Hanging Temple (Xuankong Si)
Hunyuan County, Datong, Shanxi, 037499
Built into the cliffs of Mt. Hengshan in the Shanxi Province, Hanging Temple is striking because of its precipitous location 165 feet (50 meters) above the ground. Dating back more than 1,500 years, the temple (also known as Hanging Monastery or Xuankong Si) is also the only temple dedicated to Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism.
The basics
Comprising 40 halls and pavilions connected by a maze of bridges and passageways, you’ll need to ascend some steep stone stairs to access the temple and its 80 mixed-material sculptures. Built entirely of wood, with support beams chiseled into the cliffs, the temple has been rebuilt numerous times. Today, it’s no longer a working monastery, and remains primarily a tourist attraction. You can visit independently, or as part of a guided tour from Datong or Beijing, which often also visit the Yungang Grottoes.
Things to know before you go
The temple is ideal for travelers interested in history, spirituality, and architecture.
There’s an entrance fee to access the temple, with a cheaper ticket to just enter the gates but not climb up to the temple itself.
With steep steps and narrow passageways, the temple is not wheelchair-accessible.
Low handrails and its location high on the cliffs make the temple not suitable for small children and anyone with height issues.
How to get there
The Hanging Temple is located around 40 miles (65 kilometers) southeast of Datong. The closest town is Hunyuan, 3 miles (5 kilometers) away. You can take a bus from Datong to Hunyuan Country and then bus number 8, or a taxi directly from Datong. As a popular attraction, many tours also include a stop at the temple.
When to get there
The temple is open daily, with extended hours from June to October. Visitors are limited to 80 at a time, so it’s best to arrive early in the morning to avoid long waits, which can take several hours at peak times. Winters are cold in the area, making spring to early fall the best times to visit.
How to avoid the rain on Mt. Hengshan
The temple is said to have been built by a monk named Liao Ran during the Northern Wei Dynasty in the late 500s. Although it was rebuilt and restored in the Ming and Qing dynasties, it remains in remarkable condition. One of the reasons for the temple’s unusual location is believed to be protection from the weather. Sitting underneath an overhang high up on the cliffs, it's protected from sun, rain, snow, and floods, making it an ideal rainy day activity.
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