Cliffside Hanging Temple to reopen after rock damage

Photo taken on Nov. 21, 2012 shows the Hanging Temple built upon crags of Hengshan Mountain, Datong, north China's Shanxi Province. The Hanging Temple, involving the Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, could date back to Northern Wei Dynasty (386-535 AD). The unique wooden structure has kept it on the cliff face for more than 1500 years, and made it survived from several earthquakes. In 2010, the Hanging Temple listed on "World's Top 10 Most Dangerous Architectures" by the Time Magazine. (Xinhua/Fan Minda)

TAIYUAN, April 29 -- An ancient temple known for its precarious perch on a cliff face in north China will reopen in time for the May Day holiday after being damaged by a falling rock last year.

The Hanging Temple in Hunyuan County, Shanxi Province, was closed in October, when the rock fell through its roof.

Guo Lingxia, deputy director of the temple's administration team, said workers had reinforced a wall designed to protect the building against falling rocks, and repaired and revamped the roof.

Anticipating a tourist rush during the coming three-day holiday, the administrators have organized a thorough clean of the temple's 400 halls and rooms, and increased parking.