1,500-year-old Hanging Temple under revamp

An ancient temple in north China known for its perilous perch on a sheer cliff is closed for renovation to protect it from falling rocks.

The 1,500-year-old Hanging Temple on Hengshan Mountain in Shanxi Province is closed to tourists after its roof was damaged by a falling rock in October, its administration said.

Many religions

The temple houses statues of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.

“Workers are now reinforcing a wall designed to protect it against falling rocks from above, while building a second paralleled wall and a safety net to ensure “double protection,” Qi Yanming, who heads the revamp project said. The project has received 3 million yuan ($472,000) in funds from the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, Qi said.

It is still unknown when the temple will reopen. The temple consists of 40 rooms connected by a series of corridors, bridges and walkways and houses more than 80 bronze, iron and clay statue.