Luoyang and Longmen Grottoes

The Longmen Grottoes lie on the banks of the Yi River in Luolong District, Luoyang, about 150 km (93 miles) west of Zhengzhou in Henan province. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the grottoes hold thousands of Buddhist niches and tens of thousands of statues carved into limestone cliffs over several centuries, mainly during the Northern Wei and Tang dynasties. High-speed trains from Zhengzhou East reach Luoyang Longmen station in about an hour for roughly ¥60-100, with frequent departures. A bus or taxi from the station to the grottoes takes 20-30 minutes and costs about ¥15-30. Entrance is about ¥90, and visitors should check the current price.

The centrepiece is the Fengxian Temple grotto, dominated by the colossal seated Vairocana Buddha, roughly 17 metres tall and dating to the Tang dynasty. Other highlights include the Guyang Cave, with early Northern Wei inscriptions, and the Binyang Caves. The west cliff holds most of the major sculptures, and a footbridge or boat across the Yi River leads to the quieter east bank, with views back over the cliff face and, on the hillside, the Xiangshan Temple and Bai Juyi's tomb. Walking the full site takes about 2-3 hours, and the terrain is mostly flat riverside paths with stairs at some caves.

A suggested day reaches Luoyang by 09:00, visits the grottoes in the morning while light falls on the cliff face, and has lunch nearby. Luoyang's old city offers noodle shops and the regional 'water banquet' meal of soupy dishes, while the Luoyang Museum and the Ancient Tombs Museum are options for the afternoon. Evening visitors can see the lit-up cliff and river views. The best seasons are April-May and September-November, when weather is mild and peony blooms in Luoyang usually peak in April. Summer is hot and crowded, and winter mornings are cold but quiet. The last convenient train back to Zhengzhou leaves in the evening, so visitors should confirm times before leaving the city.