4The Hanging Temple, Shanxi, China
Clinging to the cliffs of Mount Heng, the Hanging Temple defies gravity and time. Built more than 1,500 years ago, the structure balances on wooden stilts driven deep into the rock face. Unusually, it integrates three Chinese religions—Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism—under one roof. The reason behind its precarious location remains speculative, with theories ranging from flood protection to spiritual elevation.
