Datong tour: Hanging Temple, Wooden Pagoda, Yungang Grottoes

Three World Heritage sites: cliff temple, ancient wooden tower, Buddhist caves of art in one day

A private full-day tour from Datong visiting three UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Hanging Temple built into a cliff 1,500 years ago, the Wooden Pagoda (China's tallest and oldest wooden structure, over 960 years old), and the Yungang Grottoes with 45 caves and over 51,000 Buddhist statues. Your guide, experienced in these sites for over a decade, leads the day. Pickup from your hotel, airport or train station is included, along with lunch, water and snacks. The Hanging Temple entry ticket is arranged in advance (100 yuan, paid to your guide on the day). At Yungang Caves, you can walk the full site or opt for an electric car shuttle to spend more time in the central area.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Hanging Temple1h · entry included
2. Yungang Grottoes2h · entry included

Visit Hanging Temple, Wooden Pagoda, Yungang Caves

• Pick up at 8:00 am
• Drive 1.5 hours to Hanging Temple
• Visit Hanging Temple for 1.5 hours
• Drive 50 minutes to Wooden Pagoda
• Lunch near Wooden Pagoda
• Visit Wooden Pagoda
• Drive 1.5 hours to Yungang Caves
• Walk and visit Yungang Caves for 1.5 to 2 hours
• Return to trip start location

The experience

The day starts at 8am with pickup from your hotel, airport or train station. The drive to Hanging Temple takes about 90 minutes. Built into a cliff face around 1,500 years ago, the temple sits on the mountainside in a way that makes its construction seem improbable: the structure clings to the rock with no visible foundation. You'll spend roughly 90 minutes exploring it, though summer peak season (July to August) can draw crowds that extend both the drive and the visit. The temple's ticket is pre-booked at 100 yuan per person, which you pay your guide on arrival. If pre-booking falls through, a VIP ticket is available on-site.

From there, a 50-minute drive takes you to the Wooden Pagoda. Lunch is arranged at a restaurant near the pagoda before or after your visit. The pagoda stands as the tallest and oldest wooden tower still standing in China and the world: over 960 years old and built without a single nail. After the pagoda, you'll drive roughly 90 minutes to the Yungang Grottoes, where the afternoon's main stop unfolds. The caves were carved 1,500 years ago and hold over 51,000 Buddhist statues in styles that trace the transformation of Buddhist art from Indian and Central Asian forms into distinctly Chinese expressions. The site has been renovated and enlarged, so allow 40 to 50 minutes for walking in and out. The central visiting area takes 1.5 to 2 hours. If walking the full distance feels like too much, an electric shuttle runs the same route for 15 yuan per person round-trip, leaving more time to linger among the carvings. After Yungang, your guide transfers you back to your starting point.

Your guide speaks English and has spent over 10 years explaining these three sites. The tour includes bottled water and snacks throughout the day, plus lunch. Wear comfortable walking shoes: the Hanging Temple involves climbing and the Yungang site requires sustained walking on uneven ground. The itinerary operates in all weather, so dress for the season. Vegetarian meals are available if you request them when booking.

What’s included

• Private guide with over 10 years of experience at these sites.
• hotel, airport or train station pickup and drop-off.
• lunch at a restaurant near the Wooden Pagoda.
• bottled water and snacks throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (10 to 65 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Greatwall Trekclub

Is this one for you?The day runs 10 hours with sustained walking at all three sites: the Hanging Temple involves climbing, and Yungang Grottoes requires 1.5 to 2 hours on foot through the caves, though an electric shuttle is available there for 15 yuan per person. An early 8am start and the drive times between sites mean this is a full-day commitment, suited to travelers who want to see three major heritage sites in one outing and don't mind an active pace.

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Top questions

How far is the Hanging Temple from Datong, and what is it like to visit?

The Hanging Temple is about 90 minutes' drive from Datong. Built into a cliff roughly 1,500 years ago, it appears to cling to the rock face with no visible foundation, and you'll spend around 90 minutes walking through its chambers and levels built into the mountainside.

What makes the Wooden Pagoda worth seeing?

The Wooden Pagoda is the tallest and oldest wooden tower still standing in China and anywhere in the world, built over 960 years ago without a single nail. It stands as a remarkable feat of ancient construction and engineering.

What will I see at the Yungang Grottoes, and how much time do I spend there?

Yungang Grottoes contain 45 caves carved 1,500 years ago, holding over 51,000 Buddhist statues in styles that show the evolution of Buddhist art from Indian and Central Asian forms into Chinese traditions. You'll spend 1.5 to 2 hours in the central visiting area, with 40 to 50 minutes for walking in and out. An electric shuttle is available for 15 yuan per person if you prefer to spend more time among the carvings.

What time does the tour start, and what is included in the day?

Pickup begins at 8am from your hotel, airport or train station. The tour includes your private guide, lunch at a restaurant near the Wooden Pagoda, bottled water and snacks throughout the day, and return transfer to your starting point. The Hanging Temple entry ticket (100 yuan per person) is pre-arranged and paid to your guide on arrival.

Is the Hanging Temple ticket included in the tour price?

The Hanging Temple ticket is not included in the tour price but is pre-booked for you at 100 yuan per person, which you pay your guide on the day. If pre-booking is not possible and you want to visit, a VIP ticket can be purchased on-site.