Luoyang Day Tour: Longmen Grottoes + White Horse Temple + Luoyang Ancient City
Welcome to Luoyang. Luoyang is located in western Henan Province, east of Xi'an, and is one of China's Four Great Ancient Capitals. It was once the capital of thirteen dynasties and the eastern starting point of the ancient Silk Road. During the Tang Dynasty, Luoyang flourished as the Eastern Capital and was comparable to the Western Capital Chang'an (present-day Xi'an). In 684 AD, Wu Zetian, the first and only female emperor in Chinese history, officially made Luoyang the capital and gave it an imposing name - "Shendu" (Divine Capital). Even today, the architectural style of Luoyang's most famous Longmen Grottoes is deeply influenced by the Wu Zetian era. In addition, Luoyang is also known as the "City of Peonies." If you visit in spring, you can witness the moving scene of flowers blooming throughout the city.
This morning, our experienced guide will take you to visit the Longmen Grottoes in the southern suburbs of Luoyang. The Longmen Grottoes are regarded as the foremost of China's Four Great Grottoes and house the largest and most exquisite stone carving art treasures from the Northern Wei to Tang Dynasty (316-907 AD). In 2000, the Longmen Grottoes were inscribed on the World Heritage List.
The Longmen Grottoes were carved into the steep limestone cliffs on both banks of the Yi River. There are more than 2,300 existing caves and niches on the east and west hills, stretching for about 1 km. Here, you can admire nearly 110,000 Buddhist stone statues, more than 60 pagodas, and more than 2,800 inscriptions, all of which are Buddhist-themed artistic masterpieces. They are hailed as the "highest peak of Chinese stone carving art" and are the world's largest and most numerous treasure house of stone carving art.
The tour focuses on the West Hill Grottoes. The most breathtaking is Fengxian Temple. The 17.14-meter-high Vairocana Buddha in the temple has a kind face and a faint smile. Folk tradition often associates it with the image of Wu Zetian, and it is therefore praised as the "Oriental Mona Lisa." On both sides of the Buddha are four pairs of attendant statues, including disciples, bodhisattvas, heavenly kings, and warriors, magnificent in scale.
You will also pass the Ten Thousand Buddha Cave - densely carved with 15,000 small Buddha statues, the smallest only 2 cm high, very impressive. The Ten Thousand Buddha Cave was carved in 680 AD during the Tang Dynasty and is one of the caves with the most complete statue combinations at the Longmen Grottoes. In addition, do not miss the Three Binyang Caves, carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty and ordered by Emperor Xiaowen to commemorate his father; another highlight is the Prescription Cave, which contains more than 140 inscriptions recording treatments for various diseases; finally, do not forget to visit Guyang Cave, astonishing for its ancient and exquisite statues.
Recommended tour route for Longmen Grottoes (West Hill highlights route)
North Gate → Yuwang Pool → Qianxi Temple → Three Binyang Caves → Three Buddha Niches on the Cliff → Ten Thousand Buddha Cave → Lotus Cave → Fengxian Temple → Guyang Cave → Prescription Cave → South Gate, about 2-3 hours in total. If time permits, you can also cross the bridge to the East Hill Grottoes on the opposite bank of the Yi River to continue visiting.
After visiting the Longmen Grottoes, you will head to the White Horse Temple, about 12 km east of Luoyang city center (about 20-30 minutes by car). The White Horse Temple was first built in the 11th year of Yongping of the Eastern Han Dynasty (68 AD). It is China's first officially established temple and is revered by the Buddhist community as the "source of Buddhism" and "ancestral court," enjoying the reputation of "China's first ancient temple." There is a moving story about the origin of the temple's name: it is said that Emperor Ming of Han sent envoys westward to seek Buddhist teachings, and two Indian monks carried Buddhist scriptures and statues to Luoyang on white horses. Emperor Ming ordered the construction of this temple, hence the name "White Horse Temple." This thousand-year-old temple has played an irreplaceable role in the history of the spread of Buddhism in China.
The most unique feature of the White Horse Temple is that it not only preserves the solemnity of a traditional temple but also brings together Buddhist hall architecture in the styles of China, India, Myanmar, and Thailand - this is unique in the world, allowing you to immersively experience the beauty of the integration of Buddhist cultures from four countries. You can follow the temple's central axis and visit the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Great Buddha Hall, the Mahavira Hall, the Qingliang Terrace, and the Jieyin Hall in sequence, and you can also go to see the Qiyun Pagoda in the temple. In addition, the distinctive Thai-style Buddhist hall, Myanmar-style Buddhist hall, and Indian-style Buddhist hall will surely give you the wonderful experience of "touring four countries."
Afterward, you will return by car to Luoyang city center and visit Luoyang Ancient City, centered on the landmark Lijing Gate. Lijing Gate was first built in the Jin Dynasty (1217 AD) and was the west gate of the ancient capital Luoyang, known as the "First Gate of the Central Plains." This place has a long history, and folk sayings include "If you don't visit Lijing Gate, your trip to Luoyang is in vain" and "Luoyang peonies are the best under heaven, and the Lijing city tower is unmatched in the world."
Stepping into the ancient city, along the old streets with gray bricks and tiles, there are historic residences, lively food streets, and distinctive small shops, vividly showing the bustling market life of ancient Luoyang. You can slow down, taste a bowl of authentic Bufan Soup, bite into a crispy and fragrant peony flower cake, or pick out a few souvenirs you like. Adding even more ancient charm, today's old city is filled with young people wearing ruqun and Hanfu - in small groups, strolling with fans or smiling by the railings, as if by accident they have traveled back with you to that elegant and peerless ancient China.
After the tour, your 1-day classic Luoyang tour will come to an end. Our driver will take you to Luoyang Railway Station, making it convenient for you to take a subsequent high-speed train to your next destination.
🍽️ Lunch included
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