Longmen Grottoes, Luoyang: Tickets, Hours and How to Visit in 2026

Longmen Grottoes stretches along limestone cliffs beside the Yi River, south of central Luoyang. UNESCO records more than 2,300 caves and niches, almost 110,000 Buddhist statues, over 60 stupas, and 2,800 carved inscriptions across a one-kilometer section of the riverbanks. Carving began during the late Northern Wei period and reached its most intensive phase between the late fifth and mid-eighth centuries.

The site is large enough to reward close observation. Do not treat it as a quick stop for the main Buddha alone. Small niches, inscriptions, unfinished figures, and changes in facial features reveal how Chinese Buddhist sculpture developed across several dynasties.

What are the main things to see at Longmen Grottoes?

Fengxian Temple and the Vairocana Buddha

Fengxian Temple is the visual center of Longmen. Its nine monumental figures are arranged around a seated Vairocana Buddha carved during the Tang dynasty. The official Longmen overview gives the Buddha a height of 17.14 meters, with a four-meter head and 1.9-meter ears. Disciples, bodhisattvas, heavenly kings, and guardians complete the group.

Pause before climbing directly to the platform. The composition is easier to understand from below, where the difference between the calm central Buddha and the animated guardians becomes clear. From the platform, look at the carving of the faces, jewelry, clothing, and muscular figures rather than concentrating only on scale.

Guyang Cave

Guyang Cave is one of the earliest and most inscription-rich major caves at Longmen. The official site describes more than 1,500 niches and over 800 inscribed tablets inside it. Nineteen pieces from the celebrated Twenty Calligraphic Masterpieces of Longmen are associated with this cave. Its slender figures and flowing robes show the Northern Wei style that preceded the fuller Tang figures at Fengxian Temple.

Binyang Middle Cave and Lotus Cave

Binyang Middle Cave was commissioned as an imperial merit-making project during the Northern Wei dynasty. Its principal group presents Shakyamuni with disciples and bodhisattvas, while the surrounding decoration reflects courtly patronage and the changing local style of Buddhist sculpture.

Lotus Cave takes its name from the large lotus carved in high relief on the ceiling. Look upward as well as toward the main figures. The official overview notes more than 200 niches here and exceptionally small carvings on the southern wall, a useful counterpoint to the colossal figures at Fengxian Temple.

East Hill, Xiangshan Temple, and Bai Garden

The standard admission covers West Hill Grottoes, East Hill Grottoes, Xiangshan Temple, and Bai Garden. The official visitor policy recommends visiting them in that order. East Hill gives a different perspective across the river toward the denser West Hill cliffs. Bai Garden is associated with Tang poet Bai Juyi and forms the final section of the published one-way route.

How much are Longmen Grottoes tickets in 2026?

The official English ticket page listed the following daytime prices when checked in July 2026:

The ticket includes West Hill Grottoes, East Hill Grottoes, Xiangshan Temple, and Bai Garden. The site uses real-name booking and asks visitors to select a time slot. Carry the same valid identity document used for the reservation because the route has four separate ticket checks.

Concession rules depend on age, height, residency documents, and other eligibility conditions. Check the official ticket policy before paying instead of assuming an overseas student card or foreign senior card will qualify.

What are the opening hours?

The official ticket page publishes two seasonal daytime schedules:

These are the regular daytime hours, not a guarantee for every date. Temporary conservation work, severe weather, holidays, or a separate night program may change access. Recheck the official opening-hours page shortly before visiting and pay attention to the last-admission time shown for your date.

How do you get to Longmen Grottoes from Luoyang?

Longmen Grottoes is about four kilometers from Luoyang Longmen high-speed railway station. The official transport page publishes these options:

The official site estimates a car ride of about ten minutes from Luoyang Longmen Station and about thirty minutes from Luoyang Railway Station or Beijiao Airport. Treat these as traffic-free planning estimates.

The walk from the Northeast Service Area to the ticket checkpoint takes about 25 minutes according to the attraction. An electric cart covers this approach for ¥10 per person each way. It does not replace the walking required along the grotto route.

What route should you follow inside?

The attraction publishes this sequence:

1. West Hill Grottoes
2. East Hill Grottoes
3. Xiangshan Temple
4. Bai Garden

This is a one-way itinerary with four ticket inspections. Keep your ticket and identity document accessible until the end. West Hill contains the densest concentration of headline caves, so spend your attention there while you are fresh. After crossing the river, use East Hill viewpoints to read the West Hill cliff as a connected landscape rather than a collection of isolated statues.

If energy or mobility is limited, review the current access map before entering. The electric cart serves the approach from the service area, while the historic cliff section still requires movement between viewing areas. Staff can confirm which sections are open and what assistance is available that day.

What is the best season or time to visit?

Choose the season according to the published access window and your tolerance for crowds rather than expecting one perfect month. From March through October, the regular daytime schedule is one hour longer than from November through February. An early reserved slot gives you more time before closing and reduces the risk of rushing through the later ticket checks.

Light changes the appearance of the carvings, but conservation barriers and the direction of the route determine where you can stand. Bring a lens suitable for photographing from the permitted viewing areas. Drones are prohibited, as are pets, under the official visitor policy.

Practical advice before you enter

• Reserve under the exact name and identity document you will carry.
• Save the booking confirmation where it remains available without mobile data.
• Keep the ticket or entry record after the first checkpoint because the route contains four checks.
• Do not touch the carvings or cross barriers. Longmen is an actively protected World Heritage property.
• Confirm opening status, last admission, and any closed caves on the official site before leaving your accommodation.

Frequently asked questions

Is Longmen Grottoes included on the UNESCO World Heritage List?

Yes. UNESCO inscribed Longmen Grottoes in 2000 under cultural criteria i, ii, and iii, recognizing its artistic achievement and its importance to the development of Asian stone sculpture.

Does one ticket include both sides of the river?

Yes. The published standard ticket includes West Hill, East Hill, Xiangshan Temple, and Bai Garden. Follow the official one-way sequence and retain your ticket and identity document.

Can I arrive without a reservation?

The attraction operates real-name, time-slot ticketing. Availability at the entrance should not be assumed, especially on busy dates. Complete the reservation before traveling to the site and verify that your identity details match your document.

Is Longmen Grottoes close to the high-speed railway station?

Yes. The official site places it about four kilometers from Luoyang Longmen Station. It estimates about ten minutes by car or about 42 minutes on Bus 71, subject to traffic and waiting time.

Are drones allowed at Longmen Grottoes?

No. The official visitor policy prohibits drones and pets within the scenic area.