How to Travel from Datong to Pingyao | Datong to Pingyao Train

After making a cultural discovery in Datong, Northern Shanxi with visits to Yungang Grottoes (one of the three UNESCO World Heritage sites in Shanxi), Hanging Temple and other attractions, many travelers like to extend trip to Pingyao for visiting Pingyao Ancient City, another famous UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in Shanxi as well as one of the “Top Four Ancient Cities in China”. To help you travel from Datong to Pingyao efficiently and conveniently, here we offer you the most popular transportation for your Datong to Pingyao tour.

How Far is Datong to Pingyao?

Datong Location: Datong is a prefecture-level city in Northern Shanxi Province. It is one of China’s Top 9 Ancient Capitals, most known for the Yungang Grottoes with magnificent Buddha statues and amazing Hanging Temple built into cliff.

Pingyao Location: As a small county, Pingyao is the seat of Pingyao Ancient City, which lies in southwest of Jinzhong City, central Shanxi Province. To visit the well-preserved Pingyao Ancient City and other nearby attractions like Qiao Family Compound, tourists usually get to Pingyao County first.

Datong to Pingyao Distance: Pingyao is situated in the southwest of Datong with an estimated driving distance about 380 km (236 mi). Currently, there is no flight or bus connecting Datong Pingyao directly, so taking a train is the most favorable transport for traveling from Datong to Pingyao. Check the following Datong to Pingyao train information to better plan your Datong Pingyao trip in Shanxi.

Datong to Pingyao Transportation Map

Option 1: Travel from Datong to Pingyao by High Speed Train - Most Recommended

● Frequency: 2 bullet trains per day

● Train Time: about 3 hours - 3.5 hours

● From & To: Datong South Railway Station（大同南站）- Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station (平遥古城站)

Thanks to the opening of Datong-Xian High Speed Railway, bullet train travel from Datong to Pingyao and from Pingyao to Datong has become realizable. Nowadays, traveling from Datong to Pingyao by a bullet train is more popular and the common choice, because it runs at a faster speed, provides a clean, comfortable environment, more traveler-friendly facilities, and a better travel experience.

Every day, there are 2 bullet trains departing from Datong South Station in Datong and arriving at Pingyao Ancient City in Pingyao on the same way. Both are D trains, leaving Datong in the afternoon. They will pass Xinzhou (Wutai Mountain), Taiyuan, altogether nearly 4 to 7 midway stations. You can book two kinds of tickets: First Class Seat and Second Class Seat.

◆ Datong South Railway Station 大同南站

Address: Kaiyuan Street, North of Xiwangzhuang Village, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province 山西省大同市平城区西王庄村北开源街

Transportation: Datong South Railway Station is a new high speed train station situated about 15 south of Datong Railway Station. It takes about 1 hour’s drive (26 km) to Yungang Grottoes in west suburb and about 1 hour and 10 minutes’ drive (60 km) to the Hanging Temple and Hengshan Mountain in the south.

◆ Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station 平遥古城站

Address: Wenjing Avenue, Houji Village, Pingyao County, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province 山西省晋中市平遥县侯冀村文景大道

Transportation: The Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station (also called Pingyao Gucheng Railway Station) lies farther to Pingyao Ancient City than Pingyao Railway Station. Driving distance to Pingyao Ancient City is about 9 km and just 3 km to Shuanglin Temple, almost 100 km (1.5 hours’ ride) from Taiyuan Wusu Airport (the nearest airport). Pingyao City Bus 108 is the special bus running in loop among two train stations in Pingyao, Pingyao Ancient City and Shuanglin Temple.

Transfer to Major Attractions in Pingyao:

1. To Pingyao Ancient City: The ancient site is located about 9 km northeast of Pingyao Ancient City Station. After arrival, you can take a taxi to your hotel near ancient city, for about 20 minutes driving, or take Pingyao City Bus 108 to the ancient city with duration of nearly 40 minutes. Taxi is more recommended for time-saving and flexible choice of drop-off place.

2. To Shuanglin Temple: Shuanglin Temple is only 3 km close to Pingyao Ancient City Station. It takes less than 10 minutes to get to the temple by taxi, and within 30 minutes by the Pingyao City Bus 108.

Datong South Railway Station

Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station

Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station Location Map (click to enlarge)

Most Popular Pingyao Tours:

✔ 4 Days Essence of Datong & Pingyao Tour / 2 Days Classic Pingyao Tour / 3 Days Pingyao Discovery Tour

Below is the Real-time Datong to Pingyao High Speed Train Timetable:

Option 2: Travel from Datong to Pingyao by Normal Train - Not Recommended

● Frequency: 2 normal trains per day

● Train Time: about 7 ~ 8 hours

● From & To: Datong Railway Station（大同站）- Pingyao Railway Station (平遥站)

Still, Datong sends two normal trains from Datong Railway Station to Pingyao Railway Station each day. The train ride is much longer than the bullet trains, costing around 7 hours. The first train starts in the early morning and gets to Pingyao in the afternoon within the day. Another normal train departs in the afternoon and stops almost at midnight on the second day. Three kinds of tickets are sold: Soft Sleeper, Hard Sleeper and Hard Seat. Except the lower speed, the train time is either departing too early or arriving too late, which is inconvenience and tiresome for your travel. Thus, the normal trains are not recommended for you to travel from Datong to Pingyao, unless you accept all the inconveniences.

◆ Datong Railway Station 大同站

Address: No.4 Zhanqian Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province 山西省大同市平城区站前街4号

Transportation: The station lies about 18 km away from Yungang Grottoes, for around 30 minutes’ driving, and 75 km (1.5 hours driving) to Hanging Temple.

◆ Pingyao Railway Station 平遥站

Address: No.14, Zhongdu Road, Pingyao County, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province 山西省晋中市平遥县中都路14号

Transportation: Pingyao Railway Station is located in the northwest corner of Pingyao Ancient City, within walking distance to the ancient site and just 10 minutes’ driving to Shuanglin Temple.

Transfer to Attractions in Pingyao:

1. To Pingyao Ancient City: Pingyao Ancient City stands very close to Pingyao Ancient City, which can be reached by about 15 minutes’, walking easily.

2. To Shuanglin Temple: Shuanglin Temple lies about 7 km southwest of Pingyao Railway Station. You will spend nearly 0.5 hour by the Pingyao City Bus 108. Getting a taxi costs you less than 15 minutes.

Datong Railway Station

Pingyao Railway Station

Option 3: Travel from Datong to Pingyao by Private Driving

China Discovery not only has many Datong Pingyao tour packages with convenient transfer by high speed train, but also offers private driving service between them. Our local driver and tour guide can pick up you at the train station, airport or your hotel in Datong and escort you all the way to attractions, your hotels and any places you would like to visit in Pingyao. The pick-up and drop-off sites can be flexibly arranged depend on your requirement. You can stop to admire the scenery on road, visit spots nearby or to rest for a while. Private direct driving from Datong to Pingyao takes about 4.5 hours to 5 hours. Also, you can let the driver take you to visit top attractions in Taiyuan, Qiao Family Compound on the way. We always guarantee you a safe driving journey in a clean and comfortable vehicle. And you only need to focus on sightseeing and enjoy a transfer-free and luggage-free travel. Please contact to make such a driving trip from Datong to Pingyao, even to Wutaishan , Hukou Waterfall and other hot tourist destinations in Shanxi Province.

How to Plan a Datong Pingyao Tour

Your Datong Pingyao tour can be flexibly arranged based on your length of vacation, interested places to visit and personal hobbies. In Datong, you can have a classic day trip, visit Yungang Grottoes, view thousands of ancient Buddha statues carved 1,500 years ago there and marvel at the Hanging Temple on Cliffside. With one more day, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, Nine Gragon Screen and Huayan Temple are worthy of your exploration if you like Chinese culture or traditional architectures.

And then, you can travel directly to Pingyao or make a short stopover in Taiyuan, visit Jinci Temple - the earliest royal sacrifice garden exisiting in China and Qiao Family Compound on the way. During your Pingyao tour, 1 full day is needed to explore Pingyao Ancient City, see the Ancient City Wall, Rishengchang Former Bank, Ming and Qing Dynasty Street and other archaic residences and buildings inside. If you have extra time, Pingyao has other historical spots recommended for you, including Shuanglin Temple, Zhangbi Ancient Castle, etc.

Best Datong Pingyao Tour:

✔4 Days Essence of Datong and Pingyao Tour

Since Shanxi is an extraordinary cultural region in Northern China with numerous cultural legacies, it’s highly advised to spare more time travel Datong, Pingyao with more outstanding places, such as the Wutai Mountain - another World Heritage sites of Shanxi & a sacred Buddhist mountain in China, roaring Hukou Waterfall on Yellow River - world’s largest yellow waterfall, etc.

Shanxi Tours with Pingyao:

✔4 Days In-depth Pingyao & Taiyuan Tour

✔3 Days Yellow River Hukou Waterfall Tour from Pingyao

✔6 Days Datong Pingyao Tour Plus Wutaishan Visit

Close location makes Shanxi usually be toured with neighboring destinations, like Beijing, Xian, Luoyang and Hohhot, even extended to Shanghai, Chengdu and other parts of China. That fantastically offers you great chance to see different landscape and regional highlights in vast China, covering both nature and culture. Don’t miss the Great Wall in Beijing, cute Giant Pandas in Chengdu, splendid mixed culture in metropolis of Shanghai, picturesque prairie in Hohhot…Choose from our most popular China Shanxi tour packages or contact us to customize a memorable travel experience!

Popular China Shanxi Tours including Pingyao:

✔4 Days Ancient Pingyao & Xian Tour

✔6 Days Beijing Pingyao Highlights Tour

✔8 Days Beijing Xian Tour with Pingyao Ancient City

Ancient Tourist Attractions of Pingyao

Top Attractions in Beijing and Xian

China High Speed Train Travel Tips

Class of Ticket

There are two kinds of tickets are provided on high speed train from Datong to Pingyao, First Class Seat and Second Class Seat. Second Class Seat is the most budget level you will share a row space with other passengers. And the First Class of Seat is more comfortable and quiet for those who prefer a good rest on the way. Check All Types of Seats on China High Speed Train>

Book, Collect, Alter and Cancel

Foreign tourists can book train ticket online or ask help from ticket agency, or buy the tickets physically at the train station with your valid passport. One thing you should remember is to book the ticket as early as possible, especially in peak tourist seasons. After collecting the tickets, please read carefully about the train number, departure date and station to make sure you won’t miss the train. If you want to cancel, alter your train tickets, you are required to bring your passport to the ticket counter and make the adjustments. Check details about How to Book, Collect, Alter, and Cancel Train Tickets>

Board & Get off

1) Prepare your documents well (valid passport with China Visa); 2) Get to the right train station in advance; 3) Collect train tickets; 4) Read your train ticket; 5) Pass the security control; 6) Pass through Security & Luggage Checks; 7) Find the right waiting room; 8) Cross the ticket checking gate; 9) Get to the right platform; 10) Get on your train. Keep the ticket well, because the ticket will be checked again to leave the station after you get off. Check details about How to Board & Disembark a Train>

Baggage Allowance

China train travel with luggage is much easier than taking flight, for you don’t need to check luggage separately. Each passenger with a train ticket is allowed to carry luggage in certain weight and volume, but without limitation of amount and types. Though there are written regulation and rules about the luggage allowance, in practice, passengers can take as much luggage as you can if only you handled them properly. Check detailed Baggage Allowance & Policy to Take China Train>

Facilities and Service

All high speed trains in China are equipped with advanced facilities and good service to make your journey more convenient and comfortable. There are different places you can put your luggage onboard, racks and specialized luggage storage areas. Besides, the air-conditioner train offers you plug under the seats to charge your phone or laptop, sightseeing window to view the outside scenery as well as western-style toilets. There is also available dining area you can get some supplies. Bilingual signs and the broadcast use both Chinese and English so that you don’t need to worry about the communication. Check All Facilities & Service on China Train>