4 Days Luoyang Longmen Grottoes & Shaolin Kungfu Experience from Xian

Nihao! Welcome to Xi’an, which served as the capital for 13 dynasties! Upon your arrival at the airport/train station in Xi’an, the tour guide and driver will meet and greet you at the exit, and then drive back downtown to visit the Ancient City Wall. Xi'an is one of the few cities in China where the imposing old city walls still stand. Built in 1370 during the Ming dynasty, the magnificent 12-meter-high walls, form a rectangle with a perimeter of 14 kilometers. To get an idea of Xi'an's former grandeur, take a leisurely walk on the wall. Each step here is a chance to resonate with the echoes of history that the stones reverberate. Or cycling ( optional ) the full extent of the wall offers a rewarding panoramic view of the city - a tangible contrast between the old and new, and a testament to Xi'an's historical significance and modern vibrancy. Once you've delved into the city's historical narrative, don't forget to indulge in the delicious food and experience the vivid local life. The Muslim Quarter is a paradise mixed with different local snacks and Muslim culture, and you can surely taste the most authentic local food there. Don't miss the Great Mosque, an architectural gem that beautifully blends Islamic and Chinese design styles. After the tour, you will be escorted to a well-selected hotel in downtown Xi'an. The rest of the day is free for you to either rest and recover from jet lag or explore the area around your hotel on your own.

Optional activities:

1). Rent a bike cycling on the Ancient City Wall;

2). Enjoy a wonderful Tang Palace Dance Show with or without Dumpling Banquet.

Arrival Ideas:

Xi'an is well-connected by air and train. The city is served by Xi'an Xi'anyang International Airport, which offers domestic and international flights. You can easily reach Xi'an by air from major cities in China as well as from international destinations. Additionally, Xi'an is a major transportation hub with high-speed train connections to cities such as Beijing (4-5.5 hours), Shanghai (6-7 hours), Guangzhou (8.5-9 hours), Hangzhou (7-8 hours), Pingyao (3 hours), Chengdu (4 hours), etc, allowing for convenient travel.

After breakfast, drive about 40 km to the Terracotta Warriors Museum (Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses). Here, you can discover the Terracotta Warriors and Horses: an army of around 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots, 520 horses, and 150 cavalry entirely made of baked clay or terracotta. This Terracotta Army has silently stood guard over the soul of China's first emperor, Qin Shihuang, for more than 2,000 years. Until an accidental local farmer digging a well in 1974 struck upon one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world. Upon stepping into this "underground military museum," you will encounter two awe-inspiring shocks. The first is the magnitude of the archaeological marvel before you: thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots arranged in battle formations. The second shock is that the faces of thousands of Terracotta Warriors are still vivid, despite the passage of more than 2,000 years. Each figure is unique, with distinct postures, hairstyles, and armor, making them seem to come back to life in the next moment.

During your visit, an knowledgeable guide can take you to highlights of the museum, including Pit One, Pit Two, Pit Three and provide valued explanations and insights that you might not get from simply observing the sculptures on your own. Afterward, you will have a rare opportunity to create your own miniature Terracotta Warrior under the guidance of a local potter. This will allow you to appreciate the craftsmanship and techniques of the Qin Dynasty as well as gain a deeper understanding of how terracotta warriors were made.

After lunch, drive back downtown to visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda which is one of Xi'an's most recognizable landmarks and a symbol of the magnificence of the Tang Dynasty. This seven-story pagoda, standing in the tranquil Da Ci'en Temple, is one of China's best examples of a Tang-style pagoda (squarish rather than round). It was completed in AD 652 to house Buddhist sutras brought back from India by the monk Xuan Zang. His travels inspired one of the best-known works of Chinese literature, Journey to the West. While at the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, you'll also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture by trying on Hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing), and capture memorable moments in Hanfu.

As evening falls, visit the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City which showcases the life and times of the Tang Dynasty. The light show is decorated with structures, creating a vibrant and immersive atmosphere that transports you back to the times of the Tang Dynasty, providing a magical experience of walking through time.

After breakfast, you will be taken to Xian North Railway Station for a high-speed train to Luoyang, which takes about 1-1.5 hours. Welcome to Luoyang, the earliest of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. Upon arrival, the local guide and driver will meet you at Luoyang Longmen Railway Station, and they will take you to visit the Longmen Grottoes.

Longmen Grottoes is one of the three notable grottoes in China and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The site contains the largest and most impressive collection of Chinese art from the late Northern Wei and Tang Dynasties (316-907). The grottoes consist of over 2,300 caves and niches carved into steep limestone cliffs over a 1km long stretch. Inside, you will find almost 110,000 Buddhist stone statues, over 60 stupas, and 2,800 inscriptions carved on steles. The site is divided into the Western Hill Grottoes and Eastern Hill Grottoes, with the Western Hill Grottoes being the highlight. During your visit, you will see Three Bingyang Caves, which were excavated during the Northern Wei Dynasty and built by Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei to honor his father, Emperor Xiaowen. Next, you will visit Wanfo Cave, which is named after the fifteen thousand small Buddha statues arranged in neat rows on both the north and south sides of the cave. You will marvel at the giant sculptures in the Fengxiansi Cave, which are the most fully representative examples of the Royal Cave Temples' art and have been imitated by artists from various regions. Additionally, you will appreciate Yaofangdong Cave, which contains 140 inscriptions recording treatments for various diseases and illnesses, and Guyangdong for a more stunning experience. If time permits, have a stroll to see more on Eastern Hill Grottoes.

Afterward, you will be escorted to Luoyang Old Town for a pleasant stroll to experience the authentic lifestyle of the locals. You can also admire the magnificent 1400-year-old Lijing Gate and take many beautiful photos here. Have a good rest in Luoyang tonight.

After breakfast, our guide and driver will take you to the Luoyang Museum (洛阳博物馆), where you can fully immerse yourself in the history of ancient Luoyang, spanning 13 dynasties. With over 1,000 exhibits from various dynasties that once made Luoyang their capital, a stroll through the exhibition halls on the first floor will transport you through centuries of history. Take your time to explore the second floor, which features the Ancient Treasures of Luoyang exhibition and the Tricolor Pottery of Tang exhibition. The Ancient Treasures exhibit showcases prized artifacts, including the Black Glazed Pottery Horse (AD 618–907), Facial Part of a Clay Buddha Figurine (AD 386–557), White Jade Cup (AD 220–225), Gilt Bronze Figurine of a Winged Man (AD 25–220), Bronze Ding Intertwined with Gold and Silver Patterns (BC 475–221), and more. Spend some quiet time admiring these exquisite artifacts, each with its own unique story to tell.

After that, you will be transferred to the Shaolin Temple (74 km, about a 70-minute drive) in Dengfeng City, located east of Luoyang. Shaolin Temple is renowned as the birthplace of Chan Buddhism and the cradle of Shaolin Kung Fu. Here, you can immerse yourself in an incredible Kung Fu experience.

Upon arrival, you will first enjoy a Kung Fu performance at the Shaolin Martial Arts Hall, lasting about 30 minutes. Afterward, explore the Shaolin Temple complex, which consists of seven main halls along its central axis and seven additional halls surrounding them. The first hall, known as Shanmen or "Mountain Gate" Hall, features a large black tablet inscribed with "Shaolin Temple" in gold, written by the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. At the heart of the complex lies the Mahavira Hall, where daily prayers and significant celebrations take place. The floor of this hall contains 50 small pits, believed to be the footprints left by monks practicing Kung Fu.

Next, visit the Pagoda Forest, hailed as the "Museum of Ancient Chinese Pagoda Art." This area houses over 250 tomb pagodas of varying sizes, dedicated to eminent monks, abbots, and ranking temple monks. The forest, the largest of its kind in China, showcases diverse architectural styles spanning the Tang to Qing Dynasties, offering a visual feast of history and culture.

After the tour, your 4-day Xian Luoyang Tour concludes. Your guide and driver will escort you to the train station (or airport) in Luoyang for your onward high-speed train (or flight) to your next destination.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your China Henan tour! We are always here to assist you and look forward to seeing you again for your next trip to China/Asia!