Don't Miss the Magnificent Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang

You can take a bus from the city center (¥1.5, about 1 hour) to the Longmen Grottoes (entrance fee ¥90, tickets can only be purchased on-site without an ID). I thought I could avoid the crowds of tour groups by going around noon, but I was too naive. The Longmen Grottoes, much like the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, are always bustling with visitors. The Longmen Grottoes are divided into four sections: the West Hill Grottoes, East Hill Grottoes, Xiangshan Temple, and Bai Garden. However, the highlights are concentrated in the West Hill Grottoes. After entering through the northwest entrance and walking along the Yi River, you'll quickly see the honeycomb-like niches. Most of the grottoes and Buddha statues were built during the Northern Wei and Tang dynasties by the imperial family and nobility. The massive and exquisitely carved stone Buddha statues are awe-inspiring, giving a sense of the monumental effort involved in their creation. Unfortunately, many statues are damaged or missing entirely. In addition to natural weathering, much of the damage is due to human destruction (as Buddha heads were often stolen and sold for profit). It's truly a pity.