Datong is a cultural destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.
A typical traveler spends $71 (¥509) per day on a trip to Datong. This is the average daily price for a vacation in Datong based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
A one-week trip to Datong for two people costs, on average, $995 (¥7,126). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
A one week trip to Datong usually costs around $497 (¥3,563) for one person and $995 (¥7,126) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Datong on average costs around $995 (¥7,126) for one person and $1,989 (¥14,252) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Datong will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Datong on average costs around $2,131 (¥15,270) for one person and $4,262 (¥30,540) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
In Datong, budget travelers spend $31 (¥220) per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $71 (¥509) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $143 (¥1,028) per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to Datong.
Datong is a smaller destination that attracts a broad range of travelers, encompassing various travel styles, spending practices, and budget options. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
You can find Datong to be very expensive if you're not careful, but methods like looking for discounts and coupons can help you save money.
Within Asia, Datong is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Yangon or Huangshan (Yellow Mountain).
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Datong Expensive?
The average Datong trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Datong travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Datong cost?
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Accommodation1
For 1 person in double occupancy |
$10
(¥71) |
$23
(¥166) |
$48
(¥341) |
| Local Transportation1 |
$5
(¥36) |
$13
(¥90) |
$30
(¥214) |
| Food2 |
$15
(¥108) |
$35
(¥250) |
$69
(¥493) |
| Entertainment1 |
$11
(¥80) |
$25
(¥181) |
$47
(¥334) |
| Alcohol2 |
$3-8
(¥19-58) |
$6-19
(¥44-133) |
$12-35
(¥85-254) |
When planning your trip to Datong, it's important to have realistic expectations about your budget. Many believe they can travel on a shoestring, but that often leads to either uncomfortable travel experiences or some surprisingly high expenses. Consider your vacation style. Do you enjoy staying in hostels, resorts, regular hotels, or vacation rentals? Are attractions and dining experiences a priority? These factors will affect how much you spend and your itinerary.
While you might think you're a budget traveler, without giving up many of your usual comforts, you'll likely need to spend more than the $31 per day that backpackers often spend.
Backpackers often work within this tight budget by staying in hostel dorms, eating fast food or street food, using public transit, and mainly visiting free attractions.
Luckily, Datong has plenty of hostels like Datong Fly by Knight Highrise Hostel. At these hostels, you can find affordable dorm beds and a vibrant social scene, but amenities tend to be quite limited.
Couples and families enjoying a vacation will probably want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at popular dining spots, and explore the key museums and attractions that have entry fees. Exploring the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks is a must for most visitors to Datong. Keep in mind that most activities cost money. Thus, it's reasonable to expect your daily budget to be around $71 per person, per day.
For a trip that encompasses every convenience with outstanding service, get ready for a daily cost nearing $143. To experience nicer hotels, enjoy award-winning cuisine, indulge in extravagant outings, and use taxis or private drivers for your journeys in the destination, be prepared for premium pricing. Also, higher-end tours are common with luxury travelers, such as Private Datong Day Tour Arranged by Local Tour Guide Nancy - offered by Viator.
Datong offers a broad range of hotel prices, from budget to luxury. Higher-end hotels come with more amenities and higher prices, particularly during peak season. Off-season, you'll find average rates around $, but during peak season, they can average $. Prices range from $ to $, and hostels tend to be much cheaper. Save money by visiting during the low season or by taking advantage of early booking and special promotions.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Datong for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $46 (¥332). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $23 (¥166) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Datong? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
If you travel during the low or shoulder season (and skip ), you'll enjoy lower accommodation prices and fewer tourists.
Calculated from travelers like you
On average, past travelers have spent $13 (¥90) per person, per day, on local transportation in Datong. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Datong is significantly more than public transportation.
Datong has a fairly extensive public bus system with lines running from the train station to most major attractions throughout the region. However, it may relieve a lot of stress to simply hire a car for the main sites outside of town – like the Hanging Monastery.
Some of the standard hotel transfers and transport options include:
Cuisine often serves as a primary motivation for travel, so make sure to indulge in the local dishes.
Calculated from travelers like you
While restaurant and meal prices in Datong can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Datong is $35 (¥250) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Datong is around $35 (¥250) per person, with previous travelers spending from $15 to $69. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Datong are as follows:
This is not the Chinese food you call up and order on a Friday night. In Datong you'll want to seek out the traditional food in the modern settings. This region of China is especially known for its noodles. They come in different shapes, sizes and covered in a variety of sauces. You'll also want to look for the shaomai (steamed dim-sum dumpling) with every combination of meats and fillings. Luckily, Datong knows their audience and many restaurants will offer menus with pictures.
A lot of hotels include breakfast in their price, but some may add it as an extra charge. The price and quality can differ from one hotel to the next. Being aware of this ahead of time can help you figure out if you'll need to shell out more money. The hotel buffet could be delicious, or you might opt for a more affordable treat at a nearby bakery or cafe.
Instead of buying drinks, bring a water bottle. It's also an environmentally friendly option.
Before embarking on a tour, ensure you know which meals are included. You might have to pay for some food yourself, and that can add to your travel expenses.
Calculated from travelers like you
Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Datong typically cost an average of $25 (¥181) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
The very first thing you'll want to put on your site seeing list is the Yungang Caves. These 1,500 year old mountain caves are an UNESCO World Heritage Site given that altogether the caves and recesses hold approximately 51,000 Buddha statues. They have Buddhas of every shape and size – from a 56-foot Seated Buddha to mini Buddha that stands a few centimeters tall. You will also see rare and precious scenes depicting the Buddhist teachings and famous monks who spread those messages. It's easy to take a walk through and know that unlike the wall surrounding this city, these caves are authentically ancient. There has been little to no reconstruction here.
For a short day trip of out of Datong, don't miss the Hanging Monastery. Tucked away on the edge of a cliff, this monastery is one of the most visited sights in all of China. Forty rooms are linked together by mid-air walkways. While it was built in 490, much of today's structure dates back to the Ming and Qing dynasties.
The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is the tallest and oldest wooden structure in the whole of China. Dating back to 1056 in the Liao Dynasty, only the first floor and ground floor are open to visitors. You won't spend as much time here as at the Hanging Monastery, but it's definitely worth a stop.
If you want to see a bit of the Great Wall of China, head to the Ba Taizi ruins. Here you'll see the dilapidated sections of the Great Wall along with the interesting ruins of an ancient gothic church.
It's hard go anywhere in this region without hitting temple or two. Add the Huayan Temple to your list. Built in the Liao dynasty, this temple faces east, not south. This leads many to believe the Khitan who built it were sun worshippers. This temple is divided into two parts – the active monastery and the museum below. The main hall of the Upper Temple is quite stunning and stands as one of the largest Buddhist halls in all of China – complete with Ming murals and Qing statues.
Another incredible sight to see is the amazing Nine Dragon Screen. The nine multicolored coiling dragons create quite an atmosphere around this Ming-dynasty spirit wall. It once protected a palace belonging to the 13th son of a Ming Emperor, and it burnt down in 1644 – whoops. This palace, the Dai Wangfu, fell during the final stages of the Ming dynasty. This giant palace once spanned 191,000 square meters – spanning from the Da Dgonjie street in the north all the way down to a street just shy of the new city wall.
If you're more into art a little closer to this century, visit the China Sculpture Museum. Built within the restored city walls, these hallways are home to some of the day's best contemporary sculptures by Chinese and foreign artists. While you stroll these corridors, be on the look out for some uncovered sections of the original city walls. They date back to the Ming, Jin, Liao and Northern Wei dynasties. Be sure you have your passport for readmission after your tour.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Datong. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
Calculated from travelers like you
The average person spends about $12 (¥89) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Datong per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sure, nightlife is part of the adventure, but cutting down on cocktails can make a surprising difference in your travel budget.
If you're looking for an old world city, with a renovated feel, you might want to spend some time in Datong, China. This city was once walled-in and the newest initiative is to rebuild their great wall to maintain their old world charm. Datong is definitely done a lot to make itself a contender in the world of vacation destinations.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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