Datong Transport

Datong is the heart of the northern Shanxi and is Geomantic Treasure Land in China's central and western regions which is closest to the capital city Beijing and from the sea. It is 368 km east from Beijing, 285 km west from Hohhot, 355 km south from Taiyuan, 460 km north from Mongolian border. It is an important transportation hub city in North China. With its modern airport, extensive rail lines, and convenient highway network, the city is now easier than ever to reach—welcoming travelers eager to discover UNESCO treasures like the Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Temple.

External Traffic: Getting to Datong

►1. By Air: Datong Yungang Airport (DAT)
Datong Airport, located in Datong County, is about 17 km to the Datong city. It is Shanxi's second civil aviation airport and belongs to 3C class airport. It has opened routes: Datong - Beijing, Datong - Shanghai, Datong - Guangzhou, Datong - Changzhi, Datong - Taiyuan.

• Flight Network: The airport offers regular scheduled flights to several major Chinese cities, providing crucial connectivity.
• Key Domestic Routes: Direct flights operate to Beijing (Capital & Daxing), Shanghai (Pudong/Hongqiao), Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Chongqing, Xiamen, and Haikou. Flights to Taiyuan and other provincial hubs are also frequent.
• Seasonal Routes: During peak tourist seasons, additional charters or seasonal flights may be available.

Airport Transfer:

• Airport Shuttle Bus: An official shuttle bus line connects the airport to the Datong Railway Station (main station) and key downtown locations. The fare is approximately ¥15-20.
• Taxi: Readily available outside the arrivals hall. A metered trip to the city center costs ¥40-60. Ensure the driver uses the meter or agree on a price beforehand.
• Ride-hailing: Services like Didi Chuxing operate reliably at the airport, offering transparent pricing.
   

►2. By High-Speed Rail (Recommended for Regional Travel)

The introduction of high-speed rail has dramatically reduced travel times from key cities, making it the preferred mode for many.

• Datong South Railway Station (大同南站): This modern station, located in the city's southern development zone, serves all G- and D-series high-speed trains.
• From Beijing: Multiple daily services run from Beijing North and Qinghe Stations, with the fastest journey taking just 1 hour 45 minutes (approx. ¥150-200).
• From Taiyuan: The journey takes about 2 hours via high-speed rail.
• From Hohhot (Inner Mongolia): Direct high-speed trains cover the distance in 1.5 to 2 hours.

Connections: Easy transfers are available from major hubs like Xi'an, Zhengzhou, and Zhangjiakou.

Transfer from Station: From Datong South Station, take a taxi (¥20-30, 20 mins) or public bus (e.g., Bus 31, 61, 66) to downtown. For direct travel to attractions, ride-hailing is highly convenient.

►3. By Conventional Railway
Datong is one of the important intermodal station of the Beijing - Ulan Bator - Moscow International Railway. Datong has directly passenger trains to Beijing, Taiyuan, Hangzhou, Hankou, Shijiazhuang, Shenyang, Lanzhou, etc. Every day there are more than 30 pairs of passenger trains originating and passing through. Also, in Datong Railway Station, there are special buses traveling directly to the Yungang Grottoes, the departure time is 06:00 - 18:40.

►4. By Long-Distance Bus
Datong's highway develops rapidly. It has built Jingda Expressway (Beijing - Datong), Dayun Expressway (Datong - Yuncheng), Dahu Expressway (Datong - Hohhot), etc. Now, it has 5 long-distance bus line terminals.

Key Expressways:

• Jingda Expressway (G55): Direct link to Beijing (~3.5-4 hours by car).
• Sunwu Expressway (G18): Connects to Hohhot (~2 hours) and points north.
• Daguang Expressway (G45): Links to Taiyuan (~3.5 hours) and southward.

Major Bus Stations: The city has several terminals, with the primary one being Datong New South Bus Station, handling routes to Beijing, Hohhot, Taiyuan, Tai'an (for Mount Wutai), and major counties within Shanxi.

Use for Attractions: Buses are an excellent, economical choice for reaching nearby sights. Frequent minibuses depart for Hunyuan County (for the Hanging Temple, ~1.5 hours) and Yingxian County (for the Wooden Pagoda, ~1.5 hours).

Local Transportation: Getting Around Datong

►1. Public Buses

Datong's public bus system is extensive, affordable, and covers most urban areas and key suburban attractions, with over 70 lines now serving the city—including essential routes to Datong South Railway Station, Yungang Grottoes (Bus 603), and the Datong Ancient City. The standard fare is only ¥1-2, and payment is conveniently made either in cash or by scanning the onboard QR code using mobile payment apps like WeChat Pay or Alipay. For visitors, special tourist bus lines—such as the direct service from the main train station to Yungang—are particularly invaluable, offering a hassle-free way to reach the city's top historical sites.

►2. Taxis & Ride-Hailing

Taxis: Ubiquitous and inexpensive. The flag-down fare is ¥8 for the first 3 kilometers, then ¥1.6/km during the day. A trip across the city rarely exceeds ¥20-25.

Night Surcharge: Applies from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM, with a higher starting fare and per-kilometer rate.

Ride-hailing (Didi): Highly recommended for its convenience and price transparency, especially for trips to the South Station or when traveling with luggage.
 

►3. Chartered Car Service (Top Recommendation for Day Trips)

If you want to explore the "Golden Triangle" of Datong's attractions—Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Temple (in Hunyuan), and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda—in one or two days, chartering a private car with a driver is by far the most efficient and comfortable option.

• Advantages: Saves invaluable time on complex public transfers, offers door-to-door service, and allows you to set your own pace.
• Cost: A standard sedan or SUV for a full-day tour (e.g., covering Yungang and the Hanging Temple) costs approximately ¥500-700. A two-day charter covering all three major sites ranges from ¥900-1300.
• Booking: Easily arranged through your hotel, local travel agencies, or online platforms.

Strategic Travel Recommendations

Best Overall Route to Datong: Take a high-speed train from Beijing (under 2 hours) for a perfect blend of speed, comfort, and value.

For Budget Travelers: Overnight conventional trains from major cities or long-distance buses from nearby provinces offer significant savings.

For Airport Arrivals: The airport shuttle to the main railway station is the most cost-effective transfer, putting you at a hub for both city buses and tourist shuttles.

For Exploring the Region: Do not attempt to visit the Hanging Temple and Wooden Pagoda solely by public bus on a tight schedule. Charter a car for a day to maximize your experience. Use city buses or taxis for intra-city travel to sites like the Datong City Walls and Huayan Temple.

Related Datong Travel Information
Datong Travel Guide
Datong Attractions
Datong Tours