Asia & Oceania group posting on GLOBOsapiens

Best way from Beijing to Datong & Xuankongsi

Postings 1 - 6 of 6

krisek Premium account Joined: Jan 08 Points: 57198 Posts: 120 Posted: 2008-09-22 19:36:00    I am looking for advice on the best/cheapest/most convenient way from Beijing to the Hanging Monastery of Xuankongsi near Datong. I am aware of the daily flight from the capital to Datong, but was looking for alternatives. Anyone have ideas/advice? Many thanks. Krys --- Exaggeration is a truth that has lost its temper... Travel! You will see the world and discover who you are. Reply    Reply with quote    Contact krisek   trekkerman Premium account Joined: Feb 07 Points: 958 Posts: 8 Posted: 2008-09-22 20:59:00    hi, the best way to get to Datong from Beijing is to take the train, it's only around 260km, check out the following website for train info in China: http://www.seat61.com/ it's a great site, i have used the this site for train info in Thailand and it's pretty much up to date. regards trekkerman --- Trekker Man Reply    Reply with quote    Contact trekkerman   krisek Premium account Joined: Jan 08 Points: 57198 Posts: 120 Posted: 2008-09-22 22:14:00    Many thanks for the advice. I looked up this rather great website. It looks good. Real good. I checked the timetables and it looks that the distance is actually over 350km and the train takes six hours! I need to think about how this will fit into my schedule. Thanks again. Krys --- Exaggeration is a truth that has lost its temper... Travel! You will see the world and discover who you are. Reply    Reply with quote    Contact krisek   plancarpin Premium account Joined: Aug 08 Points: 3218 Posts: 28 Posted: 2008-09-23 11:16:00    Hi Kris, I alos visited the hanging monastery by taking the overnight trzin from Beijing..as far as I remember (summer 2006) the train left at 9pm and arrives at 6am next day; then a minibus just in front of train station to the monastery (65 km/below 1 hour drive) also do not miss in Datong, the 9 dragons wall! really amazing! --- One travels, not to change locations, but ideas. Hippolyte Taine (french philosopher) Reply    Reply with quote    Contact plancarpin   krisek Premium account Joined: Jan 08 Points: 57198 Posts: 120 Posted: 2008-09-23 15:01:00    Great, many thanks J-P. The overnight train is slowly growing on me - I guess this way I save on the accommodation costs. I will compare the cost of the train with the flight + accommodation in Datong. My plan was to see Datong and the monastery, so thanks for helping me solidifying the plans... --- Exaggeration is a truth that has lost its temper... Travel! You will see the world and discover who you are. Reply    Reply with quote    Contact krisek   juny356 Joined: Aug 04 Points: 187 Posts: 2 Posted: 2008-09-25 01:46:00    even plane is always faster than train, while for datong as it is too close to beijing, and the airport in datong is far from the city, and another choice is you can take a bus, if there is no traffic jam, it takes 4hour around to get datong. --- Hi everyone, I am a beijing local guide, welcome to Beijing and contact me! Reply    Reply with quote    Contact juny356