Luoyang China

Located on both banks of the middle reaches of the Yellow River in the western part of Henan Province with a history spanning 5,000 years, Luoyang is one of China's seven ancient capitals. The State Council lists it in the first group of the famous historical and cultural cities. Luoyang is one of the important cradles of Chinese civilization with profound cultural detail.

LONGMEN GROTTOES

The world-famous Longmen Grottoes are located 12 kilometers south of Luoyang. Here two mountains, namely, East Hill and West Hill, confront each other with the Yi River traversing northward between them, just like a pair of Chinese gate towers.

SHAOLIN TEMPLE

Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng County, Henan Province was built in 495, the 19th year of the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty. It was named Shaolin because it is at the northern foot of Shaoshi Mountain and surrounded by densely growing trees. Bodhidharma advocated self-cultivation through sitting meditation and held that meditation is of primary importance to the attainment of Buddhahood.

THE GUAN YU FOREST

The Guan Yu Forest is actually the memorial temple and the tomb for Guan Yu. It is called "Forest" merely because there are many ancient pine and cypress trees surrounding the area, which is located right in Guanlin Town, south of Luoyang City. General Guan Yu, well-known for his loyalty, faithfulness, boldness and power, had been regarded as the peerless hero and raised to the level of quasi-religion and therefore worshiped as a Buddha from the Three Kingdoms period to the Sui Dynasty,.