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Xuankong Si Monastery, China

From series “The Surviving Artifacts of the Confucian Civilization”
Year: 491.

Fans of the Confucian culture have an amazing opportunity to visit the Hanging Temple. The monastery is located in the province of Shanxi. It was built against a hillside of the sacred mountain Hengshan. The Hanging Temple is a unique temple complex, which combines the Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian shrines. The monastery was built in 491. Its main feature is its location. All 40 halls and pavilions are literally hanging over a precipice that inadvertently gives an impression that they could collapse at any moment. In fact, all the buildings grip on wooden stilts abutting against the rock.

Xuankong Si Monastery, China It is noteworthy, that the rock itself is also an integral part of the architecture. It replaces the rear wall of the premises. In some pavilions, niches are carved in walls. Statues and other religious paraphernalia are set there. The Hanging Temple is the only temple in China, in which three religious-philosophical schools were merged. However, in most cases, travelers are attracted not with its high religious significance.

They're doing a long way to walk along narrow wooden bridges over the precipice to admire the antique sculptures and objects of religious utensils, as well as to look at the monks who chose to live in such unusual circumstances. Literally, the Chinese name of the monastery means Temple Floating in the Air. The monk Liao Ran is considered to be its founder. He intentionally erected the monastic abode in such a remote place to protect it from outsiders, as well as to create a shield from the effects of nature. Next - Xi'an Beilin Museum


Shanghai Wen Miao, China Shanghai Wen Miao, China
  Shanghai Wen Miao, China   Xi'an Beilin Museum, China  
Xi'an Beilin Museum, China Xi'an Beilin Museum, China

Xuankong Si Monastery - interactive map

Useful staff nearby

ATM bankomat: 'Shanxi Rural Credit Union 24-hour Self-service Bank' located in 2.59 km ( check the route on the map).
Fuel station: 'Filling Station' in 1.5 km
Supermarket: 'Yuelu Convenience Store' in 2.6 km
Parking: 'Parking Lot' in 0.93 km
Apotheek: 'Hengkang Big Drugstores' in 2.4 km
Cafe/restaurant: 'Yuanwei Farmhouse Banquet' in 1.05 km
Railway station: '浑源汽车站' in 2.56 km

Nearest airports:
 »  Taiyuan Airport TYN - in 232 km
 »  Beijing Capital Airport PEK - in 250 km
 Cities nearby

Best hotels near Xuankong Si

Datong Weidu International Hotel

Located in 56 km from Xuankong Si
Route on the map:
Rooms: 289
Guests can work out at the gym, play billiards and table tennis, or relaxing with a spa treatment. There is also a gift shop on site for last minute … More: photo, rates and booking
Holiday Inn Datong City Centre

Located in 57 km from Xuankong Si
Route on the map:
Rooms: 212
Featuring elegant furnishings, air-conditioned rooms at Datong Holiday Inn have carpeted flooring and cable TV. An electronic safe is provided. … More: photo, rates and booking
Yanbei Hotel

Located in 58 km from Xuankong Si
Route on the map:
Rooms: 205
Fitted with carpeted flooring, all rooms come with a TV, personal safe and minibar. Suites have a separate living room and a personal computer. En … More: photo, rates and booking
Yanghua Villa

Located in 75 km from Xuankong Si
Route on the map:
Rooms: 65
The non-smoking Yanghua Villa is a 3-minute drive from the famous Wuye Temple, a 20-minute walk from Nanshan Temple. Wutai Mount Railway Station is … More: photo, rates and booking

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