Hanging Temple, Datong (Oct 16, 2024).

The Hanging Temple of Datong is a famous ancient architectural complex located on the cliffs of Cuiping Peak on the west side of Jinlong Gorge of Mount Heng in Hunyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi Province, China. It is renowned for its unique geographical location and architectural style. The Hanging Temple was first built in 491 AD (the 15th year of the Taihe era of the Northern Wei Dynasty), with a history of over 1,500 years. It was originally constructed with wood, later evolving into a stone structure during the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and has been preserved to this day. The architecture of the Hanging Temple is highly distinctive, known for its precariousness as if it were on the edge of an abyss, with a saying that goes, "Hanging Temple, halfway up the sky, suspended by three horse tails." The entire temple appears to be hanging on the cliff, hence the name "Hanging Temple." It consists of 40 rooms, all supported by wooden frame structures, fixed only by 27 wooden beams inserted into the rock wall. The Hanging Temple is not only a Buddhist temple but also enshrines Taoist and Confucian deities, making it a rare temple in China that combines the three religions. Inside the temple, there are calligraphy works by the Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai, with the words "Magnificent," as well as various precious cultural relics such as bronze, iron, clay, and stone sculptures. The architectural structure of the Hanging Temple is highly distinctive, with a variety of forms, including main ridges, eaves ridges, flying ridges, and poor ridges on the roofs, as well as single eaves, double eaves, and triple eaves on the eaves, and various structural methods such as beam-lifting structures, flat-top structures, and bracket structures. The Hanging Temple is a national key cultural relic protection unit. As an old tourist attraction, it has excellent safety measures. Although the walkways are narrow, steep, and low, there are places to hold onto, making it very friendly for those with a fear of heights.