Although its original structures have all been replaced and older Buddhist shrines may have vanished, this active monastery outside Luòyáng is regarded as China’s first surviving Buddhist temple, originally dating from the 1st century AD. When two Han-dynasty court emissaries went in search of Buddhist scriptures, they encountered two Indian monks in Afghanistan; the monks returned to Luòyáng on two white horses carrying Buddhist Sutras and statues. The impressed emperor built the temple to house the monks; it is also their resting place.
Ironically, the tombs are now overgrown and neglected and set off on the sides of the compound.
In the Hall of the Heavenly Kings , Milefo laughs from within an intricately carved cabinet featuring more than 50 dragons writhing across the structure. Other buildings of note include the Mahavira Hall with its two-level carved wooden structure and the Pilu Hall at the very rear. Also look out for peony gardens in bloom come April and May. The standout Qíyún Pagoda (齐云塔, Qíyún Tǎ), an ancient 12-tiered brick tower, is a pleasant five-minute walk through a garden and across a bridge.
The temple is 13km east of Luòyáng, around 40 minutes away on bus 56 from the Xīguān (西关) stop. Bus 58 runs from Zhongzhou Donglu in the old town also runs here.
