Songshan Shaolin Temple
On October 2, 2023, we traveled from Luoyang to Dengfeng, preparing to visit Shaolin Temple the next day. Dengfeng has no high-speed rail station, but you can take a bus or intercity express. Follow the "Luoyang Jiaoyun" WeChat public account to check departure times, boarding stops, ticket prices, and purchase tickets online—convenient and quick. Since I had a child and heavy luggage, I took a taxi to Dengfeng, which took over an hour and cost about 200 yuan.
Dengfeng left a great impression on me. Perhaps because it had just rained, the air was fresh and the streets were clean. We stayed at a hotel on Shaolin Road, across from the "Yingxian Pavilion." In the evening, we climbed the steps up to the Yingxian Pavilion, overlooking the entire city, feeling relaxed and joyful. Early the next morning, we took a taxi to Shaolin Temple, arriving at the scenic area entrance around 8:15. In front stood a tall stone statue of a welcoming arhat with hands clasped, greeting visitors from home and abroad—a fitting sight. Not far behind the welcoming arhat was the "Songshan Shaolin" stone archway. We entered the scenic area through the ticket gate beside the archway. Near the gate, there were electric carts available for those with tired legs, costing 25 yuan per person. We chose to walk. After a few minutes, we reached the archway inscribed with "The Number One Temple Under Heaven," which looked magnificent against the blue sky and white clouds.
Continuing for about five minutes, we arrived at the Martial Arts Center. Showtimes were: 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 AM; and 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00 PM. Each show lasted half an hour, no additional ticket required. We decided to watch the performance on our way back, so we walked on. Along the way, the scenic area played songs like "Ode to the Motherland," "Me and My Motherland," and "Shepherd Song," lifting our spirits with joy and excitement. After about ten minutes, we reached the Shaolin Temple's main monastery, with its red walls and green tiles. Above the main gate hung a plaque with three golden characters: "Shaolin Temple"—a scene so familiar, yet today I finally saw it with my own eyes!
After touring the monastery, we exited and walked a few more minutes to the Pagoda Forest, whose sights were equally impressive and awe-inspiring.
Past the Pagoda Forest, we continued along the path. On the left was the entrance to the Songyang Cable Car, which could take you to Erzu Nunnery and Phoenix Terrace. Since we had only planned a one-day trip and this route's scenery wasn't spectacular, we opted not to go. Instead, we took the Shaolin Cable Car to Sanhuang Village. The Shaolin Cable Car ticket gate was on a small slope to the right of the road. We bought round-trip tickets; those not returning could purchase one-way tickets. After a ten-minute ride on the Shaolin Cable Car, we arrived at the mountainside and began climbing Mount Shaoshi! The scenery along the way was breathtaking—the sky was a deep blue, the air crisp and spotless. Cliffs like the Book Cliff, One Line Sky, and Elephant Trunk Cliff were incredibly beautiful!
I hadn't climbed a mountain in years and lacked stamina, but my nine-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Mengmeng, repeatedly encouraged me. Panting heavily, I still forced myself to lift my legs and follow her! Along the way, I took many photos from different angles, marveling at the magnificent landscapes of our motherland. After more than an hour of climbing, we reached the Songshan Blessing Platform. Looking down, we saw a suspension bridge, and not far ahead was Sanhuang Village. But we only crossed the suspension bridge and did not go to Sanhuang Village because, although it seemed close, the winding mountain path would take another half hour.
Around 11:30 AM, we started heading back, mostly downhill and not steep, so we moved quickly. By 1:00 PM, we took the Shaolin Cable Car back to the Shaolin Temple scenic area. By then, it was very crowded—there was already a long queue for the cable car. We bought some cold noodles and corn from a small shop, ate them, and then walked back. Passing the turnoff for Dharma Cave and the First Patriarch Temple, we had originally wanted to visit, but my legs were sore and numb, and Mengmeng was also tired, so we had to give up. When we reached the Martial Arts Center, it was exactly 2:00 PM. The martial arts performance had already started, but it was too crowded to squeeze in, so we had to wait for the 3:00 PM show. Outside the Martial Arts Center, there were multiple statues of Shaolin disciples practicing kung fu, as well as plum blossom stakes of varying heights. Children stepped on the stakes to build leg strength and courage. Half an hour passed quickly, and at 2:30 PM we began queuing to enter. The Shaolin disciples' martial arts performance was spectacular: staff, knife, sword, fist, whip, child kung fu, hard qigong, flips—all real skills, truly eye-opening!
The audience interaction segment was the most fun! The host invited three enthusiastic and brave audience members to the stage. Three Shaolin disciples served as their masters, teaching them the moves of snake fist, tiger fist, and mantis fist. Some moves were quite difficult, like the carp flip, front somersault, side somersault, and snake-like crawling. The three audience members sometimes performed them quite well, earning warm applause. Finally, the audience cheered and applauded to select the "Imitation Star" of the show, who could take a photo with the Shaolin disciples and keep it as a souvenir.
After the performance, we headed toward the exit. On the playground of the Shaolin Temple Tagou Martial Arts School, 500 meters from the entrance, students were drilling in neat formations, their movements strong and powerful, well-disciplined. Their shouts echoed through the mountains with overwhelming momentum! Outside the Shaolin Temple scenic area, on the open ground in front of the "Songshan Shaolin" stone archway, students from the Tagou Martial Arts School performed Shaolin kung fu to the background music of "Youth China," which was stirring!
When we finished our tour, it was already 4:30 PM. Getting a taxi wasn't so easy, as most tourists were returning around this time, causing traffic jams and crowds. We waited nearly 20 minutes before an empty taxi came. After bargaining, we paid 40 yuan to be taken back to our hotel in Dengfeng—smooth enough. During this trip to Songshan Shaolin, I brushed up on much knowledge about Shaolin Temple's history, the origins of Shaolin kung fu, Bodhidharma, Songshan's landforms and attractions, and also revisited the movie "Shaolin Temple" starring Jet Li, recalling my youth. It also greatly expanded Mengmeng's knowledge!
