Discover a true sense of time through millennia-old stone carvings
There are some places where you’ve seen plenty of photos, but standing there in person is a whole different experience. The Longmen Grottoes are just like that. The entire mountainside is covered with Buddha statues, with the Yi River winding its way through the center.
When you stand there, you don’t really think much about the historical context; your first reaction is simply this: these things have actually been around for over a thousand years.
Recently, led by Mr. Fan Ziping of the Zhongyuan Association in Singapore, a delegation of the association’s presidents visited the Longmen Grottoes, exploring the site on foot to experience this World Cultural Heritage site firsthand.
Exploring Longmen: Just a river, but both banks are steeped in history
The Longmen Grottoes are located south of Luoyang, on both banks of the Yi River, with Longmen Mountain on one side and Xiangshan Mountain on the other. The layout is actually quite simple—a river flanked by mountains, the slopes of which are covered in stone carvings. Yet it is precisely this simplicity that makes the site all the more awe-inspiring.
Starting with the Northern Wei Dynasty, carvings were created for over 400 years. To this day, the following remain:
- More than 2,300 caves
- More than 2,300 caves
- More than 100,000 Buddha statues
- More than 2,800 stone inscriptions
As you walk through it, you don’t need to memorize these numbers; just one glance tells you—the scale is staggering.
First-time visitors are almost always blown away by the “entire mountain”
Many people share the same feeling: it’s not that any one Buddha statue is particularly impressive, but rather that the entire mountain seems to be “watching you.” From a distance, it looks like a single carved block, but as you get closer, you realize that every statue is unique.
You’ll suddenly realize something: these weren’t made by machines—they were carved by hand, stroke by stroke.
The closer you get, the easier it is to stop
As they approach, many people find themselves unconsciously slowing their pace. The most iconic of all is the Great Buddha of Lushan in the center. It appears serene and majestic, yet does not feel oppressive.
But what’s actually more interesting is that the small Buddha statues are also very meticulously crafted. The folds in the robes, the facial expressions, and even the poses—if you look closely, you’ll notice just how intricate they are.
This isn't just a tourist spot; it's actually quite charming.
What makes the Longmen Grottoes so fascinating is that they weren’t built all at once, but were gradually added to over the course of different dynasties. So, in the same location, you can see:
- Some are very solemn
- Some are more rounded
- Some clearly belong to a later style
To put it simply, people from different eras have “left their mark” on the same mountain.
The most relaxing moment is actually when you’re standing by the river
Once you reach the back, if you stand by the Yi River and look back, the view feels quite different.
The mountains stand still, the water flows, and the Buddha statues remain. You’ll suddenly feel that time moves slowly here.
This trip is more about “seeing things from a different perspective”
For the Central Plains Association delegation, this stop is more than just a tourist attraction. While their work typically involves dealing with companies, projects, and partnerships, visiting a place like the Longmen Grottoes allows them to step back and take a broader view. It gives them a chance to reflect on the passage of time, the legacy they’ve built, and what will endure.
Delegation
Lan Wujie, Deputy Director of the Mengjin Development Zone in Luoyang
Wang Guoliang, Director of the Urban Management Bureau of Mengjin District, Luoyang City
Wang Junbo, Director of the Investment Promotion Department, Mengjin Development Zone, Luoyang City
Zhu Pei, Researcher at the Longmen Grottoes Research Institute
Wang Jiancheng, Advisor to Zhongyuan Association, Chairman of Ronghua Group
Ma Xiaoyun, Permanent Honorary President of the China Association and Founder of Jingma International
Fan Ziping, Zhongyuan Association
Yang Xuemei, Honorary President of the Zhongyuan Association and Chairwoman of Shaanxi Dewo Energy-Saving Technology
Yue Wei, Honorary President of the Zhongyuan Association and Chairman of Shanxi Shengyuan Construction Engineering Co., Ltd.
Zhao Tianxing, Honorary President of the Zhongyuan Association and Chairman of Futong Holding Group
Wang Yanbin, Executive Vice President of the Zhongyuan Association and Managing Director of Xingmazi Film Sdn Bhd
Zhang Bo, Vice President of the Zhongyuan Association and CEO of Cheng•Production Pte. Ltd.
Zhang Lifeng, Honorary Vice President of the Zhongyuan Association and Managing Director of Fuhua Private Limited
Guo Lijun, Deputy Secretary-General of the Zhongyuan Association and CEO of Henan Kenan Crane Co., Ltd.
Written by: Zhao Xiaodan
Photography: Cheng • Production Pte. Ltd.
Produced by: Singapore Zhongyuan Association