Luoyang, the ancient capital
Situated on the central plain of China, one of the cradles of the Chinese civilization, Luoyang was one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China.
Recommended itinerary:
Day 1 Longmen Grottoes, White Horse Temple.
Day 2 Drive to Songshan Mountain of Dengfeng to visit Shaolin Temple and watch authentic Kongfu show.Be driven back to Luoyang.
Day 3 Luoyang Museum of Ancient Tombs, Ancient Street, Lijing Gate, Folklore Museum.
Must-visit Scenic Spots in Luoyang:
Lijing Gate:
Today’s Lijing Gate is combined by ancient walls, city moat, embrasured watchtower, and bridge. Its grand and magnificent manner made it flagship building in this old city. It’s also the icon of Luoyang culture, the first gate of ancient capitals.
White Horse Temple
The Temple, of 2000 years history, locates at 12 km east of downtown, was known as first ancient temple in China. It was first official temple since Buddhism came to China. There are well preserved three Buddha of Yuan Dynasty, such as Buddha of three periods, eighteen disciples of Buddha, etc. White Horse Temple was listed one of the first batch of National Key Culture Relic Protection Units.
Shaolin Temple
As the most famous temple of Buddhist and martial arts, Shaolin Temple enjoys a high reputation in the world. It’s the place of origin of Chinese Buhhdism and martial arts. It locates at west side of Songshan Mountain, back against Wuru Peak. Every year, numerous enthusiasts of martial arts come and visit the temple.
Luoyang Peony
Peony is Chinese traditional and national flower. Admiring flowers is an old custom of Luoyang people, especially admiring peony. Many ancient poets wrote down famous poems, which vividly described the spectacular events of admiring peony at that time. April and May is the best time for admiring peony. In the condition which is not good of national majority of traveling festival, Luoyang peony show has been successfully conducted more than 20 sessions. This "urban card "of the peony fair has already spread the graceful name of Luoyang everywhere.
Longmen Grottoes
Also named Dragon Gate Grottoes, Longmen Grottoes is one of the four Grottoes in China, listed with Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, Yungang Grottoes in Datong. As a world of heritage, this Grottoes gives an impression to travelers not only the shock, but reminding of the wisdom of Chinese people. There are as many as 100,000 statues within the 1,400 caves, ranging from a 1 inch (25 mm) to 57 feet (17 m) in height. The area also contains nearly 2,500 stelae and inscriptions, whence the name “Forest of Ancient Stelae", as well as over sixty Buddhist pagodas. In 2000 the site was inscribed upon the UNESCO World Heritage List as “an outstanding manifestation of human artistic creativity,” for its perfection of an art form, and for its encapsulation of the cultural sophistication of Tang China.
It’s very convenient for travelers to go to Luoyang. It takes only one hour’s flight and four hours’ bullet train from Beijing, and less than 2 hours’ bullet train from Xian.
