HeritagePhoto Wikimedia CommonsLongmen Grottoes
Henan · China
Guided Discovery: Immerse yourself in a 2-Hour Guided Tour. Meet your expert guide at the scenic entrance, and let them unveil the hidden stories behind the Longmen Grottoes’ 1,500-year-old history. As you wander through the awe-inspiring caves, their vivid narratives will bring to life the intricate carvings, Buddhist sculptures, and the cultural significance of this timeless masterpiece.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Longmen Grottoes: The Stone History of Buddhism
Welcome to the Longmen Grottoes, a place where the spiritual aspirations of ancient China have been etched forever into the living rock. We are standing 12 kilometers south of the ancient capital of Lyang, in Hernan Province, at…
Listen in the app2Binyang North Cave — The Tang Dynasty Awakening
Our first significant stop is the Binyang North Cave, located at the northern end of the West Hill. This cave was the first large-scale grotto commissioned during the Tang Dynasty, specifically under the reign of Emperor Kaoong. …
Listen in the app3Moyan Sanfo — The Empress’s Vision
Continuing south along the cliff face, we reach the impressive Moyan Sanfo, a unique group of three large Buddhas carved directly onto the open cliff side. These figures were commissioned under the reign of Empress Wu Zetian, the…
Listen in the app4The Lotus Cave — Celestial Geometry
We now enter one of the most artistically significant sites from the earlier Northern Way period: the Lotus Cave, or Lianhua Dong. As you enter, the most important instruction I can give you is to look up. …
Listen in the app5Fengxian Temple — The Asian Mona Lisa
We have arrived at the absolute pinnacle of Longmen, and indeed of all Chinese stone carving: the Fengxian Temple. This massive open-air grotto, commissioned by Emperor Kaoong and completed in 675 AD, is the largest and most…
Listen in the app6Guyang Cave — The Forest of Steles
As we head toward the southern end of the West Hill, we enter the Guyang Cave, the oldest and most historically rich grotto at Longmen. Construction here began in 493 AD when Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Way moved his capital…
Listen in the app7Crossing to the East Hill — The View from Mount Xiang
To complete our journey, we cross the Mansu Bridge to the East Hill. This side of the river offers a very different experience. …
Listen in the app8Closing
As we stand here by the E River, taking one last look at the 'Stone Gate' of Longmen, I hope you feel a deep connection to the 1,500 years of history we have traversed. These grottoes are more than a collection of religious…
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What is Longmen Grottoes?
Longmen Grottoes is a place in Henan · China with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Henan · China |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 34.5517, 112.4763 |
| Last updated |
