Wanfo Mountain Grottoes in Luoyang

Wanfo Mountain Grottoes in Luoyang

The Wanfo Mountain Grottoes are a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Wanfo Mountain Grottoes Scenic Area is located in Chaihe Village, 6 kilometers northwest of Jili District. The area lies on the northern tourist route of Luoyang, boasting superior natural conditions and abundant flora and fauna. The scenic zone features various trees and flowers, as well as a lake spanning over 400 acres, home to fish, shrimp, crabs...

and other aquatic animals. Wanfo Mountain is a small hill named after the Wanfo Mountain Grottoes preserved within it. The grottoes are built into the mountain cliffs and consist of upper and lower temple areas with five caves in total. Cultural experts have identified that these grottoes were carved around the time when Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty moved the capital to Luoyang, holding significant historical and cultural value. In 1997, the Wanfo Mountain Grottoes were designated as a Provincial Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Wanfo Mountain Grottoes Scenic Area includes four zones:

1.

The Cultural Relics Zone houses important historical artifacts, including the Wanfo Mountain Grottoes with both upper and lower temple areas. The grottoes were carved before Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty relocated the capital to Luoyang. Features include the Shenyou Cave, Luogu Cave, sculptures of the Three Ages of Buddha, the Shrine of the Good, the Hall of Laojun, the Buddha Spring, and the Golden...

Summit, as well as the Black Dragon Cave.

2.

The Water Recreation Zone offers dozens of speedboats and small boats for visitors' entertainment.

3.

The Stele Forest Zone displays over 500 stone steles (a calligraphy exhibition), featuring rich and diverse content. The calligraphy works are by renowned artists from China and abroad, especially notable is the 158-block, 220-meter-long scroll of "The Art of War" by Ming Dynasty calligraphers. In 1995, during an exhibition at the Central Military Museum, it received praise from the then-President. The owner of the steles, Mr. Zhang Hong, was personally received and commended by central leaders.

4.

The Leisure and Meditation Zone features cave-style guesthouses suitable for visitors of all ages, making it an ideal spot for recreation, cooling off, and spiritual retreat.

Scenic Area Transportation

Visitors can take Bus No. 85 from Luoyang directly to the scenic area, or take a bus from Jiyuan to the Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area stop (Guozhuang Village), from which it is about one kilometer to the Wanfo Mountain Grottoes Scenic Area.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units