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{{short description|Cave in People's Republic of China}}
{{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
| WHS = Longmen Grottoes
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| Criteria = Cultural: i, ii, iii
| ID = 1003
| Location = [[Luolong District]], [[Luoyang]], [[Henan]], China
| Area = 331 ha
| Buffer_zone = 1,042 ha
| Year = 2000
| map_width = 280
| locmapin =
| coordinates = {{coord|34|33|20|N|112|28|11|E|region:CN-41_type:landmark_source:dewiki|display=
}}
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|tl={{Zhwb|Lîng-mn̂g tsio̍h-khut|Liông-bûn si̍k-khut}}
}}
[[File:Map of Longmen Grottoes.jpg|thumb|Map of Longmen Grottoes]]
[[File:世界文化遗产 龙门石窟.JPG|thumb|Longmen Grottos UNESCO World Heritage site]]
The '''Longmen Grottoes''' ({{zh|s=龙门石窟 |t=龍門石窟 |p=
There are as many as 100,000 statues within the 2,345 caves, ranging from {{convert|1|inch}} to {{convert|57|ft}} in height. The area also contains nearly 2,500 [[stelae]] and [[Epigraphy|inscriptions]], hence the name
In 2000 the site was
▲There are as many as 100,000 statues within the 2,345 caves, ranging from {{convert|1|inch}} to {{convert|57|ft}} in height. The area also contains nearly 2,500 [[stelae]] and [[Epigraphy|inscriptions]], hence the name “Forest of Ancient Stelae", as well as over sixty [[Buddhist pagodas]]. Situated in a scenic natural environment, the caves were dug from a {{convert|1|km}} stretch of cliff running along both banks of the river. 30% date from the [[Northern Wei Dynasty]] and 60% from the [[Tang Dynasty|Tang]], caves from other periods accounting for less than 10% of the total.<ref name=Evaluate /> Starting with the Northern Wei Dynasty in 493 AD, patrons and donors included emperors, [[Wu Zetian]] of the [[Second Zhou Dynasty]], members of the royal family, other rich families, generals, and religious groups.<ref name=China /><ref name=Sacred>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacred-destinations.com/china/longmen-caves|title=Longmen Caves|accessdate=17 May 2011|publisher= sacred-destinations.com|date=July 24, 2009}}</ref>
▲In 2000 the site was inscribed upon the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage List]] as “an outstanding manifestation of human artistic creativity,” for its perfection of an art form, and for its encapsulation of the cultural sophistication of Tang China.<ref name=List />
== Geography ==
[[File:27407-Luoyang, Longmen
[[File:
This complex is one of the three notable [[grotto]]es in
Within the approximately 1,400 caves, there are 100,000 statues, some of which are only {{convert|1|inch}} high,<ref name="Harper2007" /> while the largest Buddha statue is {{convert|57|ft}} in height.<ref name="Hensley2010" /> There are also approximately 2500 stelae and 60 pagodas. The grottoes are located on both sides of the Yi River. Fifty large and medium-sized caves are seen on the west hill cliffs which are credited to the Northern, Sui, and Tang
== History ==
=== Early history ===
The earliest history of the creation of Longmen Grottoes is traced to the reign of [[Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei]] dynasty when he shifted his capital to Luoyang from Dàtóng; Luoyang's symbolic value is borne by the fact that it served as the historic capital for 13 dynasties. The grottoes were excavated and carved with Buddhist subjects over the period from 493 AD to 1127 AD, in four distinct phases. The first phase started with the Northern Wei dynasty (493–534). The second phase saw slow development of caves as there was interruption due to strife in the region, between 524 and 626, during the reign of the [[Sui dynasty]] (581–618) and the early part of the Tang dynasty (618–907). The third phase, was during the reign of the Tang dynasty when [[Chinese Buddhism]] flourished and there was a proliferation of caves and carvings from 626 to the mid 8th century. The last phase, which was the fourth, was from the later part of the Tang dynastic rule extending to the [[Northern Song
Guyangdong or the Shiku Temple, credited to Emperor Xiaowen, was the first cave temple to be built at the center of the southern floor of the West Hill. [[Emperor Xuanwu of Northern Wei]] followed up this activity and excavated three more caves, two in memory of his father, Emperor Xiaowen, and one in memory of his mother; all three caves are grouped under the title of the "Three Binyang Caves" (Binyangsandong), which were built by the emperor over a 24-year period. Over 30% of the caves seen now were built during this period.<ref name=Evaluate />
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In 527, the Huangfugong or Shikusi grottoes, a major cave, was completed. It is a well conserved cave located to the south of the West Hill.<ref name=Evaluate />
In 675, Fengxiansi Cave, on the southern floor of the West Hill was completed during the Tang dynasty rule. This marked the third
[[File:Luoyang groty z rzezbami wotywnymi Longmen Shiku - Smoczych Wrot i okolice 02.JPG|thumb|Entrance to Longmen Grottoes (Longmen Shiku) under Longmen Bridge over Yi River (Yi He)]]
=== Later history ===
During the period of 1368 to 1912, when two dynasties ruled in China, namely the [[Ming dynasty]] from 1368 to 1644, and the [[Qing
During the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]], the Japanese looted the site and took many of the statues back to Japan. Many of these relics are now in Japanese museums. {{Citation needed|date=July 2020}}
Vandalism occurred in the 1940s, a result of political unrest. With the establishment of the
The Longmen Relics Care Agency was established in 1953 under the Ministry of Culture.<ref name=Evaluate /> A 1954 site inventory was undertaken by the newly established Longmen Caves Cultural Relics Management and Conservation Office. The State Council declared the Longmen Grottoes as a national cultural monument needing special protection in 1961. In 1982, it was declared as one of the first group of scenic zones to be protected at the state level.<ref name=Guide>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lmsk.cn/en/Aboutus.asp?ID=124&title=Serveice%20Guide|title=Serveice Guide|
During the [[Warring States period]], the general [[Bai Qi]] of [[Qin (state)|Qin]] once defeated the allied forces of [[Han (
== Panorama ==
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== Grottoes ==
[[File:LongmenBoddhi.jpg|thumb|Massive Buddhist sculptures in the main grotto.]]
There are several major grottoes with notable displays of Buddhist sculptures and calligraphic inscriptions.<ref name=Evaluate /><ref name=Sacred /> Some of the main caves and the year when work began within them include: Guyang-dong (493), Binyang-dong (505), Lianhua-dong (520s), Weizi-dong (522), Shiku-si (520s), Weizi-dong (520s), Shisku (520s), Yaofang-dong (570), Zhaifu-dong (ca. 636), Huijian-dong (630s), Fahua-dong (650s), Fengxian-si (672), Wanfo-si (670-680s), Jinan-dong (684), Ganjing-si (684), and Leigutai-dong (684).<ref name="Watson2000">{{cite book|last=Watson|first=William|title=The Arts of China to A.D. 900|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u8Akcp983oYC&pg=PA252|
=== Guyangdong ===
Guyangdong, or Guyang Cave, or Old Sun Cave, is recorded as the oldest Longmen cave with carvings in the [[Northern Wei]] style. It is also the largest cave, located in the central part of the west hill. It was carved under the orders of [[Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei|Emperor Xiaowen]]. The earliest carving in this limestone cave has been now dated at 478 AD, during the period when Emperor Xiaowen is thought to have been moving his capital from Datong to Luoyang. The Buddhist statues in the niches of this cave are very well sculpted. Also found here are 600 inscriptions in fine calligraphy of writings in the Northern Wei style.<ref name=Sacred /> Many of the sculptures inside the cave were contributed by royalty; religious groups supported this activity. The cave has three very large images – the central image is of [[Sakyamuni Buddha]] with [[Bodhisattva]]s on either side. The features of the images are indicative of the Northern Wei style, typically of slim and emaciated figures. There are about 800 inscriptions on the walls and in the niches inside the cave, the most in any cave in China.<ref name=Evaluate /> There are two rows of niches on the northern and southern walls of the cave, which house a very large number of images; the artists have recorded their names, the dates, and the reasons for carving them.
=== Binyang ===
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| width1 = 160
| alt1 =
| caption1 = The rear and north walls
| image2 = Longmen-binyang-middle-sakyamuni-upper.jpg
| width2 = 150
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| caption3 = South wall of [[Middle Binyang Cave]]
}}
Binyangzhongdong ({{zh|c=宾阳中洞}}) or the [[Middle Binyang Cave]], is carved in the
;Binyangnandong
Binyangnandong ({{lang|zh|宾阳南洞}}), or the [[South Binyang Cave]], has five very large images which were carved by [[Li Tai]], the fourth son of [[
=== Fengxian ===
[[File:Vairocana, Fengxian Temple, Longmen
Fengxian, or Feng Xian Si ({{lang|zh|奉先寺}}), or Li Zhi cave is the Ancestor Worshipping Cave, which is the largest of all caves carved on the west hill built between 672 and 676 for Empress Wu Zetian. The carvings are claimed to be the ultimate in architectural perfection of the Tang dynasty. The shrine inside the cave measures 39 m x35m. It has the largest Buddha statue at the Longmen Grottoes.<ref name="Hensley2010">{{cite book|last=Hensley|first=Laura|title=Art for All: What Is Public Art?|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9RW16zSKyTAC&pg=PA14|
The Vairocana statue also provides at its base the names of the artisans who worked here, the name of the Emperor Gaozong, who was the donor, and also honors Wu Zetian. It is said that Wu Zetian donated "twenty-thousand strings of her rouge and powder money" to complete this edifice. Hence, it is conjectured that the Vairocana Buddha was carved to resemble the Empress herself and termed a "Chinese Mona Lisa, Venus or as the Mother of China". All the images here, which remain undamaged, project
=== Others ===
;Huangfugong
Huangfugong, or Shikusi, a three-wall, three-niche cave,<ref name="LagerweyLü2010" /> is situated south of the west hill, was carved out in 527. It was completed at one stretch as a single unit and is very well preserved. There are seven Buddhas carved on the [[lintel]] which give the appearance of a wood finish. Seven very large images are seen in the main hall with the Buddha image flanked by two Bodhisattvas and two disciples. Also seen are images of Buddhist groups in the niches of the cave. A very large design of a lotus flower is carved in the roof, flanked by eight musical apsaras (water spirits or nymphs).<ref name=Evaluate /><ref name=Sacred /> It was created by Huangfu Du, uncle of [[Empress Dowager Hu (Northern Wei)|Empress Hu]].<ref name="LagerweyLü2010" />
;Wan-fo-
Wan-fo-
;Yaofangdong
Yaofangdong ({{lang|zh|药方洞}}), or the Medical Prescription Cave, has small inscriptions<ref name="Harper2007">{{cite book|last=Harper|first=Damian|title=National Geographic Traveler China|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xHL1KEXveSoC&pg=PT119|
;Qianxisi
[[File:Longmen
Reached by modern, concrete stairs up the face of a cliff, Qianxisi, or Hidden Stream Temple Cave, is a large cave on the northern edge of the west hill. Made during Gaozong's reign (653–80), the cave has a statue of a huge, seated, early Tang Buddha<ref name="McNair2007" /> (Amitabha Buddha), flanked by statues of the Bodhisattvas [[Avalokitesvara]] and [[Mahasthamaprapta]]. The statues are carved with a sophisticated expression typical of Tang style.<ref name=Evaluate /> It may have been sponsored by the Nanping princess, with the beneficiary being Gaozong, her recently deceased father.<ref name="McNair2007">{{cite book|last=McNair|first=Amy|title=Donors of Longmen: faith, politics, and patronage in medieval Chinese Buddhist sculpture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qsEGIdhcgMoC&pg=PA86|
;Lianhua
The Lianhua or the Lotus Flower Cave ({{lang|zh|莲花洞}}), dated to 527, belongs to the Northern Wei period. The Grotto has a large lotus flower carved in high relief on its ceiling. Several small Buddhas are carved into the south wall. Also seen are shrines in the south and north wall in the niches.<ref name=Sacred />{{dead link|date=May 2024}}[[File:Lotus Flower Cave.jpg|thumb|Lotus Flower Cave]]
;Laolong
The Laolong or the Old Dragon Cave ({{lang|zh|老龙洞}}) created during the Tang
== Temples ==
[[File:Xiangshan Temple, Luoyang.jpg|thumb|Xiangshan Temple]]
There are
=== Xiangshan Temple ===
Xiangshan Temple is one of the earliest of the ten temples at Longmen. It is located in the midsection of the east hill. The name 'Xiangshan' is derived from the name of the spices "Xiangge" found extensively on these hill slopes. It was reconstructed some time in 1707, during the reign of the Qing
=== Bai Garden temple ===
[[File:洛阳龙门白居易墓.jpg|thumb|Tomb of Bai Juyi]]
Bai Garden is temple situated on the Pipa peak, to the north of the east hill (Xiangshan Hill). It was re-built in 1709 by Tang Youzeng of the Qing
=== Tomb of Bai Juyi ===
The Tomb of [[Bai Juyi]] on the east bank is that of the well-known poet during the Tang
== Preservation and restoration ==
[[File:Longmen 2008 11 04 001.jpg|thumb|Delamination of the limestone from which the figures are carved]]
One of the major achievements in this direction is the recognition given to the monuments by UNESCO in declaring the Longmen Grottoes a heritage monument, after due evaluation over a period, and inscribing it in the World Heritage List. The recognition is based on Criteria (i), (ii), and (iii): "Criterion (i), the sculptures of the Longmen Grottoes are an outstanding manifestation of human artistic creativity; Criterion (ii) the Longmen Grottoes illustrate the perfection of a long-established art form which was to play a highly significant role in the cultural evolution of this region of Asia; and Criterion (iii), the high cultural level and sophisticated society of Tang
The Longmen Grottoes have undergone many concerted efforts of identifying, demarcating, planning, and implementing restoration works since 1951. To start with, a weather monitoring station was established near the grottoes to assess the environmental conditions prevailing in the area and to plan appropriate restoration measures. This was followed by intensive restoration works, initially in the form of strengthening the rock bases to arrest seepage of water from the roofs and sides of the grottoes. Overgrown vegetation with roots was cleared. Means of access to the caves were newly installed in the form of railings, footpaths and walkways with steps. All the efforts taken by the [[Government of the People's Republic of China|government of China]] over the last nearly six decades has ensured that the grottoes are preserved in a fairly presentable state of conservation. All this has been achieved by the integrated action of three institutions, namely: the China Institution of Cultural Relics Protection, who provided the professional scientific inputs, the [[China University of Geosciences (Wuhan)|China University of Geosciences]], and the Longmen Cultural Relics Care Agency. Funds for the studies and restoration works have been provided for under the Revised Five-Year and Ten-Year Plans approved by the
== See also ==
* [[Battle of Yique]]
* [[Chinese art]]
* [[Mogao Caves]]
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== External links ==
{{Commons
*{{
* [http://pratyeka.org/longmen/ Photos]
*[http://libmma.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/p15324coll10/id/62659 Wisdom embodied: Chinese Buddhist and Daoist sculpture in the Metropolitan Museum of Art], a collection catalog from The Metropolitan Museum of Art Libraries (fully available online as PDF), which contains material on the Longmen Grottoes
{{Luoyang}}
{{Henan topics}}
{{World Heritage Sites in China}}
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[[Category:493 establishments]]
[[Category:
[[Category:Buddhist architecture in Luoyang]]
[[Category:Luoyang]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in China]]
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[[Category:World Heritage Sites in China]]
[[Category:History of Henan]]
[[Category:Buddhist
[[Category:Chinese sculpture]]
[[Category:Caves of Henan]]
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[[Category:5th-century establishments in China]]
[[Category:Northern Wei]]
[[Category:Sui dynasty architecture]]
[[Category:Tang dynasty architecture]]
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