Longmen Xiangshan Temple

Longmen Xiangshan Temple

Longmen Xiangshan Temple is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a cultural tourism site.

Longmen Xiangshan Temple is located in the western valley of Xiangshan Mountain, 13 kilometers south of Luoyang City, the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties, adjacent to the Longmen Grottoes. It was first built in the first year of the Xiping era during the Northern Wei Dynasty. When Empress Wu Zetian ascended the throne, she renovated the temple and often visited in person, presiding over court sessions from the stone tower within Xiangshan Temple, giving rise to the famous tale of “Composing Poetry at Xiangshan and Winning a Brocade Robe.” Bai Juyi once donated 600,000 to 700,000 strings of cash to renovate Xiangshan Temple and wrote the “Record of the Renovation of Xiangshan Temple,” greatly enhancing the temple’s fame. During the Qing Kangxi era, it was renovated again, and Emperor Qianlong visited Xiangshan Temple, praising it as “Of the ten temples at Longmen, Xiangshan is the foremost.” In 2003, the fifth renovation of Xiangshan Temple took place, drawing inspiration from Tang Dynasty architecture. Historical structures such as the Jiang-Song Tower, Qianlong Imperial Stele Pavilion, and Yibao Pagoda were restored, preserved, and protected. New structures including the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and Mahavira Hall were built on the original sites, while the Heavenly King Hall, Arhat Hall, and walking paths were also renovated.

Xiangshan Temple is located in the western valley of Xiangshan Mountain, 13 kilometers south of Luoyang City, the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties. It faces the West Hill Grottoes of the Longmen Grottoes — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — across the river, and stands adjacent to the East Hill Grottoes and Bai Garden. The mountain is named Xiangshan (Fragrant Mountain) for its once abundant fragrant vines.

Xiangshan Temple was initially built in the first year of the Xiping era of the Northern Wei Dynasty (516 AD). In the third year of the Chuigong era of the Tang Dynasty (687 AD), the Indian monk Dharmakṣema (known as Rizhao), who came to China, was buried here, leading to the reconstruction of the temple to enshrine his remains. In the first year of the Tianshou era (690 AD), Wu Zetian declared herself emperor in Luoyang, establishing the Zhou Dynasty, and upon the suggestion of her cousin, Prince Liang Wu Sansi, the temple was decreed to be named “Xiangshan Temple” and was subsequently renovated. At that time, the temple boasted towering structures reaching the clouds and majestic pavilions, making for a spectacular sight. Wu Zetian frequently visited in person and held court sessions from the stone tower in the temple, which gave rise to the tale of “Composing Poetry at Xiangshan and Winning a Brocade Robe.” In the sixth year of the Dazhong era of the Tang Dynasty (832 AD), Bai Juyi, the governor of Henan, donated 600,000 to 700,000 strings of cash to renovate Xiangshan Temple and wrote the “Record of the Renovation of Xiangshan Temple,” which greatly boosted the temple’s reputation. The opening line of this essay praises the temple: “Among the scenic spots around Luoyang, Longmen is the finest, and among the ten temples of Longmen, Xiangshan is the most worthy of a visit.” Additionally, Bai Juyi collected over 5,000 volumes of Buddhist scriptures and stored them in the temple. He called himself the “Hermit of Xiangshan” and formed the “Nine Elders of Xiangshan” literary group with Monk Ruman and others, composing poetry within the temple's halls and groves. Bai Juyi passed away in the sixth year of the Huichang era (846 AD) and was buried at his request beside the stupa of Master Ruman in Xiangshan Temple.

The temple still existed during the Song and Jin periods but was abandoned by the end of the Yuan Dynasty. It was renovated again during the Qing Kangxi era, and Emperor Qianlong visited Xiangshan Temple, praising it as “Of the ten temples at Longmen, Xiangshan is the foremost.” This quote comes from his poem “Two Poems on Xiangshan Temple,” which was inscribed on a stone tablet. The Qianlong Imperial Stele Pavilion in Xiangshan Temple houses this tablet, which has stood there for over 200 years. In the late Qing and early Republican periods, the temple gradually fell into disrepair. In 1936, after being rebuilt, a two-story building was added inside the temple to celebrate Chiang Kai-shek’s 50th birthday. Chiang and his wife Soong Mei-ling often used it as a summer retreat. Located in the southeast corner of the temple, this structure is known as the “Jiang-Song Villa.”

After the liberation, Xiangshan Temple underwent several renovations. Today, to implement the “Tourism Strengthening the City” strategy, expand sightseeing options at the Longmen Grottoes, enrich the cultural content of Xiangshan Temple, elevate its tourism appeal, and promote traditional Chinese culture, the Luoyang Municipal Party Committee, Municipal Government, and the Longmen Grottoes Administration invested 6 million yuan in the first half of 2003 to renovate the temple. Based on the “Longmen Grottoes Area Plan” and the “Luoyang Longmen Grottoes Protection and Management Regulations,” the project was completed between the end of 2002 and early April 2003 in just 100 days, setting a record for the fastest temple renovation in China. This marked the fifth restoration of Xiangshan Temple. The new version of the temple adopted Tang Dynasty architectural styles, preserving and restoring historical relics such as the Jiang-Song Tower, Qianlong Imperial Stele Pavilion, and Yibao Pagoda. New structures including the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and Mahavira Hall were built on the original sites, while the Heavenly King Hall, Arhat Hall, and walking paths were also renovated.

In addition, Xiangshan Temple has deep connections with Zen Buddhism. The Second Patriarch of Zen, Master Huike, studied under Master Baojing here before returning to Xiangshan Temple for further practice. Following his master’s guidance, he later went to Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng to study under Bodhidharma and eventually inherited the Dharma, becoming the Second Patriarch of Zen.

Having endured over 1,400 years of history, Xiangshan Temple has continuously resonated with Buddhist teachings and flourished in worship. Now, after its fifth renovation, the temple presents an awe-inspiring blend of old and new architecture. Facing the West Hill Grottoes of Longmen across the river, it stands alongside the East Hill Grottoes and Bai Garden. Since its consecration on April 11, up to the end of November, the temple has welcomed over 50,000 domestic and international visitors. On October 27 of this year, Luo Haocai, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, visited Xiangshan Temple and spoke highly of it. The temple has become another stunning and radiant highlight within the Longmen Grottoes Scenic Area.

Address: Eastern Shore of the Yi River, Eastern Hill, Longmen Grottoes Scenic Area, Intersection of Longmen Avenue and S238 Provincial Road, Longmen District, Luoyang City

Type: Historical Architecture / Temple

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Visit Duration: 1 hour

Phone: 0379-65980972

Opening Hours:

February 1 – March 31: Ticket sales 8:00–17:00, closing 18:00; April 1 – October 7: Ticket sales 8:00–17:30, closing 18:30; October 8 – October 31: Ticket sales 8:00–17:00, closing 18:00; November 1 – January 31 (next year): Ticket sales 8:00–16:00, closing 17:00.

Ticket Information:

No separate ticket required. Included in the Longmen Grottoes main scenic area ticket.