https://https://au.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/datong/best-things-to-do/10071446304900
Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do near Datong [2025]
Table of contents
Show All Photos
Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot
4.7
/5
28501 reviews
8.7
From SGD 16.70
Based on 321 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone 0936-5623666
Address: BuildingNo.8, Danxia Road,Linze County, Zhangye City
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-5 hours
Highlights:
World Geopark-level Colorful Zhangye Danxia landform
Danxia landform's seven scenic wonders
Saved by 1034 users22978 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Fortunately, we had just arrived in Zhangye after a sandstorm the day before. The next day, we were going to see the colorful Danxia, but it rained. The sand and dust in the air were washed away, and we saw the very beautiful Danxia. A beautiful sister took a Polaroid photo for me. It was a very happy trip.
When we went there, the weather was bad and the experience was not good. It was different from what we saw in the pictures on the Internet. I suggest that the sightseeing buses should mark the stops to show which is the first viewing platform and which is the second viewing platform. It would be difficult to take pictures if you sit there confusedly and there are too many people.
Show All Photos
Chaka Salt Lake
4.3
/5
16396 reviews
8.7
From SGD 19.39
Based on 94 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone 0977-8246999
Address: Chakayan Lake, Ulan, Haixi, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Take a Train to the Lake to See the Pure Salt Lake
Train ride to pristine salt lake
Saved by 340 users10756 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
A very satisfying stay! The hotel is conveniently located close to the subway station and major attractions. The front desk service was warm and attentive, and check-in was quick. The room was clean and comfortable, with soft bedding and excellent soundproofing, ensuring a peaceful and restful night's sleep. The bathroom was clean and spacious, with plenty of hot water. The breakfast was varied, combining Chinese and Western cuisine, and was delicious. It was a great value for money, and I would stay here again! I highly recommend it to travelers.
The Chaerhan Salt Lake is really recommended, with sparkling blue water and crystal clear water. If you are short on time, you can give up the Dachaidan Emerald Lake, but go to the Chaerhan Salt Lake, it is the emerald gift from God to the world.
Show All Photos
Kumbum Monastery
4.6
/5
16701 reviews
8.3
From SGD 12.57
Based on 213 reviews
50 km from downtown
Phone 0971-2210188
Address: No. 56 Jinta Road, Huangzhong County, Xining City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
Highlights:
Unique hilltop temple complex
Butter sculptures & Thangka masterpieces
Saved by 223 users9638 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
After completing the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop with a friend, I stayed in Xining for a day. We specifically visited Ta'er Monastery, the birthplace of Lama Tsongkhapa. The entrance fee was 70 yuan, and we hired a tour guide at the entrance. For groups of 1-5, the fee was 160 yuan. It was okay. The tour guide was truly fascinating, allowing us to understand the entire monastery's itinerary and the relationships between the historical figures. It gave us a deeper understanding. Simply visiting the monastery would have been meaningless, just a casual stroll. Having a tour guide was indeed a great idea. It allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural heritage. Ta'er Monastery is especially noteworthy because the pagoda came first, and the temple later, hence the name. The three wonders of Ta'er Monastery are thangkas, pile sculptures, and butter sculptures. And then there's Lama Tsongkhapa.
Ta'er Monastery is the center of Tibetan Buddhist activities in northwest China and enjoys a high reputation in China and Southeast Asia. The central governments of all dynasties have highly respected the religious status of Ta'er Monastery.
No.
4
Show All Photos
Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum
4.8
/5
7001 reviews
8.3
From %1$s
Based on 49 reviews
Biological Park Area | 27.1 km from downtown
Phone 0971-5317881
Address: 36 Jing'er Rd, Chengbei Qu, Xining Shi, Qinghai Sheng, China, 810016
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
Highlights:
Tibetan music shows daily until 8/15
Open year-round, closed 3 days
Saved by 190 users6462 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It was pretty good. I finished my Qinghai-Gansu loop trip and stayed in Xining for a day. I visited the Tibetan Culture Museum. The 600-meter thangka painting inside was truly stunning. The Tibetan costumes were also exquisite. The ticket price was a bit high, and I needed an explanation. It was a great way to get to know the plateau region. It's a bit far from the city, so I needed a taxi. The summer temperatures in Qinghai are perfect, but the UV rays are quite strong, so I needed to wear sunscreen.
For outsiders like us, without a guide, we can't see anything. I can walk in and out in 20 minutes. The ticket is not cheap. Apart from these pictures, shopping is just like a supermarket.
No.
5
Show All Photos
Lanzhou Danxia Geological Park
4.5
/5
2064 reviews
8.1
From SGD 14.37
>100 km from downtown
Phone 0931-2123999
Address: 甘肃省兰州市永登县树屏镇杏花村
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
Geological & rural tourism destination
Danxia trail: 1.6 miles views
Saved by 196 users1782 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Electronic ticket purchases are categorized to meet the needs of different groups and are very convenient. A shuttle bus is available within the scenic area, making the journey very relaxing. The scenery is magnificent and breathtaking, and it is well worth the visit.
Overall, it's worth a visit. The topography is unique, the scenic area is well-maintained, and the kids loved the slides and rafting. The SVIP setup is generally acceptable, but the service could be improved, and there's still a long way to go in developing a strong corporate culture. Keep going, and I hope it keeps getting better!
No.
6
Show All Photos
Qinghai Lake Erlangjian Scenic Area
4.2
/5
5597 reviews
7.9
From SGD 16.16
>100 km from downtown
Phone 0974-8519826
Address: 109 National Rd, Gonghe Xian, Hainan Zangzuzizhizhou, Qinghai Sheng, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
3213 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified user reviews
The scenery is beautiful and worth a visit. But don't take the train to the peninsula, it's a rip-off. The scenery is similar at the back, but it costs 120 yuan per person. The water bikes at the front are worth trying.
Several scenic spots along the way are worth visiting, especially Chaka Salt Lake and Qinghai Lake, which are also beautiful. The driver also served as a tour guide, providing explanations on the bus and providing attentive and enthusiastic service.
No.
7
Show All Photos
Qinghai Lake
4.5
/5
6475 reviews
7.9
From SGD 10.78
Based on 598 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone 0974-7553999
Address: Qinghai Lake, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
Clockwise lake tour & Tibetan culture
Boat ride & scenic views
Saved by 180 users3486 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It's great, Qinghai Lake is great, but it's relatively suitable for self-driving. I feel that the car is not very convenient. I also took a cruise, a luxury cruise, and fed seagulls. Are you envious? Xixi
It is worth recommending the main scenic area + small train. Regardless of the scenery or the experience, it is absolutely worth it. This experience cannot be experienced in places like the Internet celebrity viewing platform. It makes sense to be the main scenic area.
No.
8
Show All Photos
Riyue Mountains (Sun and Moon Mountains)
4.4
/5
1375 reviews
7.8
From SGD 17.60
75.4 km from downtown
Phone 0971-4040188
Address: 40 km southwest of Wuyuan County, Xining City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Diverse landscapes & fluttering prayer flags
Yak rides & highland photography
Saved by 123 users755 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I brought my children here to play. It's not far from the center of Xining. It takes more than an hour to get there. After that, you can go to Qinghai Lake. It's very convenient. I think the air and scenery here are very good. It's worth coming.
I think this is a must-visit place in Xining. The scenery is very beautiful, it is very nice to take pictures, there is a magical Tibetan culture, and there are also historical sites such as Princess Wencheng. The air is also very good. It is not far from the city center and it only takes an hour to drive there. It is very good to bring your baby to play.
No.
9
Show All Photos
Xining Wildlife Park
4.5
/5
2859 reviews
7.7
From SGD 5.37
Based on 8 reviews
33.6 km from downtown
Phone 0971-3922193
Address: No. 9 Xingzhi Road, Chengxi District, Xining City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Simulated alpine rocks for snow leopards
Wildlife viewing & educational experience
1875 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified user reviews
There is a Monkey King at the door who is pulling children to take pictures. Be careful. After taking the picture, he will say that he is deaf and dumb and ask you to scan the code for 20 yuan. If you really have difficulties, there will definitely be someone to help you, instead of pulling you to take pictures first and then asking for money.
The zoo is built on a mountain. The various attractions are distributed very reasonably. There are many kinds of animals. I saw the long-awaited Ling Xiaozhe and Ling Shuang. It was a very good experience. I recommend it to those who bring children to see it. It is worth it.
No.
10
Show All Photos
Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon
4.7
/5
2625 reviews
7.6
From SGD 23.34
Based on 28 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone 0936-8830066
Address: Pingshanhu Township Government, Ganzhou District, Zhangye City
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-5 hours
Highlights:
Panoramic view of stunning canyon
2.5-mile glass walkway overlooks canyon
Saved by 196 users2031 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It was a truly wonderful experience, both unique and captivating. While the in-depth tour was expensive, the experience was well worth it. The itinerary was coherent and engaging, with staff explaining each point. Before the tour, the staff even gave each visitor a "energy pack" containing water, bread, sugar, and a small towel. The staff were incredibly thoughtful and demonstrated a high level of operational management. My only suggestion for improvement was the truck used for the first leg of the trip. It would have been much better if the vehicle had been upgraded to be safer and more comfortable, or at least the suspension system could have been improved.
Because we were in a hurry, we chose a reverse in-depth tour. The staff at each point were professional and enthusiastic. There was no need to queue for reverse camel riding and off-road vehicles. The route was very suitable for children.
1
2
3
4
5
