Luoyang lies in the west of Henan province.
Situated in Central Plain, it is known as "Gravity Center of China" and "Hinterland
of Nine Division". Named due to its location on the north side of Luohe River, Luoyang
is one of the most important places of origin of Huaxia civilization.
With a very long history, Luoyang is among the first Chinese cities with long history
and splendid culture listed by the State Council. Luoyang is also one of the seven
major ancient capitals in Chinese history. Starting from Xia Dynasty, the first
imperial dynasty in China, it served as the capital for thirteen dynasties. Luoyang
was the earliest capital city with the longest time of being capital in Chinese
history. During Sui and Tang Dynasties, with a population of more than one million,
Luoyang was at that time the most prosperous city in the world.
There are a large number of cultural relics and historical sites in Luoyang. Arrayed
along Luoyang River, the capital relics of Xia, Shang, Zhou, Han and Wei, Sui and
Tang Dynasties present a rare scene in the world, known as "Five Capitals Assembling
in Luoyang City". Moreover, there are Longmen Grottoes, Baima Temple, Museum of
Ancient Tombs, Park of Peonies of the Royal City, etc.
Nowaday, Luoyang is a new industrial base in China, famous for its tractors, mineral
machines and bearing industry. Besides, it is also well developed in such fields
as steel processing, textiles and refining petroleum. Luoyang is also a transportation
center of Longhai railway, Jiaoliu railway and other raiways.
Longmen Grottoes
Longmen Grottoes, with Dunhuang Grottoes in Gangsu province and Yungang Grottoes
at Datong in Shanxi province, are known as three major treasure-houses of Buddhist
grotto art in ancient China. In 494 AD, Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei Dynasty
moved his capital to Luoyang and started construction of Longmen Grottoes. The grottoes
boast a huge collection of more than 100,000 Buddhist statues and 2,300 niches.
They were listed as one of the national key cultural relics by the State Council
in 1961.
Baima Temple
Baima Temple was the first officially built Buddhist shrine since Buddhism was introduced
into China. It is reputed as "Origin of Buddhism" in China.