Datong City Break, Private Tour

Join our four-day city break in Datong and discover its charming old-town essence. Feel the sensations of the ancient heritage while walking along its city wall and explore the magical cave art in Yungang Grottoes, a perfect fusion between the Buddhist and old Chinese tradition. Perhaps visit the Nine Dragon Screen, decorated with nine coiling dragons picked out in coloured glazed tiles, and indulge into the tasteful local gastronomy at one of the traditional restaurants. 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Datong: Fascinating city, located in the southwest of Shanxi province, the gateway to the awe-inspiring Yungang Caves.

Yungang Grottoes: Remarkable cave art representing the spiritual fusion between the Buddhist and Chinese tradition.

Nine Dragon Screen: The finest spiritual wall in China, decorated in colored glazed tiles that is believed to be a front line in a feng shui defense.

Day 1: ARRIVAL DATONG

Upon your arrival to Datong airport or Datong railway station (please advise your arrival details in advance in order to arrange the pick-up), you will be met by an English speaking guide who accompanies you to your transfer to the city. The one hour private transfer will take you directly to your hotel in Datong. If you feel tired after the journey, you can relax and make use of all available services at the hotel. But if you are anxious to explore this awesome city, stroll down its charming streets and indulge into its unique vibe. 

Overnight in Datong.

Day 2: DATONG

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, after which we will pick you up at about 8:00 at hotel´s lobby for our half-day Yungang Grottoes excursion. Yungang Grottoes is one of the most famous ancient Buddhist sculptural sites of China. Represent an awe-inspiring masterpiece of early Chinese Buddhist cave art and it became a part of UNESCO World Heritage Site, due to its excellent fusion between the Buddhist religious symbolic art and the Chinese cultural tradition. We´ll be back in the hotel at around 12:00. The rest of the day is free for you to spend at leisure.

Overnight in Datong.

Day 3: DATONG

Wake up to your breakfast at the hotel and enjoy the full day at leisure at this delightful city. Enjoy the ancient atmosphere of this age-old city and explore the unique history of all Chinese dynasties. Alternatively, you can book one of our optional tours:

Optional Tour A: Hanging Temple and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda tour

Hanging Temple and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda tour is a great way how to learn about the spiritual essence of the Datong´s tradition. During the visit of Hanging Temple you´ll admire the heritage of three Chinese traditional religions, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, still presents between the walls of this temple, and after the lunch at the local restaurant, we´ll continue to Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, the oldest and tallest timberwork pavilion architecture in China. Our tour ends at approx. 17:00.

Optional Tour B: Huayan and Shanhua Temple and the Nine Dragon Screen half-day tour

Take our tour starting at 8:00 with the pick-up at your hotel´s lobby, and visit the southwest Datong religious sites, Huayan and Shanhua Temple, famous for their greatness and remarkable architectural style so typical for traditional Liao and Tang Dynasties. Our spiritual tour continues to see Nine Dragon Screen, one of the finest spirit walls in China, that provided protection not against physical attack, but against bad spirits, so they can be considered as the front line in feng shui defence. Back in the hotel approx. at 12:00.

Overnight in Datong.

Day 4: DEPARTURE DATONG

After breakfast at the hotel, check-out from the hotel and at the agreed time you will be picked up by the guide at the hotel reception and together with the driver they will take you to the Datong airport or Datong railway station to go to your onwards destinations. 

Comfortable and light clothing is best suited to travel in the warm months and warm clothing in the colder months in China. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or sparse clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses and a hat can be very useful during your stay.