Located in west Henan Province, Luoyang is in the middle reaches of the Yellow River and encircled by mountains and plains. It is the cradle of Chinese civilization, as it was the capital city of 13 ancient dynasties from Xia Dynasty (21st-16th century BC). Boasting the world heritage site Longmen Grottoes and adjacent location to the famous Shaoling Temple, it is a popular destination in central China.

Peony is the city flower. The Peony Culture Festival, starting in April, attracts a great number of travelers worldwide. It is also famed as the 'Poets Capital' because poets and literates of ancient times often gathered there and left great works.

Chinese culture and religion have close relationship with the city. Many Chinese legends happened in the area, such as Nvwa Patching the Sky. Taoism originated there and the first Buddhist temple set up by the government was located there. Many ancient scientific inventions such as the seismograph, armillary sphere, paper making, printing and the compass originated there.

For more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luoyang

Shaolin Temple

Shaolin Temple, in the region of Song Mountain, Dengfeng City, Henan Province, is reputed to be 'the Number One Temple under Heaven'. Included on UNESCO's World Cultural & Natural Heritage List in 2010, it is the cradle of the Chinese Zen Buddhism and the Shaolin Martial Arts such as Shaolin Cudgel. One can see wild flowers and pines on the mountain. With birds singing and a brook spattering, a beautiful scene full of life and vitality is revealed to the visitors.

White Horse Temple

In the year 64 of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), Emperor Ming sent a delegation of his men to study Buddhism in the western world. After three years, two eminent Indian monks, She Moteng and Zhu Falan, came back with the delegation. They brought with them a white horse carrying Buddhist sutras and Buddhist figures on its back.To express his thanks to the two monks and their white horse, the emperor ordered the building of a monastery which he named the White Horse Temple during the following year.It is for this reason that the temple is honored as the 'Founder's Home' and the 'Cradle of Buddhism in China'.

Longmen Grottoes

The Longmen Grottoes are located in the south of Luoyang City. They are between Mount Xiang and Mount Longmen and face Yi River. Longmen Grottoes, Yungang Caves and Mogao Caves are regarded as the three most famous treasure houses of stone inscriptions in China.