Hey there,

Yes, you can absolutely do a day trip from Beijing to Datong and visit the Yungang Grottoes in one day!

Just hop on a high-speed train from Beijing North Station (or Qinghe Station) to Datong South Station. The train ride only takes about 2 hours. Once you arrive at Datong South, you can catch a tourist shuttle bus to the Yungang Grottoes, which is about a 45-minute ride. The shuttle bus ticket costs just 10 yuan. Alternatively, you can take a taxi for around 60 yuan if you prefer a faster option.

After you visit the Grottoes, you can head back to the city center to check out a few more highlights in Datong. Then, just take the train back to Beijing the same day.

So yeah, it’s totally doable, and you won’t have to rush!

By the way, check out:  Beijing to Datong High-Speed Train Day Trip: A DIY Guide  for detailed information.