Longmen Grottoes龙门石窟 · Lóngmén Shíkū — Buddhas carved into riverside cliffs
More than 100,000 Buddhist statues carved into the limestone cliffs on both banks of the Yi River near Luoyang, over four centuries from the Northern Wei to the Tang. The high point of Chinese stone carving — including a 17-metre Vairocana Buddha with a famously serene smile.
The high point of Chinese stone carving.
The grottoes and niches of Longmen hold the largest and most impressive collection of Chinese Buddhist art of the late Northern Wei and Tang dynasties (316–907). Entirely devoted to Buddhism, and carved into the cliffs on both sides of the Yi River, they represent the summit of Chinese stone sculpture.
The work spans a stylistic revolution — from the elongated, otherworldly figures of the Northern Wei to the fuller, more human Tang forms — sponsored by emperors, empresses and ordinary donors alike. The presiding Fengxian Temple carving, a 17-metre Vairocana Buddha, is said to have been modelled on the empress Wu Zetian.
Along the West Hill cliffs.
The masterpieces line the West (near) bank; the East bank and Xiangshan Temple across the river add context and the best photo angle back. Walk it north to south.
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Fengxian Temple 奉先寺
The open-air showpiece: a 17 m seated Vairocana Buddha flanked by guardians, its serene face one of the icons of Chinese art.On West Hill · Fee on the ticket
Binyang Caves 宾阳三洞
Three Northern Wei caves showing the earlier, more ethereal style — begun for a Wei emperor and centuries in the making.On West Hill
Ten Thousand Buddhas Cave 万佛洞
A Tang cave whose walls swarm with 15,000 tiny carved Buddhas, no two quite the same.On West Hill
East Hill & Xiangshan Temple 东山・香山寺
The quieter far bank, with more caves and the temple terrace that gives the classic view back across the river to the great Buddha.Across the Yi River · Fee on the ticket
Spring and autumn, on a clear day.
April–May and September–October are the most comfortable in Henan, and Luoyang's famous peony blooms in mid-April. Summers are hot; winters cold but quiet, with cheaper tickets.
Avoid summer midday and the peony-festival and Golden Week crowds. The West Hill cliff path is exposed and gets hot and busy from late morning. Arrive at opening, walk the West Hill first while it's cool and clear, then cross to the East Hill for the light.
For foreign travelers.
- Start on the West Hill, where Fengxian Temple and the great Buddhas are, then cross the bridge to the East Hill for the view back.
- Book online with your passport; it's an easy fast-train day trip from Xi'an or Zhengzhou.
- Bring sun protection — the cliff path has little shade — and water.
- Pair it with Luoyang's White Horse Temple or the Shaolin Temple at Dengfeng nearby. See our Xi'an guide.