Hanging Monastery
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Hanging Monastery also called Xuankong Si, is a temple stands at the foot of Mountain Hengshan. The temple is about 65 kilometers south of Datong downtown, and could be reached by 1-hour’s drive.
Although Mt.Hengshan is one of the five sacred mountains for Taoism, this temple, which is the main attraction of the mountain, pays homage to Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism, with sculptures from these three religious could be found inside the small temple, like sculptures of Confucius, Lao-Tzu and Sakyamuni Buddha. The temple has an history over 1,500 years.
The temple is located in the small canyon basin, and suspended some 50 meters over the ground. It has been regarded as one of the most dangerous architectures in the world since it consisting of 40 pavilions and halls, while the structure is kept with oak crossbeams fitted into holes chiseled into the cliffs. The main supportive structure is hidden inside the bedrock. It is wonderful to view the pillars when you below the temple or even walk on it!
The temple itself is so small, and main halls are linked by winding corridors, brideges and boardwalks, which is so narrow and some place and only let one people go. And some will see then aware that the temple is truly hanging on cliff.
