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.

In this morning, you will first explore White Horse Temple. With a history of over 1900 years, the White Horse Temple was the first Buddhist temple established in China and is regarded as the "cradle of Chinese Buddhism" and "the ancestral temple." Legend has it that two white horses carrying Buddhist scriptures arrived at the temple site, hence its name. The temple played a vital role in the spread of Buddhism in China. What attracts visitors most to this temple complex is its solemnity and the fact that it is the only temple in the world to incorporate styles from China, India, Myanmar, and Thailand. Visitors can enter the temple through the axis and see various halls such as the Hall of Heavenly Kings, Hall of the Great Buddha, Hall of Mahavira, Clear Cool Terrace, Qiyun Pagoda, and three temples from Thailand, Myanmar, and India.

Later, drive to Shaolin Temple (about 51km, 1-1.5 hours’ driving) in Dengfeng county to have in-depth experience about Kung Fu. Dengfeng Shaolin is recognized as the birthplace of Chan Buddhism and the cradle of Shaolin Kung Fu. Upon arrival, you will first be amazed by a Kung Fu performance at the Shaolin Martial Arts Hall, which lasts for about 30 minutes. After the performance, you will visit the Shaolin Temple complex, which is made up of seven main halls along its axis and seven other halls arranged around them. The first hall, known as Shanmen or "Mountain Gate" Hall, is marked by a large black tablet bearing the inscription "Shaolin Temple" written in gold by the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. At the center of the complex, you will find the Mahavira Hall, where daily prayers and important celebrations are held. Its floor is embedded with 50 small pits, which are supposedly the footprints left by monks as they practiced Kung-Fu. Walk to the Pagoda Forest, which is known as the "Museum of Ancient Chinese Pagoda Art". It is a concentration of tomb pagodas for eminent monks, abbots, and ranking monks at the temple. The Pagoda Forest boasts more than two hundred and fifty tomb pagodas of various sizes, making it the biggest pagoda forest in China. Since they all date back to different time periods, ranging from the Tang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, they represent a visual feast of diverse architectural styles. If time permits, you can also visit Damour Hole, Chuzu Um, Er Zu Um, Shaoshi Towers, and other attractions.

After the tour, it is time to end your 4 days Xian Luoyang tour. Your guide will escorts you to the airport/train station in Luoyang or Zhengzhou for your flight or high speed train to your next destination.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your China tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia!