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Luoyang
Brief Introduction
Luoyang is a small city, 25 kilometers to the south of the Yellow River, and is well known in China as "The Capital of Nine Dynasties", having been capital from the Eastern Zhou (770 BC) to the later Tang Dynasty (923-936 AD).
For several centuries, Luoyang was the gravity center of China. In 68, White Horse Temple, the first Buddhist temple in China, was founded here. The temple still exists, albeit the architecture is of later origin, mainly from the 16th century.
In 493 the Northern Wei Dynasty moved its capital from Datong to Luoyang and started the construction of the artificial Longmen Caves. More than 30,000 Buddhist images from the time of this dynasty have been found in the caves.
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Local Culture
Its long history endows Luoyang with a profound sense of culture. The city is the cradle of Chinese civilization where many Chinese legends happened, such as Nvwa Patching the Sky, Dayu Controlling Flood and the Chinese ancestor Huangdi Establishing the Nation. The city is also famed as the 'Poets Capital' as poets and literates of ancient China often gathered there and left grand works, including 'Book of Wisdom' ('Daode Jing'), 'Han History' ('Han Shu') and 'Administrative Theory of Admonishing Official' ('Zi Zhi Tong Jian'). Religious culture once thrived here. Taoism originated there and the first Buddhist temple set up by the government was located there. Luoyang is also the hometown of many of the scientific inventions of ancient China, such as the seismograph, armillary sphere, paper making, printing and the compass.
Shopping and Food
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Although not the capital, there are many specialties that can be found in Luoyang. The most famous would have to be the peonies that are found all over the place, flowers that are also the symbol of the city. For those after handicrafts the copied Tang Dynasty three-colour glazed pottery, that can be found in many places in Luoyang and has a history of as long as 1,000 years, is not to be missed. For tea connoisseurs, a taste of the pure and crisp Xinyang tea should not be missed, made from leaves of some of China's most unsullied land.
Luoyang is famous for its 24-course Water Banquet and Carp Dishes. Other delicious local dishes and snacks include Tangmian Jiao ( Steamed Dumplings), Zhangji Wonton, Zhangji Roast Chicken and Peony Soup.
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Entertainment
Although Luoyang is an ancient city, the locals enjoy a colorful and fashionable nightlife particularly in recent years. When the night comes, thousands of colorful lamps are lit along the streets, on the squares in the city center and on the bridges over the Luohe River traversing the city. Going out to appreciate the beautiful lights has become one of the most popular ways to spend evenings among the locals. Some even dance in the open air on the squares. Street lamps are quite unique in Luoyang. They look like beautiful blossoming peonies that are the symbols of the city.
Transportation
Luoyang is accessible by plane, train and long distance bus.
By Air
Luoyang's airport is located some 13 kilometers northwest of the city. There are some flights to and from Chendu, Dalian, Guangzhou. Flights to China's major tourism cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian & Guilin are not available. Use of the Zhengzhou Airport is a more convenient option. Tourists from Beijing, Shanghai and some more bigger cities can fly to Zhengzhou, capital city of the region and proceed to Luoyang by highway.
By Train
Luoyang's significant role as a major stop along the Lanzhou-Shanghai rail line makes train travel the most convenient way to reach Luoyang. Most of trains from major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Zhengzhou, Qingdao, Xiamen along the Lanzhou-Shanghai line stop at Luoyang Railway Station. Direct trains between Luoyang and Beijing, Shanghai, Zhengzhou are available. Luoyang Railway Station is located at the corner of Jingguguan Lu and Daonan Dong Lu in the northern part of the city.
By Bus
Luoyang Long Distance Bus Station is opposite the train station. There are buses from Luoyang to the neighboring areas including Zhengzhou, Kaifeng, Sanmenxia. Long-distance buses going farther to Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei Province, Baoding and Beijing easily accessible.
Tourist Attractions
Shaolin Temple
Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Chan Buddism-cradle of Shaolin Kung fu. Shaolin Temple, in the region of Song Mountain, Dengfeng City, Henan Province, is reputed to be 'the Number One Temple under Heaven'. The temple is the cradle of the Chinese Zen Buddhism and the Shaolin Martial Arts such as Shaolin Cudgel.
Although Luoyang is an ancient city, the locals enjoy a colorful and fashionable nightlife particularly in recent years. When the night comes, thousands of colorful lamps are lit along the streets, on the squares in the city center and on the bridges over the Luohe River traversing the city. Going out to appreciate the beautiful lights has become one of the most popular ways to spend evenings among the locals. Some even dance in the open air on the squares. Street lamps are quite unique in Luoyang. They look like beautiful blossoming peonies that are the symbols of the city.
White Horse Temple
White Horse Temple, which is located about seven miles away from the city of Louyang, is covered with green ancient trees and appears solemn and tranquil. In the year 64 of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), Emperor Ming sent a delegation of his men to study Buddhism in the western world. After three years, two eminent Indian monks, She Moteng and Zhu Falan, came back with the delegation. They brought with them a white horse carrying Buddhist sutras and Buddhist figures on its back. This was the first time that Buddhism appeared in China.
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Longmen Grottoes
The Longmen Grottoes are located in the south of Luoyang City. Longmen Grottoes, Yungang Caves and Mogao Caves are regarded as the three most famous treasure houses of stone inscriptions in China. The grottoes were started around the year 493 when Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534) moved the capital to Luoyang and were continuously built during the 400 years until the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). Lots of historical materials concerning art, music, religion, calligraphy, medicine, costume and architecture are kept in Longmen Grottoes.
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