The Hanging Temple (悬空寺), originally known as “Xuankong Pavilion,” is situated on the sheer cliffs of Cuiping Peak on the west side of Jinlong Gorge at Mount Hengshan. The name “Xuankong” combines the Taoist concept of “Xuan” (mystery) with the Buddhist principle of “Kong” (emptiness). Later renamed to “Hanging Temple,” the name signifies its seemingly suspended position on the cliff face, with “Xuán” (悬, meaning hanging) sounding similar to “Xuán” (玄, meaning mystery) in Chinese.
Built in the late Northern Wei Dynasty around 491 AD, the temple has stood for over 1,500 years. It uniquely integrates Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, making it a rare tri-sectarian temple in China. It is also one of the oldest and best-preserved wooden structures built into a cliff face.
The temple’s structure is a wooden framework with 40 rooms connected by plank walkways. While the temple itself is not very large, its architectural marvel lies in its construction. The entire temple is supported by wooden beams fitted into holes chiseled into the cliffs, relying on a sophisticated system of interlocking joints to remain stable.
Poet Li Bai visited the Hanging Temple and was so awed by its grandeur that he inscribed the characters for “壮观 (spectacular)” on a rock at the temple’s base. Even after writing, he felt his excitement was not fully captured, so he added an extra stroke to the character for “壮,” further emphasizing his admiration. This inscription remains visible today, a testament to the temple’s lasting impression.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of the Hanging Temple
- Other Iconic Attractions in Datong
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Hanging Temple: 15 RMB Climbing Admission: 100 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 08:30-16:00 (1st January – 29th February) 08:00-16:30 (1st March – 30th April) 07:00-16:30 (1st May – 5th May) 08:00-17:30 (6th May – 30th September) 08:00-16:30 (1st October – 31st October) 08:30-16:00 (1st November – 31st December) |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0352-8327795 0086-0352-8322142 |
Location and Transportation
The Hanging Temple, also known as Xuankong Temple, is situated at the foot of Mount Heng in the southeastern outskirts of Hunyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi Province.
To get there from Datong, you can take a long-distance bus from Datong Bus Station or Xin’nan Passenger Transport Station to Hunyuan (浑源县). Once in Hunyuan, you can hire a private car to Mount Heng and the Hanging Temple, with the fare typically around 50 yuan. Alternatively, there is a direct bus from Heyangmen Square (和阳门) in Datong Ancient City that departs at 7:30 AM, taking approximately 1.5 hours to reach the temple by 9 AM.
Highlights of the Hanging Temple
Architectural Layout
The overall structure of the Hanging Temple includes various halls, chambers, and pavilions such as the monastery, meditation rooms, Buddha Hall, Three Buddhas Hall, Taiyi Hall, Guandi Temple, Drum Tower, Bell Tower, Garan Hall, Child-giving Guanyin Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, Thousand Hands Guanyin Hall, Shakyamuni Hall, Leiyin Hall, Three Officials Hall, Chunyang Palace, corridors, Three Religions Hall, and Five Buddhas Hall. The northern and southern towers stand majestically on the cliff, appearing as though they are suspended in mid-air. These towers are connected by corridors, with six pavilions intersecting and plank walkways linking the various parts of the temple, creating a dynamic and visually striking arrangement.
When first observing the temple, it appears to be supported by only a dozen or so wooden pillars, each about the thickness of a bowl. The highest part of the temple is approximately 50 meters above the ground. The structural integrity of the temple relies on a system of horizontally inserted beams supported by the rock face, forming a wooden framework that enhances its earthquake resistance.
South Tower
The South Tower is a three-story structure measuring approximately 8 meters in length and 4 meters in width. It houses several important halls, including Chunyang Palace, Three Officials Hall, Three Religions Hall, and Leiyin Hall.
- Chunyang Palace (Lüzu Temple): Dedicated to Lü Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals of Taoism.
- Three Officials Hall: The largest hall in the temple, it features Ming Dynasty clay sculptures of the Three Officials: the Heavenly Official who grants blessings, the Earthly Official who forgives sins, and the Water Official who relieves misfortunes. These sculptures, some of the largest in the temple, are about 2 meters high, surrounded by attendants and other deities.
- Leiyin Hall: Located at the highest point of the South Tower, it is a Buddhist hall named after the thunderous voice with which Buddha Shakyamuni is believed to have preached.
North Tower
The North Tower is also three stories high, with dimensions of approximately 7 meters in length and 4 meters in width. It comprises the Five Buddhas Hall, Guanyin Hall, and Three Religions Hall.
- Five Buddhas Hall: Situated on the lowest floor, it is dedicated to the five directional Buddhas.
- Guanyin Hall: Located on the middle floor, it is dedicated to Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.
- Three Religions Hall: This hall is a prime example of the temple’s unique integration of the three major Chinese philosophies: Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. It is situated on the highest floor of the North Tower and features statues of the founders of these three religions: Buddha Shakyamuni in the center, Confucius on the left, and Laozi on the right. This amalgamation of religious icons in a single hall is extremely rare in Chinese temple architecture, symbolizing the harmonious coexistence of these spiritual traditions.
