This is the gate into Longmen Grotto. The plaque on the wall to the left tells the history of this series of caves in the Longmen Mountains, that are filled with Buddhist carvings. The carvings were begun in 496 AD, and work contined on them for the next 500 years.

In this picture, you can look across the Yi River and see some of the caves in the cliffside. We also found this picture interesting because of the workmen repairing the retaining wall along the river. Almost all of this kind of work is done manually in China, using only hand tools.

These caves are farther down the mountian. The large cave to the far left of the picture contains the largest statue in the grotto. It is modeled after the Empress Wu Zetian, who is said to have given twenty million copper coins to support the work here. She is China's only Empress, and ruled when the capital city was in this area, so the people here are very proud of her.

On the side of the mountain perches Xiangshansi - fragrant mountain temple. At the bottom of the photo you can see the beginning of a staircase leading up to it. Right beside the staircase, at the bottom of the mountain, is a spring where people were drinking fresh water. The presence of this spring may explain why so much building was done in this area.

This is a view of the bridge over the Yi River from partway up the mountain. At the far end of the bridge, you can see the gateway into the grotto. The Yi is the southernmost of three rivers that surround Luoyang. The Jian is in the northwest (in the district we live in), and the Luo runs along the southern border of the city. In fact, "yang" is a Chinese word that means south of a mountain, or north of a river, so Luoyang is a city that is north of the Luo River.

The students who brought us on this trip then took us to the very top of the mountain for a picnic lunch. They strung up a hammock and urged Deanna to "take a rest". One of the students made this hammock herself, and it was very comfortable.

Copyright 2004, Dr. Lee Williams

Last Modified: 9 April 2004

Images and descriptions from this site may not be used without permission. For permission to use or to make comments, send email to leewil@quietsoftware.com