Ask a QuestionWhat are the Best Places to Visit in Luoyang? As one of the ancient capital cities of China, Luoyang is a saint city in respect of the historical and cultural background. Where to visit in Luoyang? Come with us, you will not miss any top attraction of this city. You can visit the so well-known Longmen Grottoes, you will be impressed by the dignified temples and time-honored architectures that built decades ago, etc.
Longmen Grottoes, along with Yungang Grottoes in Datong and Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, are the 3 Great Grottoes of China. Located 12km to the south of Luoyang, the grottoes, which overwhelmingly depict Buddhist subjects, is densely dotted along the two mountains: Xiangshan (to the east) and Longmenshan (to the west). There are over 2100 niches, more than 100,000 statues, some 40 pagodas and 3600 tablets and steles in the caves of Guyang, Binyang and Lianhua.
Carving began in the 5th century when the Wei dynasty moved its capital from Datong (where they created the famous Yungang Groto) to Luoyang. At this time, Chinese Buddhism was reaching its first peak, and the emperor was a pious believer. Carving continued after the Wei dynasty and the Tang Dynasty witnessed the second peak of Buddhist belief.
After 1,500 years, Longmen Grottoes is still magnificent. Its rich content reflects from different aspects the development and changes in ancient China's politics, economy, religion and culture. It has contributed tremendously to the creation and development of Chinese grotto art.
Located east of Luoyang, White Horse Temple is said to be the first Buddhist temple in China, which was established in 68 AD under the patronage of Emperor Ming. With its distinctive red walls, exquisite palaces and towering pagoda, the temple sits gently amid green pines and cypress groves, adding a solemn and silent quality to the complex. It is honored as ‘the Cradle of Buddhism in China’.
White Horse Temple is a historic sit with possesses more than 1,900 years with a well-preserved appearance. This great antique architecture can be divided into some parts namely the Hall of Heavenly Kings, Hall of the Great Buddha, Hall of Mahavira, Hall of Guidance and the Cool and Clear Terrace appear in proper order in the temple, as they were when it was first built.
Only 75km to the southeast of Luoyang City, Shaolin Temple is one of China's most famous ancient temples that famous for Chinese Kung Fu or Martial Arts and the Zen Buddhism wide-spread in East Asia.
Shaolin Temple is renowned for the coexistence of Chan School and martial art. It got its fame during in the Sui and Tang dynasties, in early Song Dunasty, the 13-Rod Monk was conferred title of nobility on saving the life of King of Qin. Soon the Shaolin martial art developed into its own system and became famous as the unique Shaolin School among Chinese martial circles. Today it has become an attractive tourist destination in China.
Pagoda Forest at Shaolin Temple
Pagoda Forest is the graveyard of the Shaolin Temple. Housing the tombs of eminent monks from different historical periods, it is the largest pagoda forest in China. The levels, or stories, on the pagodas must be odd numbers (from 1 to 7) and are based on the achievements of the Buddhist masters they were built for. The era the pagodas were built in affects the shape (round or square) and the number of sides (4 or 6).
More famous attractions in Chengdu please click Luoyang Attractions
Highly Recommended Tours: Luoyang Tours
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