Great Wall Scenic Road

Datong


This scenic driving route, built in 2016, starts just north of Guanjiabao village (管家堡村, Guǎnjiābǎo cūn), 45km west of Datong, and runs eastwards parallel to the crumbling earthwork Great Wall, taking in several impressive fort ruins as it passes through remote, undulating countryside, eventually reaching Bā Táizi after 16km. At the time of writing, no public transport was running here. A taxi from Datong and back should cost about ¥200, but drivers might not be familiar with the road yet.

The start of the route is marked at a junction by a large tourist billboard map.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Datong attractions

1. Bā Táizi

8.24 MILES

Alongside magnificently dilapidated earthen sections of the Great Wall that disappear over the top of Horsehead Hill (马头山, Mǎtóu Shān), a fabulous Gothic…

2. Yungang Caves

14.43 MILES

One of China’s most supreme examples of Buddhist cave art, these 5th-century caves are simply magnificent. With 51,000 ancient statues and celestial…

3. Huayan Temple

23.02 MILES

Built by the Khitan during the Liao dynasty (AD 907–1125), this 66,000-sq-metre temple faces east, not south (it’s said the Khitan were sun worshippers)…

4. China Sculpture Museum

23.11 MILES

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

5. Old Town

23.19 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…

6. Datong Mosque

23.24 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. Prince Dai's Residence

23.31 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…

8. Shanhua Temple

23.33 MILES

Originally constructed in AD 713 and today standing just inside the city walls, Shanhua Temple was rebuilt during the Jin dynasty. The grand wooden…