The Top 3 Attractions You Should Not Miss in Luoyang
Luoyang, one of the ancient capitals of China, is a city with a rich historical and cultural heritage. Below are some of the most notable tourist attractions that cannot be missed when visiting this city.
Longmen Grottoes
The Longmen Grottoes, along with the Datong Grottoes and the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, are one of the three great grottoes of China. Located 12 km south of Luoyang, these grottoes primarily depict Buddhist themes and are densely carved along the Xiangshan (to the east) and Longmenshan (to the west) mountains. In total, there are more than 2,100 niches, more than 100,000 statues, about 40 pagodas and 3,600 inscriptions and steles in the Guyang, Binyang and Lianhua caves.
The construction of these grottoes began in the 5th century, when the Wei Dynasty moved its capital from Datong to Luoyang. At that time, Chinese Buddhism was at its peak, and the emperor was a devout believer. Sculpting work continued during the Wei Dynasty and reached another peak during the Tang Dynasty. After 1,500 years, the Longmen Grottoes are still magnificent, reflecting the developments and changes in ancient China in political, economic, religious and cultural aspects, and have contributed greatly to grotto art in China.
White Horse Temple
The White Horse Temple, located east of Luoyang, is considered the first Buddhist temple in China, founded in 68 AD. under the patronage of the Ming Emperor. With its distinctive red walls, exquisite palaces and pagoda towers, the temple stands amidst green pine and cypress forests, adding a solemn and tranquil quality to the complex. It is honored as "the cradle of Buddhism in China."
The temple has more than 1,900 years of history and is well preserved. This grand ancient structure is divided into several parts, such as the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Hall of the Great Buddha, the Hall of Mahavira, the Hall of Guidance and the Cool and Clear Terrace, which appear in proper order in the temple, as they were when they were built.
Shaolin Temple
The Shaolin Temple is located 75 km southeast of the city of Luoyang and is one of the most famous ancient temples, known for Chinese Kung Fu or martial arts and Zen Buddhism widely spread in East Asia.
The Shaolin Temple is famous for the combination of the Chan school and martial arts. It rose to fame during the Sui and Tang dynasties. In the Song Dynasty, the 13 Shaolin monks were ennobled for saving the life of the king of Qin. Soon, Shaolin martial arts developed into its own system and became famous as the only Shaolin school among Chinese martial circles. Nowadays, it is a very popular tourist destination in China.
These are the best attractions to visit in Luoyang. Don't miss them when planning your tour of this city.
