This Monastery Has Clung to a Cliff for 1,500 Years on Stilts and a Prayer
There are buildings that impress you with their size, and then there are buildings that make you question the laws of physics. The Hanging Monastery near Datong falls squarely in the latter category. It doesn’t sit on a mountain; it clings precariously to a sheer cliff face, seemingly glued to the rock 75 meters (246 ft) above the ground. Your first thought isn't just "how?" but "why?"
The experience of visiting is a thrill for the soul and the senses. You’ll climb a series of steep steps to reach the entrance, and from there, you’ll walk along narrow, rickety-feeling wooden catwalks that connect a series of small, exquisitely decorated pavilions. With every step, you are acutely aware of the sheer drop just inches away. What makes it even more unique is that this is the only monastery in China that combines the country's three main religions: you’ll find statues of Buddha, Confucius, and Laozi all housed together under one roof, a beautiful symbol of tolerance and harmony clinging to a cliff against all odds.
Insider Tip:
The monastery is small and its walkways are very narrow, creating bottlenecks when tour groups arrive. Go as early as humanly possible on a weekday. Being one of the first visitors of the day allows you to experience the site in relative quiet, enhancing both the spiritual and vertigo-inducing atmosphere.
