【Henan】Luoyang Self-driving Tour (1) One-Day Guide to Longmen Grottoes
【Preface】Located in the southern suburbs of Luoyang City, Henan Province, on the Longmen Mountain and Xiangshan Mountain on both sides of the Yi River. It is the stone carving art treasure house with the largest number of statues and the largest scale in the world. Together with the Mogao Grottoes, Yungang Grottoes, and Maijishan Grottoes, it is known as the four major grottoes in China. It was excavated around the time when Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty moved the capital to Luoyang (493 AD). After that, it went through the Eastern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Qi, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Song and other dynasties, continuously built for more than 1,400 years. It is carved on the cliffs on both sides of the Yi River, stretching 1 kilometer from north to south. There are 2,345 niches and more than 110,000 statues. Among them, the Lushena Buddha carved by Wu Zetian according to her own appearance and bearing, the Western Hill Grottoes, the Eastern Hill Grottoes, Xiangshan Temple, Bai Garden, (1) World Cultural Heritage. (2) National AAAAA Tourist Attraction. (3) National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. (4) The highest peak of Chinese stone carving art.
Transportation information: (for reference)
(1) Luoyang Railway Station: Take Bus No. 81, about 40 minutes.
(2) Other places in the city: You can also take Bus No. 53, 81 and 60. (There is also a shuttle bus between Longmen Grottoes and Shaolin Temple.)
Northwest gate parking lot of Longmen Grottoes. 90 yuan/person.
(including West Hill Grottoes, East Hill Grottoes, Xiangshan Temple, Bai Garden).
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【01】: Overall itinerary:
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(Yin Ruins, Chinese Character Museum, Yue Fei Temple, Youli City, etc.)
(Hongqi Canal, Taihang Grand Canyon)
Xinxiang: (Huixian)
(Wanxian Mountain Guoliang Village, Baligou Scenic Area)
(Yuntaishan Scenic Area, Qingtianhe Scenic Area, Shennongshan Scenic Area)
(Longmen Grottoes, Museum, White Horse Temple, Lijimen, etc.)
Luoyang: (Luanchuan County)
(Laojunshan Scenic Area, Zhongdugou Scenic Area)
Luoyang: (Song County)
(Baiyunshan Scenic Area)
Zhengzhou: (Dengfeng)
(Mount Songshan Scenic Area, Shaolin Temple, Sanhuangzhai Scenic Area)
(Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, Tianbo Yang Mansion, Dragon Pavilion Park, Iron Tower Park, Kaifeng Prefecture, Museum, etc.)
【This Henan self-driving tour took the OP 1 month.】
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【02】: My route:
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Enter the scenic area from the northwest gate --- visit in order ---
--- West Hill Grottoes --- East Hill Grottoes --- Xiangshan Temple ---
--- Bai Garden --- Exit from the northeast gate.
(Exactly one circle).
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【03】: About accommodation:
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Home Inn - Luoyang Zhongzhou East Road White Horse Temple Branch. You can search and book a satisfactory hotel on Ctrip.
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【04】: About food:
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Luoyang Yan Cai, Pan Jinhe Braised Chicken, Steamed Bream, Spiced Rabbit Meat, Zhang Family Wonton, Shang Ji Beef Soup, Yan Jia Mutton Soup, Luoyang Bu Fan Soup, Jiang Noodles, etc. You can feast heartily.
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【Let's post pictures quickly】:
【Look】: Arriving at the northwest gate parking lot.
【Need to】: First walk,
Go through Longmen Ancient Street.
【Walk past】: Red lanterns.
【See】: Ancient gate tower.
【Cross the market】:
【About 15 minutes】: Arrive at the scenic area entrance.
Look: The museum requires a separate ticket.
(Privately run).
【Senior beauties】: Very sour.
Occupying the spot, not letting others take photos.
Bye bye to you.
【Introduction】: Look.
【Scenic area map】: Remember well.
【Ticket gate】: Tang-style architecture.
【Enter】: So beautiful.
【Walk a bit further】: There is a bridge over the river.
【Pass through】: The bridge arch with the word "Longmen".
【Finally】: Arrive at the Longmen entrance.
【First look】: At the introduction.
【Continue】: Walking.
【On the opposite bank】: Xiangshan Temple.
Will see you later.
【By the road】: Yuwang Pool, plenty of water.
【Finally arrive】: Start climbing.
【Start visiting】:
Since the OP knows very little about the statues,
Please take a look yourself,
And share your thoughts after seeing,
The OP will say less.
【Look】: Many caves.
【Binyang Three Caves】:
【Continue journey】:
【Gatekeepers】: Heads missing.
【Statues】: Badly damaged.
【Better preserved】: Statues, very few.
【This cave】: Not bad.
【Lotus ceiling】:
【Many caves】: Few statues.
【Climb again】: Hurry up.
【Introduction】: Look.
【Lushena Buddha】: Finally see it.
【Zoom in】:
Compassionate eyes, serene, very plump.
(Tang dynasty favored plumpness as beauty)
【Side view】:
Sunshine shining, very wonderful.
【Warrior attendants beside】: Expressive faces.
【On the other side】: Speechless.
Exquisite statues, refined,
Clothes as thin as cicada wings,
Decorations exquisite and gorgeous,
Lifelike, really not bad.
【Follow the map】: GO.
【Heads】: Missing again.
【Look down】: Tourists cooling off.
【Look back】:
So many caves,
But the statues---?
【High expectations】: Quite a disappointment too.
【West Hill caves】: Visited, exit south gate.
【Cross the bridge again】: To East Hill.
【On the bridge】: View West Hill caves.
【Front view】: You say---.
【Zoom in】: You continue---.
【Look again】: East Hill Grottoes.
【Pass through gate】:
【First look】: At the ruins.
【Ruins】: Under glass covers.
【Excavated artifacts】:
【Clothing】: Exquisite patterns.
【Small buddha statues】: Numerous.
【Zoom in】: Buddhas about 3 cm.
【Continue】: ------.
【Look back】: West Hill Grottoes.
【Cave doors】: Tightly shut.
【Hand through the fence】: Take photos.
【Start descending】:
【Noble lady】: Elegantly dressed, dignified and graceful.
【Muscular man】: Must exercise often.
【Pass small house】:
【See cave again】:
【Under maintenance】: Click! Bear with it.
【Continue journey】: Are you tired?
Look, you can take a ride.
【Next stop】: Xiangshan Temple,
【Gate】: Finally arrived.
【Introduction】: Read---.
【Picture】: Look---.
【Enter】: Lush greenery.
【Lotus seat】: Pond.
【Ancient building】: Antique charm.
【Bell and drum towers】: On left and right.
【Kasaya pagoda】: Very old.
【Qianlong imperial stele】: Most precious.
【Mahavira Hall】: Buddha's light shines everywhere.
【Look back】: Beautiful, good.
【One eye looking out】:
You tell me---.
【Nine Elders Hall】: Take a look.
【Bai Juyi】: And his friends.
【Visit completed】: Take a look at the bridge.
【Next stop】: Bai Garden.
【Picture】: And introduction.
【Enter】: Patches of green bamboo.
【Greenery】: Everywhere.
【Turn head】: There is a small house.
【Enter】: Exhibition of Bai Juyi's life.
【Old Mr. Bai】:
【Continue journey】:
Tourists are very relaxed.
【Bai Juyi】: Poems.
【Climb small hill】:
【Bai Juyi's tomb】:
【Look beside】:
【Finally look】: Bai Juyi poetry corridor.
【Various calligraphy styles】: Poems.
Chicken, meatball soup,
Crown daisy, crisp and refreshing,
Meat and vegetables balanced with nutrition,
Eat it all up.
I see, your mouth is watering.
Ha------.
【Sleep at Home Inn】: Good night!
【Trip ends】: Thank you everyone!
Next travelogue: White Horse Temple, Museum.
