Highlights
- One of the largest surviving wooden halls in China
- Liao dynasty sculpture and frescoes
- An underground palace of Buddhist relics
- A short walk from the Nine Dragon Screen
A capital temple of the Liao dynasty
Huayan Temple was the main temple of the Liao dynasty (907–1125) when Datong was its western capital. It is split into an upper and a lower temple, and the scale of the main halls reflects its former status as a royal foundation.
The Mahavira Hall is among the largest wooden Buddhist halls surviving in China, and the Liao-era sculptures inside — particularly the bodhisattvas with their distinctive rounded faces and heavy ornament — are the reason many travellers rate Huayan above the more famous reconstructed sites.
What to look for
The Liao sculptures in the main hall, which survived later rebuilds and fires.
The ceiling and bracket sets (dougong), which show the timber engineering of the period.
The underground palace, a modern addition that houses relics and is easy to miss if you do not look for the entrance.
Practical information
- Tickets
- ¥50 peak season (official, 2026)
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Best time
- Any time of day; quieter in the afternoon
- Location
- Inside the old city, walking distance from the Nine Dragon Screen
- Getting there
- Walk or short taxi ride within the old city walls.
Prices and opening hours change seasonally. Verify current details before you travel.
Plan the booking
Book your Datong trip
Hanging Temple climbing tickets are capped at 2,475 a day and reservations open only seven days ahead. Check the official channel and current rules before booking; partner tour links do not replace the temple ticket.
Day tours & tickets
Guided day trips that pair the Hanging Temple with Mount Heng — the day that is hardest to do without a car.
Hotels in Datong
Live rates for the old city and the area around the grottoes. Peak-season rooms go first.
Travel insurance
Cover for medical costs, cancellations and delays. Cheap next to the price of an evacuation.
Affiliate disclosure: bookings made through these links may earn us a commission. You pay the same price.
Travel tips
- Combine with the Nine Dragon Screen and the city wall — all three are inside the old city and walkable.
- The temple is far less crowded than the Yungang Grottoes, which makes it a good afternoon option.