Holiday in Luoyang

About Luoyang

Luoyang is one of the four great ancient capitals of China and has a history spanning over 4,000 years. As the capital of 13 dynasties — including the Eastern Zhou, Eastern Han, and Tang dynasty — Luoyang was for centuries the political and cultural center of the Chinese empire. Here, Buddhism was introduced to China for the first time, and Chinese historiography began. The Longmen Grottoes are a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most significant works of Buddhist rock sculpture in the world. In over 2,300 caves and niches stretching over a kilometer along both banks of the Yi River, there are more than 110,000 Buddhist stone figures. The largest, the Vairocana Buddha (completed in 675), measures 17 meters and is considered a masterpiece of Tang dynasty art — its facial features are said to resemble those of Empress Wu Zetian. The White Horse Temple (Baima Si), founded in 68 AD, is the first Buddhist temple built in China. Two Indian monks brought Buddhist sutras on white horses from India to Luoyang — hence the name. The temple complex, with its halls, pagodas, and a tranquil garden, is a place of reflection and a milestone in the history of Buddhism in East Asia. The Peony Festival (Mudan Jie) in April and May is Luoyang's largest cultural event: the city is considered the capital of the peony, and during the festival, over 400 varieties bloom in parks and gardens. Millions of visitors flock to Luoyang to admire the magnificent floral display — the peony is China's unofficial national flower. The Luoyang Museum houses over 400,000 artifacts from various dynasties, including bronze vessels from the Zhou dynasty, Tang tricolor pottery (Sancai), and imperial jade. The Old Town Center (Lijingmen) has been reconstructed as a historic district and offers traditional architecture, tea houses, and souvenir shops along the old city wall.