This morning, your local guide will meet you at the appointed location in Luoyang (hotel, railway station, or airport; tell us in advance).
You will then be transferred to the Shaolin Temple (60-70 km, about a 70-minute drive) in Dengfeng City, located to the east of Luoyang. The Shaolin Temple is renowned as the birthplace of Chan Buddhism and the cradle of Shaolin Kung Fu. It is also the location where the first martial arts film, Shaolin Temple (1982), starring Jet Li, was filmed. 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 the words "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 ceremonies 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, also known as the "Museum of Ancient Chinese Pagoda Art." This area houses 241 tomb pagodas of varying sizes, dedicated to eminent monks, abbots, and high-ranking temple monks. The pagodas vary in size and are generally 1 to 7 stories high, with the tallest pagoda being no higher than 15 meters. The most famous of these are the Seven-story Pagodas. The forest, the largest of its kind in China, showcases diverse architectural styles spanning from the Tang to Qing Dynasties, offering a visual feast of history and culture.
After the tour, your 1-day Shaolin Kung Fu 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!