A Millennium of Waiting, Only to Recreate Your Majestic and Dominant Display: The Glorious Tang Dynasty with All Nations Paying Tribute

The Tang dynasty poet Han Yu once wrote: 'The best time of spring is now, surpassing the misty willows filling the imperial capital,' describing the divine capital Luoyang at that time—how prosperous and magnificent it was! Imagine those days when foreign envoys paying tribute and merchant caravans from various nations, with camel bells jingling, traveled thousands of miles to enter the bustling city of Luoyang, passing through Yingtian Gate with reverence to pay homage to our Tang emperor. What a grand spectacle it must have been!

However, time passes and things change; only these thousand-year-old ruins silently witness the once flourishing Tang dynasty...

Luoyang—once the capital of thirteen dynasties—has witnessed the splendor of successive eras along the long river of history: from Emperor Yang of Sui establishing the Eastern Capital, to Empress Wu Zetian ascending the throne, and to the grand scene of all nations paying tribute. It has seen the former glory of Luoyang.

Upon arriving in Luoyang, one must visit the 'Number One Gate Under Heaven'—Yingtian Gate (commonly known as the Five-Phoenix Tower). This was the venue for the imperial court to hold ceremonies such as coronations, changes of reign titles, amnesties, and banquets for foreign dignitaries. Empress Wu Zetian's coronation ceremony was held here. Li Bai once wrote a poem: 'For one hundred and forty years, the nation's countenance was so awe-inspiring. The faintly visible Five-Phoenix Tower stands towering across three rivers.' From its appearance, the Yingtian Gate of the Sui and Tang dynasties truly lived up to Li Bai's description of 'the nation's countenance' and the title 'Number One Gate Under Heaven'!

The former Yingtian Gate had experienced countless historical events and glories, endured wars and decline, and witnessed the changes and transitions of eras. In 2016, Yingtian Gate was reconstructed on its original site, and in September 2019, the Yingtian Gate Site Museum officially opened to the public. Today's Yingtian Gate, based on the scale of the site and historical records designed by architects, is a huge 'gate'-shaped architectural complex composed of a gate tower, side towers, watchtowers, and connecting corridors. Its grand scale and imposing momentum showcase the brilliant history and culture of the Sui and Tang dynasties of the Chinese nation!

Who knows how much the reconstructed Yingtian Gate differs from the 'Number One Gate Under Heaven' described by the great poet Li Bai? We, today, are already deeply impressed by the grandeur and magnificence of the current Yingtian Gate!

At night, under the illumination of lights, Yingtian Gate appears even more resplendent, dazzling, and brilliant. The Yingtian Gate light show is uniquely charming, integrating architecture, light, projections, and other elements, allowing visitors to personally experience the evolution of Luoyang's millennia-old history. It is a luxurious audio-visual feast (unfortunately, the video is too large to upload—what a pity).

The light show is open on Saturdays and Sundays. It is recommended not to visit the site museum in the evening, as you can enter from the side without buying a ticket. Otherwise, entering the museum costs 30 yuan. The light show starts at 8:40 PM, so visiting would be very rushed (Monday to Friday tickets are 10 yuan).

The site of Yingtian Gate is concave-shaped, consisting of a gate tower, side towers, and watchtowers. The foundation platform is 137 meters wide from east to west, 60 meters from north to south, and the gate entrance is 25 meters deep. On such a platform, a gate tower about 35 meters high was built; its grandeur is easy to imagine. Today, although the former Yingtian Gate only leaves layers of adobe and clearly visible traces of walls, buildings, and avenues, it still reveals its former grand style and remains as imposing as ever. Yingtian Gate is not just a building; it is a symbol of the nation and imperial power!

It is worthwhile to spend half a day carefully visiting the site museum!

The Sui-Tang Luoyang City National Heritage Park, including the Hall of Light and Heavenly Hall scenic area, lies on the same central axis as Yingtian Gate. It was also reconstructed on the original site. The ticket is a bit expensive (105 yuan online, 120 yuan on-site). This was an important place where Empress Wu Zetian governed, worshipped Buddha, and lived.

Standing on the gate tower of Yingtian Gate, you can see the Heavenly Hall and the Hall of Light palaces. You can imagine how majestic and magnificent Luoyang used to be in the past!

At night, the Heavenly Hall and Hall of Light palaces appear even more splendid!

The Hall of Light was the main hall of the Ziwei City during the Tang dynasty, known as the 'Hall of All Spirits.' It had three stories, with the bottom floor representing the four seasons. Grand ceremonies such as sacrifices, court sessions, celebrations, and scholar selections were all held here.

As I climbed the steps step by step, my heart was filled with a sense of sanctity. Upon entering the hall, I was even more stunned by the golden and luxurious facilities, as if I had traveled back to the prosperous Tang dynasty! The ground floor of the hall contains the original site of the Hall of Light. Although thousands of years have passed, traces of history and past glory are still visible.

Every morning and afternoon, there are performances showcasing the prosperous Tang dynasty (I did not watch them due to various reasons). Those interested can savor and appreciate them for a more complete visit!

The Heavenly Hall stands opposite the Hall of Light, serving as a Buddhist worship hall for Empress Wu Zetian. The Heavenly Hall has five stories; the third story already rises above the Hall of Light. From the top of the hall, you can overlook the entire Hall of Light and also see Yingtian Gate in the distance. The Heavenly Hall was also reconstructed on its original site in the Tang dynasty style, with clear traces of the original structure visible on the first floor.

After visiting, I learned that Empress Wu Zetian ordered Xue Huaiyi (her male favorite) to build the Hall of Light for her ascension to the throne, and also ordered him to create a Buddha statue (out of reverence, I did not take photos). This statue was housed in the five-story Heavenly Hall built north of the Hall of Light. The exact height of the statue is unknown; later generations estimate it was at least several times larger than the Lushena Buddha at Longmen Grottoes. This can only be verified by experts.

The Heavenly Hall and the Hall of Light together formed a magnificent landscape of Luoyang thousands of years ago, symbolizing unparalleled wealth and supreme power!

When in Luoyang, the Luoyang Museum is a must-visit. The museum houses many national treasures and rare artifacts. Starting with the 'Heluo Civilization' exhibition, you can trace the changes of Luoyang's millennia-old capital. Among the exhibits is a bronze wine vessel from the Xia dynasty, known as 'China's First Jue,' which is the earliest bronze wine vessel discovered in China so far. I especially love the Tang dynasty tri-colored glazed pottery horses, with their bright colors and unique shapes, reflecting the open and upward national style of the Tang empire. Each artifact left me amazed!

The beauty of the ancient capital Luoyang cannot be captured with just a few pictures. You must experience it in person to see the resurrected form of the palace that slept for a thousand years, and to feel the former splendor and prosperity of the Heluo culture in the Central Plains!