Yungang Grottoes & Hanging Temple tour from Datong: Private guide

Two heritage sites in one day: 51,000 statues carved into stone cliffs

A private day tour from Datong to Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple with an English-speaking guide who has spent over 10 years explaining these sites. Hotel pickup begins at 8am. The itinerary covers the Hanging Temple (built 1,500 years ago along a cliff face) and Yungang Caves (45 caves with over 51,000 preserved statues carved in three distinct historical periods). Lunch at a local restaurant in Hunyuan County is included, as are entrance fees and bottled water. The tour runs about 10 hours total. Peak season (July–August) may require an earlier start and longer time at the Hanging Temple due to crowds.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Hanging Temple1h 20m · entry included
2. Yungang Grottoes2h · entry included

Visit Hanging Temple and Yungang Grottoes

• Pick up from hotel in Datong at 8:00 am
• Drive 1.5 hours to Hanging Temple
• Visit Hanging Temple for 1.5 hours
• Lunch at local restaurant in Hunyuang County
• Transfer to Yungang Grottoes
• Walk or take electric car into Yungang Grottoes area
• Visit Yungang Grottoes for about 2 hours
• Return to trip starting point

The experience

The Hanging Temple sits carved into a cliff face roughly 1.5 hours' drive from Datong. Built around 1,500 years ago, it stands as one of the world's most unusual structures, suspended against the rock rather than built on level ground. You'll spend about 1.5 hours exploring it, though summer peak season (July through August) can stretch that time as the site draws heavy crowds and an earlier pickup may be arranged. After the temple visit, you're driven to a local restaurant in Hunyuan County for lunch before heading to the second site.

Yungang Caves holds 45 separate caves carved over three distinct periods, each with its own artistic character. The earliest work, the Tanyao Five Caves, shows strong influence from Indian, Western Asian and even Greek art styles in how the statues are rendered. Later caves from the Northern Wei Dynasty shift to finer detail and smaller proportions, with statues designed to show what's called "elegant skeleton and delicate features," a hallmark of Northern Chinese artistic tradition. Throughout the site you'll see carvings of musical instruments, flying Apsaras in dance poses, and figures performing ancient acrobatics: all windows into Buddhist practice and daily life from that era. The scenic area has been renovated, so plan for 40–50 minutes of walking to reach the central visiting area and return, plus 1.5 to 2 hours to explore. An electric car is available for 15 yuan per person round-trip if you prefer not to walk the full distance.

Your guide speaks English and has spent over a decade leading visitors through both sites, so the historical context and artistic details come with genuine expertise. The tour includes hotel or train station pickup in Datong at 8am, all entrance fees, lunch, and bottled water. Wear comfortable walking shoes: the Hanging Temple involves climbing and the Yungang site requires substantial walking across uneven terrain. The tour operates in all weather, so dress for the season.

What’s included

• Hotel or train station pickup in Datong at 8am and return drop-off.
• entrance fees to both the Hanging Temple and Yungang Caves.
• lunch at a local restaurant in Hunyuan County.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• English-speaking private guide with over 10 years of experience at these sites.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (6 to 70 years) · Under 6: 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 17 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Greatwall Trekclub

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling as a couple, small family or group of friends and want a private guide who can set the pace at each site. The fixed 8am start and 10-hour duration fit a full day of sightseeing without the logistics of arranging your own transport or entry tickets.

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Top questions

How long is the drive from Datong to the Hanging Temple?

The Hanging Temple is about 1.5 hours' drive from Datong hotels. In peak season (July–August), an earlier pickup may be arranged to account for longer visit times due to crowds.

What are the Tanyao Five Caves and why do they look different from the other caves?

The Tanyao Five Caves are the earliest stone carvings at Yungang, created under Monk Tanyao's direction. Because they were carved first, the statues show strong influence from Indian, Western Asian and Greek art styles, making them visibly different from the later Northern Wei Dynasty caves with their finer details and smaller proportions.

Do I have to walk the entire Yungang Caves site, or is there another option?

Yungang Caves requires 40–50 minutes of walking to enter and exit the scenic area, plus 1.5 to 2 hours to explore the central visiting area. An electric car is available for 15 yuan per person round-trip if you prefer not to walk the full distance.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes hotel or train station pickup in Datong, entrance fees to both sites, lunch at a local restaurant in Hunyuan County, and bottled water throughout the day.

Is there a vegetarian meal option?

Yes, vegetarian lunch is available. Notify the operator at the time of booking if you require this option.