Category: Silk-Road Highlights

Longmen Grottoes is one of the four major caves in China and it has a long history. It has been experienced by many dynasties and has been created intermittently for more than 500 years. There are more than 97,000 Buddha statues. With the Yi River as the boundary, the grottoes are divided into two parts: Xishan and Dongshan. The Dongshan Grottoes are mostly the works of the Tang Dynasty, while the Xishan Grottoes were excavated in the Northern Dynasties and the Sui and Tang Dynasties. The Longmen Grottoes is the most classic spot in Luoyang. The Xishan Grottoes are the most essential part of the Longmen Grottoes, including the Lushena Buddha statues of Fengxian Temple and the “Longmen 20 Pieces” in Guyang Cave. The Luoyang Peony Flower Festival will be held from April 1st to May 10th every year.

Official Phone o the Longmen Grottoes: 0379-65980972

Time reference for visiting: more than 3 hours

Transportation to the Longmen Grottoes:

Train: Take the train to Longmen Grottoes, usually arrive at Luoyang Station or Luoyang Longmen Station, then transfer to the bus or taxi.

1) Luoyang Station:

Take bus No. 81 directly: Get on at Luoyang Station (West Square) and get off at Longmen Grotto Station.

2) Luoyang Longmen Station:

Walk to Tongqu Road, Houzhanmen Street East Station, take the No. 67 or 71 bus, get off at Longmen Grotto Station, the fare is 1 yuan/person. Then take a taxi to the Longmen Grottoes.

Traffic in the scenic area:

Battery car: In addition to walking, visitors can also choose a battery car in the scenic area to visit.

Cruise: Cruise service is available in the scenic area. Line: Xishan Fengxiansi Wharf – Dongshan Baiyuan Wharf, the whole journey takes about 15 minutes.

Tickets:

Ordinary ticket: 90 RMB (from Monday – Sunday during January 1st – December 31st)

Opening hours

08:00-18:00; stop ticketing time: 17:00 (from Monday – Sunday during February 1st – March 31st, October 8th – October 31st)

08:00-18:30; stop ticketing time: 17:30 (April 1 – October 7)

08:00-17:00; stop ticketing time: 16:00 (from Monday – Sunday during November 1st – January 31st of the following year)

Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park has a total of 4 observation decks, the second one is the largest, and it is suitable for watching the sunrise; and the fourth one is the most beautiful, which is suitable for watching the sunset. The first one and the third one the overtype. If you are unfortunate to meet the situation that the sun just goes into the dark cloud when you arrive at the second viewing platform, there will be no sunshine, and the Danxia landform lost color. But at the end of the third viewing platform, the sun will shine out and you can quickly reach the fourth viewing platform, where paragliding, hot air balloons, and helicopters can be experienced on the fourth viewing platform.

The sunset is infinitely good and there are many people. On the plank road, the commanding heights of the viewing platform are all full of people. You can squeeze hard on the plank road and stand at the high point and look at the gorgeous Danxia, as ​​this scenery is really very beautiful. The opposite side of the mountain is brilliant, and the saturation contrast just like the PS. Visitors who are sure to take a glider should have a better visual experience.

The setting sun of Danxia landforms is not good, the mountains are too high, and they are all blocked. It is not as wide as the sea level. If you want to see the sunrise, you can go there earlier, as there are also many people in the morning. The ticket office at the entrance still is lined up long queues. After entering the park, just go straight to the 2^nd observation deck, and arrive at the highest point of the observation deck at 6:10 a.m., to wait for the sunrise. The sun at sunrise is still glaring, but it is really beautiful.

When the Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park is under the scorching sun, the color of the light and shadow is like a panoramic oil painting. When it is under the light of the rising sun, it seems to be wearing an orange coat, sparkling with different colors, and the colorful light and shadow transforms.

The management of Mogao Caves is still very good. Buy tickets generally in the official website one month in advance, then you can see 8 caves! If you don’t buy the ticket from the official website, you can buy an emergency ticket in Dunhuang one day in advance to see 4 caves! To tell the truth, the cave is very shocking, it is the intangible cultural heritage of the Chinese nation, but it is too little caves that allow to be viewd, only to show you a few representatives! You need to go to the museums and art galleries inside to learn more about the history and greatness of the Mogao Caves! No photos are allowed inside, and visitors are queued for half an hour for viewing a very short time during the peak season.

Inside the grotto it is a statue of Maitreya, which is the world’s largest indoor cross-legged sitting statue, so people call it the “Big Buddha Temple.” This statue has many feminine characteristics, which is similar to the giant Buddha of Lucerne, which shows the king’s character in the Longmen Grottoes of the same era!

The shape of the top of the cave changed with the dynasty. Before the Sui Dynasty, the figure was covered with human figures. The algae appeared in the Tang Dynasty, giving people lofty and profound sense. The algae well in the Xixia Cave also revealed to us the matriarchal social style of the Femdom. The pattern of Mogao Caves has become the favorite of scarves design, even the women who pursue the Hermes brand are convinced! The most moving part of the mural is undoubtedly the image of the flying Apsaras. Most of them are naked for upper body, and showed plump chest, long waist and curve body lines; some play flute, some hold lotus, some dress clothes, and it can be said that the sky is flying and full of wind!

The current visit process of Mogao Caves is to go to the Digital Display Center first and then take the bus into the cave area. From the city to the digital display center, you can take the green bus diagonally opposite the Silk Road Yiyuan Hotel. When you come back, you can take the bus back to the digital center from the cave area and return by taking the green bus.