In Shanxi, there are not only magnificent grotto statues and historical buildings, but also many intangible cultural heritages that have been circulated among the people. In recent years, relying on rich historical and cultural relics resources, Shanxi has vigorously developed tourism. In 2023, Shanxi's 66 key monitoring scenic spots will receive more than 80 million tourists. To go to Shanxi to check in the cultural tour, the Hanging Temple in Hunyuan, Datong City is also a must for many tourists, the Hanging Temple was built in the Northern Wei Dynasty, about 1500 years ago, this wooden structure building complex built on the cliff, set architecture, aesthetics, multicultural integration in one.
Nestled between the cliffs, how did this temple survive thousands of years? Follow the reporter to see where the Hanging Temple is "hanging"?
Reporter He Weitong: Standing on Heng Mountain, which is more than 2,000 meters above sea level, it is famous for its majestic and steep slopes. The knife-like stone wall behind me is actually curved. The palm of my hand is like this stone wall, and the Hanging Temple is in this arc recess. The ancient temple is located about 60 meters above the ground, which is equivalent to a 20-story building. This is the hanging temple that integrates the characteristics of "hanging, strange and ingenious".
Reporter He Weitong: 1,500 years ago, why did the ancients build a temple on a cliff? What kind of mystery is hidden in this? We're all about it.
Suspend. This nursery rhyme circulated locally sings the first characteristic of the Hanging Temple, that is, "hanging". Viewed from the side, the entire Hanging Temple looks like it hangs on a cliff, suspended in mid-air.
Reporter He Weitong: The position I am in now is the pure suspended part of the entire Hanging Temple, which is really high from the ground, and there is a feeling of vertigo. I just counted, and there are thirty pillars standing like this. But I noticed a strange phenomenon, you see, these standing pillars actually move?
Hao Weihe, a cultural relics protection expert in Hunyuan County, Shanxi: The Hanging Temple seems to be supported by these columns, but in fact, the upper beams play a major supporting role.
These beams are made of hard hemlock wood, soaked in tung oil for a long time, and then made into a scissor shape at one end, inserted into a wooden wedge, and then inserted into the stone hole, like an expansion bolt, the tighter and tighter they become. In the end, two-thirds are driven and one-third is exposed, serving as support points for pavilions and plank paths, each of which can withstand several tons of weight.
Strange. Tour guide: The strangeness of the Hanging Temple is reflected in its location and positioning.
Reporter He Weitong: This tour guide explained the second characteristic of the Hanging Temple-strange, first of all, the strangeness in the location.
On the one hand, the Cuiping Peak on the back of the Hanging Temple and the Tianfeng Ridge on the opposite side are like two "shading panels", blocking most of the sunlight, so as to avoid the long-term exposure and aging of the wooden buildings. On the other hand, the Hanging Temple, which is located in the recess of the cliff face, has a protruding cliff at the top, like a "big shed", which plays two roles, one is to reduce rainwater erosion, and the other is to avoid rockfalls on the top of the mountain.
Skillful. Reporter He Weitong: This stone carving of "Gong Loses Heavenly Skill" points out the third characteristic of the Hanging Temple - Qiao.
The ingenuity of the Hanging Temple is mainly the ingenuity of the layout. On the whole, the main building of the Hanging Temple is composed of two flying buildings in the north and south, with two plank roads in the middle forming a closed-loop visit route.
Reporter He Weitong: There are different opinions about the origin of the Hanging Temple, and there is no conclusion so far, but after thousands of years of wind and frost, it tells people its unique suspense, strangeness, ingenuity and the story behind it.
*: CCTV news client.