Datong's city walls give the old center a clear sense of scale, with long restored ramparts, gate towers, and views back toward the temples and modern blocks inside the enclosure. They are not an untouched ruin, but they do help explain Datong's role as a fortified northern frontier city.
A walk along a section of the wall works best near the beginning or end of the day, when the stonework and watchtowers are easier to read in softer light. Pair it with Huayan Temple or the Nine Dragon Screen for a compact introduction to the historic core.