People visit the Yungang Grottoes in Datong city. [Photo/Datong Daily]

The Yungang Grottoes, a renowned 5A-rated attraction in Datong, has once again secured its place among China's top 100 scenic spots with the highest brand influence.

Yungang claimed second place in the September rankings, sharing the top three with Beijing's Forbidden City and Badaling-Mutianyu Great Wall. Shanxi province's other entrant, Pingyao Ancient City, ranked fourth, highlighting the region's cultural appeal.

Tourists flock to the Yungang Grottoes during the holiday period. [Photo/Datong Daily]

Driven by the popularity of China's first AAA game, Black Myth: Wukong, Yungang Grottoes has become a trending destination, attracting fans to "explore Datong with Wukong". Datong welcomed 3.73 million visitors during the National Day holiday, including 1.88 million from outside the province. Datong ranked among the "Top 10 Fastest Growing Destinations" in Trip.com's 2024 Golden Week Travel Report, with 30 A-rated sites collectively receiving 1.3 million visitors, a 33.02 percent increase.

Yungang Grottoes saw 318,263 tourists, up 20.97 percent year over year. Meanwhile, Hengshan Scenic Area and Datong Ancient City also recorded significant increases, with 233,723 and 1.92 million visitors, respectively. This surge reflects Datong's rising status as a must-visit cultural hub in China.