Xuankongsi, beilou 懸空寺北樓

Building Information

The northern tower of Xuankongsi is a three-story tower, 7 meters in length and 4 meters in width. The first story consists of a Five Buddhas Hall (Wufodian五佛殿), sheltered by a single set of eaves (單檐). Occupying a total area of 11.19 square meters it enshrines the statues of the Five Buddhas. The second story consists of a Three Saints (or Sages) Hall (Sanshengdian 三聖殿) occupying an area of 8.34 square meters with eaves and galleries cantilevered out into space (檐廊懸空). Located on the third floor of the northern tower and at the highest position of the entire temple complex, the Hall of the Three Teachings (三教殿) is one of the most iconic sites of Xuankongsi. Crowned by a single eaves, hip-gable roof (單檐歇山頂), it occupies a total area of 8.33 square meters. This building houses the key figures of the three most influential religions in China: Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism.1