Luoyang, China
Located in west Henan Province, Luoyang is in the middle reaches of the
Yellow River and encircled by mountains and plains. It is the cradle of
Chinese civilization, as it was the capital city of 13 ancient dynasties
from Xia Dynasty (21st-16th century BC). Boasting the world heritage
site Longmen Grottoes and adjacent location to the famous Shaoling
Temple, it is a popular destination in central China. Peony is the city
flower. The Peony Culture Festival, starting in April, attracts a great
number of travelers worldwide. It is also famed as the 'Poets Capital'
because poets and literates of ancient times often gathered there and
left great works. Chinese culture and religion have close relationship
with the city. Many Chinese legends happened there, such as Nvwa
Patching the Sky. Taoism originated there and the first Buddhist temple
set up by the government was there. Many ancient inventions such as the
seismograph, armillary sphere, paper making, printing and the compass
originated there.
Things to do in Luoyang
Shaolin Temple, in the region of Songshan Mountain, Dengfeng City, Henan
Province, is reputed to be 'the Number One Temple under Heaven'. Shaolin
Temple history can date back to Northern Wei Dynasty (386 - 534), and it
played an important role on the development of the Buddhism in China.
Included on UNESCO's World Cultural & Natural Heritage List in 2010, it is
the cradle of the Chinese Zen Buddhism and the Shaolin Martial Arts such as
Shaolin Cudgel. One can see wild flowers and pines on the mountain. With
birds singing and a brook spattering, a beautiful scene full of life and
vitality is revealed to the visitors.
Shaolin Temple embraces many exciting attractions, such as the Hall of
Heavenly Kings (Tianwangdian), the Mahavira Hall (Daxiongbaodian), the
Pagoda Forest, the Dharma Cave and the Martial Art Training Center. Visitors
may follow the virtual guide to visit the temple.
Location: in the south of Luoyang city
Length: 1,000 meters (1, 094 yards) from north to south
Construction begining: in Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534)
The Longmen Grottoes, aka Longmen Caves, are between Mount Xiang and Mount
Longmen and face Yi River. Longmen Grottoes, Yungang Caves and Mogao Caves
are regarded as the three most famous treasure houses of stone inscriptions
in China.
Who built the Longmen Grottoes? Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei Dynasty
firstly directed the construstion around the year 493 when he moved the
capital to Luoyang. After that, the Longmen Caves were continuously built
during the 400 years until the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). The scenery
area holds over 2,300 holes and niches, 2,800 steles, 40 dagobas, 1,300
caves and 100,000 statues. 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 here.
The White Horse Temple is covered with green ancient trees and appears
solemn and tranquil. Outside the gate, there is a pool with fences around
and lovely fish in the water. It is for the believers to set free the
captive animals. After crossing the pool via a stone bridge, you will enter
the temple. To the east and west of the gate are the tombs of She Moteng and
Zhu Falan, which are one of the six most famous sights here. In the east
corner stands a tablet pavilion. The Chinese characters written on the
tablet are the work of a Chinese calligrapher abbot Shamen Wencai, designed
during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-368). They are written in his familiarly free
and easy style and describe the history of the White Horse Temple.
The Hall of Heavenly Kings, Hall of the Great Buddha, Hall of Mahavira, Hall
of Guidance and the Cool and Clear Terrace appear in proper order in the
temple, as they were when it was first built.
China
National Flower Garden was built in 2001 along the southern bank of Luo
River of Luoyang in Henan Province. With an area of 255 acres, it is the
largest peony park in China. China National Flower Garden cultivates about
500,000 peonies in 9 colors as well as a further 2,000,000 plants of 1,000
different species. Among them, a huge peony called “Flower Goddess” with an
age of100 years and a height of 2 meters (7 feet) gains public attention.
April to early May is the most suitable period to witness the scene of peony
blossom in China National Flower Garden. Visitors can admire peonies,
pavilions, lakes, and hills as well as distinctive buildings there. The
history of Sui and Tang dynasties (581–907), traditional royal garden art as
well as peony views combine beautifully in China National Flower Garden.
Below are the major sightseeing areas.