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Longmen Grottoes Museum
The Longmen Grottoes Museum (龙门石窟博物馆) is located at the Longmen Grottoes site, 12km south of Luoyang. The Longmen (龙门, 'Dragon Gate') Grottoes are one of China's four great Buddhist cave temple sites (with Dunhuang Mogao, Yungang, and Tianlongshan), containing over 100,000 Buddhist images and 2,800 inscriptions carved between 493 CE and the Tang Dynasty.
Luoyang · history museum2026-10-19
Quick Answer
Is Longmen Grottoes Museum worth visiting?
The museum documenting the Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟) — one of China's four great Buddhist cave temple sites with 100,000+ Buddhist images carved between 493 CE and the Tang Dynasty. ¥90.
Quick facts
| Category | history |
|---|---|
| Ticket | ¥90 (adults), ¥45 (students). Includes the main grottoes and the museum. Book via the official website or WeChat. |
| Hours | March-October: 8:00-18:00. November-February: 8:00-17:30. |
| Recommended duration | 2-3 hours including the museum. |
| Best time to visit | Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November). Summer is very hot. |
| How to get there | Bus route 53 or 60 from Luoyang city center (¥5). From Luoyang Railway Station by DiDi: ¥30-40. |
| English signage | Partial |
Why visit
The Longmen Grottoes are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contain some of the finest examples of Chinese Buddhist art from the Northern Wei and Tang periods.
Collection highlights
- Fengxian Temple (奉先寺) — the largest Tang Dynasty cave with the famous 17m-tall Buddha figure
- Guyang Cave (古阳洞) — the earliest Northern Wei cave with detailed Buddhist carvings
- Ten Thousand Buddhas corridor — hundreds of small Buddha figures carved into the cliff face
- The museum at the site provides context for the grottoes
Tips
- Visit the Luoyang Museum first for context
- Go early morning to avoid crowds
- Photography prohibited in most caves
- The site is large — wear comfortable shoes
Frequently asked questions
How much time should I allow for Longmen Grottoes and the museum?
Allow 3-4 hours total — 2-3 hours for the grottoes site itself and 1 hour for the museum. The Fengxian Temple cave with the 17m Buddha is the most impressive. Go early morning (8:00-9:00) to avoid tour groups. Photography is prohibited inside the caves.
How do I get to Longmen Grottoes from Luoyang city center?
Take bus 53 or 60 from Luoyang city center (¥5, 1 hour). Alternatively, take Metro Line 1 to Luoyang Station then bus 81. DiDi from central Luoyang costs ¥30-40 and takes 40 minutes. Ticket: ¥90 adults (includes main grottoes and museum), ¥45 students. Book via WeChat or at the gate.
What are the photography rules at Longmen Grottoes?
Photography is prohibited inside most caves at Longmen Grottoes — this is strictly enforced by staff. Tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed. You may photograph the outdoor areas, the mountain landscape, and the museum interior. The best time for outdoor photography is early morning or late afternoon when the light illuminates the cave entrances.
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Longmen Grottoes
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Luoyang Museum
A National First-Grade museum holding 5,000 years of Heluo civilization — the evidence of 'the earliest China.
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Luoyang Ancient Tombs Museum
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Luoyang Museum
Luoyang's city museum covers capital-city archaeology across 13 dynasties — the nine-dynasties capital — plus context for the nearby Longmen Grottoes. Free.