The spectacular Hanging Temple in China - PHOTO

For some travellers the phrase 'seen one temple you've seen them all' rings true, but The Xuan Kong Si Hanging Temple in China would impress even the most cynical among them. Also known as the Suspension Temple, this unique monument was built into a cliff by monks near Mount Heng, near Datong, more than 1,500 years ago.'Hanging' 246 feet (75 metres) above the ground, it's also notable for being the only temple left that represents a combination of traditional Chinese religions Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Far from form over function, the structure was said to have been built to avoid floods and was placed cleverly beneath an overhang to shelter it from rain, snow and sun - which goes a way to explaining its excellent condition today. The temple of 40 rooms connected by a series of corridors, bridges and walkways defies gravity due to oak crossbeams which plug into holes chiseled into the cliff-side, with the buildings' main support structure deep in the bedrock.More than 80 statues of bronze, iron and clay are found in the temple representing the range of dynasties which have occupied and maintained it over the years.(dailymail.co.uk)Bakudailly.az