Our answer
Three faiths, one cliff 悬空寺
A Northern Wei foundation on a sheer rock face near Mount Heng, with Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian halls side by side
The short answer
The Hanging Monastery (悬空寺, Xuánkōng Sì), or Hanging Temple, is a wooden temple built into a cliff near Mount Heng in Hunyuan County, about 64 km from Datong, Shanxi. Founded in the Northern Wei dynasty around 1,500 years ago, it combines Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian halls and is one of China’s most striking pieces of ancient architecture.
| In Chinese | 悬空寺 (Xuánkōng Sì), ‘temple hanging in the air’ |
|---|---|
| Where | Jinlong Gorge, Mount Heng (恒山), Hunyuan County, Datong, Shanxi province |
| Founded | Northern Wei dynasty (386–534); tradition gives 491 |
| Known for | Halls fixed to a sheer cliff; Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism under one roof |
| Size | 40 halls and pavilions on 472 square metres |
| Ticket | Climbing ticket 100 yuan; 2,475 a day since 1 April 2026 (CCTV, May 2026) |
Where is the Hanging Monastery?
The temple sits in Hunyuan County, part of the city of Datong in northern Shanxi province; Datong itself is about 64 km to the north-west. It is built halfway up a cliff in Jinlong Gorge (also called Jinxia Gorge) at Mount Heng (恒山, Héng Shān), the northern of China’s Five Great Mountains, a peak that has been considered sacred since the Zhou dynasty.
China Daily puts the temple about 60 metres above the valley floor; other sources give a higher figure. Either way, the halls are tucked into a natural recess in the rock, so an overhanging ledge shields the woodwork from rain, wind and sun. Local officials also point out that the height kept the temple clear of floods in the valley below.[1][2][5][7]
History of the Hanging Temple
Nobody recorded who first built the temple, so its founding rests on tradition.[1][2][3][4][5]
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| Northern Wei dynasty (386–534) | The temple is first built. One tradition credits the monk Liaoran (了然), who began work in 491; the more common view credits the Taoist master Kou Qianzhi, who is said to have asked his disciples to build ‘a temple in the air’. |
| Tang dynasty (618–907) | The poet Li Bai is said to have praised the temple’s spectacular sight. Some statues inside date from this period. |
| Ming dynasty (1368–1644) | The travel writer Xu Xiake calls it a wonder of the world. The clay sculptures in several halls are Ming work. |
| Later dynasties | The temple is repaired and rebuilt many times. |
| 1982 | Listed as a key cultural heritage site under national protection. |
| 2015–2016 | Its paintings and painted woodwork are restored; the scenic area reopens in May 2016. |
| Recent years | Its appearance in the video game Black Myth: Wukong brings a wave of new visitors; in summer 2026 a night-time light show begins on the surrounding cliffs. |
How does the Hanging Temple stay up?
Not by the thin wooden poles you see in photographs. Those columns are mostly decorative. The real work is done by 27 horizontal beams of hemlock, soaked in tung oil to resist rot, which are driven into holes cut in the cliff. About two-thirds of each beam is buried in the rock and one-third sticks out to carry the floors, and each can bear several tonnes.
The wooden parts are fitted together with mortise-and-tenon joints rather than nails. Officials say the building has come through centuries of weather and several earthquakes. Since April 2026 fibre-optic sensors on key beams and columns have monitored the stresses from earthquakes, vibration and foot traffic, and the daily number of visitors allowed onto the walkways has been cut to ease the load.[1][2][4][6]
What to see inside
The 40 halls are linked by plank walkways, ladders and narrow corridors, some barely wide enough for one person. The northern part holds the main Buddhist halls; the southern part rises three storeys.
- Hall of Three Religions (三教殿, Sānjiào Diàn): the temple’s best-known room. Shakyamuni Buddha sits in the centre, with Laozi, the founder of Taoism, on his left and Confucius on his right, an expression of the idea that the ‘three teachings’ are one, which was widespread in the Ming and Qing dynasties. See our guide to Confucianism.
- Hall of the Five Tathagatas (五佛殿) and Guanyin Hall: Buddhist halls in the northern section; read more about Guanyin.
- Chunyang Palace (纯阳宫): a Taoist hall dedicated to Lü Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals.
- Sanguan Hall (三官殿): the largest hall, with Ming clay figures of the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth and Water, Taoist deities.
- Leiyin Hall (雷音殿): at the top of the southern section.
- The statues: more than 80 figures in bronze, iron, clay and stone, including a small wooden Guanyin regarded as a treasure.
Questions readers ask
Where is the Hanging Monastery?
In Hunyuan County, Datong, in northern Shanxi province. It is built into a cliff in Jinlong Gorge at Mount Heng, about 64 km south-east of Datong city.
How old is the Hanging Temple?
About 1,500 years. It was first built during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534); one tradition dates the start of work to 491. It has been repaired and rebuilt many times since.
How does the Hanging Temple stay on the cliff?
Mainly on 27 horizontal hemlock beams driven about two-thirds of their length into the rock. The slim upright poles are mostly decorative. The halls also sit under an overhanging ledge that shelters them from rain and sun.
Is the Hanging Monastery Buddhist or Taoist?
Both, and Confucian too. It is usually described as a Buddhist temple, but it has Taoist halls such as Chunyang Palace, and its Hall of Three Religions places the Buddha, Laozi and Confucius side by side.
How much is a Hanging Temple ticket?
The climbing ticket that lets you walk through the halls cost 100 yuan as of May 2026. Numbers are limited to 2,475 a day, so book online in advance or arrive early at the ticket office.
What is the Hanging Temple famous for?
For its position: 40 wooden halls and pavilions that appear to hang from a sheer cliff, joined without nails. It is also known for uniting three faiths, and more recently for appearing in the video game Black Myth: Wukong.
Is the Hanging Temple scary to visit?
It can be for people who dislike heights. Some walkways are barely wide enough for one person, with a sheer drop beyond the railings, and peak-season queues can be long.
Sources
- Wikipedia, Hanging Temple · accessed 1 Nov 2026
- People’s Daily Online, Hanging Temple endures as ancient architecture meets modern technology (28 August 2026) · accessed 1 Nov 2026
- China Daily, Hanging Temple (Xuankong Temple) (27 August 2020) · accessed 1 Nov 2026
- China Daily Hong Kong, Xuankong Temple: a popular place to hang out (30 March 2026) · accessed 1 Nov 2026
- China Daily, Hanging Temple light show (3 August 2026) · accessed 1 Nov 2026
- Guangming Online, from CCTV News, Hanging Temple climbing tickets (5 May 2026, in Chinese) · accessed 1 Nov 2026
- Wikipedia, Mount Heng (Shanxi) · accessed 1 Nov 2026
Update log. 1 November 2026 — reviewed. Next review due 1 February 2027. Suggest a correction