Luoyang Things to Do

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Luoyang has a new museum, pyramid-like modern structure. It is huge, looking from the outside and quite impressive structure consider it is located in the middle of China. I think the Chinese Government wants to build all new museum for all states and important cities, for example like this one and Shanxi Musuem that I visited in Taiyuan.

This Museum has two stories of exhibitions, they include:

First Floor:
- Exhibition of Heluo Civilazation
- Exhibition of Ancient Stone Carving Art

Second Floor:
- Exhibition of Calligraphy and Painting.
- Exhibition of Ancient Treasure of Luoyang.
- Exhibition of Pottery Figurines of Han and Tang Dynasties.
- Exhibition of Tri-Colored Earthen wares of Tang Dynasties. (Famous)
- Exhibition of Qing Imperial Cultural Relics. (Famous)
- Exhibition of Ancient Fresco Art.

Admission: Free (Need to get the ticket from gate)

In Chinese: 洛阳博物馆， luo yang bo wu guan

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This is huge botanic garden near the Luoyang Museum. I could not find any history related to this garden, but it named " Sui & Tang Dynasties Relic Garden" . It could be the ruin site for the Emperor Palace during Sui & Tang Dynasties, as I could see some of the ancient garden drainage system here. Basically, this Botanic Garden is still under construction, and large part of it is flatland.

They have the following Gardens:
1) The Splendid Garden
2) The Gymnosperm Garden
3) Rock Plant Garden
4) The Wild Water Garden

Some locals spends family time in this park. And great place to see beautiful birds...

Admission: Free

In Chinese: 隋唐城遗址， sui tang cheng yi zhi

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I did not plan to visit this garden, accidentally passing by this Garden after crossing the Mudan Bridge, on south of Jiefang Road. It has beautiful west gate door, garden with pavilions, lakes, flowers, and trees. All the flower garden comes with own theme, and variety of display of China National Flower. From the garden. You can get a good view of the TV Tower. Some locals choose this location for their wedding photograph.

This is not a must-visit location in Luoyang, but if you have spare time why not!!

Admission: Y10/person

In Chinese: 中国国花园，zhong guo guo hua yuan

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Shaolin sounds like an ancient temple to us as most of us learnt it through watching the Kung Fu movie. in fact, the original Shaolin Temple was destroyed by fire in 1928. The only things that remains are the decorative arches and stone lions. Anyway, most of the temples has been rebuilt around the 80's.

1) Temple Gate ( 山门， shan man): It was first built in the 13th year of Emperor Yongzheng reign (1735), of the Qian Dynasty. In 1974 it was rebuilt according to the old model. Above the lintel, there is a horizontal board inscribed with three Chinese Characters meaning "Shaolin Temple". Written by emperor KangXi himself outside the temple gate there are two stone memorial gateways built in 1544 and 1555 respectively, in the Ming Dynasty.

2) Dever Hall ( 天王殿, tian wang dian ) : The hall was burnt in the war of 1928 and rebuilt in 1981 according to its original structure. On the both sides before it's gate stand two rajas who are usually called " General Heng" and " General Ha" by people. Behind the gate there are four Devarajas (heavenly guardians). In the order from east to west they are Devaraja Huguo in charge of the east. Devaraja Zhengzhang in charge of the south. Devaraja Guangma in charge of the west and Devaraja Duowen is charge of the north. They protect the four parts in four directions under the heaven and bring good weather and good harvest to the people there.

To be continued... part II

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Shaolin has given me an impression of " Kung Fu", ancient Chinese martial art. The Chinese still keeps one of their valuable art and cultures which is the techniques of Kung Fu untill today. You can see from the pictures, many Chinese kids were sent here to practice the Kung Fu. They practices flexibility, Kung Fu techniques, the body and great moral power and firmness.

No doubt they will accept foreign students as well by charging more fees.

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It is also called Buddhist Hostel. The yard used to be a hostel for the monks who visited here or other Buddhist people, only the ruined stone pillars were left , all the st-one tablets of Qing and Ming dynasties have been moved to Shaolin Mo-nastery yard in 1993. There are five hundred Buddha statues were made here.

In Chinese: 十方禅院，shi fang chan yuan.

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While I was planning to Luoyang, I was in the dilemma whether to visit Shaolin because I was not a big fan to Shaolin Kung Fu or Chinese Martial Art. I thought I was going to visit Temple after Temples and see a lot of monks. In fact, my experience with Shaolin is beyond my imagination.

When I arrived, I felt so peaceful and exciting as the main entrance has beautiful gates, Shaolin monk's statue with serious facial expression, cool! Like any other UNESCO site in China, it comes with an entrance gate like Disneyland with expensive charges (Y100). The entire park is surrounded by hills and mountains. It was fall, so the weather is fantastic.

I follow the path road to visit the attractions, including :

1) Kung Fu Training Center (武术馆，wu shu guan)

2) Shaolin Temple (少林寺，shao lin si)

3) Pagoda Forest (塔林, ta lin)

4) Sanhuangzhai Scenic Area (三皇寨景区， San huang zhai jing qu)

5) Buddhist Hostel or Five-Hundred Buddhas Statue Hall ( 十方禅院，shi fang chan yuan)

Admission: Y100 per person (excluding cable way to Mt Song)

Note: Don't miss this attraction if you come to Henan, go there in the early morning to enjoy the beautiful Mt Song or Sanhuangzhai Scenic Area.

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After visiting Pagoda Forest, I walked further south and saw people selling ticket to ride the Cable Car. I did not bother to ask cause I worried there were scam. In China, I always buy ticket on the a designated counter for an attraction.

At the cable car ticket counter, I learnt that this is " Sanhuangzhai Scenic Area" according to the signboard:

" The Sanhuangzhai Scenic Area is in the Yuzhai Peak, west of the Dengfeng City. This area, was an area of 23KM 2 , is to the south of Shaolin Temple Scenic Area.
The highest crest is the Liantian Peak, with an elevation of 1512.6m . This peak is majestic, lofty and precipitious.
The Archaean granite greenstone series (36-25 Ga ago) and Proterozoic neriti c rock (25-18Ga ago) are well preserved in this area. The powerful T-P effect of the Zhongyue Orogeny (18Ga ago) made the Yuzhai Peak an inverted synclinorium, and tourist route is on the west inverted wing of the fold. The lower ranges and valleys at the two sides of this synclinorium are composed of Archaean strata, and the lofty and steep crests are composed of Paleoproterozoic rock. The huge homoclinal folds and angular folds are widely spread. The unconformity of zhongyue Orogeny is clear. The deep and precipotious vallys formed by structural denudation are so impressive and the steep and vertical peak clusters are so marvelous. You will be moved by the nature power.
Along the tourist route, you can see the numerous peculiar peaks, steep cliffs, cliff inscriptions, odd stones, deep valleys, stone gates, vertical caves, clear springs, flying waterfalls, green ponds, dense forest, ancient temples and other miracles. You will feel that it is a real fairyland"

I do agree with the signboard as I really felt like I was in a real fairyland with cliffs stones, hills, monks walking along those pathway of the cliff.

There are two sides of cable ways to go up Sanhuangzhai Scenic Area or Mount Song. I believe you will experience different scenes of both sides. That is why I recommend you to go Shaolin in a very early morning... at least you have more time to see both side. I managed to see one side only, and only spent around few hours there. I really hope to come back.. amazing place ...

Cable Car charges: Y60 return/ person.

In Chinese: 三皇寨景区， San huang zhai jing qu