Plan at a glance
Entrances and scale
Datong Ancient City Wall surrounds the old city area in Pingcheng District. All four gates have access to the top: Yongtai Gate in the south, Qingyuan Gate in the west, Heyang Gate in the east and Wuding Gate in the north. The circuit is about 7.2 kilometres and can be covered on foot, by rented bicycle or by sightseeing car, depending on which gates, towers and return direction you want to include.
Tickets and hours
From June 13, 2026, the entire Datong Ancient City Wall is free to access. Typical hours are 07:00–22:00, with no reservation required on site. The free-entry policy and lighting arrangements are time-sensitive, so check the entrance notice on the day; cycling, sightseeing cars and activities on the wall also follow the daily operating arrangements.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
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What to see at the four gates
Yongtai Gate is large and has a substantial barbican, with good views of the old city and the roofs of Huayan Temple. Qingyuan Gate is closer to Huayan Temple and has a section showing the rammed-earth wall. The area around Wuding Gate is quieter and leads towards Qianlou for views over the old and new parts of the city. Heyang Gate works well for an eastern-side itinerary.
Choosing the experience
For sunset and night views, go up in the late afternoon and stay on one section of the wall. Visitors who enjoy exercise or want continuous wall lines for photography can consider the full circuit. Families, short-stay visitors and anyone avoiding a long walk can enter at any gate, stop at an open viewpoint and return by the same route.
Decide how much of the wall to cover
The wall experience centres on the four gates, watchtowers, views inside and outside the city, and the circuit itself. Put temple and street visits into the old-city plan after coming down. A photography-focused visit can concentrate on the southwest watchtower or the section between South and West Gates, with the rest of the city's stops scheduled after descending.
For the wider old-city walking route, see Datong Ancient City.
Build your day
A short sunset route
Go up at Yongtai Gate, look over the roofs inside the city and the urban view outside, then wait for sunset. Lighting is expected around 19:00; after the lights come on, photograph the view from South Gate towards West Gate and descend at the nearest exit. The stop takes about 1.5–2 hours and works well with temples and street visits scheduled afterwards.
Full and deeper routes
The full circuit is about 7.2 kilometres and usually means more than 10,000 steps. Walking, cycling and the sightseeing car take different amounts of time, and slopes and wind matter along the way. For the southwest watchtower at sunset, go up at Wuding Gate, walk west to the southwest tower and continue towards South Gate; this takes about 2–3 hours. For a 30-minute stop, go up at any gate, walk to an open viewpoint and return.
Sightseeing car and bicycle
The sightseeing car takes about 40 minutes for one circuit and costs about CNY 40 per person; check the departure schedule and ticketing at the entrance. Bicycles suit visitors who already know the circuit. Slow down on slopes, in strong wind or where people gather; walking is usually easier to pace for a short visit.
Get there
Bus and taxi
Take buses 38, 59 or 64 and get off at Datong Ancient City or Yongtai Gate, then follow the signs to the wall. A taxi can go directly to any of the four gates. Choose the gate according to the section you want to see and where you plan to continue afterwards.
Parking and access to the wall
If driving, park outside the old city or in a permitted area near a gate, then walk to the entrance. Some roads inside the city are one-way, and cars cannot drive to the foot of every gate. Bicycles and sightseeing cars on the wall are part of the wall visit; central pedestrian streets inside the old city still follow their own access rules.
Know before you go
Energy, wind and light
The 7.2-kilometre circuit is demanding, and a four-person bicycle can still feel heavy on slopes. If you mainly want the views, choose a shorter section. Morning and evening temperatures can differ noticeably, so take an extra layer for a late-afternoon visit; strong wind or heavy rain may affect lighting, outdoor shows or other temporary activities.
Photos and spending
People in costume inside the old city may invite you to take a photo. Ask whether there is a charge first; it commonly costs about CNY 25, and you can also decline. Do not assume anything about a person's identity from a costume. Keep the passage clear and follow staff directions if you need to move or change position.