THE Longmen Grottoes, one of the four most famous grottoes in China, was reopened to the public recently and from now to Sept. 30, tourists only need to pay half-price admission. At the same time, medical workers who have been working at the frontline against the COVID-19 pandemic can enjoy free entrance during this time period.

    For people who long for savoring the antique flavor at one place, the Longmen Grottoes near Luoyang, a treasure house of ancient Buddhist cave art, is a nice option. If you travel all the way into Luoyang, in addition to the grottoes, you can also embark on a mini trip along the Silk Road to check out other sites that the city has to offer.

    Longmen Grottoes

    Thanks to the Longmen Grottoes, Luoyang City still retains a trace of the flourishing Tang Dynasty (618-907). Among the four most famous grottoes in China, only Longmen Grottoes is located in the hinterland of Central China.

    The Longmen Grottoes, located on both sides of the Yi River to the south of the ancient Luoyang, Henan Province, comprises more than 2,300 caves and niches carved into the steep limestone cliffs over a 1-kilometer-long stretch. These grottoes reflect the heyday of Tang Dynasty culture.

    The grottoes and niches of Longmen contain the largest and most impressive collection of Chinese art of the late Northern Wei (386-534) and Tang dynasties. These works, entirely devoted to the Buddhist religion, represent the high point of Chinese stone carving.

    Luoyang Museum

    Located in a more than 4,000-year-old city that was the capital of 13 past dynasties and kingdoms, it’s no wonder that the Luoyang Museum is a treasure trove of Chinese civilization.

    Established in 1958 at a previous location, Luoyang Museum was rebuilt on its current site in 2011. The museum is home to tens of thousands of cultural relics excavated in Heluo area, where the Yellow River (known as He in ancient China) and the Luohe River meet.

    The overwhelming rectangular structure of the museum resembles an ancient Chinese ritual object — the ding pod, a paragon of the legitimate imperial power — symbolizing the crowning glory of the city in Chinese history.

    The representative exhibit on the first floor is Stone Bixie from Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), which was excavated from Sunqitun Village, Luoyang in 1955. On the second floor, you will find Bronze Tripod Jue with the Pattern of Nipples from Xia Dynasty (2070-1600 B.C.), Painted Pottery Bottle with Three Handstand Acrobats from Eastern Han Dynasty, and Painted Pottery of Horses Carrying Musicians from Tang Dynasty, among many other outstanding artifacts.

    Luoyang Museum is famous for its abundant collection of tri-color glaze pottery wares. Tri-color glaze pottery is a versatile type of decoration on Chinese pottery using glazes, predominantly in the three colors of amber, green and a creamy off-white. The tri-color glazed pottery camel, which was excavated from the tomb of An Pu (a general of the Tang Dynasty), represents An’s foreign identity and is also solid evidence of ancient China’s cultural and people-to-people exchange with the world as the camel is not an animal originating in China.

    Baima Temple  

    The Baima Temple (White Horse Temple) in Luoyang was the first Buddhist temple in China. It was first established in 68 under the patronage of Emperor Ming in the Eastern Han Dynasty. The main temple buildings, a large complex, were reconstructed during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

    The temple, although small in comparison to many others in China, is considered by most believers as “the cradle of Chinese Buddhism.”

    At the northwest corner of the complex is the newly constructed world Buddha halls culture area with Buddhist architecture of Thai, Indian and Burmese styles.

    Sui and Tang Luoyang City 

    National Heritage Park

    This scenic area includes the palace Mingtang of Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty and a royal pagoda.

    Paradise Mingtang represents the core elements of Sui and Tang Luoyang City National Heritage Park. The park is also one of the national heritage parks in China. Located in the central part of the city during the Sui (581-618) and Tang dynasties, the national park was once the political, economic and cultural center for the whole China, and thrived for about 500 years.

    Dingding Gate Ruins Museum

    Dingding Gate, a world cultural heritage, is the main gate of Guocheng outside Luoyang, the capital of the Sui and Tang dynasties. It was named Jianguo Gate in the early Sui Dynasty, and renamed Dingding Gate in the Tang Dynasty.

    The Dingding Gate Ruins Museum of Luoyang City in Sui and Tang Dynasties, a key project of national cultural heritage protection, officially opened on  the morning of Oct. 30, 2009. After sleeping underground for thousands of years, this gate was finally excavated and exposed for all to see.

    Luoyang Old Town

    Luoyang Old Town is located to the east of the Luoyang Railway Station. It features well-preserved ancient architecture and narrow streets. Taking a walk along the streets, you can experience the peaceful life of the local people. Additionally, traditional food, shuixi (boiled food banquet) can be found here.  

    (Chen Xiaochun)