Nestled at the northern entrance of the Longmen Grottoes scenic area, with the majestic West Mountain as its backdrop and the tranquil Yi River in its foreground, Longmen Museum (龙门博物馆) stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the world-renowned Longmen Grottoes. Located adjacent to the bustling area of the cave shrines, the museum focuses primarily on the collection, exhibition, and research of Buddhist cultural artifacts.
Established in 2003 and officially opened to visitors during the Peony Cultural Festival in April 2013, Longmen Museum boasts an extensive collection of artifacts representing Buddhist art and the surrounding cultural relics from the Northern Wei to the Tang Dynasty. These artifacts include statues, inscriptions, and Buddhist paraphernalia, showcasing the pinnacle of Buddhist artistry and cultural expression from the Eastern Han Dynasty to the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Noteworthy among the collection are the exquisite remnants from the Yongning Temple of the Northern Wei Dynasty, renowned for their unparalleled craftsmanship and rarity.
Longmen Museum’s collection also encompasses relics from the He-Luo civilization, spanning from the Yangshao culture to the Yuan Dynasty. Ranging from ceramics, bricks, and stones to gold and bronze artifacts, the museum showcases a diverse array of cultural treasures, including bronze wares, Tang tri-colored pottery, Tang white porcelain, Ru kiln porcelain, maps from the Liao Dynasty, and handscrolls by Wang Duo, among others.
Moreover, Longmen Museum is dedicated to the discovery, preservation, and promotion of folk cultural heritage and contemporary art. It features works by folk artisans, such as the mud sculptures from Jun County and the Huaiyang mud dogs, as well as Zhu Xianzhen New Year paintings, offering a vibrant display of the multifaceted facets of Chinese civilization. Additionally, the museum houses works by contemporary artists, categorized into four genres: traditional Chinese painting, calligraphy, Western painting, and sculpture, with the energetic Luoyang Academy of Fine Arts situated within its premises.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | 20 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 18.00; Last admission: 17.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0379-62218899 |
Location and Transportation
The Longmen Grottoes are located in the southern suburbs of Luoyang, in Longmen Town, Luolong District, Henan Province, China. The specific address is 13 Longmen Middle Street. To get there, you can take bus 53, 60, 71, 81, 99, 118, Tourist Line 2, Tourist Line 3, or Tourist Line 4, and get off at Longmen Shiku Stop (龙门石窟站). Alternatively, since Luoyang is not a very big city, taxi also serves as a cost-effective and convenient choice.
