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Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do near Datong [2025]
Table of contents
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Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot
4.7
/5
29444 reviews
8.7
From TWD 395
Based on 321 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609365623666
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 1064 users23649 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Colorful Danxia is quite beautiful, there are four observation decks, each with its own characteristics, it is worth seeing. When you enter the gate, there is a viewing car to pull to each observation deck. It takes 5 minutes to go. It is very convenient to not go back. The first platform can watch the colorful screen up close, the second platform has a wide view, the third platform can see the panoramic view of the Chibi Great Wall from afar, and the fourth Taishan Mountain is bright and colorful.
Danxia is very beautiful and can be visited comfortably in 2.5 hours. There are also many shuttle buses within the scenic area. There are many stairs, especially the first and second attractions, which test your leg strength.
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Chaka Salt Lake
4.3
/5
16727 reviews
8.6
From TWD 255
Based on 94 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609778246999
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 347 users10801 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Don't choose the travel photography service called Heqi Travel Photography. Because the price-performance ratio is very low, the negative film is not included, and the retouching costs more than 1,000. I disagreed because it was too expensive, and the customer service attitude immediately dropped to below freezing. The whole process was cold and even scolded me. The customer service was called Jiaxin.
As expected of a 5A tourist attraction, despite the crowds, the park remains well-maintained. The train is a must-see. First, take it to the last stop, then slowly walk back, taking photos along the way. For those traveling with children and the elderly, it's a good idea to get off at each stop before catching the next train. The intervals are shorter during peak hours, but when the park first opened, the intervals were slightly longer (18 minutes).
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Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum
4.8
/5
7351 reviews
8.3
From %1$s
Based on 49 reviews
Biological Park Area | 27.1 km from downtown
Phone +8609715317881
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 208 users6795 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It is really shocking. What I saw on my phone is really different from what I saw in real life. It is the first time I have in-depth contact with these erudite and historical things. It is very rare.
The exhibits are rich and varied, introducing various information and exhibits about the Tibetan ethnic costumes, ethnic writing, and ethnic architecture. The 600-meter-high thangka painting on the top floor is very shocking.
No.
4
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Kumbum Monastery
4.6
/5
16927 reviews
8.3
From TWD 297
Based on 213 reviews
50 km from downtown
Phone +8609712210188
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 236 users9484 positive reviews
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The birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the great master of Tibetan Buddhism, the temple boasts three sacred and three unique treasures, including the largest and most exquisite butter sculptures in China. Visiting early in the morning or after 3 p.m. is recommended for a more pleasant experience when there are fewer people.
I was very lucky on this trip and encountered a debate. Although I didn't know what they were talking about, it was very interesting. The tour guide I hired at the ticket office was great. He explained for 2.5 hours and his language was humorous. You can't take pictures inside the Ta'er Temple. The butter sculptures inside are so beautiful, it's an eye-opener.
No.
5
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Lanzhou Danxia Geological Park
4.5
/5
2210 reviews
8.1
From TWD 340
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609312123999
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 219 users1908 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It’s such a wonderful trip. Easy communication. This place is so beautiful and is a must visit when you’re in Lanzhou.
The VIP ticket was incredibly emotionally rewarding! The 3.5-kilometer hike from Nuwa Relics to Danxia Scenic Area took half an hour, and I was saved by the Three Forts in the rest area (the mountaintop prices were even cheaper than in downtown Lanzhou, which really made me cry! 😭)
It rained lightly this morning, so I started my tour at noon. The colors were perfectly dampened by the rain, and the cloudy day gave it an ink painting-like feel. This truly is Lanzhou's most famous attraction, and the ticket price is incredibly worth it! 😍
No.
6
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Qinghai Lake
4.5
/5
6534 reviews
7.9
From TWD 306
Based on 598 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609747553999
Address: Qinghai Lake, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
Clockwise lake tour & Tibetan culture
Boat ride & scenic views
Saved by 184 users3492 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The boarding point is at the passenger center. After entering the main waiting room, go straight inside and there is a separate room. The bus booked on Ctrip is the same as the official bus. You need to ask the staff for your seat number. The tour lasts 3 hours, arriving at Qinghai Lake at 11:20 and returning at 2:30.
Qinghai Lake offers beautiful scenery and fresh air. Despite its high altitude, altitude sickness is minimal. The driveway along the lake is beautifully constructed. The Erlangjian Scenic Area is less interesting, with its man-made landscapes that feel out of harmony with the natural environment.
No.
7
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Qinghai Lake Erlangjian Scenic Area
4.2
/5
5682 reviews
7.9
From TWD 306
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609748519826
Address: 109 National Rd, Gonghe Xian, Hainan Zangzuzizhizhou, Qinghai Sheng, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
3226 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified user reviews
Our Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop Tour begins at Qinghai Lake, and the moment we arrive, we're truly captivated. Nature's beauty is beyond description; pictures offer a glimpse, but experiencing it in person is the truest way to appreciate this gift.
Due to its well-planned location, convenient parking, and easy access to transportation, Erlangjian Scenic Area is a prime choice for families admiring Qinghai Lake. Indoor rest areas and women's restrooms exemplify the scenic area's user-friendly management. The scenic area offers a variety of water activities for visitors of all ages. Open-air concerts, nestled against the breathtaking sea-skyscape, accompanied by the unique rhythm of the plateau, instantly draw visitors into this natural landscape.
Erlangjian Scenic Area is one of the core attractions of Qinghai Lake. It requires tickets, beautiful scenery and fresh air. It is a must-check-in attraction for Qinghai Lake tourism. Erlangjian Scenic Area belongs to the Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture area. There are many places to eat and stay in its surroundings. The price is relatively fair. It is not too expensive during non-holidays, but you can also choose to return to Xining city on the same day after visiting the scenic spot.
No.
8
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Riyue Mountains (Sun and Moon Mountains)
4.4
/5
1417 reviews
7.8
From TWD 1010
Based on 27 reviews
75.4 km from downtown
Phone +8609714040188
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 129 users778 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Traveling with a dog, the Sun and Moon Mountain Scenic Area is pet-friendly. There are beautiful prayer flags, prayer wheels, and the story of Princess Wencheng. There is an open grassland where little sheep are grazing leisurely.
Sun and Moon Mountain, a plateau landmark interwoven with history and culture, bears witness to the millennia-long fusion of Han and Tibetan cultures. Once a key point on the ancient Tang-Tibet Road, the legend of Princess Wencheng throwing a precious mirror here to transform the mountain imbues every rock with a rich history. Today, excessive commercialization is impacting this crucial point in the Qilian Mountains.
No.
9
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Xining Wildlife Park
4.5
/5
3079 reviews
7.7
From TWD 128
Based on 8 reviews
33.6 km from downtown
Phone +8609718149850
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
2074 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
emmmm The scenic area planning is not very reasonable, the paid shuttle bus is only available once. If you miss it now, you can only walk. Snow leopards, lynxes and caracals are not necessarily seen. It's very random.
Xining has a large wildlife area. To see large animals such as tigers, lions, and brown bears, you need to walk into a specially repaired corridor. At noon, the sun was scorching and the beasts hid in the shade for a nap. I didn’t see the snow leopard, the most characteristic animal of the plateau. What a pity.
No.
10
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Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon
4.7
/5
2741 reviews
7.6
From TWD 552
Based on 28 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609368830066
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 208 users2113 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I was very satisfied with the hotel accommodations. The front desk lady even upgraded my room. The room was large, with plenty of water and plenty of space. The quilt and pillows were very comfortable, and the breakfast was also very good! It was a great experience and I would definitely stay here again when I visit Zhangye. Regarding the Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon, the scenery is stunning. It's best to plan a day to slowly climb it. The steps are very high, so taking it slow will keep you from getting too tired. But it's definitely worth it; the grassland scenery is average.
The canyon scenery was spectacular and truly astounding! The climb to Lingzhi Valley was truly life-threatening, but the view was worth it. The area wasn't crowded in mid-September, making the visit a truly enjoyable experience. Try to go early for better lighting and photography.
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