Is Datong worth it???

1

IMO, Datong, the city, is not a nice place. The nearby Yungang Grottoes, however, are definitely worth a stop in Datong. You don't say what your next destination will be so it's hard to say if there will be a night train. I stopped in Datong on my way from Pingyao to Beijing. I arrived in the early morning and hired a driver (you'll need to know some Chinese to negotiate this). I left in the afternoon and had plenty of time (I didn't see the Hanging Monestary but would have had enough time had I wanted to). They will have left luggage at the train station but it might not be marked in English. I don't think there are any hostels in Datong.

2

The Grottoes and the Hanging Monastery are worth it. There is a hotel on the left side of the train station that offers beds in 4 bed dorms. It's not a nice hotel or hostel but ok for a night.

3

maybe datong has changed since i was there in 2006...i actually liked the town. lots of temples and interesting small streets. besides that, there are the yungang caves and of course, the hanging monastery and my personal favourite...the great wall! an early start to your day and u might just squeeze everything in......even though i liked datong, the town itself just needs about half a day to explore....the sights around it are wonderful though.

4

Datong is one of China's most polluted cities and a very ugly place. If you have the time, the grottoes are nice to see, but it's not a must. If you go, I'd avoid spending the night in Datong.

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5

The Grottos together with the Hanging Monastery can be done between 9a.m. and 4 p.m.
For me this was enough time. The Hanging Monastery is unique and it is one of the Taoists holy mountains.
Datong town was nothing special, but there are some temples (when I was there in April 09 the'd been under renovation). I was surprised that I didn't see the pollution, but well, maybe I just was lucky. It was a very windy day which probably blew the pollution away.

6

Was planning to stop in Datong on the wayto pingyao. Could i get an overnight bus from beijing to Datong? or is there day trips from beijing though i know its meant to be 5hrs away? Ideally i would like to see though arrive early before 9am to get a tour then leave that night on a train/bus to pingyao. Any ideas welcomed?

7

There should be several night trains, though they might not arrive at the most convenient hour. You could do it as a day trip if you did it that way and then take a bus or train back in the afternoon.

8

We went to Datong for 2 nights in February this year. While Datong isn't the prettiest (or cleanest) city in China, it seemed ok.

Sure, the air is polluted and the city is quite grey - but it is an industrial city with coal mines after all. The City itself has some great temples (some over 1000 years old), has remnants of the old fortified city wall, the nine dragon screen and some interesting old and new buildings.

We came out of the train station wondering where the hell we were! people, cars, motorbikes all crowded around the busy station and we were the only westerners in sight! but it was a great little experience.

Some of the older streets are a must (like the one running perpendicular to the nine dragon screen). Its 400 years old, extremely run down and almost "third world like" as a description. But it shows you what China really is like outside of the modernised cities of Beijing and Shanghai.

The hanging temple and grottoes are amazing. I'd not heard about either of these before we started researching our trip, and its fantastic to see something that not everyone instantly recognises like the Birds Nest, Great Wall, Shanghai skyline etc.

We were taking night photos and the locals - who knew know english just as we knew no chinese - seemed to enjoy the fact we were taking photos of their city.

Datong in snow: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3460/3295243180_9b024624fe_b.jpg
Yungang Grottoes: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3304/3295243164_d8f69a782b_b.jpg
Hanging Monestry: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3543/3295243190_8331ab1292_b.jpg

Being there in winter, we also saw the place in brilliant sunshine and snow on the last day of our stay. If you want to see something different, and are heading onto to Taiyuan or Pingyao, I'd recommend going to Datong.

9

We went to Datong for 2 nights in February this year. While Datong isn't the prettiest (or cleanest) city in China, it seemed ok.

Sure, the air is polluted and the city is quite grey - but it is an industrial city with coal mines after all. The City itself has some great temples (some over 1000 years old), has remnants of the old fortified city wall, the nine dragon screen and some interesting old and new buildings.

We came out of the train station wondering where the hell we were! people, cars, motorbikes all crowded around the busy station and we were the only westerners in sight! but it was a great little experience.

Some of the older streets are a must (like the one running perpendicular to the nine dragon screen). Its 400 years old, extremely run down and almost "third world like" as a description. But it shows you what China really is like outside of the modernised cities of Beijing and Shanghai.

The hanging temple and grottoes are amazing. I'd not heard about either of these before we started researching our trip, and its fantastic to see something that not everyone instantly recognises like the Birds Nest, Great Wall, Shanghai skyline etc.

We were taking night photos and the locals - who knew know english just as we knew no chinese - seemed to enjoy the fact we were taking photos of their city.

Datong in snow: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3460/3295243180_9b024624fe_b.jpg
Yungang Grottoes: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3304/3295243164_d8f69a782b_b.jpg
Hanging Monestry: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3543/3295243190_8331ab1292_b.jpg

Being there in winter, we also saw the place in brilliant sunshine and snow on the last day of our stay. If you want to see something different, and are heading onto to Taiyuan or Pingyao, I'd recommend going to Datong.

10

Hi Rat2 thanks so much for info can i ask where did u stay? and is it safe for a lone traveller?

11

It is safe for a lone traveler in Datong and in China. My general advice is to be careful of pickpockets, as you would as a tourist in any country, and you should be fine.

12

yes it seems quite safe. in fact we found most of China quite safe provided you took the right precautions. Agree with rmdavis82, that it should be safe for a lone traveller - just beware the pickpockets (who will be everywhere), just like the rolex "hello watchee" people in the major cities.

in Datong, we stayed at the originally named "Datong Hotel" (http://www.sinohotelguide.com/detail_index.php?Hotel_ID=DTBH0001&City_ID=DTB&City_Cname=Datong&City_Lname=datong) which was nice enough. not sure how this compares to other places to stay in Datong though?