Luoyang is a city soaked by time. The smoke of thirteen dynasties settled here, the fragrance of peonies circulated here, and the waves of the Yiluo River whispered a thousand-year story here.
Longmen Grottoes: The Smile of Buddha
On both sides of the Yi River, green mountains face each other, and the Buddha statues of Longmen Grottoes have stood quietly for a thousand years. In the slanting sunlight, the face of the Vairocana Buddha is compassionate and solemn, as if still gazing at the joys and sorrows of the world. The axes and chisels of the Northern Wei Dynasty and the carvings of the prosperous Tang Dynasty left traces of varying depths on the stone walls. The wind and frost eroded, but never erased the piety. The water of the Yi River flows slowly, reflecting the shadow of the Buddha. In a trance, it seems that you can hear the sound of craftsmen chiseling stones and monks chanting scriptures thousands of years ago.
White Horse Temple: The Zen of the First Ancient Temple
As the earliest Buddhist temple in China, the bells of the White Horse Temple have echoed for more than two thousand years. The ancient cypresses in the temple are towering, the halls are solemn, and the stone statue of the white horse carrying the scriptures still stands quietly under the pine trees. Walking in the temple, the incense smoke curls and the Buddhist chants make people feel peaceful. If you visit in spring, the peonies in the temple are blooming in red, purple, yellow and white, which contrast with the blue bricks and gray tiles, as if it is a Buddhist Pure Land.
Luopu Park: The charm of water
Luo River is the blood of Luoyang. In the evening, strolling in Luopu Park, the evening breeze blows gently and the water ripples. The weeping willows on the shore are swaying, and the TV tower in the distance is reflected in the water. Modern and ancient meanings blend here. If you take a night boat tour, the lights on both sides are like stars, and the surface of the Luo River is sparkling, which reminds people of the Luoshen described by Cao Zhi - "as graceful as a startled swan, as gentle as a swimming dragon".
Laojun Mountain: A fairyland in the sea of clouds
If Luoyang's elegance lies in the mountains and rivers, then Laojun Mountain is its essence. After the rain, the mountains were shrouded in mist, and the Jinding Taoist Temple was looming, like a palace in the sky. Climbing to the top of the mountain, looking far into the distance, the peaks were like dark blue, and the sea of clouds was rolling, as if you were in a fairyland. According to legend, Laozi once retired here. Today, on the mountain road, there are still Taoists walking slowly on the stone steps, with fluttering clothes, as if they are integrated with the mountains and rivers.
The beauty of Luoyang is a stick of incense in front of the Buddha, a wisp of cloud in the mountains, a drop of water in the Luo River, and a fresh taste on the tip of the tongue. It is not fast or slow, it settles in the years, and blooms in the four seasons. If you come here, you might as well slow down and listen to the whispers of this city - it tells not only the past glory, but also the endless Chinese civilization.
