悬空寺

Why this place

The Hanging Monastery was built in 491 CE into a sheer cliff at Hengshan, held on beams set into the rock and protected by an overhang — which is why it has survived 1,500 years of weather. It is also unusual in housing Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian halls in the same complex.

What to see

• The temple complex itself, on its walkways high up the cliff
• The three religions' halls, side by side in one building
• The Hengshan mountain scenery and the reservoir below
• The Beiyue Temple and the old town of Hunyuan, nearby

What to eat

• Shanxi noodles and oat dishes; Hunyuan's 'liangfen' cold noodles
• Lamb from the surrounding plateau

How to plan

Half a day from Datong, often combined with the Yungang Grottoes.

Best time

May–October