Located in Luolong District, Luoyang City, Henan Province, the Longmen Grottoes Scenic Area is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of China's four major grottoes. The scenic area covers a planned area of approximately 31.7 square kilometers, with a core visiting area of about 3 square kilometers. It consists of the Western Hill Grottoes, Eastern Hill Grottoes, Xiangshan Temple, and Bai Garden. Here, there are more than 2,100 cave niches, over 100,000 Buddhist statues, and more than 2,800 inscriptions. Among them, the "Twenty Gems of Longmen" are the essence of Wei Dynasty calligraphy, and the "Stele of the Buddha Niche at Yique" written by Chu Suiliang, a great calligrapher of the Tang Dynasty, is a model of early Tang Dynasty regular script. The Longmen Grottoes reflect the development and changes in many fields of ancient Chinese politics, economy, religion, culture, etc., from different perspectives through a large number of physical images and written materials, and can be called a museum of stone carving art.
History and Culture
The Longmen Grottoes were first carved during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty and continued to be built on a large scale for more than 400 years through the Eastern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Qi, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, and Song Dynasties, forming a grotto cluster stretching 1 kilometer from north to south. Representative grottoes from the Northern Wei period include Guyang Cave and Middle Binyang Cave. The statues in these grottoes are influenced by Western Regions culture, with lean faces and flowing robes. The Tang Dynasty is represented by Fengxian Temple, where the statues are plump and round, reflecting the aesthetic style of the prosperous Tang Dynasty.
The Longmen Grottoes are closely associated with Buddhist culture, and many grottoes were excavated by royal nobles to pray for blessings and avert disasters. For example, Fengxian Temple was built by Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi and Empress Wu Zetian to commemorate Wu Zetian's mother, Lady Yang. The facial features of the Vairocana Buddha are said to have been modeled after Wu Zetian, demonstrating the integration of Buddhist art and imperial power. In addition, the Longmen Grottoes preserve a large number of religious-themed carvings and inscriptions, serving as important physical materials for the study of Chinese Buddhist history.
In addition to Buddhist culture, the inscriptions on the steles of the Longmen Grottoes have extremely high calligraphic art value. The "Twenty Gems of Longmen" are regarded as representative works of Wei Dynasty calligraphy. The font is strong and powerful, with a rigorous structure, having a profound impact on the development of later calligraphy. The "Stele of the Buddha Niche at Yique" by Chu Suiliang, a calligrapher of the Tang Dynasty, is a model of regular script. The inscriptions record the deeds of Li Tai, the fourth son of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, who carved the Southern Binyang Cave to pray for blessings for his mother, Empress Zhangsun.
Main Attractions
Fengxian Temple
Fengxian Temple is the largest and most artistically exquisite group of cliffside carvings in the Longmen Grottoes. It was carved during the Tang Dynasty and took three years and nine months to complete. There are nine large statues in the temple. The central Vairocana Buddha is 17.14 meters tall, with a head height of 4 meters and ear length of 1.9 meters. The Buddha's face is plump and elegant, with a slight smile, showing concern for the world and the radiance of wisdom. It is the iconic statue of the Longmen Grottoes. The Buddha is flanked by disciples, bodhisattvas, heavenly kings, and vajras. The group of statues is rigorously arranged and imposing.
Guyang Cave
Guyang Cave is one of the earliest carved grottoes in the Longmen Grottoes. It was carved during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty and is the most concentrated place for the royal nobles of the Northern Wei Dynasty to make vows and carve statues. The four walls of the cave are covered with large and small Buddhist niches. The statues in the niches are mostly Sakyamuni Buddha, Maitreya Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, and bodhisattvas such as Avalokitesvara and Manjusri. The cave ceiling is carved with lotus patterns and flying apsaras. The flying apsaras dance lightly with fluttering ribbons, showing the typical artistic style of the Northern Wei Dynasty. Nineteen of the "Twenty Gems of Longmen" are located in this cave, making it a must-visit place for calligraphy lovers.
Middle Binyang Cave
Middle Binyang Cave was carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty. It was built by Emperor Xuanwu of the Northern Wei Dynasty to make merits for his parents, Emperor Xiaowen and Empress Wenzhang, and took 24 years to complete. The cave is horseshoe-shaped in plan with a domed ceiling. The center is carved with a double-petaled lotus canopy surrounded by 10 music-playing heavenly beings. The main wall is carved with one Buddha and two disciples and two bodhisattvas. The main Buddha, Sakyamuni, sits cross-legged on a lotus throne with a delicate face and flowing robes. The two sides of the cave entrance are carved with reliefs such as Vimalakirti and Buddha's previous lives stories, with extremely high artistic level.
Xiangshan Temple
Xiangshan Temple is located on the mountainside of Dongshan (Eastern Mountain) in Longmen. It was first built in the first year of Xiping in the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 516) and rebuilt during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty. The existing buildings in the temple include the Heavenly King Hall, the Main Buddha Hall, and the Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling Villa. Bai Juyi, a great poet of the Tang Dynasty, once lived here and named himself "Xiangshan Jushi" (Retreater of Xiangshan). The Nine Elders Hall in the temple is said to be the place where Bai Juyi gathered with eight other elders. Now there are statues of the nine elders in the hall, showing the cultural gathering of Tang Dynasty literati.
Bai Garden
Bai Garden is a garden-style building complex built in memory of Bai Juyi, a great poet of the Tang Dynasty. It is located on Pipa Peak of Dongshan in Longmen. The buildings in the garden are built along the mountain with lush forests. The main attractions include Qinggu Area, Letian Hall, Poetry Corridor, and Tomb Area. In the center of the tomb area is Bai Juyi's tomb with a stele inscribed "Tomb of Bai Gong, Junior Tutor of the Tang Dynasty". The architectural style of Bai Garden is simple and elegant, integrating with the natural landscape, making it an ideal place to experience Bai Juyi's poetry culture.
Local Cuisine
Luoyang Water Banquet
Luoyang Water Banquet is the most characteristic traditional banquet in Luoyang, with a history of more than 1,000 years. It is named because most of the dishes are served with soup. The whole banquet consists of 24 dishes, including 8 cold dishes and 16 hot dishes. The hot dishes are mainly soup-based, with sour, spicy, sweet, and salty flavors. The famous dishes include "Peony Bird's Nest Soup", which is said to be named after Empress Wu Zetian. It is made of shredded radish, shaped like a bird's nest, with a smooth taste. "Lian Tang Rou Pian" (Sliced Pork in Soup) has tender meat and sweet and sour soup, which is a classic dish in the water banquet.
Luoyang Beef Soup
Luoyang Beef Soup is a representative local breakfast dish. It is based on a high broth made by simmering beef bones for a long time, with sliced cooked beef, vermicelli, coriander, etc. added. The soup is rich and mellow, and the beef is tender and flavorful. You can add pepper, vinegar and other seasonings according to your personal taste. When drinking the soup, it is usually paired with freshly baked sesame seed cakes. Breaking the cakes into the soup makes it even more delicious.
Jiang Mian Tiao
Jiang Mian Tiao is a traditional snack in Luoyang. It is made by cooking noodles, celery, soybeans, peanuts, etc. in a sour soup made from fermented mung bean milk. The noodles are soft and smooth, and the sour soup has a unique taste, which has the effect of stimulating the appetite and aiding digestion. You can add chili oil, sesame paste and other seasonings when eating. It is a good summer refreshment.
Bu Fan Tang
Bu Fan Tang is a time-honored snack in Luoyang with a history of more than 300 years. It is made by adding a thin pancake (made from mung bean flour without turning over) to pork bone soup, kelp shreds, vermicelli, dried shrimps, black fungus and other ingredients. The soup is fresh and fragrant, and the pancake has a delicate texture. It is named because it does not need to be turned over during the production process. It is said that this soup was once loved by Emperor Qianlong and is one of the must-try foods around the Longmen Grottoes.
Admission Tickets
The admission ticket is 90 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "龙门石窟景区" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open all year round. The opening hours are:
April 1 - October 7: 08:00 - 18:30 (admission stops at 17:30)
October 8 - March 31 of the following year: 08:00 - 17:30 (admission stops at 16:30)
The opening hours may be slightly adjusted during legal holidays and the Peony Culture Festival. Please refer to the official announcement of the scenic area on the day.
Tour Routes
Classic One-day Tour Route: Enter the scenic area in the morning and start by visiting the Western Hill Grottoes. Visit the main caves such as Qianxi Temple, Binyang Caves, Ten Thousand Buddhas Cave, and Fengxian Temple in sequence, focusing on the magnificent sight of the Vairocana Buddha. Have lunch near the scenic area and taste local specialties such as Luoyang Water Banquet or Beef Soup. In the afternoon, go to the Eastern Hill Grottoes to visit Leigutai Caves and Kan Jing Temple, then visit Xiangshan Temple to learn about the origin of Bai Juyi and Xiangshan Temple. Finally, go to Bai Garden and take a walk in the garden to feel Bai Juyi's poetic feelings. Leave the scenic area from the exit of Bai Garden.
Cultural Deep Tour Route: On the first morning, focus on visiting the Western Hill Grottoes, carefully observe the statues and stele inscriptions in each cave, and focus on studying the artistic features of the "Twenty Gems of Longmen" and Fengxian Temple. In the afternoon, go to the Eastern Hill Grottoes to deeply understand the style changes of Tang Dynasty Buddhist statues. On the second morning, visit Xiangshan Temple, visit buildings such as the Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling Villa and the Nine Elders Hall to feel the blend of history and culture. In the afternoon, visit Bai Garden and experience Bai Juyi's life and poetry creation in the mountain and water garden to end the in-depth cultural tour.
Transportation
- Bus: You can take bus routes 53, 60, 67, 71, or 81 in Luoyang urban area to directly reach the entrance of the Longmen Grottoes Scenic Area. Bus 81 departs from Luoyang Railway Station, with a journey of about 40 minutes and a fare of 1.5 - 2 yuan.
- Taxi: It is about 15 kilometers from Luoyang Railway Station to the Longmen Grottoes, with a taxi fare of about 30 - 40 yuan. It is about 30 kilometers from Luoyang Beijiao Airport to the Longmen Grottoes, with a taxi fare of about 60 - 80 yuan.
- Self-driving: You can drive to Luoyang via the Erguang Expressway, Zhengshao Expressway, etc. The scenic area has a parking lot. The parking fee for small cars is 10 yuan per vehicle, and for large vehicles is 15 yuan per vehicle.
- Tourist Special Line: There is a tourist special line bus from Luoyang Longmen High-speed Railway Station (Luoyang Longmen Station) to the Longmen Grottoes. The fare is 5 yuan, and the journey takes about 15 minutes.
Must-visit Attractions
- Fengxian Temple: The iconic attraction of the Longmen Grottoes. The Vairocana Buddha, 17.14 meters tall, is the peak of Tang Dynasty Buddhist statue carving, showing the artistic achievements and aesthetic pursuit of the prosperous Tang Dynasty.
- Guyang Cave: The earliest carved grotto in the Longmen Grottoes, preserving a large number of Northern Wei Dynasty statues and 19 of the "Twenty Gems of Longmen". It is an important material for studying Northern Wei calligraphy and Buddhist art.
- Middle Binyang Cave: A representative grotto of the Northern Wei Dynasty. The statues in the cave have delicate faces and flowing robes. The music-playing heavenly beings carved on the cave ceiling are exquisitely made, with extremely high artistic value.
- Xiangshan Temple: A time-honored Buddhist temple with a deep origin with literati such as Bai Juyi. The Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling Villa and the Nine Elders Hall in the temple are important places to understand modern history and Tang Dynasty culture.
- Bai Garden: A garden built in memory of Bai Juyi, with a simple architectural style and a quiet environment. It is an excellent place to experience Tang Dynasty poetry culture and natural scenery.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to spend 4 - 5 hours visiting. If you want to deeply understand the grotto culture and history, you can arrange 1 day.
- It is recommended to rent a scenic area interpreter (rental fee 20 yuan) or hire a tour guide (fee about 100 yuan) during the visit to better understand the historical background and artistic value of the grottoes.
- The Longmen Grottoes are built along the mountain, and you need to go up and down steps during the tour. It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes and bring drinking water and a small amount of snacks.
- Pay attention to sun protection in summer, and you can bring a sun hat and sunscreen. Keep warm in winter, especially in the Bai Garden and Xiangshan Temple areas on the mountaintop.
- During the Peony Culture Festival in April every year, the passenger flow around the scenic area is relatively large. It is recommended to plan your itinerary in advance and avoid peak hours.
- If you are interested in calligraphy art, you can focus on the stele inscriptions in Guyang Cave and Middle Binyang Cave. The "Twenty Gems of Longmen" are the essence of Wei Dynasty calligraphy.
Notes
- Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic area. Keep the environment clean.
- To protect the cultural relics, the use of flash photography is prohibited in the caves. Some caves have signs prohibiting photography, which must be strictly observed.
- Abide by the regulations of the scenic area during the tour. Do not touch or climb the statues and stele inscriptions to avoid damaging the cultural relics.
- Xiangshan Temple and Bai Garden are located on the mountain with many steps. It is recommended that the elderly and children be accompanied by family members during the tour to ensure safety.
- There are several commercial stalls at the entrance of the scenic area. You can compare prices when buying goods to avoid being overcharged.
- If it rains, the ground in the grottoes is slippery, so walk carefully. Some steps may freeze in winter, and it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes.
- When leaving the scenic area, you can exit through the Bai Garden exit. There is a bus station nearby, which is convenient for going to the urban area or other attractions.