Why Trust This Article?
- • Author: Hesham Al-Daaja (based in China since 2019)
- • Last updated: Sep 24, 2026
- • Based on direct field experience with Arab travelers and buyers
Datong: The Closest Historical Escape Outside Beijing
I'm Hesham, living in China since 2019. Datong sits in northern Shanxi Province, and it's one of the easiest trips outside Beijing since it's so close by high-speed train -- but it has two attractions that would be worth the trip on their own: the Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Temple.
Quick Answer
Datong is just 2-2.5 hours from Beijing by high-speed train -- closer than Luoyang or Pingyao. Yungang Grottoes tickets run about ¥125, and the Hanging Temple is ¥15 to view or ¥100 if you actually want to climb it.
The Hanging Temple -- Unlike Anything Else in China
A temple literally built hanging off a cliff face, held up by slender wooden posts that look fragile despite standing for centuries. Viewing from below costs ¥15; climbing up and walking through it requires a ¥100 climbing ticket. The temple sits about 75km southeast of Datong.
Yungang Grottoes -- A Massive Buddhist UNESCO Site
About 16km west of Datong, with thousands of Buddhist statues carved directly into the rock, some several meters tall. Tickets run around ¥125 (per current Trip.com pricing). The distance between the grottoes and the Hanging Temple is about 70km, so plan a full day if you want to see both on the same trip.
Quick Summary
- From Beijing: just 2-2.5 hrs by high-speed train
- Yungang Grottoes: about ¥125
- Hanging Temple: ¥15 to view, ¥100 to climb
- Distance between the two sites: about 70km
Planning a Trip to Datong?
I'm Hesham, living in China since 2019. Message me on WhatsApp and I'll arrange a driver or a full day trip to Datong, or visit my tailored trip planning page.
