7 Yungang Grottoes Tours in Datong Worth Losing a Morning To

1.Beijing to Datong See YunGang Cave, Hanging Temple (Bullet Train)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · from $416Our pick

Leave Beijing early by bullet train for Datong’s 1,500-year-old Yungang Grottoes and the cliffside Hanging Temple. George or another local English-speaking guide meets you at the station, while round-trip rail tickets, lunch, admissions, and car transfers are arranged. Expect a long but rewarding 12 to 15-hour day.

“We were amazed by the intricate Buddha stone carvings inside the caves, as well as by the monasteries hanging on the side of the cliffs. Our guide, George, and our driver made everything easy for us.”

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2.Bullet Train Tour to Hanging Temple&Yungang Grottoes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 10 hours · from $348

You travel from Beijing to Datong by bullet train, then visit the 1,500-year-old Hanging Temple and UNESCO-listed Yungang Grottoes with a private English-speaking guide. Guides such as Ana and Emma have provided detailed history and careful help on the cliffside temple. Private transfers, tickets, and admission are included.

“wonderful day out, Emma my guide was amazing. told me all the history of the Grottoes and Hanging Temple. She made sure I was safe on the Hanging Temple as im not the best with heights. Lunch was probably the best meal I had on my visit to China. food was tasty and freshly made. our driver for the day was great, lovely man as was the pick up and drop off driver from the bullet train. It was a very organised tour from start to finish. Thank you for helping to create wonderful memories”

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3.Yungang Grottoes Entrance Ticket Only

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 12 reviews · 1 day · from $33

This is a one-day admission booking for Yungang Grottoes, about 16 kilometers west of Datong. Your ticket is tied to your passport name and number, valid all day without a time slot. You get skip-the-line entry, not transportation, meals, or a tour guide. Allow about three hours inside and arrange your own taxi or bus.

“La vista ha sido espectacular y la entrada con el pasaporte muy buena. Una sugerencia que podrien comentar es el Transporte hasta las cuevas, creo que no se hace para que compres la entrada más desplazamiento. Se puede ir desde Datong con taxi y volver con taxi. O ir y volver con dos buses. Nosotras optamos por ir en taxi y volver con bus porque ya no teníamos prisa.”

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4.Private 2-Day Datong from Beijing with Yungang Grottoes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $598

Travel by private vehicle from Beijing to Datong with a guide, stopping at Yungang Grottoes, Nine Dragon Screen, Hengshan Hanging Temple, and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. Expect long drives, included entrance fees, two lunches, and local dishes such as hand-cut noodles. Accommodation is not included.

“Awesome tour! Definitely a must to go out of the city of Beijing for a while. Loved the grottoes and the monastery! Jenny our guide was awesome and full of knowledge so provided us so much insight about the places we were visiting. She alRead more”

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5.Transfer or Tour to Yungang Grottoes&Hanging Temple

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 4 reviews · 2 - 8 hours · from $30Best value

Travel by private vehicle from Datong to the Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple, two major UNESCO sites. Choose driver-only transport, an English-speaking guide and driver, or a package with tickets included. Expect about 2.5 hours at Yungang and 1.5 hours at the Hanging Temple. Pickup is available from a Datong hotel or train station.

“Doing all the math of the service without a guide: 93 euros, here I paid 156 euros. I feel this was a bit overpriced but it was my fault that I did not check before. The driver was excellent at least.”

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6.Private Tour Datong Hengshan Hanging Temple Yungang Grottoes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 8 hours · from $200

Spend eight hours exploring Datong’s cliff-hugging Hengshan Hanging Temple and the Buddhist art of the Yungang Grottoes. Your private English-speaking guide, such as Sara, Lia, Ms Yao, or Ms Zhang, handles transport and historical context. Lunch is at your own cost, with time for Dao Xiao Mian and other local dishes.

“Our day with Sara to the Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Temple was amazing! We had so much fun talking with Sara. She guided us through both experiences smoothly. The sites are amazing and certainly worth a visit with an experienced guide like Sara.”

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7.Datong Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Monastery 1-day from Beijing by Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $399

Take a two-hour bullet train from Beijing to Datong, then visit the UNESCO-listed Yungang Grottoes and 1,500-year-old Hanging Monastery with a private English-speaking guide. Guide Star is praised for clear commentary and careful time management. Admission is included, and you’ll sample Shanxi-style food before returning to Beijing.

“A must see if you enjoy culture, history, and unique experiences. The train ride was smooth and quiet. Star was an extremely professional and knowledgeable guide. I am so glad that I hadn't tried to do this trip on my own. His knowledge of local history kept me in thralled the entire trip.”

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