Structures perched precariously on cliffs.

The temples, pagodas, churches, castles, and houses are built on precarious rock formations on the edge of the mountains. Some of these structures can only be visited by plane, or at least require exceptional mountaineering skills.

The Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe chapel near Le Puy-en-Velay in southern France is over 1,000 years old. It was built atop a volcano 73 meters high. To reach it, visitors must climb 268 steps carved into the rock.

nhà nguyện Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe — Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe Chapel

This stunning church sits atop Katskhi's Column in Georgia, 40 meters high. For centuries, locals could only gaze upon its mysterious ruins, with no way to reach them. Finally, in 1944, a group of mountaineers led by Alexander Japaridze climbed to the summit and discovered the remains of the chapel. Only those granted permission are allowed to continue their ascent up the rocky mountain.

Nhà thờ nằm trên đỉnh cột Katskhi ở Georgia — The church sits atop Katskhi Pillars in Georgia.

Meteora in central Greece boasts many magnificent monasteries. The Holy Trinity Monastery pictured here was built in 1392 and featured in a James Bond film. To reach the monastery, visitors must climb 140 steps.

Tu viện Chúa Ba Ngôi ở Hy Lạp — The Holy Trinity Monastery in Greece

The town of Bonifacio in Corsica is situated right on the edge of a limestone cliff. The only way to reach it is by boat.

Thị trấn Bonifacio ở Corsica — The town of Bonifacio in Corsica

The Hanging Temple, built against a cliff in Shanxi Province, China, in 491 AD, is called the Hanging Temple. It sits precariously on a cliff face, 50 meters above the ground, flanked by sheer cliffs over 100 meters high, as if cut by a knife. The temple gives visitors the feeling that it is impaled on the rock face.

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Castellfollit de la Roca is a picturesque medieval village built on basalt rock in northeastern Spain.

Ngôi làng Castellfollit de la Roca có từ thời Trung cổ — The village of Castellfollit de la Roca dates back to the Middle Ages.

The Popa Taungkalat temple is located on the crater of the extinct Popa volcano in central Myanmar. From a distance, the temple resembles a sand fortress. This temple is still used for religious activities.

Ngôi đền Popa Taungkalat — Popa Taungkalat Temple

This building sits atop a rock at Gaztelugatxeko Doniene, in the Bay of Biscay, off the coast of Spain. The building dates back to the 10th century and is connected to the mainland by a bridge.

Tòa nhà nằm trên tảng đá ở Gaztelugatxeko Doniene, trong vịnh Biscay (Tây Ban Nha) — The building sits atop a rock in Gaztelugatxeko Doniene, in the Bay of Biscay (Spain).

Casas Colgadas, meaning "hanging houses," is located in the province of Cuenca, Spain.

Ngôi nhà treo, ở tỉnh Cuenca, Tây Ban Nha — The Hanging House, in the province of Cuenca, Spain

Paro Taktsang Monastery is a Buddhist temple complex located in the Himalayas in Bhutan. Built in 1692, Paro Taktsang was almost completely destroyed in a fire in 1998. However, the Bhutanese government has donated funds to restore this famous structure.

Swallow's Nest Castle is located on the edge of the Aurora cliff in Crimea. Built in 1911, the castle survived an earthquake. Today, it is open to visitors and features a restaurant serving Italian food.

Lâu đài Swallow’s Nest — Swallow's Nest Castle

The Nugget Point Lighthouse is a landmark on New Zealand's South Island. A steep path leads visitors to this impressive structure. Construction of Nugget Point began in 1870 and took four years to complete.

Ngọn hải đăng Nugget Point — Nugget Point Lighthouse

This is the town of Corte in Corsica. Perched atop a rocky hill is an ancient citadel, a tourist office, and a museum of Corsica.

Thành cổ ở thị trấn Corte ở Corsica — The ancient citadel in the town of Corte in Corsica.

The picturesque village of Manarola sits atop a cliff in northwestern Italy. It is famous for its sweet Sciacchetra wine.

Làng Manarola ở Tây Bắc nước Ý — The village of Manarola in northwestern Italy

The tiny village of Vernazza sits atop a cliff on the Cinque Terre coast of Italy. Cars are not allowed here. Once, this fishing village was protected by the Italian navy from pirates.

Làng Vernazza nhỏ bé ở bờ biển Cinque Terre nước Ý — The small village of Vernazza on the coast of Cinque Terre, Italy.

The ruins of Dunnottar Castle in Stonehaven, Scotland, are not as tall as the other structures mentioned above, but it was once the residence of national hero William Wallace, Queen Mary of Scots, and King Charles II. The castle is open to tourists year-round.