Illegal mining threatens ancient 'Hanging Temple'  

懸空寺要被挖煤的挖“懸空” 恒山景區稱無權處罰

以飛梁架柱、凌空而起著稱的山西旅游勝地懸空寺，最近被推上了輿論的風口浪尖。有網友稱，懸空寺所在的翠屏山背后竟然有人偷偷挖煤，這對擁有1500余年歷史的懸空寺景區環境造成了極大的破壞，并呼吁“別讓懸空寺真的‘懸’了”。[查看全文]

(ECNS) -- Illegal coal mining has left Shanxi's Xuankong Temple, or "Hanging Temple," in a dangerously precarious position, the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reports.

Built around 1400AD, the temple is positioned in a cliff 75 meters above the ground, and famous for its steepness and elaborate design.

"People started to dig for coal near the scenic spot in April 2012," said a local resident, who added that they also built a small coal yard a mile from the spot.

A netizen who worried about the safety of the ancient structure pleaded: "Please don't let the temple really hang in the air!"

Other netizens asked: "How dare people turn a scenic spot into a coal mine?" and "What has the local authority done to curb such activity?"

The administrative commission of the temple said that although they shouldered the responsibility for protecting the scenic spot, they were not entitled to punish or fine anyone for destroying the surrounding environment.

There is also a law enforcement department responsible for curbing illegal mining in Hunyuan county, but it said there is nothing it can do now. "The boss of the illegal coal mine has fled and the mining activity has stopped, and we have nothing to do with an abandoned coal mine," said an official at the department.

Located near Mount Heng in Hunyuan county, Datong city, Shanxi province, Xuankong Temple has a history of more than 1,500 years.

The temple is notable not only for its location on a sheer precipice, but also because it is the only existing temple with the combination of three Chinese traditional religions: Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.

The structure is kept in place with oak crossbeams fitted into holes chiseled into the cliffs. The main supportive structure was hidden inside the bedrock.