Admire the millennium-old stone carvings and immerse yourself in the legacy of Longmen Grottoes.

Longmen Grottoes: A Complete Guide Located in Luoyang City, Henan Province, the Longmen Grottoes are one of the four largest grottoes in China, a World Cultural Heritage site, and known as the "peak of stone carving art." They house more than 100,000 Buddha statues from the Northern Wei to the Tang Dynasties, representing a perfect fusion of history, art, and Buddhist culture. Here's a detailed guide: I. Basic Information • Address: Longmen Town, Luolong District, Luoyang City, Henan Province • Opening Hours: ◦ Peak Season (Apr 1–Oct 31): 8am–6pm (last tickets sold at 5:30pm) ◦ Off Season (Nov 1–Mar 31): 8am–5:30pm (last tickets sold at 5pm) • Tickets: ◦ Full Price: CNY 90/person (includes West Hill Grottoes, East Hill Grottoes, Xiangshan Temple, and Bai Garden) ◦ Night Tour Ticket: CNY 120/person (reservations required; lighting times vary by season) ◦ Free Admission: Seniors over 60, children under 1.4m, military personnel, people with disabilities, etc., with valid ID. II. Transportation • High-Speed Rail/Train: ◦ Luoyang Longmen Station (high-speed rail) → 10-min taxi ride to the northwest service area of the scenic spot ◦ Luoyang Station → Bus No. 81 directly to Longmen Grottoes (approx. 1 hr) • Airplane: Luoyang Beijiao Airport → 40-min taxi ride or airport bus transfer to a public bus • Car: The scenic spot has two parking lots, northwest and northeast, CNY 10/entry (arrive early during peak season) • Transportation within the Scenic Spot: ◦ Electric Shuttle Bus: CNY 10/person (connects the service area to the ticket gate; approx. 20-min walk) III. Must-See Attractions 1. West Hill Grottoes (Main Area) • Lushena Buddha: The largest Buddha statue of the Tang Dynasty, 17.14m high, funded by Wu Zetian, known as the "Mona Lisa of the East" • Binyang Three Caves: Northern Wei royal grottoes; the middle cave features a "Sakyamuni" statue with ornate robes, and the north cave's "Scissorhands Buddha" has unexpectedly become popular • Ten Thousand Buddha Cave: More than 15,000 small Buddha statues cover the walls, and the 52 lotus flowers carved behind the main Buddha are exquisite 2. East Hill Grottoes • Kanjing Temple: Tang Dynasty Luohan reliefs; 29 Dharma Luohan statues with different expressions; the only grotto that has not been looted 3. Xiangshan Temple • Wu Zetian once hosted poetry gatherings here; the Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling Villa witnessed the era of the Republic of China; panoramic views of the Yi River 4. Bai Garden (Bai Juyi's Tomb) • The resting place of Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi; serene bamboo forest; inscribed poems and writings worth savoring IV. Recommended Routes • Half-Day Tour (Highlights): Northwest Service Area → West Hill Grottoes (Lushena Buddha, Binyang Three Caves, Ten Thousand Buddha Cave) → Cross the bridge → Xiangshan Temple → Return by electric shuttle bus • One-Day Tour (In-depth): Northwest Service Area → West Hill Grottoes → East Hill Grottoes → Xiangshan Temple → Bai Garden → Longmen Night Tour (light show) • Culture Enthusiast Route: Book a guide in advance → Focus on Guyang Cave (Wei stele calligraphy) and Yaofang Cave (stone-carved prescriptions) → Enjoy tea at Xiangshan Temple → Night photography of grotto silhouettes V. Seasonal Activities • Spring (Mar–May): Willows line the banks of the Yi River; visit the Luoyang Peony Garden during the Peony Culture Festival (April) • Summer (Jun–Aug): Avoid midday heat; choose morning/evening visits; dazzling night tour lights • Autumn (Sep–Nov): Clear skies; the red leaves of Bai Garden complement the grottoes • Winter (Dec–Feb): Fewer crowds; snow-covered grottoes (beware of slippery surfaces) VI. Practical Tips 1. Guide Services: • Human Guide: CNY 200/session for up to 5 people (recommended for more engaging stories) • Electronic Guide: CNY 30/device (CNY 200 deposit) 2. Photography Tips: • Morning is best for photographing the West Hill Grottoes (with the light), and afternoon for the East Hill Grottoes (for optimal light and shadow) • Best spot for photographing the Lushena Buddha: Worship platform (looking back from the east side after crossing the bridge) 3. What to Wear: • Non-slip athletic shoes (many steps in the grottoes); hat + sunglasses in summer; windproof jacket in winter 4. Dining: • Mainly simple meals in the scenic area; bringing your own snacks is recommended • Try Luoyang Water Banquet after leaving the scenic area ("Zhen Bu Tong" restaurant is recommended) 5. Things to Avoid: • Don't trust people outside the scenic area offering "shortcuts" • Protect the cultural relics; do not use flash photography on the Buddha statues VII. Nearby Attractions • Guanlin Temple: Burial place of Guan Yu's head; 10-min drive; CNY 40 • White Horse Temple: The first ancient temple in China; 30-min drive; CNY 35 • Luoyang Museum: Free admission with ID; see Tang Sancai in the Treasures Hall • Luoyi Ancient City: Hanfu experience + night view; 25-min drive • Shaolin Temple: 1.5-hr drive; experience Chan and Wu culture The Longmen Grottoes are a time tunnel through millennia, with each Buddha statue narrating the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty and the ingenuity of the artisans. Learning about the historical background beforehand will enhance your experience! 🛕📿