Beijing Datong Tour

Your local driver will meet you on arrival and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest or explore nearby. If you have the energy, an evening walk around your hotel’s neighborhood is an easy way to get your first feel for the city.

Overnight in Beijing.

Note: Pickup is included from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or any Beijing train station. Pickup from Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) is available at extra cost.

Start at Tiananmen Square, the symbolic heart of modern China, where your guide explains its history and role in national events. Then walk north into the Forbidden City, home to 24 Ming and Qing emperors. Explore its great halls, courtyards and living quarters as your guide shares stories of palace life.

Next, climb Jingshan Park for a view over the Forbidden City’s golden roofs and central Beijing.

In the afternoon, visit the Summer Palace, the Qing royal garden known for Kunming Lake, Longevity Hill and its long painted corridor.

In the evening, you may choose to watch a Kung Fu show or Peking Opera (optional, at extra cost).

Overnight in Beijing.

After breakfast, visit the Temple of Heaven, where Ming and Qing emperors came to pray for good harvests at the round, triple-roofed Hall of Prayer. In the morning, the surrounding park is full of locals doing tai chi and dancing.

Then drive about 1.5–2 hours to the Mutianyu Great Wall, one of the best-preserved sections near Beijing. Hike up or take the cable car, then walk between the watchtowers as the wall follows the mountain ridges. Cable car, chairlift and toboggan tickets cost extra.

On the way back, stop at the Olympic Green for an outside look at the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube.

In the evening, try Beijing roast duck, or browse Panjiayuan Night Market if it’s open that night (optional).

Overnight in Beijing.

Start at the Lama Temple (Yonghegong), one of Beijing’s most important Tibetan Buddhist temples and still an active monastery. Walk through its colorful halls to see the 18-meter Maitreya Buddha, carved from a single piece of sandalwood.

Continue to the Shichahai Hutongs for a rickshaw ride through the old lanes and a visit to a traditional courtyard home. Stroll along Yandai Xiejie and explore the neighborhood around the Drum Tower.

Next, visit Prince Gong’s Mansion, one of Beijing’s best-preserved Qing dynasty residences, with elegant halls, courtyards and gardens.

In the late afternoon, take the high-speed train to Datong (about 2–2.5 hours). Your driver will meet you on arrival and transfer you to your hotel.

Overnight in Datong.

Begin at the Yungang Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China’s most important Buddhist cave sites. Carved during the Northern Wei dynasty, its 252 caves hold more than 51,000 Buddha statues, from carvings smaller than your hand to seated giants over 17 meters tall. Your guide will show you how Indian, Central Asian and Chinese styles came together here.

Continue about 65 km to the Hanging Temple, built more than 1,500 years ago into the cliff face of Mount Heng, over 50 meters above the ground. Unusually, it honors Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism together. Walk its narrow wooden walkways between halls fixed to the rock.

On the way back to Datong, stop at the Nine Dragon Screen, a glazed tile wall over 600 years old, decorated with nine brightly colored dragons.

Overnight in Datong.

After breakfast, your driver will transfer you to Datong train station or airport for your onward journey. If you’d like to continue exploring China, we can help you plan an extension, such as Pingyao Ancient City or Xi’an.