Luoyang Attractions
Luoyang is situated in the west of the province of Hena, on the River Luohe. Its name means ''north of the Luo''.
The city is connected by rail with Beijing, Shanghai, Canton, Xi'an and Zhengzhou, while a small airport makes flights possible to Canton, Beijing, Nanking, Lanzhou, Shanghai, Xi'an and Ürümqi.
Finds from the area show that settlements existed here even in Neolithic times (Yangshao and Longshan civilization). Luoyang was from 770 BC the capital of nine dynasties - firstly the Eastern Zhou dynasty (770-221 BC) under the name Wangcheng - and was therefore the military, economic and cultural center of the country.
During the period of the Eastern Han dynasty (25-220), who likewise resided here, a huge library was built and large imperial academy was founded where some 30,000 students studied over the years. This period coincided with the invention of paper by Cai Lun and the advent of Buddhism. In AD 68 the Temple of the White Horses, the oldest Buddhist monastery in China, was built.
During the era of the Three Empires Luoyang was the capital of the Wei empire and subsequently of the Western Jin dynasty (265-316). The rulers of the Northern Wei dynasty (386-534), who also had their residence here, were great patrons of Buddhism and during this time more than 1000 temples were established. At the end of this period Luoyang was destroyed and rebuilt under the Sui (581-616).
In the Tang period (618-907) the city was the eastern capital alongside Chang'an. Since this time Luoyang has been known as the City of Peonies, reputedly a symbol of wealth.
The famous poets Du Fu and Li Bai lived and worked here. Empress Wu Zetian (reigned 690-705) had a special affection for Luoyang.
After the Jin moved their capital to Kaifeng in 937, Luoyang then lost its former importance and from then on was reduced to the status of a small provincial town.
It was not until the second half of this century that Luoyang experienced a revival - thanks to two important industrial concerns, a tractor works and a ball-bearing factory.
The manufacture of lamps and lanterns also has a long history here.
The city is connected by rail with Beijing, Shanghai, Canton, Xi'an and Zhengzhou, while a small airport makes flights possible to Canton, Beijing, Nanking, Lanzhou, Shanghai, Xi'an and Ürümqi.
Finds from the area show that settlements existed here even in Neolithic times (Yangshao and Longshan civilization). Luoyang was from 770 BC the capital of nine dynasties - firstly the Eastern Zhou dynasty (770-221 BC) under the name Wangcheng - and was therefore the military, economic and cultural center of the country.
During the period of the Eastern Han dynasty (25-220), who likewise resided here, a huge library was built and large imperial academy was founded where some 30,000 students studied over the years. This period coincided with the invention of paper by Cai Lun and the advent of Buddhism. In AD 68 the Temple of the White Horses, the oldest Buddhist monastery in China, was built.
During the era of the Three Empires Luoyang was the capital of the Wei empire and subsequently of the Western Jin dynasty (265-316). The rulers of the Northern Wei dynasty (386-534), who also had their residence here, were great patrons of Buddhism and during this time more than 1000 temples were established. At the end of this period Luoyang was destroyed and rebuilt under the Sui (581-616).
In the Tang period (618-907) the city was the eastern capital alongside Chang'an. Since this time Luoyang has been known as the City of Peonies, reputedly a symbol of wealth.
The famous poets Du Fu and Li Bai lived and worked here. Empress Wu Zetian (reigned 690-705) had a special affection for Luoyang.
After the Jin moved their capital to Kaifeng in 937, Luoyang then lost its former importance and from then on was reduced to the status of a small provincial town.
It was not until the second half of this century that Luoyang experienced a revival - thanks to two important industrial concerns, a tractor works and a ball-bearing factory.
The manufacture of lamps and lanterns also has a long history here.
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Wangcheng Gongyuan Park
Thousands of peonies grow in Wangcheng Gongyuan Park, which boasts of over 180 varieties of the flower.
Luoyang Tomb Museum
The burial chamber of Emperor Xuanwu's tomb, dating from the year 516 and situated on the northern fringes of the town, forms the center of the Tomb Museum. A further 22 historical burial chambers were found in Luoyang and surroundings, brought here and linked by underground passages. The graves date from between the 1st and 12th C and are largely painted or decorated with reliefs. Some burial objects are also exhibited.
Luoyang Surroundings
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Songshan Mountain
Songshan Mountain, one of the five sacred Buddhist mountains, is home to the oldest observatory in China, the 5th C Monastery of Shaolin, and the Songyang Academy.
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Temple of the White Horses
One of the oldest temples in Chine, The Temple of the White Horses was built in AD 68, although the present structures were built during the Ming Period.
Skyscraper Pagoda
Southeast of the White Horse Temple towers the 24m/79ft high thirteen-story Skyscraper Pagoda, which was built under the Later Tang dynasty (618-907) and rebuilt under the Jin dynasty. It is a typical example of the Tang period style.
Songyue Ta Pagoda
The tiled Pagoda of Songyue Ta belonging to the Temple of Songyue Si, 5km/3mi northwest of Dengfeng is the oldest of its kind in China. This dodecagonal building dates from 520 and is 40m/130ft high.
Temple of the Earliest Forefather
To the north of the Monastery of Shaolin stands the Temple of the Earliest Forefather (Chiuzu An), which was built in the 6th C and restored in 1125.
Tomb of Bai Juyi Mu
The tomb of Bai Juyi is to be found on the Summit of Poetic Perfection (Pipa Feng) on Xinagshan Mountain on the east bank of the Yihe. The famous poet (772-846) was for many years court tutor to some of the hereditary princes of the Tang dynasty and spent the last years of his life at the foot of Xiangshan.
Tomb of General Guan Yu
The head of Guan Yu (?-219), a general of the Shu kingdom who was beheaded on the battlefield, is reputed to lie under the great burial mound, 7km/4.5mi south of the city. For the Chinese people he is still a symbol of loyalty, trust and moral integrity, even today, because of his self-sacrificing deeds.
Zhongyue Maio Temple
Zhongyue Maio Temple lies 4km/2.5mi east of Dengfeng. It was built in the 3rd C BC and was the place of worship for the state religion. The present buildings date from 18th C; the main hall was completed in 1653. With its surface area of some 100,000sq.m/120,000sq.yd it is the most monumental Buddhist building in the province. The halls, partially covered with emperor-yellow tiles, are arranged symmetrically. The four larger-than-life cast iron guardian figures are especially noteworthy.
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