Hanging Temple of Datong Travel Guide | A Millennium-Old Temple Suspended on Cliffs

| A Millennium-Old Temple Suspended on Cliffs. Hanging Temple of Datong Travel Guide | A Millennium-Old Temple Suspended on Cliffs – This Ultimate Guide Takes You to Explore the "Temple in the Air" ✨ I. The Astonishing Facts About the Hanging Temple *"A perilous tower a hundred feet high, where one could pluck the stars with their hands."* – This temple in the air, built during the Northern Wei Dynasty, has a history of over 1,500 years! The entire structure is supported by just 27 wooden beams as thick as a bowl's mouth, with its highest point 50 meters above the ground. It was named one of the *"World's Top Ten Most Dangerous Buildings"* by *TIME Magazine*. II. Must-Know Practical Guide Before You Go 📌 **Basic Info** 📍 **Address**: West of Jinlong Gorge, Mount Heng, Hunyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi Province 🕒 **Opening Hours**: - Summer (Apr–Oct): 8:00 AM–6:00 PM - Winter (Nov–Mar): 8:30 AM–5:30 PM 💰 **Ticket Prices**: - Entrance Fee: ¥15 (Mandatory) - Climbing Fee: ¥100 (Highly Recommended) - Mount Heng Combo Ticket: ¥113 (Includes Mount Heng + Hanging Temple) ⚠️ **Important Notes** 1️⃣ Climbing requires ascending steep iron ladders—not recommended for those with acrophobia or heart conditions. 2️⃣ During peak season (May–Oct), visitor limits apply—arrive before 7:30 AM. 3️⃣ Drones are prohibited (monitored by radar). 4️⃣ Best photo spot: Viewing platform at the temple parking lot. III. Transportation Guide ✈️ **Long-Distance Travel** - **Datong Yungang Airport → Hanging Temple**: ~1.5-hour taxi ride (~¥180). - **Taiyuan Wusu Airport → Hanging Temple**: Take high-speed rail to Datong South Station, then transfer. 🚗 **Local Transport** 1️⃣ **Tourist Shuttle**: Datong Bus Station → Hunyuan (6 daily trips, ¥25). 2️⃣ **Private Car**: ~¥300/day for 3–4 people (includes Mount Heng). 3️⃣ **Self-Drive**: Navigate to *"Hanging Temple Ecological Parking Lot"* (¥10 parking fee). IV. In-Depth Itinerary 🕗 **Recommended Schedule** - 7:30 AM: Arrive at the parking lot (avoid tour groups). - 8:00 AM: Climb the temple (best lighting). - 9:30 AM: Visit Mount Heng (optional). - 12:00 PM: Try *Hunyang Liangfen* (cold jelly noodles). 🏯 **Must-See Highlights** 1️⃣ **Three Religions Hall**: A rare fusion of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. 2️⃣ **Li Bai’s Drunken Calligraphy**: The plaque *"Zhuang Guan"* (with an extra dot on *"Zhuang"*). 3️⃣ **Thrilling Plank Walk**: Narrowest section fits only one person. 4️⃣ **Underwater Wonder**: During rainy seasons, witness *"Golden Dragon Spitting Jade."* V. Photography Tips 📸 **Best Spots**: - Hillside opposite the temple (requires telephoto lens). - Overhead shots while climbing (wide-angle for dramatic effect). VI. Nearby Food Guide 🍜 **Must-Try Dishes**: ✔️ *Hunyuan Liangfen* (Xiaoxifu Liangfen flagship store). ✔️ *Daoxiao Noodles* (Cai Family Restaurant). ✔️ Sea Buckthorn Juice (local specialty). ✔️ Yellow Rice Cake (Guse Guxiang Restaurant). VII. Accommodation Recommendations 🏨 **Luxury**: Hunyuan Zhou Shu Posthouse (traditional courtyard). 🏡 **Unique**: Hanging Temple Homestay (mountain views). 💸 **Budget**: Home Inn (Hunyuan Branch). VIII. Insider Tips 1️⃣ May close temporarily after rain/snow. 2️⃣ Incense burning is prohibited (eco-friendly policy). 3️⃣ More mystical when icy in winter. 4️⃣ Nearby Geological Museum is worth a visit. 💬 **Personal Experience**: Standing on the cliffside plank walk, with the wind howling and a sheer drop below, I finally understood why ancient people called it *"a celestial palace on a fairy mountain."* This awe-inspiring experience from a thousand years ago is worth witnessing firsthand!