Hanging Temple, Buddhist and Taoist temple in Hunyuan County, China.
The structure rises on wooden beams inserted into the Mount Heng cliff face, standing 75 meters (246 feet) above the canyon floor. The construction consists of multiple pavilions and corridors connected by narrow walkways and bridges, hugging the natural contours of the rock formation.
Monk Liao Ran initiated construction in 491 during the Northern Wei Dynasty on this mountainside location. Subsequent dynasties expanded the original structure through additional halls and renovations, particularly during the Ming and Qing periods, creating the architectural ensemble visible today.
The complex contains 78 statues crafted from bronze, clay, and stone representing deities from Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism across 40 interconnected halls. This religious amalgamation makes the site a rare example of spiritual coexistence in Chinese architecture, where practitioners of different faiths shared sacred space.
Access involves walking through narrow passages and bridges, with stability maintained by an engineering system of crossbeams and supporting pillars. Spring and autumn offer the most favorable visiting conditions with comfortable temperatures and clear views of the surrounding mountains.
The cliff positioning protected the complex from flooding by the nearby river and effects of direct sunlight exposure. The architectural design incorporates natural rock formations as structural elements, with some pillars serving more decorative than load-bearing functions in the overall support system.
Location: Hunyuan County
Inception: 491
Architectural style: Chinese architecture
GPS coordinates: 39.65970,113.70799
Latest update: November 27, 2025 21:02
This collection gathers sites where architecture and nature combine to offer extraordinary experiences. From urban observation platforms to natural geological formations, these destinations allow observing the world from remarkable viewpoints. Each location presents a different approach to altitude, whether through modern installations or natural sites. Among the destinations are TILT Chicago, a platform that tilts above the city from the 94th floor, and Trolltunga in Norway, a rocky formation protruding 700 meters above Lake Ringedalsvatnet. In China, the Zhangjiajie glass bridge spans 430 meters between two cliffs, while in Ecuador, the Banos swing enables swinging facing the Tungurahua volcano. Other sites like the Grand Canyon Skywalk in Arizona, the Royal Gorge suspension bridge in Colorado, or the Hanging Temple in Datong showcase the diversity of these places. These destinations are aimed at travelers seeking different sensations and wishing to discover panoramas from unusual positions. Some sites require good physical condition, others are accessible to all. It is advisable to check access conditions and consider your tolerance for heights before planning your visit.
This collection brings together locations that challenge the norms of conventional tourism. It offers the chance to discover places where nature, history, and human activities have created astonishing sites: a complex of 732 unfinished villas in Turkey, a Mexican island where hundreds of dolls are hung in trees, a Canadian lake with mineral-formed multicolored basins, and a Polish forest of 400 pines with mysteriously bent trunks facing north. The route also includes unique human-made creations, such as an art installation representing an isolated Prada store in the Texas desert, or the Japanese village of Nagoro where an artist populated the streets with 350 dolls after the residents left. Geological phenomena are also featured, including Darvaza crater in Turkmenistan, which has been burning continuously since 1971, the Great Blue Hole in Belize, a 124-meter-deep underwater cavity, and Colombia’s Caño Cristales river that changes color to red, yellow, and green from July to November. These destinations provide a different perspective on our planet and invite exploration of lesser-known facets of our world.
These structures demonstrate the boundaries of architectural design. From the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco to the Lotus Temple in New Delhi, architecture takes unconventional forms. The buildings combine technical innovation with artistic expression.
Mount Wutai
65.7 km
Yungang Grottoes
70.6 km
Pagoda of Fogong Temple
46.3 km
Huayan Temple
59.9 km
Datong Mass Grave Memorial
63.8 km
Nine Dragon Wall, Datong
59.6 km
Shanhua Temple
59.2 km
Datong Prince's Palace
59.8 km
Dailuoding
72.2 km
Bishan Temple
70.6 km
Jingtu temple in Yingxian
45.8 km
Yanshan Temple
48.2 km
Datong Museum
56.4 km
Tomb of Li Yumei
4.9 km
Datong Drum Tower
59.5 km
Pagoda of Jueshan Temple
60.6 km
Pagoda of Yuanjue Temple
4.8 km
Chunyang Gong
59.6 km
Yong'an Temple (Hunyuan)
5 km
Gongzhu Temple
63.8 km
Datong Guanyin Tang
65.7 km
Site of Shanxi Third Middle School
62.3 km
Jiufeng Temple
44.8 km
Datong Confucian Temple
59 km
Tongmei NO.1 Middle School of Datong, Shanxi
61.9 km
大同市展览馆
60.3 km
Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Datong
59.4 km
Qifo Temple
71.4 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes