Datong South Station at a Glance
Datong South Railway Station (大同南站, Datongnan Station) is northern Shanxi’s high-speed rail gateway — and the station you’ll use to reach the Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple. Here Jack explains something that may be useful to you.
- Chinese name: 大同南站 (Dàtóng Nán)
- Location: Kaiyuan Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province (山西省大同市平城区开源街)
- Opened: December 30, 2019 (with the Zhangjiakou–Datong HSR)
- Platforms: 4 platforms, 9 tracks
- Station building: 39,990 m², maximum capacity ~3,000 people
- Service type: High-speed rail only (no conventional trains)
- Daily trains (2025): 164 (up from ~60 before the new line)
High-Speed Rail Routes from Datong South
Key Destinations (2025-2026)
| Destination | Daily Frequency | Travel Time | 2nd Class (¥) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing North | 20+ | ~1h40m – 2h10m | ~146-168 |
| Taiyuan South | 25+ | ~1h25m – 1h40m | ~86-102 |
| Hohhot East | 8+ | ~1 hr | ~109 |
| Xi’an North | 5+ | ~5h30m | ~393 |
| Zhengzhou East | 4+ | ~3h30m | ~280 |
| Pingyao Gucheng | 6+ | ~2 hrs | ~120 |
| Qingdao | 1-2 | ~6 hrs | ~430 |
| Hangzhou East | 1-2 | ~8 hrs | ~560 |
| Chongqing West | 1-2 | ~8 hrs | ~520 |
| Guangzhou South | 1 | ~11 hrs | ~900 |
Check Live Train Schedule
 | Beijing to Datong train, Xian to Datong train, Pingyao to Datong train |
 | Hotels in Ancient City of Datong |
 | Yungang Grottoes, Datong Ancient City, Hanging Temple, Mount Hengshan, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, Mount Wutaishan (attraction tickets, shuttile bus, cable car or cruise, join-in tours). |
Getting to Datong’s Attractions
Datong has one of China’s densest concentrations of world-class sites — Yungang Grottoes (UNESCO), the Hanging Temple, Mount Heng, the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, and Datong Ancient City. Getting between them used to mean haggling with taxi drivers or navigating fragmented public buses. That changed with the Scenic Area Direct Bus network (景区直通车).
Jack’s Research: The Complete Bus Schedule (English)
The network is operated by Shanxi Automobile Transport Group Yanbei Company (山西汽运集团雁北汽车运输有限公司), a state-owned enterprise, in partnership with Ctrip/Trip.com. It now covers 8 hubs across northern Shanxi, and as of July 2025 has transported over 500,000 passengers.
All prices are per person, one-way. Departure times are fixed — buses run on schedule, not on demand. Arrive 10 minutes early: buses leave on time and there are no standing tickets (一客一座).
Departures from Datong Ancient City (大同古城) — boarding point: Heyangmen Square, opposite Niushun Hotel (和阳门广场对面钮顺酒店)
| To | Duration | Fare | Departure Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yungang Grottoes (云冈石窟) | 40 min | ¥10 | 8:00 / 8:40 / 9:10 / 9:40 / 10:10 / 10:50 / 11:40 / 12:20 / 13:10 / 14:00 / 14:50 / 15:40 |
| Hengshan Visitor Center (恒山游客中心) | 90 min | ¥39 | 6:30 / 7:15 / 8:00 / 8:45 / 9:30 / 10:30 / 13:30 / 16:00 |
| Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (应县木塔) | 75 min | ¥39 | 7:30 / 8:30 / 9:30 / 10:30 / 13:30 |
| Wutaishan (五台山) | 180 min | ¥99 | 7:30 / 13:00 |
| Yanmen Pass (雁门关) | 100 min | ¥69 | 7:30 |
Departures from Datong South Railway Station (大同南站) — boarding point: 50m west of the station exit, look for the scenic bus parking lot
| To | Duration | Fare | Departure Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yungang Grottoes (云冈石窟) | 40 min | ¥10 | 8:50 / 9:20 / 9:50 / 10:30 / 10:50 / 11:20 / 12:00 / 12:50 / 13:40 / 14:30 / 15:20 |
| Hengshan Visitor Center (恒山游客中心) | 80 min | ¥39 | 9:30 / 10:30 |
| Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (应县木塔) | 60 min | ¥39 | 9:30 / 10:30 |
Departures from Yungang Grottoes (云冈石窟) — boarding point: Yungang Bus Station, near the scenic area exit
| To | Duration | Fare | Departure Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Datong Ancient City → Datong Museum → Datong South Station | 50 min | ¥10 | 10:50 / 11:40 / 12:30 / 13:10 / 14:00 / 14:50 / 15:30 / 16:20 / 17:10 / 17:40 |
| Hengshan Visitor Center (恒山游客中心) | 90 min | ¥39 | 13:05 |
| Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (应县木塔) | 85 min | ¥39 | 13:05 |
| Wutaishan (五台山) | 220 min | ¥99 | 12:30 |
Departures from Hengshan Visitor Center (恒山游客中心) — boarding point: ground floor of the main service building
| To | Duration | Fare | Departure Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Datong Ancient City (大同古城) | 90 min | ¥39 | 11:00 / 14:00 / 15:30 / 16:30 / 17:30 |
| Yungang Grottoes (云冈石窟) | 90 min | ¥39 | 11:00 |
| Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (应县木塔) | 55 min | ¥29 | 11:00 / 12:30 / 13:55 / 14:30 |
Departures from Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (应县木塔)
| To | Duration | Fare | Departure Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Datong Ancient City (大同古城) | 75 min | ¥39 | 11:00 / 13:00 / 14:30 / 16:00 / 17:00 |
| Yungang Grottoes (云冈石窟) | 85 min | ¥39 | 11:00 |
| Hengshan Visitor Center (恒山游客中心) | 55 min | ¥29 | 11:00 / 12:30 / 13:55 |
| Yanmen Pass (雁门关) | 60 min | ¥39 | 12:50 |
Departures from Wutaishan (五台山) — boarding point: Guanghua Temple ground parking lot (广化寺地面停车场)
| To | Duration | Fare | Departure Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Datong Ancient City (大同古城) | 180 min | ¥99 | 8:00 / 16:30 |
| Yungang Grottoes (云冈石窟) | 220 min | ¥99 | 8:00 |
| Xinzhou Ancient City (忻州古城) | 140 min | — | 16:00 |
Departures from Yanmen Pass (雁门关)
| To | Duration | Fare | Departure Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Datong Ancient City (大同古城) | 90 min | ¥69 | 16:30 |
| Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (应县木塔) | 60 min | ¥39 | 11:20 |
| Xinzhou Ancient City (忻州古城) | 80 min | ¥59 | 16:30 |
Departures from Xinzhou Ancient City (忻州古城)
| To | Duration | Fare | Departure Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yanmen Pass (雁门关) | 80 min | ¥59 | 7:30 |
| Wutaishan (五台山) | 120 min | ¥69 | 7:30 |
Note: The timetable above is for reference only. Departure times, fares, and route availability are subject to change seasonally or during holidays. Always confirm on the booking platform before travel.
How to Book: Two Options
Option 1 — Trip.com (Recommended for Foreign Travelers)
Ctrip/Trip.com has an official partnership with the Datong Scenic Area Direct Bus operator. This is the easiest route for foreign travelers: English interface, international payment methods accepted, no WeChat required.
Option 2 — WeChat Mini-Program (Chinese Only)
Search “大同景区直通车” in the WeChat mini-program section. The interface is Chinese-only. Real-name booking required, pay with WeChat Pay. If you don’t read Chinese, use Trip.com.
A few things to know:
- Schedules can shift: Departure times may be adjusted seasonally or during holidays. Always confirm on the booking platform the day before.
- No standing tickets: Every passenger gets a seat (一客一座). If a departure is sold out, you wait for the next one — there’s no squeezing on.
- Board early: Buses leave on schedule. Arrive at the boarding point 10 minutes before departure.
- The network keeps growing: New routes are being added regularly. As of mid-2025, the network had expanded to 21+ routes covering all of northern Shanxi.
To Yungang Grottoes (云冈石窟)
The #1 reason tourists come to Datong. 1,500-year-old Buddhist cave temple complex with 51,000 statues — one of China’s three great grottoes alongside Longmen and Mogao.
- Direct shuttle: ¥10, ~40 min, every 20 min from Datong South. The easiest option.
- Public bus 603: ¥2-3, slower but cheaper.
- Taxi: ~40 min, ¥45-60.
- Entry: ¥120 (peak season). Book via “云冈石窟预约” WeChat mini-program with real-name reservation. Go for the 08:30 slot — best light on Caves 5-6.
Book Yungang Grottoes tickets on Trip.com
To the Hanging Temple (悬空寺) & Mount Heng (恒山)
The Hanging Temple is a 1,500-year-old monastery pinned to a sheer cliff face 75 meters above the ground — one of China’s most photographed sites anywhere. Mount Heng is one of the Five Sacred Daoist Mountains.
- Direct bus: From Datong Ancient City (Heyangmen Square), ~¥30, ~1.5 hrs. Or from Datong South, take bus 901 to the Hengshan visitor center.
- Taxi from Datong South: ~1.5 hrs, ¥200-250 one-way.
- Hanging Temple climbing ticket: Must book 3+ days in advance — daily cap of 3,000 visitors. Groups of 30 admitted every 15 minutes. Viewing-only ticket (no climbing) is easier to get.
- Combo ticket: Hanging Temple + Hengshan ~¥125.
- Warning: The climbing queue at Hanging Temple can be 2+ hours in peak season. If you’re on a tight schedule, the ground-level view is still stunning and requires no climbing ticket.
Book Hanging Temple & Mount Heng tickets on Trip.com
To Datong Ancient City (大同古城)
A restored Ming-Qing walled city with museums, temples, restaurants, and night views from the city walls.
- From Datong South: Bus 61, ~30 min, ¥1-2. Taxi ~15-20 min, ¥20-30.
- City wall: Free to walk. Rent a bike on the wall (~¥30). Best at sunset.
- Inside the walls: Huayan Temple (华严寺, ¥50), Shanhua Temple (善化寺, free), Nine-Dragon Screen (九龙壁, free).
Explore Datong Ancient City on Trip.com
To Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (应县木塔)
The world’s oldest and tallest wooden pagoda — built in 1056 AD without a single nail. It’s in Yingxian County, about 75 km south of Datong.
- Direct bus: From Datong Ancient City, ~¥30, ~1.5 hrs.
- Train option: Some trains stop at Yingxian West Station (应县西站) on the new Jining–Datong–Yuanping HSR — check 12306 for availability.
- Entry: ¥50. Climbing is no longer permitted to protect the structure.
Book Yingxian Wooden Pagoda tickets on Trip.com
Recommended 2-Day Itinerary from Datong South
- Day 1: Arrive Datong South → shuttle to Yungang Grottoes (morning light on the caves) → bus to Datong Ancient City (afternoon exploring + sunset on the wall).
- Day 2: Early bus to Hanging Temple (8:00 departure from Heyangmen Square) → afternoon at Yingxian Wooden Pagoda → return shuttle to Datong South or continue south to Wutaishan.
- Day 3 (optional): Mount Heng hike, or take the ¥99 shuttle to Wutaishan (Mount Wutai).
Datong South vs. Datong Station: Which One?
Datong has two passenger stations. This causes confusion.
| Datong South (大同南站) | Datong Station (大同站) | |
|---|---|---|
| Opened | 2019 | 1914 |
| Trains served | G and D high-speed trains only | K, T, Z conventional trains only |
| Platforms | 4 platforms, 9 tracks | Larger conventional station |
| Location | South of city center, Kaiyuan Street | North of city center, near the ancient city |
| Key routes | Beijing, Taiyuan, Hohhot, Xi’an, Zhengzhou, and all long-distance HSR | Budget overnight trains to Beijing, Taiyuan, Hohhot |
| To Yungang Grottoes | ~40 min (direct shuttle) | ~50 min (bus/taxi) |
| To Ancient City | ~20-30 min (bus 61) | ~10 min (closer!) |
Rule of thumb: If you’re coming from Beijing, Taiyuan, Hohhot, Xi’an, or any major city → Datong South. If you’re on a budget overnight K/T train → Datong Station. Check your ticket: “大同南” = Datong South, “大同” = Datong Station.
Local Transport from Datong South
- City buses: Routes 14, 31, 61, 66, 68, 606. ¥1-2. Bus 61 is the most useful — it goes to Datong Ancient City.
- Taxi/DiDi: Available at the designated pickup area outside the station. DiDi works — have the app set up before arrival.
- To Datong Yungang Airport: ~18 km, ~25 min by taxi, ¥35-50.
Practical Tips
- Book Hanging Temple climbing tickets 3+ days ahead: The daily 3,000-person cap sells out fast, especially April-October and on weekends. The temple is viewable from below without a climbing ticket, but if you want to go up, plan ahead.
- Datong is cold in winter: November-March temperatures drop well below freezing. The station is heated, but waiting for buses outside is brutal — dress accordingly. Yungang Grottoes are open year-round and actually less crowded in winter.
- The scenic area direct bus goes year-round: Unlike many Chinese tourist shuttles that shut down in low season, Datong’s network operates through winter (“淡季不打烊”). Reduced frequency, but it runs.
- WeChat mini-program for everything: Bus tickets, attraction bookings, and the scenic shuttle all require WeChat mini-programs. Set up WeChat and link a payment method before your trip.
Trusted Online Ticket Agents:
Option 1: Trip.com is an internatioal brand owned by Ctrip Group, China's largest online travel booking platform. Trip.com offers booking service for flight, train, hotel, activities, etc
Option 2: China Highlights is a reliable online agency for China train ticketing. They get positive reviews on TripAdvisor & Trustpilot. Sharon and her team help you buy tickets & plan rail routes even deliver tickets to your hotels with a service fee.
