- China Destination Guide - Longmen Grottoes

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China travel and tour destination Longmen

China Destination Guide - Longmen Grottoes

One of the three most famous ancient sculptural sites in China (the others being Yungang Caves at Datong and the Mogao Caves at Dunhuang) the Longmen Grottoes contain a staggering 100,000 Buddhist statues along a 1km long cliff face. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the carvings date back almost 2,900 years and despite damage by both unscrupulous collectors and red guards during the Cultural Revolution, remain one of China's most impressive sites.

What there is to see...

None of the caves can be entered in order to protect the relics but it is easy enough to view the contents from outside. There is plenty to see and the best way is to just wander around along the paths and stop at the caves which interest you.
Highlights are the Middle Binyang Cave built by the emperor Xuanwu in honour of his parents. South Binyang cave and Hidden Stream Temple Cave which underwent restoration in the 1990s.

Tours we offer that include the Longmen Grottoes

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China Tailor Made tours

Best time to visit Longmen

April, May and September and October are the best months but the caves can be visited year round.

Best reason to visit Longmen

Simply the spectacle of the carvings and the sheer scale of the site.

Our last word on Longmen

Easily fitted in to any trip going from Beijing to Xian the Grottoes are one of many slightly less visited sights in this part of China including Shaolin Si.