Datong is tough but I’m back, definitely don’t recommend coming in September

Datong, this ancient city, really amazed me! As the former capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty, it has a rich historical and cultural heritage, tons of attractions, and the weather in September is super comfortable—perfect for traveling! My three-day itinerary was packed, sharing it here for your reference～😉 🏯 Super detailed three-day tour route Day 1: Experience the grottoes and ancient temples • Morning: Head straight to the Yungang Grottoes. Carved during the Northern Wei, the Buddha statues are stunning. • Noon: Find a nearby restaurant in the scenic area to try Datong knife-cut noodles. The noodles are chewy, the broth flavorful, very satisfying! 🍜 • Afternoon: Visit Huayan Temple. The Liao and Jin dynasty architecture and statues inside are very precious. • Evening: Climb the Datong Ancient City Wall. Ride a bike or stroll on the wall at dusk, watch the sunset light up the ancient city, the night view is also beautiful. Day 2: Thrilling architecture and mountain sightseeing • Morning: Go to the Hanging Temple. This thousand-year-old temple is embedded in a cliff, extremely steep, walking around up there feels very exciting (remember to go early to avoid crowds). • Noon: Try the local cold noodles in Hunyuan County, refreshing and cooling. • Afternoon: Climb Mount Hengshan (Northern Peak). As one of the Five Great Mountains, the scenery is beautiful, and you can experience Taoist culture on the hiking trail. • Evening: Return to Datong city center, stroll around the ancient city, and find a restaurant to enjoy the Old Datong assorted hot pot. Day 3: Deep ancient city exploration and museum tour • Morning: See the Nine-Dragon Wall. This is the screen wall in front of the Ming dynasty prince’s mansion, with exquisitely crafted glazed tiles, the nine dragons are vivid and lifelike. • Noon: Try Old Datong fried pork slices. The pork is tender inside and soft outside, paired with wood ear mushrooms and scallions, savory and delicious, very appetizing. • Afternoon: Visit Datong City Museum. The collection is very rich, with many exquisite cultural relics from the Northern Wei, Liao, and Jin periods. • Evening: Wander near the ancient city wall or watch the “Great Datong” city opening grand performance (tickets need to be purchased), to feel the charm of the ancient city at night. 🌟 Must-visit local spots • Yungang Grottoes: A treasure trove of Buddhist art, with very exquisite carvings. • Hanging Temple: A wooden structure miracle built on a cliff, very unique. • Huayan Temple: Liao and Jin dynasty temple complex, the Main Hall and Buddhist Scripture Hall are highlights. • Datong Ancient City Wall: Ming dynasty city wall, majestic and grand, great for cycling and night viewing. • Nine-Dragon Wall: Exquisite glazed screen wall, the dragon images are vivid and powerful. • Datong City Museum: Free admission, a window to deeply understand Datong’s history and culture (remember to book in advance). 🛌 Accommodation recommendations I stayed at two hotels this time, both were great experiences: • Datong Pingcheng Manxin Hotel: Good location, relatively new facilities, with smart room controls and screen casting TV, plus a little yellow duck themed family room, suitable for families with kids. • Jinjiang Inn (Datong Ancient City Wudingmen Branch): High cost-performance, close to the ancient city, warm service, clean, with free parking. 🚌 Transportation tips Public buses in Datong city are very convenient, fare is 1 yuan. Take bus No. 3 to Yungang Grottoes. For Hanging Temple and Mount Hengshan, it’s recommended to charter a car or join a day tour, as public transport is less convenient. Datong city is not very large, taxi fares between city attractions are also affordable. 🍜 Food recommendations (mouth-watering) 1. Knife-cut noodles: Chewy noodles with rich broth, a signature dish of Datong. 2. Old Datong assorted hot pot: Rich ingredients, delicious broth, eating around a copper pot is very atmospheric. 3. Old Datong fried pork slices: Savory and tasty, tender meat, a classic local dish. 4. Feng Pa Wo: Interesting name, whole chicken cooked until tender and fragrant, great for banquets. 5. Red-braised mutton: Mutton stewed until soft and flavorful, with rich soup, warming and satisfying. 😖 Tough part: Hanging Temple is crowded in peak season, narrow passages, slow movement once up there, and if you’re afraid of heights, it can be more stressful. 💰 Rough estimate of three-day expenses • Accommodation: Two nights at mid-range hotels, about 600 yuan. • Food: Sampling various delicacies over three days, about 400 yuan (ate very well!). • Transportation: City buses, taxis, and round-trip transport to attractions, about 300 yuan. • Tickets: Yungang Grottoes (120 yuan), Hanging Temple (entry fee 100 yuan), Huayan Temple (50 yuan), Hengshan (mountain entry fee possibly 45 yuan), total about 315 yuan (subject to official prices). Overall, Datong’s expenses are not very high, especially food, which is both good and affordable; ticket costs are the main expense. 💡 Friendly tips • September in Datong has a big temperature difference between morning and evening, remember to bring a jacket 🧥. • Students should bring their student ID, many attractions offer discounts. • It’s recommended to book museum visits in advance through official channels. • Datong has strong UV rays, pay attention to sun protection. • Respect cultural relics and follow attraction rules. This trip to Datong was really amazing! History and modernity intertwined, delicious food and beautiful scenery coexist, I sincerely recommend it to everyone～ Do you have any questions or better suggestions? Feel free to chat in the comments! 😘