Longmen Grottoes, Luoyang

Admire ancient statues at the World Heritage Site of Longmen Grottoes, one of the world's premier sites for Chinese Buddhist artwork. Spanning both sides of the Yi River, the complex features niches and caves carved directly into the cliff faces along the banks. Explore this extensive network, with more than 2,300 chambers in all, and marvel at its array of Buddhist statues, shrines, and temples, as well as all sorts of religious inscriptions cut into the limestone rock. You'll find several sets of main grottoes home to intricate statues and carvings that date back to the complex's origins in the late fifth century CE. Don't miss the massive main statues in the western portion of the site, which tower over visitors from their position above three long staircases. Plan to see Longmen Grottoes and other attractions that appeal to you using our Luoyang vacation planning website.