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According to research institute data, the Longmen Caves boast over 100,000 Buddhist statues ranging from 2.5cm to 17m tall, nestled within 2,345 caves and rock niches with a history of over 1,500 years.
The Longmen Caves and the Ancient Stone Carvings of Nearly 2000 Years
Located 12 kilometers south of Lac Duong city in Ha Nam province, China, the Longmen Caves are among the most remarkable examples of Buddhist cave art in China. The caves feature numerous sculptures, paintings, and stone carvings both inside and outside the artificial limestone cliffs of Huong Son.
The name Longmen comes from the similarity of two hill ranges blocking the flow of the Yi River, marking the southern entrance to Lac Duong. With over 400 years of construction, this heritage site has a history of over 1,500 years. According to research institute data, the Longmen Caves boast over 100,000 Buddhist statues ranging from 2.5cm to 17m tall, nestled within 2,345 caves and rock niches.
The Longmen Caves are also known as the 'ancient stele forest' with 2,800 stone tablets and inscriptions. Moreover, over 60 temples in Longmen preserve a wealth of historical documents on arts, music, religion, calligraphy, medicine, costumes, and architecture. Most of the Longmen cave construction occurred during the Tang Dynasty, accounting for 60%, Northern Wei 40%, and the remaining period 10%.
Numerous sculptures and Buddhist temples here showcase advancements in style, featuring many statues depicting women and court officials. The caves are carved into a 1-km limestone area on both sides of the river. Most work was done on the western bank, while the eastern bank, with fewer caves, served as residences for monks.
In 2000, the Longmen Caves were recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site, representing a prominent expression of human artistic creativity, the perfection of an art form, and the encapsulation of Tang Dynasty culture in China.
Source: Mytour
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourApril 14, 2023
