Datong Weather in September

Season: autumn
 Entering September, the high temperature hovers around 24 - 29 degrees Celsius (75 - 84 degrees Fahrenheit) in Datong. With the breeze always blowing, it’s pleasantly cool most of the time. Only when you are exposed to the sun at noon or walking a long distance can you feel a little hot. However, the diurnal temperature range maintains a large 10 - 15℃ (18 - 27℉). The low temperature is only 11 - 16℃ (52 - 61℉), a little cold for people sensitive to temperature changes. 

Besides, the temperature shows a gentle downward trend. By the end of the month, the value during the day doesn’t exceed 22℃ (71.6℉), and that at night falls below 5℃ (41℉). The perceived temperatures in mountainous regions are 3 - 5℃ (5.4 - 9℉) lower.
September marks the end of the rainy season in Datong. The total precipitation is 74 mm (2.9 in), distributed over 9 days, mostly in the first half of the month. The rain occurs in three consecutive days at most, but usually appears in the form of showers or thunderstorms that come suddenly and leave quickly, with sunny periods between.  

Moreover, the rainfall in September in Datong has more positive effects: it makes the air fresher, the sky bluer, and the humidity moderate, although the weather gets a bit cold after the rain.
 Nearly 20 days are sunny or cloudy, bringing 8 hours of sunshine per day on average to the city. Due to the high altitude, the sunlight doesn’t weaken too much in September, particularly at sunny noon. The daytime extends from 5:54 - 6:21 to 18:11 - 18:58, offering enough time for day activities.

Yungang Grottoes with a Few Visitors

 Up: It’s OK to wear a short shirt in the sun, but before sunrise and after sunset, you need to add a trench coat. In rainy conditions, replace the inner layer with a long-sleeve one, which is also needed for a cooling climate at the end of September in Datong. People afraid of the cold are advised to pack a windproof hoodie as the middle layer when setting off early for mountainous attractions like Hanging Monastery and Yungang Grottoes, where the wind always blows.

 Bottom: Choose from sweatpants and jeans. Women wearing long-sleeve dresses need leggings, particularly in the morning and evening. Shorts are not advised, actually.

 Shoes: Comfortable sneakers are proper for city sightseeing, while hiking shoes are the best choice for climbing Mt. Hengshan.

 Accessories: Pack a parasol in your backpack as protection from strong sunshine at noon and possible rain.

Sunny Weather in September

Datong Ancient City Wall

1. Visiting Datong in September 2026, you will not meet crowds as it doesn’t belong to a peak travel season, except for the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday from September 25 to 27.

2. You can appreciate the attractive autumn leaves at Mt. Hengshan and Yungang Grottoes scenic spots other than visiting the must-see historical sites, including Huayan Monastery, Nine-Dragon Screen, Wooden Pagoda in Yingxian County, and Shanhua Temple.

3. Try to choose sunny days to visit mountainous spots in case of cold temperatures and slippery roads.