{"id":765,"date":"2025-04-23T19:54:45","date_gmt":"2025-04-23T19:54:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stage.openvirtualworlds.org\/worldheritage2025\/?page_id=765"},"modified":"2025-04-23T19:54:45","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T19:54:45","slug":"digital-exhibition-the-longmen-grottoes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/stage.openvirtualworlds.org\/worldheritage2025\/digital-exhibition-the-longmen-grottoes\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital Exhibition: The Longmen Grottoes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Longmen Grottoes, located in Luoyang, Henan Province, China, are one of the finest examples of Chinese Buddhist art. The site comprises the West Hill Grottoes, the East Hill Grottoes, Bai Garden, and Xiangshan Temple. <\/strong>Carved into limestone cliffs along the Yi River, the site features over 2,300 caves and niches filled with thousands of Buddha statues, inscriptions, and steles dating back to the Northern Wei and Tang dynasties. Recognized by UNESCO as the pinnacle of Chinese stone carving art, the grottoes reflect artistic, spiritual, and cultural achievements spanning centuries. <\/p>\n\n\n

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The Longmen Grottoes Scenic Area mainly consists of four major attractions: the Xishan Grottoes, the Dongshan Grottoes, Bai Garden, and Xiangshan Temple. The following sections will introduce them in this order.
Overall Route:<\/strong> West Hill Grottoes \u2192 East Hill Grottoes \u2192 Xiangshan Temple \u2192 Bai Garden<\/p>\n\n\n

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the West Hill Grottoes<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Three Binyang Caves: <\/strong>The most representative large-scale imperial cave of the Northern Wei period was constructed by Emperor Xuanwu to offer blessings for his parents, Emperor Xiaowen and Empress Wenzhao.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Wanfo Cave (Ten Thousand Buddha Cave)<\/strong>: The Cave of Ten Thousand Buddhas was named for the 15,000 small Buddha statues neatly arranged on its northern and southern walls.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Fengxian Temple<\/strong>: The largest, most magnificent, and most artistically exquisite group of cliffside sculptures in the Longmen Grottoes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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    Guyang Cave<\/strong>: It is the earliest cave to be carved in the Longmen Grottoes, with the longest span of construction and the most abundant content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Yaofang Cave (Prescriptions Cave)<\/strong>: Yaofang Cave contains the earliest known stone-carved medical prescriptions in China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Lotus Cave: <\/strong>The Lotus Cave is renowned for its intricately carved lotus flower on the ceiling, symbolizing purity and the spiritual essence of Buddhism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Longmen Bridge: <\/strong>Longmen Bridge spans the Yi River, offering a picturesque view of the grottoes and connecting visitors to both sides of this historic site.
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    Yu wang Pool:<\/strong> Yu Wang Pool is a serene natural spring near the grottoes, historically linked to Emperor Yu\u2019s legendary flood control efforts in Chinese mythology.
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    The East Hill Grottoes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Central Leigutai Cave\uff1a The main cave at Leigutai features a large seated Buddha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    North Leigutai Cave\uff1aA cave with rows of small Buddha niches carved into the walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Kanjing Temple\uff1a An ancient temple where monks once recited and studied scriptures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Four Geese Cave: A cave named for its four carved goose statues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Two Lotus Flower Caves: Two facing caves with lotus flower carvings on the ceilings.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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    The Xiangshan Temple:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Xiangshan Temple is located in the western valley of Xiangshan Mountain, 13 kilometers south of Luoyang City<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    The Bai Garden:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Located on Pipa Peak of the East Hill in the Longmen Scenic Area of Luoyang, it is the tomb garden of the Tang dynasty poet Bai Juyi, covering an area of 30,000 square meters.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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