shammee
01-17-2010, 09:27 PM
some of the most precarious locations on Earth.
Hanging Temple of Hengshan – China
http://i49.tinypic.com/bgvapy.jpg
http://i49.tinypic.com/sqqqtj.jpg
Literally hanging on the side of Mount Heng, 75 meters above ground, the temple of Hengshan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Datong province. Built during the Late Northern Wei Dynasty, over 1,500 years ago, by a monk named Liao Ran, the Hanging Temple has passed the test of time and gravity, sustained only by a few wooden poles.
This amazing display of architecture is comprised of 40 chambers dug into the cliff and linked together through a network of tunnels. Its uniqueness comes not only from its incredible location, but also from the fact that it hosts three religions, Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.
Meteora – Greecep
http://i47.tinypic.com/1iz51.jpg
http://i47.tinypic.com/21ose3k.jpg
Meteora (Greek for “suspended rocks”) is one of the most important religious sites in the world and a must-see attraction in Greece. It numbers six monasteries, built on natural rock pillars up to 550 meters tall. Although experts haven’t been able to determine when the monasteries of Meteora were built, evidence shows monks have been living here since the 11th century AD.There were originally 20 monasteries, built by monks and pilgrims seeking to escape from the invading Turks, but only six remain standing today. Constructing a monastery on giant sandstone pillars is a seemingly impossible task even in modern times, but the monks managed to build them using extremely long ladders tied together and rope systems. The ropes were replaced only “when the Lord let them break”. In the early 19th century, steps were carved into the rock making the entire complex considerably more accessible.
Nowadays, each of the six monasteries is inhabited by fewer than ten people and they mostly act as museums and tourist attractions. Five of the Meteora Monasteries are inhabited by monks and one by nuns.
Hanging Temple of Hengshan – China
http://i49.tinypic.com/bgvapy.jpg
http://i49.tinypic.com/sqqqtj.jpg
Literally hanging on the side of Mount Heng, 75 meters above ground, the temple of Hengshan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Datong province. Built during the Late Northern Wei Dynasty, over 1,500 years ago, by a monk named Liao Ran, the Hanging Temple has passed the test of time and gravity, sustained only by a few wooden poles.
This amazing display of architecture is comprised of 40 chambers dug into the cliff and linked together through a network of tunnels. Its uniqueness comes not only from its incredible location, but also from the fact that it hosts three religions, Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.
Meteora – Greecep
http://i47.tinypic.com/1iz51.jpg
http://i47.tinypic.com/21ose3k.jpg
Meteora (Greek for “suspended rocks”) is one of the most important religious sites in the world and a must-see attraction in Greece. It numbers six monasteries, built on natural rock pillars up to 550 meters tall. Although experts haven’t been able to determine when the monasteries of Meteora were built, evidence shows monks have been living here since the 11th century AD.There were originally 20 monasteries, built by monks and pilgrims seeking to escape from the invading Turks, but only six remain standing today. Constructing a monastery on giant sandstone pillars is a seemingly impossible task even in modern times, but the monks managed to build them using extremely long ladders tied together and rope systems. The ropes were replaced only “when the Lord let them break”. In the early 19th century, steps were carved into the rock making the entire complex considerably more accessible.
Nowadays, each of the six monasteries is inhabited by fewer than ten people and they mostly act as museums and tourist attractions. Five of the Meteora Monasteries are inhabited by monks and one by nuns.