The Longmen Grottoes at 13 Long Men Zhong Jie in Luoyang, Henan, form one of China’s most spectacular and culturally significant Buddhist heritage sites. Stretching along both sides of the Yi River, this limestone cliff complex is home to more than 2,300 caves and niches carved over a kilometer, containing nearly 110,000 statues, more than 60 stupas, and over 2,800 inscribed steles. The sheer scale of the site is breathtaking; sculptures range dramatically in size from a few centimeters to towering Buddhas standing as much as seventeen meters tall. These works reflect a thousand-year artistic journey that began with the Northern Wei Dynasty in the late 5th century, flourished during the Tang Dynasty, and witnessed a gradual decline by the 12th century. Many of the carvings were commissioned by emperors, nobility, generals, and devout Buddhists, reflecting their aspiration for spiritual merit and their desire to contribute enduring legacies to the Buddhist faith. The craftsmanship displayed throughout the site is exceptional, showing a seamless fusion of Indian influences and evolving Chinese aesthetic ideals. Early caves, such as those on the West Hill carved during the Northern Wei, are characterized by serene, elongated figures, while later Tang-era sculptures capture tranquility with fuller, majestic forms and more intricate detailing. One of the most renowned highlights is the Fengxiansi Cave, where the colossal Vairocana Buddha is flanked by bodhisattvas, guardians, and heavenly kings, all carved with expressive faces and exquisitely detailed robes, symbolizing the pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist stone carving. These visual elements not only serve religious and artistic purposes but also reflect the wider development of politics, society, and culture in ancient China, as seen in the calligraphic inscriptions and medical texts etched into several grottoes. What truly elevates the Longmen Grottoes experience is the setting. The caves rise out of a lush riverside landscape in Luolong District, just south of Luoyang, the historic capital of thirteen Chinese dynasties. This harmonious blend of monumental stonework and tranquil natural surroundings creates an atmosphere that feels both majestic and contemplative. Visiting the Grottoes today immerses travelers not only in the profound artistic achievements of ancient China but also in a site that has been revered for centuries for its spiritual and historic resonance. Despite the passing of dynasties and occasional turbulence, the Longmen Grottoes endure as a testament to centuries of devotion, creativity, and cultural exchange, making them a truly unforgettable destination.

About 1 hour from Xi’an North (Xi’an Bei) Station, this destination makes for a perfect one-day trip. The high-speed train round-trip costs around 350 RMB from Xi’an. You can easily combine the visit with Guan Lin Temple (the Temple of Guan Yu) for a meaningful cultural and spiritual day tour. Be prepared for plenty of walking, as the site covers a large area with scenic routes both ways. On the return journey, you can choose to take a relaxing boat ride along the river, passing stunning Buddhist mountains and ancient cave carvings. This is truly a must-visit for history and culture lovers — where you can witness magnificent man-made Buddhist sculptures carved into the mountains, dating back to the Tang Dynasty.

This is an iconic site, of major importance as an illustration of Buddhist influence on the Silk Road. With 2,345 caves and tens of thousands of sculptures, it deserves its UNESCO listing and all the attention that comes with that. So expect crowds . . . loud, pushy, rude crowds. Combine that with lots of stairs and small electric shuttles and you have a recipe for disappointment and chaos. I still rate the Grottoes 4-star and I would have visited them anyhow. Just be warned it can be very unpleasant at times.

Absolutely worth the trip. Amazing place with rich history. We showed up at opening and good thing we did because by the time we left at mid-day, we could see the main area across the river was jam packed with tourists in huge numbers all pressing around the walkways with limited space in 40+ degrees heat (August 2024). So show up early, beat the crowds, and enjoy this jewel of Chinese cultural heritage.

You arrive expecting ancient wonder, and first thing you hit is — a shopping mall. Because every Chinese historical site needs one. Snacks, keychains, T-shirts, maybe even a Buddha-shaped popsicle if you’re lucky. Enlightenment apparently comes with receipts. Then you get in. Carved cliffs packed with thousands of Buddhas, some the size of your palm, others tall enough to make your chiropractor rich. You wander through them thinking, “yeah, nice,” and then you reach Vairocana — the main event. Seventeen meters of flawless stone calm. His face has that perfect balance between peace and authority, like someone who’s already forgiven you but still remembers what you did. The detail is insane, the scale humbling, and the atmosphere hits harder than any temple playlist. 5/5. Stone perfection with mandatory gift shop.

This is an amazing and stunning place. It is on UNESCO world heritage list. The place is hugh; prepare to walk, climb stairs. Thousands of Buddha statues carved on the cliff. Breathtaking scenery

A UNESCO Heritage site not to be missed. We took the high speed rail from Xi'an to Luoyang. Takes abt 1.5 hours. Not much shade so do bring a hat/cap and portable fan (depending on season you are visiting). Prepare to walk. You will need at least 2 hours or more to have a more leisure walk.

A temple to worship Guan Yin the respected and at his time feared by the enemies. The temple has the burial mount of the head of Guan Yin. Quite a large temple and crowded with people.

Mausoleum of guan kong

Nice and peaceful place to visit if you are in Luoyang. Ticket needed, walk-in ticket is available.

I love it here... but I am a martial artist so of course it is important to me. It’s generally a less busy temple to visit compared to so many places in China.

Not worth for RMB40

The most beautiful temple in China

Love the place.

These priceless artifacts encapsulate the creativity and aesthetic sensibilities of ancient Eastern culture, preserving diverse historical memories and reflecting the brilliance of Luoyang as a thousand-year imperial capital. The ongoing Luoyang Cultural Relics and Treasures Exhibition showcases some of the finest relics from the city’s vast collection, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the profound history and culture of this ancient metropolis. Through these exhibits, one can trace the footsteps of Chinese civilization’s evolution, experiencing the ancient glory that once defined this historical center.

I loved this museum! Collection is huge and well-organized in a chronological format. You could spend several days here. Lots of people dressed up taking photos, but didn't distract too much. You can only reserve tickets via WeChat. Though when I arrived, they only took a picture of my passport, they didn't verify ticket status. Toilets are squat-only and some didn't have toilet paper.

Beautiful museum, rich in artifacts and history. Everything is well organized and easy to navigate. Although having tickets ahead of time, we had to wait outside and over 30 minutes to get in (August 2024). But inside didn't feel too crowded despite the amount of people pouring in, so crowd management seems decent. There were lots of young people dressed up with their own photograph, but they weren't too much in the way and honestly it kind of adds to the charm of any visit in Luoyang. Overall, an absolute must when visiting this city.

One of the world's great museums. Covers the history and prehistory of China back several thousand years with artifacts from within 100km of the important ancient city of Luoyang. Well organized and well laid out, though I can't vouch for there being English labels. Good shopping area as well.

Plethora of precious collections here. Worth a visit if you visit Luoyang.

A very spacious and modern museum with lots of exhibits dating back thousands of years.

A spacious and modern museum with exhibits dating back several thousand years. Lots of Buddhist art as well as traditional Chinese archaeological finds from the area. Strict security on entering. Very clean toilet facilities and a few places to sit, though not much in the way of refreshments.

A beautiful and relaxing environment. Few facilities other than a café selling snacks and ice-creams, but worth visiting on a summer day.

The most incredible Peonies I have ever seen. Don't miss the blooming.

(Translated by Google) It is a very large botanical park, and my feet are almost broken when I walk around. The entire park is very cool and rarely gets exposed to the sun. Unfortunately, the peonies bloomed too quickly this year, and we only saw one peony that was about to wither when we arrived. However, there is also a kind of rose flower that is quite luxuriant in the park. (Original) 站地非常大的植物公園，走得腳都快斷掉了，整個園區非常的涼爽很少會塞到太陽。可惜今年的牡丹花花期太快了，我們到來只看到一朵快凋謝的牡丹花。不過園區還有一種月季花還蠻茂盛的。

(Translated by Google) 4 May 2024 Take the electric train and go down to this park. Let me tell you that this part is very large. In front, there are shops selling things. Let's come. During the fire festival, but unfortunately The day we arrived, they had all picked it up and I thought that there would have been a beautiful illumination before. The garden is very expansive. Walking around makes us tired. There are various flower corners for us to take photos here. We intended to take photos of the peonies here, but they are already fading but there are still some to see. There are a lot of activities here, so come take a walk and see. If anyone is too lazy to walk, there are golf carts available and bicycles for 4-5 people available as well. (Original) 4 May 2024 นั่งรถไฟฟ้ามันลงถึงสวนนี้ได้เลยนะครับ บอกเลยว่าส่วนนี้กว้างใหญ่มหาศาลมากด้านหน้าก็มีขายของนะครับเรามา ช่วงเทศกาลไฟแต่เสียดายที่ วันที่เรามาถึงเขาเก็บกันหมดแล้วคิดว่าก่อนหน้านี้คงมีการประดับไฟสวยงามกันเลยทีเดียวสวนกว้างใหญ่ไพศาลมากนะครับเดินกันเมื่อยเลยแล้วมีมุมดอกไม้ต่างๆให้เราได้ถ่ายรูปกันนะที่นี่ เราตั้งใจมาถ่ายดอกโบตั๋นที่นี่แต่มันถึงเวลาที่ร่วงโรยแล้วล่ะแต่ก็ยังพอมีให้เห็นนะครับ ที่นี่ กิจกรรมเยอะมากมาลองเดินดูกันนะจ๊ะ ถ้าใครขี้เกียจเดินเขาก็มีรถกอล์ฟไว้บริการแล้วมีปั่นจักรยานสำหรับ 4-5 คนไว้บริการด้วยนะ

(Translated by Google) April 9, 2024 Luoyang peonies are the best in the world! Life is filled with flowers, wealth blooms, and everyone who sees it has happiness, longevity and health🙏🏻🧧 (Original) 2024年4月9日 洛陽牡丹甲天下！ 花滿人生 花開富貴 見者福壽康寧🙏🏻🧧

(Translated by Google) The flowers and trees are sparse and the planning is exquisite. It is very beautiful when the peonies are in full bloom. It is quiet in the bustle. There are fewer tourists than the National Garden, so you can enjoy the tranquility of the forest garden! (Original) 花木扶疏，規劃精緻，牡丹盛開時期非常美麗，鬧中取靜，比起國花園遊客較少，更可享受林園之幽靜！

(Translated by Google) A pleasant park for a stroll (Original) 散布很舒服的公園

Henan University of Science and Technology (HAUST) is located in Luoyang, well-known as the thousand-year ancient capital and the peony flower city, which is also the sub-center of the city cluster in central plains of China. MY UNIVERSITY The most beautiful university campus in China.

Great experience

I really really miss our school hope will be back soon. China welcome me🇨🇳❤️❤️

I often come to the library here to study, the environment is great!

good

(Translated by Google) Good universities for exchanges with Taiwan (Original) 與台灣交流好學府

Is there anyone from Bangladesh in this university?

Very historic place and can be the first Buddhist temple in china from the Han dynasty (AD68) and well worth a visit. Area was calm and not so many tourist! Visit also the quiet room for a tea.

First established in 68AD, it is considered as the first Buddhist temple in China. The main buildings are reconstructed during the Ming and Qing era, 1950s, and 1973. Adjacent to this temple are three international Buddhist temples: the Siamese, Burmese and Indian Buddhist temples. The three latter temples are built from private Thai-related group’s donation, the Burmese government, and the Indian government.

The old Chinese Buddhist temple is nice, but the other temples (Thai, Indian, Burmese) are recent constructions and they look cheaply built, with rather bare interiors. Overall feels a bit rushed a tacky. I don't think it's worth the detour when visiting Luoyang, especially since it takes a while to reach by taxi or public bus. Personally I would recommend skipping.

Said to be the first Buddhist temple in China, this temple have about 20-30km away from luoyang city is worth a visit. On the way out you will pass by many temple from various county such as Thailand, Myanmar, and India.

It is considered the first Buddhist temple in China, established in 68AD by the Han dynasty. Area was calm surrounded by beautiful gardens

First temple in China, built in 68 A.C.. It has a lot of histories behind it. I would suggest to bring a tour guide to know what you are really looking at. The incense is free of charge, light 1 or 3 (not 2, not 4!) incenses and make a wish. There are also Hindu, Myanmar, and Thai temples and towers built in this temple. Don’t miss these.

The first Buddhist temple in China

If you could travel to Luoyi ancient city, you should wear the ancient Chinese costumes then you would enjoy the funny moment, I confidently advise.

It's a walking area with ancient houses and everything. I didn't spend a lot of time there. If you want to take photos with traditional clothes, it's a nice place to do that. I walked around for about an hour to see the lake, the houses, some shops and some cafes. I tried the ice-cream there, the price was good and the shape was very beautiful.

If you wish to see 美女帅哥， a lots you can see here. Plus, they are wearing ancient cloth@costume. (cos play). If you wish to try, there are shop for you to rent, and photoshoot too! A bit pack during weekends. There are stalls selling local foods, local items, and souvenirs.

Very big ancient town with lot of old shop houses with modern shop. Lots of people take photos in their Han costume.

The whole town is very commercialized, carefully designed to be a humongous photography studio. It is really nice to walk around if you don’t mind seeing girls dressed in all kinds of costumes posing for her photographer, at every corner. Besides that, there are always some activities that could be fun. It is not a must-see place but stop by here if you have some extra time

Free entrance for tourist. This new large old town village project is the way local government would want to preserve their ancient culture for their next gen and become the world destination.

Best cultural experience in Luoyang and maybe in the whole of China!

It’s nicer then the old city

One of my favourite in Luoyang, lots of inspiration! Recommended!

Nice looking drum tower in the old city.

(Translated by Google) Drum Tower, also known as "Qiao Tower", according to "Luoyang County Chronicle" records, the Drum Tower was originally built in Fuwang Mansion, Fuqian Street. In the 42nd year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty, the palace of Prince Jianfu was moved to East Street. Luoyang County funded two major renovations of the Drum Tower in the 13th year of Shunzhi and the 10th year of Qianlong reign in the Qing Dynasty. The original two-story wooden shingle building was demolished in 1972 due to the long-term disrepair of the platform building. In 2002, the municipal government began to restore the old city's Ming and Qing style. The Drum Tower was rebuilt as it was. (Original) 鼓楼，也称「谯楼」，据「洛阳县志」记载，鼓楼原建于府前街福王府。明万历四十二年，建福王府时移建于东大街。清顺治十三年与乾隆十年洛阳县两次出资大修鼓楼。原有的两层木瓦建筑，后因台上建筑长久失修，于1972年拆除。2002年，市政府开始恢复老城明清风貌。又按原样重新建起鼓楼。

(Translated by Google) The nearby buildings are all old and will not make the Drum Tower look out of place. (Original) 附近的建築物都老老的，不會讓鼓樓顯得突兀

(Translated by Google) I definitely recommend going in the evening. The illuminated castle is very nice. It reminds me of the past when I rode a horse. (Original) 저녁에 꼭 가볼 것을 추천함. 조명에 비친 성곽은 매우 멋지며 말을 타고 달렸던 과거를 떠오르게 함.

(Translated by Google) Wonderful place (Original) Lugar maravilhoso

Exploring the historical treasures of Sui and Tang Luoyang was an awe-inspiring journey back in time. The intricate architecture and rich stories woven into every stone transported me to an era of emperors and dynasties. Walking those ancient streets, I felt a profound connection to the past and a deep appreciation for the culture that shaped those remarkable cities. Each site whispered tales of grandeur and resilience, reminding me that history's echoes can still be heard in the present.

This is a palace built about 600 years ago under the reign of Emperor Wu Zetian. However, over time the entire palace and tower were completely destroyed, leaving only the foundation of the old relic. The entire tower and the Castle were completely rebuilt. You should visit in the evening when it is cool and the lights are very beautiful. The entrance fee is high. It takes about two hours to visit here. I don't understand why many people who touch everything here get quite a strong electric shock.

There’re many types of ticket but all information is in Chinese. One type of ticket lets you get to the top floor. Mine didn’t. Inside you can see the original Luoyang gates and its exhibition. There’re also shows differentiate from hour to hour also in Chinese.

Mingtang and tiantang are heritage of ancient capital Loyang.

Must come and see how it wonderful day and nights

Ok, love the voice adjustable fountain, based on how loud people scream hehehe.

Nice place

It’s a very well preserved burial

Not a lot to see。

(Translated by Google) It is so important that six horses prove the records in ancient books. From the end of July 2002 to March 2003, the Luoyang Municipal Cultural Relics Team was cooperating with the construction of the first phase of the city center square. It was discovered and preserved in situ during the construction. It is very worth visiting and must be visited. Before this, it could only be seen from ancient books that the emperor's carriage must have six horses. After being unearthed here, this is the first time that there is evidence. Because the horses were buried alive and were not forged, they are of great historical value and are in line with the description of "the emperor driving six" in the literature. It reflects the supreme identity of the owner of the tomb and the unusual status of this cemetery. The Emperor's Jialiu is an act recorded in the etiquette system and is ethical. An emperor-level six-horse two-wheeled carriage, the famous "Emperor driving six". The emperor's chariots drive six, and the other auxiliary chariots all drive four, and they are not allowed to sneak over. During the Spring and Autumn Period, rituals and education collapsed. Due to the decline of the Zhou Dynasty, transgressions among the princes often occurred. (Original) 太重要了，六匹马證明古書記載。2002年7月底至2003年3月，洛陽市文物工作隊在配合市中心廣場一期工程建設，施工到一半發現後原地保存的，非常值得去，一定要去。在這之前，只能從古書上看見天子馬車要有六匹馬。這裡出土後，是第一次有實證。因為馬匹是活體陪葬，不是造假的，所以非常具有歷史價值，合乎文獻中“天子駕六”的記述，折射出所陪墓葬墓主身份的至高無上及這片墓地地位的不同尋常。 天子駕六是禮制記載的一種行為，講倫理的。皇帝級別的六匹馬拉的兩輪馬車，即著名的“天子駕六”。天子所御駕六，其餘副車皆駕四，不得潛越。春秋的時候，禮崩禮教樂壞，由於周室衰微，諸侯間僭越的事時有發生。

(Translated by Google) The Emperor's Six-horse Chariot Museum - A specialized museum showcasing artifacts from the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, including royal cities, mausoleums, and royal artifacts. The museum is very small, with few exhibits, and there's an entrance fee. 😅 It only takes 15 minutes to see the whole thing, so I decided to go out for a delicious meal to unwind. 😁 (Original) 天子駕六博物館 - 展示東周時期王城、王陵和王器等文物的專題博物館。 館裡超小，沒什麼展品，還要收門票😅 15分鐘就可以看完，還是到外面吃個美食療癒一下😁

(Translated by Google) You can see the emperor's carriage and the lifelike models that were buried with him, which is an eye-opener. (Original) 可以看到天子的馬車陪葬物，栩栩如生的模型，大開眼界。

(Translated by Google) In order to excavate the bones of the six horses buried with the emperor, a museum was built on the site, which is worth a visit. (Original) 為挖出六隻馬陪葬天子的骨骼之處，原地建立一個博物館，值得一遊

(Translated by Google) The historical significance is very important, but the entire museum is actually a pit of carriages and horses, and the content is too simple. (Original) 历史意义是很重大，但整个博物馆其实就是一个车马坑，内容太单一了。

Entrance is free and therefore it is with a visit. Interesting and cheap to get there by taxi

(Translated by Google) Of the three museums I visited in Luoyang, this was the least necessary one. First of all, for my own reasons, I don’t really have much interest in viewing cultural relics. I originally thought it was a novel idea and thought I would have the experience of visiting a tomb. In fact, it is a specially designed viewing form and has nothing to do with the tomb; Secondly, there is the issue of transportation convenience. It is far away from the city. After arriving by any form of public transportation, you cannot reach the entrance of the park directly. You need to walk about 500 meters uphill. So if you are not a friend who is particularly fond of this category, it is not recommended to make a special trip. (Original) 在洛阳逛的三间博物馆里最没必要来的一家。 首先自己的原因，文物类的观赏实在兴趣不大，本来图个新鲜，以为会有探墓的体验，实际上是特意设计的观看形式，与墓无关； 其次是交通便利程度的问题，距离市区较远，任意公交形式到达后，都没办法直接到达园区门口，需要步行500米左右的上坡路。 所以如果不是对这个类别特别喜欢的朋友，不建议专程来一趟。

(Translated by Google) "The top of Beimang Mountain is full of old tombs of Luoyang people." This museum collects the tombs of many princes and wealthy businessmen from past dynasties in one place, which is of great archaeological reference value. (Original) "北邙山頭少閑土,儘是洛陽人舊墓",本館集歷代許多王公巨賈葬物於一處,頗具考古學的參考價值

(Translated by Google) The most beautiful things are underground, some ancient tombs (Original) 好看的都在地下，一些古代的墓穴