Datong Weather in August

Season: late summer
 Average temperature: 13 - 27℃ (55 - 81℉) 

The high temperature is about 23 - 30 degrees Celsius (73 - 86 degrees Fahrenheit) at sunny noon. Walking continuously outdoor, you will feel somewhat hot. In this case, find some places without sunshine, like the tree shade, or roadside shops, to have a break. Cool breeze also blow away the heat and sweat, keeping people comfortable.

Before the sun rises and after the sun sets, it is very cool with a low temperature ranging between 14 - 19℃ (57.2 - 66.2℉). Obviously, a large temperature difference of over 10℃ (18℉) exists between day and night. When returning to the hotel after a day trip, people who are not sensitive to heat don’t even need to turn on the air conditioning.
It often rains in Datong in August. The total precipitation from averagely 13 rainy days is 94 mm (3.7 in). Light rains and heavy rains each account for half. Thunderstorms sometimes occur, mostly during the afternoon to night. The rainfall usually ends in about 2 - 3 hours, and after the rain, it gets cooler. If it rains at night, light fog may appear, particularly at the mountainous spots. Meanwhile, the air humidity maintains a moderate 65% in Datong in August, not making the weather muggy.
 With around 17 sunny days, Datong receives averagely 8 hours of sunshine per day in August. The UV rays are still strong, so sun protection measures are necessary. Around 14 hours of daylight is long enough for a thorough day tour in the city, which starts from around 5:24 - 5:53 and ends at 19:00 - 19:40.
  Clothes: T-shirt with shorts is a good match for daytime sightseeing. At the same time, wear a sun protection jacket to resist the UV rays, which also works in the evening when the temperature drops. If you are sensitive to temperature change, light pants suit you better. Actually, they are needed for rainy conditions and early morning visit to higher spots like Hanging Monastery, Yungang Grottoes, and Mt. Hengshan. 

 Shoes: Sandals are not advised. Light sneakers or casual shoes are proper for most destinations requiring a long-distance walk, particularly for walking on slippery mountainous roads in or after the rain. 

 Necessities: 
1. Raincoat or umbrella is advised for the rainy climate of Datong in August.
2. Wear sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen when walking in the sun.

Escape from the Heat in the Shade

Cycling on City Wall at Cool Dusk

1. If you plan to visit Datong in August 2026, be sure to book flights, trains, hotels, and attraction tickets early, as it’s a travel high season brought by summer vacation. If time permits, choose weekdays instead of weekends to avoid biggest crowds. Or you can set off as early as possible to avoid the main peaks of the day. 

2. By the end of the month, most tourists leave, when you can take your time to explore popular destinations like Yungang Grottoes, Wooden Pagoda in Yingxian County, Nine-Dragon Screen, Shanhua Temple, etc. at a leisurely pace. It’s even feasible to buy their entrance tickets on site.

3. On rainy days, some attractions, like Huayan Monastery, may open earlier to welcome visitors.

4. If you sleep with the window open, be sure to prepare a blanket for keeping warm at deep night, particularly for the elderly and children