Best Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Datong

THE 5 BEST Cheap Things to Do in Datong

Best Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Datong

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  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
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What travellers are saying

  • KW M
    Belfast, UK556 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    If you’re in Datong, you have to go see the caves.
    We were dropped off by the gate, walked up, bought tickets, 240RMB for 2 people, and proceeded in. Once you are in a few hundred metres, you can buy a there/return bus ticket for 15RMB. Buy the bus ticket unless you want to bake under the July sun. I would say it’s almost a 1km walk to the caves and then you’d have to walk back.
    The caves themselves are very cool, reminded me of the churches carved into the rocks in Cappadocia, Turkey, but these caves have much more detail, some with 1000 small buddhas carved into the rock.
    We went on a Tuesday in July, about lunchtime and there was a very large crowd, so expect weekends, and holidays to be insane with people. Try to go through the week, in the off season.
    Written 22 July 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • KW M
    Belfast, UK556 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This place is about 1.5 hours from Datong.

    Very touristy outside with all the vendors.

    We went on a Wednesday in July, got there about 11:00, tickets cost 230RMB for 2 of us, plus the ride there and back again. We bought our tickets at 11:18am, we then waited in line for 1.5 hours to go up and have a walk around the Temples. They only allow 50-110 people up at once, (so I’ve read, not sure which number is accurate). Go much earlier in the day, or later in the day if you want to avoid the long queues. We went back to our car just over 2 hours after we bought the ticket and the line was smaller, but still an easy 1 hour wait.

    The Temples themselves while very interesting from an architectural/historical perspective, were somewhat disappointing as Temples go. They are all very small. I expected them to be similar to the Yungang caves and was disappointed in that regard.

    Obviously if you have an issue with heights, don’t go. If you have little kids, don’t go. If you don’t trust yourself with heights, don’t go. There is a railing around the temple, but it is not even waist high. It is also very small and cramped in many places, careful if you are a larger person.

    Once you’ve checked this place off your list, you never need to go back.

    No issue recommending this place.
    Written 22 July 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • KW M
    Belfast, UK556 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is in the middle of the Ancient City, a very large Temple complex, 50RMb entrance fee. If I recall correctly, almost the entire place is a rebuild for <15 years ago, in fact almost all the Ancient City is a modern rebuild.

    If you like Chinese Temples, go have a look see. It’s the same pattern and architecture you’ll see at almost all Chinese Temples, so if you don’t have the time to have a look, you’ll be okay.

    Two cool parts, they have a relic of the Buddha in the underground part of a Temple, his finger bone. There is also a huge Temple you can climb up and get a great view of the city.

    As Temple complexes go, it’s very well done, lots of photo opportunities.
    If you have the time, go have a look.
    Written 22 July 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • L920
    705 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Hard to believe this thing is still exist and stand still after so many natural disaster becoming one of tallest wooden pagoda in the world. When you are visiting Datong, this can be put together for your trip all the way long from Hanging temple and then to Wutaishan to see another magical landsacape of Buddhism history in China.
    Written 4 December 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • KW M
    Belfast, UK556 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Honestly, in China it is so very easy to get “Templed-out” from all the temples and monasteries there are. They all follow the same patterns, architecture, style and colours. Eventually you dread going to yet another “famous” temple, because they all start to look the same.

    That all being said, I’m happy I paid a visit to this place. It doesn’t feel like many other temples that came from the same temple factory. Yes, the place has been around for 1000 years and has likely been rebuilt a dozen times in that period, including recently, but there are some buildings here that look and feel, “old”. It’s a nice change.

    There are great opportunities here for some photos. There is a wonderful water area that makes for great photos. Very few people as it is away from the main tourist area. Free admission. There is a 5-dragon wall outside.

    If you only have time for one temple or monastery on your trip, head to this one.
    Written 22 July 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • FlyfishermanBeijing
    Beijing, China265 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I visit Datong city wall November 2020 and it was very pleasant experience. Basically just me and my friend there. No rush no crowd just enjoyable wandring around wall. City wall itself is well rebuild and top of it can see old datong as well as new part of Datong. Rent bike is also available and recommed if want to see whole wall.
    Written 11 November 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • KW M
    Belfast, UK556 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Not really much to say, it’s a wall with 9 dragons ceramic on it. The wall is not original, the dragons appear to be. It’s free admission, in a nice little park, there are washrooms and a little gift shop. The Shanhua Monastery down the road has an almost identical wall with 5 dragons on it.

    Go have a look, get some photos and then 10 minutes later go see something else.
    Written 22 July 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • eealbertson
    Halsey, OR38 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The tower is in excellent condition. The stairs to the top story are very steep and narrow, but worth the effort to climb them. Just be careful. You get a good view of the old town.
    Written 7 November 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.