How to Get to & around Datong

Datong Yungang Airport (IATA: DAT)

Location: Yunzhou District, Datong, Shanxi (山西省大同市云州区), about 15.5 km (40 minutes’ drive) to downtown, 46 km (1 hour’s drive) to Yungang Grottoes and 73km (1.5 hours’ drive) to the Hanging Temple.

Datong Yungang Airport (大同云冈机场) was built in 2005. It now has 15 airlines connecting 25 cities in China such as Beijing (1h), Shanghai (2.5h), Chongqing (2.5h), Xian (2h), Chengdu (2.5h) and Wuhan (2h). But please note that the flights may be a little different in winter/spring and summer/autumn. For example, flights to Beijing are not available in winter/spring. Main airline companies include Air China (CA), China Eastern Airlines (MU), Shanghai Airlines (FM), China Southern Airlines (CZ), etc.

Datong is about 338 km (5 hours’ drive) to the west of Beijing. Direct flight (1 hour) is not always available (usually 3-4 flights a week in winter/spring) or necessary as high speed trains have shortened the transfer time to 2-2.5 hours. There are about 12 trains a day from Beijing to Datong, among which 7 are high speed trains that depart from Beijing Qinghe Railway Station or Beijing North Railway Station to Datong South Railway Station. Tourists can also take one of the about 10 long-distance buses (5-6 hours) at Liuliqiao Passenger Station to Datong.

• Useful Links: Travel from Beijing to Datong | Travel from Datong to Beijing

• Recommended Tours: 2 Days Beijing Side Trip to Datong | 6 Days Beijing Datong Essence Tour | All Beijing Datong Tours

Get from Taiyuan to Datong

Taiyuan, the capital city of Shanxi Province, is about 280 km away from Datong. You can transfer between these two cities simply by car (3.5-4h) or by high speed trains (2-2.5h). There are over 10 high speed trains a day from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm. Direct flight (1 h) is also available but not recommended because you may need more time in checking in and transferring between the airports and downtown.

• Useful Links: Travel from Taiyuan to Datong | Travel from Datong to Taiyuan

• Recommended Tours: 6 Days Essence Tour to Datong Wutaishan Taiyuan & Pingyao

For independent travellers, the most common way to get around Datong is by taxi or bus. Subway is not available in Datong at present.

By taxi: Taking a taxi to tour around Datong city can save you much time. Generally speaking, the fare is CNY7 for the first 3 kilometers, then charging CNY1.6 for each additional kilometer. The taxi fare will be a little higher at night.

By bus: There are over 30 bus routes in Datong. They connect most parts of the city including the relatively far Yungang Grottoes. The air-conditioned ones usually charge CNY 2 and those without air-conditioner charge CNY 1.

How to Get to Yungang Grottoes

Yungang Grottoes locate in No. 1, Yungang Town, Yungang District, Datong (大同市云冈区云冈镇1号). There are buses from Datong downtown to the scenic area and it will need about 1 hour. To save time and transfer trouble, taxi is more chosen by tourists. Yungang Grottoes are about 23.5 km (45 min by car) from city center, 46 km (1 hour by car) from Datong Yungang Airport, and 25 km (45 min by car) from Datong South Railway Station.

How to Get to Hanging Temple

Hanging Temple is in Hunyuan County, Datong, Shanxi (山西省大同市浑源县). It is a little far from downtown, about 80 km, nearly 1.5h by car. The most convenient way to get there for independent travelers is to charter a car. Bus is also available, but it can only take you to the bus station in Hunyun County and you still need to take a taxi to the temple. Read more about How to Get to Hanging Temple>

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