Datong Museum

Top choice


Housed in a contemporary building inspired by a dragon totem, this wonderful museum is chock-full of relics – religious, funereal, military, imperial and quotidian – dating from when Datong was a frontier known as Ping Cheng (平成), between the Chinese and the nomads of the Eurasian steppes, all the way through to the Ming and Qing dynasties. What came before all that? Check out the prehistoric gallery with its animatronic dinosaurs and egg fossils.

Datong Museum is part of a cultural hub under development 8km east of Datong Ancient City, between Datong University and a lake. Its neighbours – an art museum, a library, and a music hall – are similarly futuristic, design-oriented structures.

Buses 70 and 38 come here from the Ancient City. Get off at Datong University East Station (大同大学东站, Dàtóng Dàxué Dōngzhàn). The ride is about 50 minutes.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Datong Cathedral

3.12 MILES

This working cathedral – also called the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary – is an astonishing sight once you find it and stand before its twin…

2. Nine Dragon Screen

3.28 MILES

Emblazoned with nine coiling dragons picked out in coloured glazed tiles, this is one of the finest yǐngbì (影壁) spirit walls in China (it has two…

3. Prince Dai's Residence

3.29 MILES

Originally built in 1392 but burned to the ground in a huge conflagration in 1644 during the last gasps of the Ming dynasty, this vast palace complex (191…

4. Drum Tower

3.32 MILES

The recently restored Drum Tower sits on the central axis that runs through the north and south gates of the restored city wall. Two sets of very steep…

5. Datong City Wall

3.35 MILES

This incredible city wall has been rebuilt from the soles up in what must be one of the most ambitious feats of engineering to hit Datong since, well,…

6. Datong Mosque

3.39 MILES

Recently restored, this mosque is a particularly quiet and tranquil place. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the Prayer Hall (朝真殿, Cháozhèn Diàn), but…

7. China Sculpture Museum

3.43 MILES

This cavernous museum is built within the north Wǔdìng Mén gate section of the restored city walls, with seemingly endless corridors of contemporary…

8. Old Town

3.45 MILES

Datong’s old town has been extensively resurrected at colossal expense to put Datong back on the map. The former mayor ploughed a fortune into trying to…