Province Hénán (河南 - Hénán - «to the south of the river")

Henan - a province in east-central China, one of the cradles of Chinese culture. In the province are the most important archaeological sites: the ancient fortress Peyligan (age - 7000 years), Yangshao (6000 years) and Dahe (5000 years). Over the many thousand-years of history of Chinese civilization more than 20 dynasties established or moved their capitals of their States in Henan. Three of the seven ancient capitals of China are in Henan province - is Luoyang, Kaifeng and Anyang. In addition, there are the cultural and historical cities of the state level: Nanyang, Shangqiu and Zhengzhou. Ancient Chinese states - Xia Dynasty (third millennium BC.) and Shang-Yin also originated in the territory of Henan.

Henan takes first place in number of monuments of culture and history. Here are the Shaolin Temple and Longmen cave temples. Luoyang is located near the ancient temple of China - Baymasy (White Horse Temple).

In addition, in the province are the famous mountains and rivers. Yellow River runs through the north of the province. In the central part are Sōng Shān Mountain, which are considered as one of the five sacred mountains in China.

Luoyang 洛阳市

The main component of the name “Luo” is derived from the Luohe River (a tributary of the Yellow River), on which stands the city.

Luoyang is located in the western part of Henan Province. History of Luoyang has about 5000 years. Over time, Luoyang was the political, economic and cultural center of the country. It was the capital for 13 dynasties and under 96 emperors. It was the first capital of China. The rich cultural heritage remains over the long history of the city.

Longmen Grottoes, one of the most famous in China, are a treasury of Buddhist art and culture. Baima Temple (White Horse) – is a 1st Buddhist temple built in the period of Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). Manshan Mountains, located in the suburbs of Luoyang, has a huge number of imperial tombs, the oldest of which dates from the era of Eastern Zhou (770-256 years BC). There is also the first museum of ancient tombs.

Luoyang is famous for beautiful landscapes. To the north, where the Yellow River flows, is Syaolandi Reserve and the tomb of the emperor of Eastern Han Guangya. In the south, there are a National Park Baiyun, cave in the mountains Jiguang, the Shaolin Monastery and Sōng Shān Mountains. Also Luoyang is famous for peony. During 1,500 years of cultivation was calculated over 600 varieties of flowers. In mid-April, all fragrant peonies blossomed out. And since 1983, this time in Luoyang take place an exhibition of peony, which attracts millions of tourists from around the world.

Cave "The Dragon's Gate"

Longmen 龙门 石窟, literally "Stone cave near the Drakensberg Gate" - a complex of Buddhist cave temples in China's Henan province, 12 kilometers to the south of Luoyang. Along with the Mogao and Yungan is considered as one of the three most significant cave temples of China. Included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites. Carved in 495-898 years. in the limestone cliffs along the river Yihe (15 km. to the south of Luoyang).

The caves extends for kilometer along the slopes of Xian Shan and Longmen Shan, between which there is a river. The exact number of works of art, hidden in the thickness of the rock, is unknown. According to official estimates, there are 2,345 caves and pits and 43 temples, which contain about 2800 titles and about 100 000 images of religious meaning. Construction of the temples began in 493 year during the period of Northern Wei Dynasty, but about 60% of the statues related to the period of the Tang Dynasty (VII-IX centuries).



White Horse Temple

White Horse Temple 白马寺 Báimǎ Sì - the first Buddhist temple in China. It was founded under the protection of the Han Emperor Ming Di in the capital city of Luoyang in 68 AD. e.
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. This was the first time that Buddhism appeared in China.

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. During this time, the two monks were busy translating sutras in the temple until they completed the Chinese sutra 'Forty-two Chapter Sutra', which attracted many monks and meant that the temple became a centre for Buddhist activity in China. It is for this reason that the temple is honored as the 'Founder's Home' and the 'Cradle of Buddhism in China'
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The temple, which is located about seven miles away from the city of Louyang, is covered with green ancient trees and appears solemn and tranquil. Outside the gate, there is a pool with fences around and lovely fish in the water. It is for the believers to set free the captive animals. After crossing the pool via a stone bridge,