Luoyang

Carved into the limestone cliffs flanking the Yi River, the Longmen Grottoes are one of the world’s finest examples of Chinese Buddhist art. This UNESCO site houses tens of thousands of Buddhist statues, ranging from tiny 1-inch figures to the colossal 57-foot Vairocana Buddha, whose serene expression is said to be modeled after Empress Wu Zetian. Created over five centuries between the Northern Wei and late Tang Dynasties, the intricate chambers and inscriptions provide an unparalleled look into the religious devotion and artistic mastery of ancient China.

The legendary birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and Shaolin Kung Fu, this active monastery is a place where spiritual discipline and martial prowess are inseparable. Nestled at the foot of Mount Song, one of China’s five sacred mountains, the complex is a serene collection of courtyards, pagodas, and training grounds. The true magic lies in witnessing the dedication of its resident monks, from their morning chanting to the explosive, gravity-defying martial arts performances staged in the outdoor arena. The adjacent Pagoda Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a hauntingly beautiful cemetery of over 200 brick and stone pagodas, each a tomb for a past master. It is a pilgrimage site for martial artists and a fascinating cultural experience for all.

Regarded as the cradle of Chinese Buddhism, the White Horse Temple stands amid cypress groves twelve kilometres east of Luoyang’s modern sprawl. Legend holds that in 68 CE, two Indian monks arrived on a white horse bearing sutras and relics; Emperor Ming of Han ordered this monastery built to house them, marking Buddhism’s formal entry into China. The present layout — largely a Ming–Qing reconstruction — follows a classic axial plan: the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, the Great Buddha Hall sheltering a serene Sakyamuni flanked by disciples, and the Hall of Mahavira with its trio of gilded Buddhas. A pair of stone horses, weathered to a patina of centuries, kneel at the gate. Beyond the main courtyards, international pavilions — Thai, Burmese, Indian — bloom like lotus petals, each a diplomatic gift showcasing distinct regional styles. The atmosphere is hushed, scented with sandalwood and the faint chiming of wind bells; elderly nuns sweep fallen petals from the flagstones with bamboo brooms.