Luoyang

Ancient Capital and Buddhist Heritage

Luoyang served as the capital of China under more dynasties than any other city, and it's home to the Longmen Grottoes and White Horse Temple — generally regarded as the first official Buddhist temple built in China. It's also the closest major city to Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Shaolin kung fu.

Best time to visit: March-May, September-November

Explore Luoyang by theme

Highlights

Longmen Grottoes
A UNESCO World Heritage site of over 2,000 caves and niches carved into limestone cliffs along the Yi River, containing tens of thousands of Buddhist statues and reliefs created over roughly 400 years starting in the late 5th century.
White Horse Temple
Generally regarded as the first officially sanctioned Buddhist temple built in China, founded in 68 CE under Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty. Still an active monastery with halls added over many later centuries.
Shaolin Temple
A Buddhist monastery in the Song Mountains near Dengfeng, widely regarded as the birthplace of Shaolin kung fu and a key site in the history of Chan (Zen) Buddhism in China. Reachable as a day trip from both Luoyang and Zhengzhou.

← Back to all cities