Datong history hits fast. A private 2-day run out of Beijing, it pairs the Yungang Grottoes with the cliffside Hengshan Hanging Temple (Xuankong si) for a real break from city sightseeing.

I love that entrance fees are included, so you’re not stopping to calculate tickets all day. I also like the included lunch (with a vegetarian option), which keeps the schedule moving when you’d rather just see more.

One thing to plan for: accommodation isn’t included, and the days start early. You’ll want to line up your Datong hotel (or plan your stay carefully) before you go.

Key things to know before you book

• Private guide and private vehicle for the whole trip, not a crowded bus shuffle
• All entrance fees included, so the big sites are covered
• Two lunches included, with a vegetarian meal option available
• Yungang Grottoes plus the Hengshan Hanging Temple (Xuankong si), two top Datong draws
• Nine-Dragon Screen at the Palace Museum on Day 1, adding variety beyond Datong
• Bottled water included, plus hotel pickup and drop-off in Beijing

From Beijing to Datong: why this 2-day combo works

If you’re craving something more meaningful than another Beijing checklist, this tour gives you a straight shot into a different world. Datong is where you go when you want older-looking stone, big religious art, and that classic “how did they even do this?” feeling.

What makes the plan click is the pairing. Yungang Grottoes deliver the scale—there are 50,000-plus Buddhist statues—while Hengshan Hanging Temple (Xuankong si) changes the mood with its cliffside setting. You’re not just seeing two landmarks. You’re seeing two different ways people built meaning into stone and height.

You also get a guide for the whole experience. That matters here. At Yungang, details can blur together if you’re rushing. With a private guide, you’ll usually understand what you’re looking at instead of just moving your camera around.

Price and logistics: what the $598 per person really covers

At $598 per person for a 2-day private tour, you’re paying for four things that add up fast on your own: transportation, a guide, entrance fees, and meals.

Here’s what you can count on from the package:

• Private vehicle with driver
• Private guide
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• All entrance fees included
• Meals as per itinerary (two lunches)
• Bottled water
• Mobile ticket
• Group discounts (if your group qualifies)

So where’s the value? If you try to do this independently, you’ll quickly feel the pinch from time and planning. Datong is about 4.5 hours from Beijing, and this tour gives you that ride handled, plus the guide to keep your sightseeing time productive.

The main trade-off is simple: accommodation is not included. This matters because the tour clearly expects you to check out in the morning on Day 2. You’ll need a Datong base (or whatever plan you choose) sorted before you leave Beijing.

Day 1: Beijing morning to Yungang Grottoes, then the Nine-Dragon Screen

Day 1 moves right away. Your driver picks you up from your Beijing hotel at 8:00am, then you start the 4.5-hour journey to Datong. That early start is the price you pay for seeing two major sites without feeling like you’re constantly late.

Yungang Grottoes: the 50,000-plus statues moment

Yungang Grottoes is the headline stop, and it lives up to the hype—partly because the numbers are so big. You’re stepping into a place filled with 50,000-plus Buddhist statues, carved into a massive cliffside complex.

The tour schedules about 2 hours here, which is a good length for most people. It’s long enough to slow down and take in sections without feeling rushed, but short enough that you’re not exhausted by the time you get to the next stop.

Practical note: grottoes often reward calm walking and staying aware of your surroundings. If you’re the type who likes to understand what you’re seeing (not just snap and go), you’ll benefit most from having a private guide.

Lunch: handmade sliced noodles, plus a vegetarian option

Lunch is built into the flow. The menu in this tour includes local handmade sliced noodles, a popular Northwest-style meal.

One smart detail: there’s a vegetarian meal option available if you request it at booking. That’s not always true on multi-day tours, and it’s worth paying attention to if your diet is limited.

Nine-Dragon Screen at the Palace Museum: a visual warm-up for stone-and-symbol thinking

After the Datong leg of your Day 1, you visit the Nine-Dragon Screen at the Palace Museum. This isn’t just a random stop. It connects with how Chinese art uses repetition and symbolism.

The screen is described as the biggest one in China, and it’s made up of 426 blue stones that form the dragons. You’ll have about 1 hour here, which is typically enough time to appreciate the scale of the craftsmanship and notice patterns without turning it into a museum endurance test.

And yes, it’s a different vibe than Yungang. That contrast helps your brain. One day, you’re looking at ancient stone carvings with Buddhist focus. The next, you’re thinking about palace-age imagery and design.

Day 2: Hengshan Hanging Temple (Xuankong si) and the wooden pagoda in Yingxian

Day 2 is where the tour really earns its title: history with a dramatic setting. After checking out in the morning, you travel to Hengshan Hanging Temple (Xuankong si), a 1,500-year-old site.

The Hanging Temple is known as one of the main tourist attractions and historical sites. It’s also cliffside, which is exactly why it’s memorable. You’re not just seeing old architecture—you’re seeing construction worked into vertical space.

Hengshan Hanging Temple (Xuankong si): a cliffside viewpoint for your camera and your imagination

You’ll spend about 2 hours at the Hanging Temple. Two hours is useful here because your attention will keep splitting: there’s the structure itself, the way it sits in space, and the fact that you’re essentially surrounded by height.

This stop is a good reason to choose a private tour instead of a quick group transfer. A private guide can help you focus on the key parts you’d otherwise miss—especially if you’re trying to understand how the site fits into the broader story of Datong’s old-world identity.

Pagoda of Fogong Temple (Yingxian Wooden Pagoda): the Liao Dynasty structure from 1056

In the afternoon, you head to Yinxian County to see the Pagoda of Fogong Temple, better known as the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. This wooden pagoda is built based on Liao Dynasty structure and was built in 1056.

The tour allows about 2 hours here. That’s a comfortable pace because wooden buildings tend to make people want to look closely—at joins, angles, and the overall shape. Even if you’re not an architecture nerd, there’s something satisfying about seeing a structure that has lasted.

Bottled water and the end-of-day rhythm

By this point you’ll have already clocked a lot of moving. The tour includes bottled water, which is a small thing that helps more than people expect on a multi-day plan.

Also, because hotel drop-off is included, you don’t have to deal with the final logistics after Day 2. Your guide and driver handle it.

What the included meals and private guide change about your experience

A lot of tours list meals and “guide included” like it’s a checkbox. Here, those details affect your day.

Meals that prevent wasted time

You get lunch included twice. That means less time hunting for food right when you’re tired or when the schedule gets tight. And since the tour states a vegetarian option, you won’t have to gamble on finding something that works.

One more practical perk: lunch time fits inside the itinerary, rather than being a free-for-all. When a trip is only 2 days, saving time and reducing stress is part of the value.

A private guide keeps the big sites from becoming a blur

Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Temple are the kind of places where the learning curve can be steep if you go in solo. With a private guide, you can ask questions and get context while you’re still standing in front of the carvings and structures.

In one of the highest-rated reports, the guide Jenny was praised for being full of knowledge and for adding insight that helped the sites make sense. That’s exactly what you should look for: someone who doesn’t just point at things, but helps you understand why they matter.

Getting your timing right: early starts, long drives, and packing smart

You’re doing a lot of motion across two days. The trip starts early on Day 1 with 8:00am pickup, then you’re in the car for about 4.5 hours to reach Datong.

So pack like a person who’s going to be in transit:

• Wear comfortable shoes for walking
• Bring a light layer (sites and transport can differ in temperature)
• Keep your day bag simple, since you’ll be moving between stops

Also, a quick but important detail: a current valid passport is required on the day of travel. Don’t assume you can leave it in your hotel room.

The tour notes a moderate physical fitness level is recommended. That doesn’t mean you need to be an athlete, but it does mean you should be comfortable with sightseeing that involves walking and standing for stretches.

Who should choose this private Datong plan

This tour is a strong fit if:

• You want private pacing with a guide, not a crowded group schedule
• You care about seeing the top Datong sites—Yungang Grottoes and Hengshan Hanging Temple
• You’d like entrance fees and lunches handled for you
• You prefer leaving Beijing and watching the landscape and mood change

It might not be your best choice if:

• You don’t want early mornings or long road time
• You haven’t booked lodging yet (since accommodation isn’t included)
• You want to maximize flexibility to add or remove stops on the fly

There’s also a family logistics note: children must be accompanied by an adult. If you’re traveling with kids, that’s one more reason to plan your timing carefully.

Should you book this private 2-day Datong tour?

I’d book it if your goal is simple: get out of Beijing and see the major Datong landmarks without turning the trip into a ticket-and-transport puzzle. The combination of private vehicle, private guide, and included entrance fees is where you feel the value most.

I’d think twice only if you’re already set on handling your own long-distance travel, or if you want everything to be fully planned including lodging. Since accommodation isn’t included, you’ll need to solve that part first.

If you want a structured, history-forward two days with less stress and more time spent looking closely, this is a solid bet.

FAQ

What sites are included in the 2-day Datong tour from Beijing?

The tour covers Yungang Grottoes, the Nine-Dragon Screen at the Palace Museum, Hengshan Hanging Temple (Xuankong si), and the Pagoda of Fogong Temple / Yingxian Wooden Pagoda.

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as 2 days (approx.).

What is the price?

The price is $598.00 per person.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. The tour includes free hotel pickup and drop-off.

Are entrance fees and meals included?

Yes. All entrance fees are included, and lunch is included (with lunch offered twice over the itinerary). A vegetarian meal option is available.

Is accommodation included?

No. Accommodation is not included.

What documents do I need?

A current valid passport is required on the day of travel.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes, free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.