The Longmen Grottoes Guide

Located in the south of Luoyang City, the Longmen Grottoes is one of the three most famous treasure houses of stone inscriptions in China (the others are Yungang Caves and Mogao Caves). The best Buddhist sculpture in China is said to be located here and is the statue of Vairocana Buddha. The stone statues located in Fengxian Cave best represent the typical cave sculptures of the Tang Dynasty. Most of them are the works of the Northern Wei Dynasty and the flourishing age of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Lots of historical materials concerning art, music, religion, calligraphy, medicine, costume and architecture are kept in Longmen Grottoes.The grottoes have been placed on the List of World Cultural Heritage sites by the 24th UN Heritage Commission on November 30, 2000.

The construction for the Grottoes began in 493 AD during Emperor Xiaowen's reign and continued through 6 dynasties. The Buddhists carved these rock temples in order to dedicate them to the Buddha. In total, there are 1,352 caves, 785 niches, more than 97,000 statues and 3,680 inscribed stone tablets. Out of all of these sculptures, 1/3 comes from the Northern Wei Dynasty and the remainder comes from the Tang Dynasty. The carvings located here represent the pinnacle of grotto artwork in China. Fengxian Temple was built in the Tang Dynasty and it is the largest grotto in Longmen Temple with a width of 36 metres (about 118 feet) and a length of 41 metres (about 136 feet). The most impressive figure is the statue of Vairocana Buddha sitting cross-legged on the eight-square lotus throne. It is 17.14 metres (about 56.23 feet) in total height with the head four metres (about 13 feet) in height and the ears 1.9 metres (about 6.2 feet) in length.

Wanfo Cave, completed in 680, is a typical chronological cave of the Tang Dynasty of two rooms and square flat roofs. Its name is due to the 15,000 small statues of Buddha chiseled in the southern and northern walls of the cave. The main Buddha Amida sits on the lotus Sumeru throne, having a composed and solemn face.
How to travel in The Longmen Grottoes, Here are some guide information about The Longmen Grottoes.The detail is following:
Address: Yichuan County, Luoyang City, Henan
Admission Fee: 120RMB for p.p
Opening hours: 09:00 a.m-17:00 p.m
Contact Hotline: 86 379 65980502

• The White Horse Temple
• The Longmen Grottoes
• Zhongyue Temple
• Luoyang Museum
• Luoyang Peony Park
• Kungfu Performance