Datong Yungang Airport

机About this airport

Datong Yungang Airport serves Datong in northern Shanxi province, named for the city's most significant attraction: the Yungang Buddhist Grottoes. The grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are among the most important examples of early Buddhist cave art in the world: 51 major caves and approximately 51,000 stone figures carved between 460 and 525 CE during the Northern Wei dynasty, when Datong served as the dynasty's capital. The scale and early date of the Yungang carvings place them alongside the Mogao Caves of Dunhuang and the Longmen Grottoes of Luoyang as the three great Buddha-cave complexes of China. The Yungang Grottoes are 15 km west of the city, accessible by taxi (CNY 30–50) or tourist bus from the city centre.

Ground transport from DAT to Datong city centre is by taxi (approximately 30 minutes, CNY 50–80) or by available bus services. [VERIFY: current transport options and fares — May 2026]. The city centre is about 15 km from the airport.

The airport receives regular domestic flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and other cities. [VERIFY: current routes — May 2026]. High-speed rail connections from Datong reach Taiyuan in approximately 2 hours and Beijing in approximately 3 hours via the Datong-Zhangjiakou-Beijing high-speed line — a useful alternative approach for those combining Datong with Beijing.

Datong's heritage extends beyond the grottoes. The Hanging Temple (Xuankong Si, 悬空寺), built into a cliffside above the Heng River gorge approximately 65 km south of the city, is one of China's most dramatically positioned religious buildings — a hybrid Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist temple dating to the 6th century, suspended on wooden beams driven into the rock face. The reconstructed ancient city walls and the restored Huayan Monastery in the old town add to the heritage concentration. The Zhonghua Shengdi — a large reconstructed temple complex north of the old city walls — is a more recent addition and of different character.

No international routes operate at DAT; immigration is domestic. SIM coverage uses all major networks. China Mobile has the most consistent coverage in the Shanxi highlands.

Facilities at the terminal are functional: a food court with limited local options (Inner Mongolia-style lamb dishes reflect the geographic proximity to the northern steppes), standard fast food, and basic seating. No Priority Pass lounge. Wi-Fi is available with standard registration.

Accessibility at DAT is basic for a smaller regional airport. Essential lifts and ramps are present. Wheelchair assistance should be arranged through your airline in advance.