China's Hengshan Temple: an ancient marvel of interfaith unity

Andy Hill

Roughly two hours’ drive from Datong, in a barren and windswept landscape, hangs one of the most remarkable structures ever built. It is also the only tri-religious temple in the world.

It hangs precipitously from the face of a cliff, and seems completely unlikely. Appearing to grow out of the cliff, it is as if a temple were shoved in with only a small part left sticking out. One of the world’s architectural wonders, the Hanging Temple of Hengshan is one of the most impressive things to see in this country of massively impressive architectural feats. 

Holes were drilled into the cliff face, and slowly platforms and stairways were built onto them, and eventually became forty rooms, connected by a thin, maze-like set of passageways. These contain nearly eighty statues, all dedicated to the religions of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.

A History of the Hanging Temple

The Hanging Temple is said to have been built by a monk named Liao Ran, who was eventually joined by other monks, in the 5^th century CE Wei dynasty. They built the temple into the side of the mountain not only to show their adamantine devotion, but also because this position protected them from frequent flooding. 

These original builders of Hengshan were Buddhist, but they were soon joined by both Taoist and Confucian monks. This is rare, to see three different major world religions represented by a single temple, and not from different times, but at the same time. 

It has been renovated in the centuries since it was constructed, but what you see when visiting the temple is mostly the original structure.

Visiting the Temple

From the train station in Datong, it is easy to find a taxi to Hengshan. After this 60km journey, the visitor pays a small ticket fee and walks to the front steps of the temple, which takes them many meters above the ground, to the entrance of the temple. 

Once inside, there are many thin passageways and stairwells, and the view from over the rail at many times is not for those who fear heights, as the temple hangs at a height of roughly 180 meters. 

There are forty rooms which include drum and bell towers, sleeping chambers, meditation rooms, eating rooms, and rooms for statues and sacred relics. The most impressive, however, is the Hall of Three Religions, which houses a statue of Lao-Tzu, Confucius, and the Buddha.

This 5^th century temple is one of the most important in the world, and surely one of the most impressive. Any visitor to China should take the time to go see the truly awe-inspiring Hanging Temple of Hengshan.