrip.

What makes Datong special?

Datong is famous for: (1) Yungang Grottoes - UNESCO World Heritage, 51,000 ancient Buddhist statues; (2) Hanging Temple - built into cliff 1,500 years ago; (3) Wooden Pagoda of Yingxian - oldest wooden pagoda in China. All accessible as day trips from Datong.

Is the Hanging Temple safe to visit?

YES! Despite appearing precarious, the Hanging Temple has been reinforced and is safe for visitors. It has survived 1,500 years of earthquakes. Arrive early to avoid crowds.