Humans always do things that others can never expect. Regular people don't choose to construct on a cliff, but life isn't all about ordinary things. There are wonders and unbelievable miracles, which is why this remarkable structure has stood still for a millennium and a half, even until today.
Source: Greenislandhosteld
Source: Ron R
Source: est0121
Source: AndhikaLiu
Source: est0121
Source: Greenislandhosteld
Source: marvelmaniaco
Source: marvelmaniaco
Source: marvelmaniaco
Source: marvelmaniaco
Source: SoloWanderer71
Source: picturegal
Source: Bam Macdonald
Source: Greg P
Source: Greenislandhosteld
Source: Ron R
Hanging Temple (Hengshan Hanging Temple, Hanging Monastery, or Xuankong Temple), the earliest and best preserved wooden cliff building in China, was built in the 5th century on the cliffs of Mt. Hengshan, one of the five most sacred mountains.
Source: est0121
Source: AndhikaLiu
Located about 60 kilometers southeast of Datong, in the Shanxi province, the monastery is clinging to a crag of Hengshan mountain in apparent defiance of gravity. It consists of 40 rooms linked by a dizzying maze of passageways.
Source: est0121
Source: Greenislandhosteld
Staying at the inward concave of the cliff and having the protruding part like an umbrella, the temple is free from the impact of rain and falling rocks. The high position of the temple also avoids the risk of being flooded.
Source: marvelmaniaco
Source: marvelmaniaco
The hanging temple seen from afar is like an exquisite relief inlaid in the cliffs, and people suppose there is not much space inside. But when you go inside, you will find that it is pretty spacious. The whole temple is 32m long and can be divided into three parts: Southern Part, Northern Part, and Changxian Bridge.
Source: marvelmaniaco
Source: marvelmaniaco
As a historical site, the Hanging Temple is available to visit all year round. But considering Datong in winter is relatively cold and there will be more tourists in July and August, it is most recommended to travel here from March to mid-June and mid-September to November. In addition, to protect the temple, the number of visitors is limited to 80 per batch.
Source: SoloWanderer71
Source: picturegal
Interestingly, the temple is dedicated to not just one religion but three: Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, all practiced within the temple and represented in 78 statues and carvings.
Source: Bam Macdonald
Source: Greg P
If you are impressed by this valuable religious construction, please like and share it with your touring pals! Don't forget to leave a comment below before jumping to the next journey on our site!