Hanging halfway up a sheer cliff, as if gravity had chosen to look the other way, the Xuankong Temple in Datong, Shanxi province, clings to the nearly vertical side of the Cuiping Mountain, concealing its 1,500-year-old secret of stability.

Wooden beams, carved and fitted without a single nail, anchor deep into the rock. More than architecture, it is a meditation in wood and faith, a place where visitors from across the world come to gasp, not just at the vertiginous drop, but at the audacity of ancient Chinese architects.

With the popularity of video game Black Myth: Wukong, which sets some of its scenes against the backdrop of the temple, the scenic spot is becoming a must-visit for tourists.

"What shocks me is that after 1,500 years, it can still hang so well on the mountainside," said Ukrainian tourist Yana in a post on the short video platform Douyin. "I've never been to such a staggering scenic spot, so I recommend to everyone: come and see it."

The surge in visitors has led to long lines, with waiting times stretching for hours during peak seasons. Local authorities announced that from Wednesday, the daily ticket quota for ascending the temple will be reduced from 3,275 to 2,475. This move aims to reduce the load on the ancient structure.

The original construction of the complex is not recorded, yet the mainstream view links it to Taoist priest Kou Qianzhi, who is said to have used his last words to order that "a temple in the air" be built by his disciples during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). They later fulfilled his wish, and the temple has been restored and rebuilt over many following dynasties.

The temple's true engineering brilliance lies not in its visible upright pillars, but in the horizontal beams. Hao Weihe, a local heritage expert, said the beams are made of durable hemlock, shaped like scissors at one end and driven deep into the cliff. Like expansion bolts, they tighten with depth — two-thirds embedded, one-third exposed to support the structure. Each can bear several metric tons.

The temple also holds cultural significance. The Hall of Three Religions houses statues of the Buddha, Confucius and Taoism representative philosopher Lao Tzu, reflecting religious harmony, said Zhu Zhifang, a tour guide at the temple. Visitors can also admire the exquisite carvings on the upturned eaves, roof tiles and corners of the plank paths, she added.