

DATONG- (1) Train - Beijing/Datong, and (2) In Datong - Taxi vs. a CIT tour (temple/grottoes)
We want to take 10:55 train fr BJ to Datong on Sept 26 (Thur). Confused...
Online shows only soft/hard sleeper +HARD seats. We don't want to lay down for 6 hrs in the train.
Saw 2 Youtube videos, one showed hard seats (very crowded) and the other upholstered soft seats (not berths)
(1) How to buy soft seats, if not offered on the websites??
(2) Is there a central BJ loc. we can buy in advance w/t the steep handling fee (agents charges)? Our hotel is at Chongwen Men.
(3) Too risky to wait and buy at the Railway Stn on the morning of travel??
How much: a taxi for the hanging temple and caves? What are the entrance fees to these 2 attractions?
We booked Howard Johnson in Datong, any decent restaurants nearby (don't want hotel food)?
Thanks a bunch in advance for your advice!