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China - Shanxi - The Xuankong Si monastery clings precariously to the side of Heng Shan mountain range

The "suspended in the air" monastery, correctly known as Xuankong Si, precariously hangs off the Heng Shan mountain range, 65 Kms south east of Datong city, west of Beijing northern Shanxi province.
This current temple dates back to the 6th century, is comprised of 40 halls of differing sizes, interconnected with narrow walkways or corridors on varying levels. It contain numerous small shrines with 80 statues of Confucian, Buddhist and Daoist gods in stone, iron, clay and bronze. It attracts vast numbers of Chinese pilgrims and tourists which travel and marvel at its astonishing feat of architectural engineering seen most impressively as you look down into the deep ravine which lies directly below the monastery, apart from its fair share of rain, storms, and earthquakes that have never destroyed this architectural wonder.

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Christopher Pillitz
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The "suspended in the air" monastery, correctly known as Xuankong Si, precariously hangs off the Heng Shan mountain range, 65 Kms south east of Datong city, west of Beijing northern Shanxi province. <br /> This current temple dates back to the 6th century, is comprised of 40 halls of differing sizes, interconnected with narrow walkways or corridors on varying levels. It contain numerous small shrines with 80 statues of Confucian, Buddhist and Daoist gods in stone, iron, clay and bronze. It attracts vast numbers of Chinese pilgrims and tourists which travel and marvel at its astonishing feat of architectural engineering seen most impressively as you look down into the deep ravine which lies directly below the monastery, apart from its fair share of rain, storms, and earthquakes that have never destroyed this architectural wonder.
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