Longmen Grottoes

The Longmen Grottoes lie along the Yi River in Longmen Town, about 12 km south of Luoyang, roughly 150 km west of Zhengzhou in Henan province. Carving began around 493 CE, when the Northern Wei emperor Xiaowen moved his capital to Luoyang, and continued for about four centuries through the Tang dynasty. The site holds more than two thousand caves and niches, with around a hundred thousand statues and thousands of inscriptions, on the cliffs of the river's two banks. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The most famous work is the Fengxian Temple group, carved during the Tang under Empress Wu Zetian in the 670s, with the seated Vairocana Buddha about 17 metres high, flanked by disciples, bodhisattvas and guardian figures. Earlier Northern Wei caves such as Guyang, Binyang and Lianhua caves show a more linear style, while Tang work displays fuller, rounder forms. The Longmen Stele Forest and inscriptions offer valuable calligraphic and historical records. Many statues have been damaged by weathering and looting, and numerous heads and reliefs were removed in the early 20th century and now sit in museums abroad. Conservation work includes grouting, drainage, and protection of the cliff faces, and access is managed through walkways and viewing platforms. The site is arranged as a scenic area, with the west bank containing the main caves and the east bank offering views back across the river. Interpretation includes signage in English, audio guides and guided tours. Admission is around CNY 90, and the site is open from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM in summer with earlier closing in winter, and last entry about 30 minutes before closing. It is usually visited as a day trip from Zhengzhou by high-speed train to Luoyang Longmen station.