Unmissable Things to Do in Luoyang 洛阳; Longmen Grottoes 龙门石窟 Guanlin 关林, White Horse Temple 白马寺

Hi everyone, welcome back to Gibbon Travelogue! Today, Lilian and I are exploring one of the most historically important cities in all of China, Luoyang, one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals and the cradle of early Chinese civilisation. For over 1,500 years, Luoyang was the capital of multiple dynasties including the Xia, Shang, Eastern Zhou, Eastern Han, Cao Wei, Sui and Tang. In this episode, we highlight 5 unmissable experiences you must see when visiting Luoyang. 00:00 Getting our High-speed Train tickets using Trip.com 02:03 ✅ High-speed train tickets https://www.trip.com/t... 🏞️ 1. LONGMEN GROTTOES (UNESCO World Heritage Site) 04:26 One of China’s three greatest Buddhist cave complexes, with 100,000 Buddhist statues carved across 1,500 years. We visit Qianxisi Cave, Huijian Cave, Lotus Cave, the majestic Fengxiansi Cave, and the cliff-side Mo Ya San Fo. Rain or shine, this place feels like stepping into a living painting. 🏯 2. GUAN LIN TEMPLE (关林) 12:10 The only site in China that holds the title “Lin (林)” despite not being an imperial tomb. Here lies the head of Guan Yu, the legendary Three Kingdoms general known as the “God of War” and symbol of loyalty and righteousness. We explore the ceremonial axis, the Main Hall, Spirit Way, Tomb Pavilion, and the famous Blade Pavilion (刀亭) dedicated to his iconic Green Dragon Crescent Blade. 🐎 3. WHITE HORSE TEMPLE (白马寺) 17:12 The first Buddhist temple in China, built in 68 AD after Emperor Ming dreamt of a golden deity flying across his palace. This is where two Indian monks arrived on a white horse carrying sutras and relics, marking the birthplace of Chinese Buddhism. We explore the Hall of Heavenly Kings, Reception Hall, the stunning Yuan-era Mahavira Hall, and the serene Pilu Hall containing 5,056 miniature Buddhas. 🍽️ 4. THE WATER BANQUET (水席) 20:21 Dinner at Zheng Bu Tong Restaurant, famous for serving Luoyang’s thousand-year-old culinary tradition. The Water Banquet features 24 flowing dishes, served course after course “like water.” Signature: the exquisite Peony Swallow Dish, shaped like Luoyang’s iconic peony. 🌆 5. LUOYI ANCIENT TOWN (洛邑古城) 21:55 A beautifully restored cultural district glowing at night with lanterns, performances, and traditional shops. We visit the giant illuminated sign “金榜题名”, a blessing for exam success, and admire the historic Wenfeng Pagoda (文峰塔) rising above the town. With canals, bridges, music, and vibrant night scenes, it’s the perfect end to our journey. 🎬 If you love history, culture, and immersive travel, this episode is for you. Luoyang brings together the roots of Chinese civilisation, Buddhism, heroism, and cuisine — all in one unforgettable city. Love Gilbert and Lilian ‪@gibbontravelogue‬ 👍 Like the video 🔔 Subscribe to Gibbon Travelogue ✈️ And join me for the next adventure across China and beyond! Captions available. ---------------------------------------------------- 💡 Bookings & Helpful Links ✅ Hotels in Zhengzhou https://www.agoda.com/... ✅ High-speed train tickets https://www.trip.com/t... ✅ Attractions — Luoyang https://www.trip.com/t... ✅ Attractions — Zhengzhou, Shaolin, Kaifeng https://www.trip.com/t... Thank you for supporting our channel by using these links 🙏