Beijing to Datong

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 6 min read

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Datong, in Shanxi province, holds two of China's most striking sights within easy reach of each other — the cliff-hung Hanging Temple and the Buddhist carvings of the Yungang Grottoes — and it is now a fast, easy day trip or overnight stop from Beijing thanks to a dedicated high-speed line. Here is how to get there.

The quickest way: high-speed rail

The high-speed line between Beijing and Datong covers the roughly 350 km in about 1 hour 40 minutes, with several departures a day from Beijing's main stations. This is a considerable improvement on the old conventional line, which took several hours longer, and it makes Datong genuinely viable as a long day trip rather than requiring an overnight stay.

Seat reservations are compulsory, as on all Chinese high-speed services, and tickets are tied to your passport at booking. Demand is generally lighter than on showcase routes like Beijing–Shanghai, but booking a day or two ahead is still sensible, especially around national holidays. For more on how the network works and how to book, see our guide to China by train.

The cheaper, slower way: the conventional train or bus

Slower conventional trains still run this route for a lower fare, taking considerably longer than the high-speed service — several hours more — and buses cover a similar journey time to the older trains. Given how much time the high-speed line saves for a relatively modest fare difference, most travellers find the extra cost of the fast train worthwhile, but the conventional options remain there for anyone travelling on a tighter budget.

The fastest door-to-door: the train, easily

There is no sensible flying option here — Datong does have a small airport, but flight frequency is limited and the total time including airport transfers rarely beats the direct high-speed train from central Beijing. The train is simply the more convenient way to travel between the two cities.

The scenic way: driving

The drive is roughly 350 km and takes about 4–4.5 hours via the Beijing–Kunming Expressway, longer with stops through the hills of northern Hebei and Shanxi. It is not faster than the train, but a car gives more flexibility for reaching the Hanging Temple and Yungang Grottoes independently and for continuing further into Shanxi afterwards. Self-driving in China is not straightforward for foreign visitors — see our guide to driving in China before you plan around a hire car.

Seeing the Hanging Temple and Yungang Grottoes

Both sights are outside Datong itself: the Hanging Temple is roughly an hour's drive south-east, built into a cliff face above a gorge, while the Yungang Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site of carved Buddhist caves, are around 30–40 minutes west of the city. Neither is reachable by a simple city bus in a practical amount of time, so most visitors join a day tour or hire a car with a driver from Datong for the day — trying to combine both sights in a single day by public transport alone is tight but possible with an early start.

Which Beijing station do you need?

High-speed trains to Datong typically depart from Beijing North Station (Beijingbei) or occasionally Beijing Station, depending on the specific service — always check the station printed on your ticket rather than assuming, since Beijing has several major rail terminals serving different lines and arriving at the wrong one can mean a lengthy cross-city dash. Security screening at Chinese stations is airport-style and can take longer than expected at busy periods, so arrive at least 30–45 minutes before departure.

Practical tips for the trip

• Tickets are linked to your passport (or Chinese ID for residents) at the point of booking, and you will need the same document to pass through station security and board — carry it at all times.
• Datong's climate is considerably drier and colder than Beijing's in winter, sitting on the edge of the Loess Plateau; pack accordingly if visiting between November and March, when temperatures can drop well below freezing.
• Luggage racks on Chinese high-speed trains are generous for standard suitcases, and there is normally space at the end of each carriage for larger bags.
• Mobile payment (Alipay or WeChat Pay) is the norm for taxis and day-tour bookings in Datong; carrying some cash as a backup is still sensible for smaller vendors near the sights.

Datong Station and arriving in the city

Datong's high-speed trains arrive at Datong South Station, which is some distance from the old city centre and the small remaining sections of the historic city wall — plan on a taxi or pre-arranged transfer rather than assuming a short walk. If your day tour or hotel driver is meeting you, confirm they know this is the high-speed station and not the older, more central Datong Station used by conventional trains, since the two are separate and a mix-up can mean a long wait at the wrong building.

Making the most of a day trip or overnight stay

Because the high-speed train has cut the Beijing–Datong leg to under two hours each way, a very early departure and late return can make the Hanging Temple and Yungang Grottoes feasible as a long day trip from Beijing, though it makes for a rushed day given the additional local transfers at the Datong end. An overnight stay is more comfortable and lets you take both major sights at a reasonable pace, with time to also see Datong's own old town and city wall remnants before heading back. If splitting the sights across a day and a half, most visitors tackle the Yungang Grottoes — closer to the city — on the afternoon of arrival, and dedicate the following morning to the Hanging Temple before the return train.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Underestimating travel time between Datong South Station and the two main sights — neither is a short hop, and combining both without a car or organised tour in a single day is genuinely difficult.
• Booking a same-day return on a tight connection — if your outbound train is delayed or your day tour overruns, a narrow return window leaves no margin for error.
• Not confirming in advance whether a day tour includes entrance fees to the Hanging Temple and Yungang Grottoes, both of which charge separately and can add a meaningful amount to the day's cost.

Which should you choose?

The high-speed train is the clear choice for the Beijing–Datong leg — fast, frequent enough and comfortable. Once in Datong, arrange a car or tour for the temple and grottoes rather than relying on public transport, since neither sight sits conveniently on a bus route. If you are arriving in Beijing from abroad, see our Beijing airport to the city guide, and for a much longer high-speed leg by comparison, see Beijing to Chengdu or Beijing to Xi'an. Check current entry rules at our China entry requirements guide.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the high-speed train take from Beijing to Datong?

About 1 hour 40 minutes, a significant improvement on the older conventional trains, which take several hours longer.

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

Yes, with an early start and a hired car or day tour from Datong, since neither site is well served by public bus routes.

Do I need to reserve a seat on the high-speed train?

Yes, reservations are compulsory on Chinese high-speed rail and tickets are linked to your passport.

Is it worth flying to Datong instead?

Not usually. Flight frequency is limited and the total journey time including transfers rarely beats the direct high-speed train.