Datong has the Yungang Grottoes (51,000 Buddha statues) and the Hanging Temple. Pingyao has China's best-preserved walled city and merchant banking history.
Quick Comparison: Datong vs Pingyao
| Factor | Datong | Pingyao |
|---|---|---|
| Top sight | Yungang Grottoes (UNESCO) | Pingyao Ancient City (UNESCO) |
| Era | Northern Wei (5th c.) | Ming-Qing (14th-19th c.) |
| Unique feature | Hanging Temple on cliff | Complete city wall |
| Recommended stay | 1-2 days | 1-2 days |
| Food | Datong noodles | Pingyao beef |
| From Beijing | 2h by train | 3.5h by train |
Historical Significance
Datong was capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 AD), who commissioned the Yungang Grottoes — 252 caves with 51,000 Buddha statues carved into a sandstone cliff. It is one of China's three greatest Buddhist art sites. Pingyao was China's banking center during the Qing Dynasty — the Rishengchang Exchange Shop (founded 1823) was China's first bank. Its complete Ming-era city wall and grid of old streets survive intact.
| Factor | Datong | Pingyao |
|---|---|---|
| Era | 5th century | 14th-19th century |
| UNESCO site | Yungang Grottoes | Ancient City |
| Significance | Buddhist art | Banking/merchant history |
| City wall | Partial | Complete (6km) |
Key Experiences
In Datong, visit the Yungang Grottoes (half day), the Hanging Temple (1 hour drive — a wooden temple clinging to a cliff face), and the Shanhua Temple. In Pingyao, walk or bike the 6km city wall, visit the Rishengchang Bank Museum, explore the Ming-era streets, and watch the evening lighting ceremony. Pingyao offers a more immersive old-town experience; Datong's highlights are individual sites rather than a complete city.
| Factor | Datong | Pingyao |
|---|---|---|
| Main activity | Site visits | Old town walking |
| Duration at sites | Half day (grottoes) | Full day (city) |
| Biking | No | Yes (on wall) |
| Night experience | Limited | Lantern-lit streets |
Logistics
Datong is 2 hours from Beijing by high-speed train, making it a feasible overnight trip. Pingyao is 3.5 hours from Beijing or 2 hours from Xi'an. Both can be combined in a Shanxi province tour: fly/train to Datong, train to Pingyao (3h), then train to Xi'an (2h). Spring and autumn are best — both cities are cold in winter and hot in summer.
| Factor | Datong | Pingyao |
|---|---|---|
| From Beijing | 2h train | 3.5h train |
| From Xi'an | 6h train | 2h train |
| Between them | 3h train | 3h train |
| Best season | May, Sep-Oct | Apr-May, Sep-Oct |
Our Verdict
Choose Datong for Buddhist art and the surreal Hanging Temple. Choose Pingyao for a complete ancient city experience with banking history. Visit both if doing a Shanxi province tour — they are 3 hours apart by train.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Can I day-trip to Datong from Beijing?
Yes — the 2-hour high-speed train makes it possible, but it would be rushed. Better to stay one night and see both Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Temple.
2.Is Pingyao worth an overnight stay?
Yes — the city is magical at night when the day-trippers leave and lanterns light the streets. Stay in a converted courtyard hotel inside the walls.
3.How are the Yungang Grottoes compared to Longmen?
Yungang (Datong) is earlier and has more colossal Buddhas; Longmen (Luoyang) is more refined and detailed. Both are UNESCO and worth seeing. Yungang is generally considered more visually impressive.