During the recent May Day holiday, Datong’s cultural tourism sector maintained its red-hot momentum. The city’s eight key monitored scenic spots welcomed a total of 1.1062 million visitors, showcasing the city's growing appeal. According to a report by Ctrip, Datong has successfully ranked 9th on the list of China’s most popular historical and cultural travel destinations, while the Yungang Grottoes ranked 8th among top heritage sites. These rankings further cement the cultural brand influence of the ancient capital.
This May Day holiday, our city attracted visitors from across the country with its deep historical roots, innovative cultural energy, diverse travel experiences, and top-tier service. The city hosted an "around-the-clock" tourism feast, blending the ancient charm of the Yungang Grottoes with modern trends. From vibrant cultural activities in the Old City of Datong to the booming "night economy," the city coordinated 72 themed events covering live performances, traditional Chinese music, intangible cultural heritage showcases, and specialty markets. Visitors enjoyed a fully upgraded experience—exploring ancient architecture and heritage by day, and enjoying light shows and performances by night. At the same time, cross-industry collaborations ignited a holiday consumption craze. Richie Jen’s three-night concert tour featured a special perk: concert-goers enjoyed free admission to core attractions like the Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Temple, and Huayan Temple. Local heritage arts like Datong Shulaibao and Shuahai'er theater took center stage, while the International Clown Festival showcased the city's openness and vitality. These immersive performances and the blend of local life and culture allowed guests to experience the unique charm of this millennium-old city.
Throughout the holiday, the city prioritized hospitality and support to ensure a seamless travel experience. In the Old City of Datong, 27 public parking lots with 5,663 spaces were opened to the public for free, and all A-level scenic spots and museums extended their operating hours. The city also optimized smart parking, shuttle bus services, and crowd management, while strictly regulating the tourism market. From dining and lodging to transportation and shopping, every link in the service chain was enhanced to ensure visitors could travel with peace of mind. With both the city and its landmark attractions breaking into the national top ten, Datong has written a new chapter in its mission to become a world-renowned cultural tourism destination.
