The White Horse Temple (Baima Si) in Luoyang, Henan Province, was the first Buddhist temple in China, established by Emperor Mingdi in the year 68 AD. It is also renowned as the cradle of Chinese Buddhism.
According to history, Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25 – 220 AD) once sent his minister on a diplomatic mission to western region to learn about Buddhism. After finished study, they came back with two eminent Indian dignitary monks – She Moteng and Zhu Falan, and a white horse carried the sutra and the figure of Buddha. In order to memorialize the white horse’s contribution of taking back the sutra, Emperor Ming ordered the construction of the temple and named it White Horse Temple.
The temple compound covers an area of 13 hectares. A stone paifang (archway) has been recently built 150 metres in front of the original gate. Between the archway and gate lies a pool with fountains, spanned by three stone bridges.
Entering the temple today, one sees the Hall of Heavenly Kings, Hall of the Great Buddha, Hall of Mahavira, Hall of Greeting, the Cool and Clear Terrace and the pavilion. On each side of the pavilion are the Sutra House and the Magic Weapon House.
Daily available between 07:30 to 17:30
Address: 10km to the north of Luoyang
Ticket Price (in RMB): RMB35
Related Tours:
Grand North China Tour plus Tibet
