SUSPENDED MONASTERY

History. Built on a mountain side, more than 50 meters high, this Buddhist monastery was built in the seventh century and is now unique in China… The Xuankongsi monastery, whose Chinese name means «monastery suspended in the air», was founded during the North Wei dynasty (386-534), and built on the vertical wall of the Jinlong canyon near Mount Hengshan.

Visit. From the arrival on the gigantic parking lot, you can see very distinctly the vast monastery that seems to float in the clouds. Then we start the climb (which is not mandatory since you can choose a ticket that gives access to the site but not to the rise for those who are subject to vertirod). The latter consists of a long flight of steps until arrival on the last parapet, right next to the main entrance of the temple. It is by here that the height and ingenuity of the construction that allows this temple to appear as suspended in the air is best realized. Then we enter the structure and walk out of room halls, all connected by small traverses that literally float in the void… Very impressive! The visit follows a path that makes the entire temple tower and can then be descended by the arrival path. This place is very touristic, it is one of the main destinations around the city of Datong… The crowd can be dense, especially during the Chinese holidays. But do not fear anything: The site is very secure.

To note, the visit of the suspended monastery can match with the visit of the caves of Yungang if you plan a great day of visit (these two sites are fast enough, plan to leave early…).