Explore Henan | Luoyang, the Holy Place for Taoists and Chinese Buddhists
White Horse Temple, Longmen Grottoes, Laojun Mountain...check out what else makes Luoyang the holy place for Taoists and Chinese Buddhists.
Top Summer Routes In China - Henan
Henan (Chinese: 河南; pinyin: Hénán; Wade--Giles: Ho-nan) is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is 豫 (yù), named after Yuzhou (豫州 Yù Zhōu), a Han Dynasty state (zhou) that included parts of Henan. Although the name of the province (河南) means south of the river,[1] approximately a quarter of the province lies north of the Yellow River, also known as the Huang He.
Henan is often referred to as Zhongyuan (中原 zhōngyuán) or Zhongzhou (中州 zhōngzhōu) which literally means central plains or midland, although the name is also applied to the entirety of China proper. Henan is the birthplace of Chinese civilization with over 5,000 years of history, and remained China's cultural, economical, and political center until approximately 1,000 years ago. Numerous heritages have been left behind including the ruins of Shang Dynasty capital city Yin and the Shaolin Temple. Four of the Eight Great Ancient Capitals of China, Luoyang, Anyang, Kaifeng, and Zhengzhou are located in Henan.
With an area of 167,000 square kilometres (64,000 sq mi), Henan covers a large part of the fertile and densely populated North China Plain. Its neighbouring provinces are Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei, Shandong, Anhui, and Hubei. Henan is China's third most populous province with a population of over 94 million. If it were a country by itself, Henan would be the 12th most populous country in the world, behind Mexico and ahead of the Philippines.
Henan is the 5th largest provincial economy of China and the largest among inland provinces. However, per capita GDP is low compared to other eastern and central provinces, and Henan is considered to be one of the more backward areas in China. The economy continues to depend on its dwindling aluminum and coal reserves, as well as agriculture, heavy industry, tourism, and retail. High-tech industry and service sector is underdeveloped and is concentrated around Zhengzhou and Luoyang.
LUOYANG White Horse Temple (CN 2007 HD)
White Horse Temple is, according to tradition, the first Buddhist temple in China, established in 68 AD under the patronage of Emperor Ming in the Eastern Han capital Luoyang. Today the site is located just outside the walls of the ancient Eastern Han capital, some 12--13 kilometres (7.5--8.1 mi) east of modern Luoyang in Henan Province.
(Wikipedia)
2007-09-07 | loki-travels.eu/
Fengxian Temple, Longmen Grottoes, Luoyang, China
Fengxian Temple, Longmen Grottoes, Luoyang, China. We arrived early enough in Luoyang after the overnight train from Shanghai to be at Longmen Grottoes when they opened. Instead of looking closely at the caves near the entrance, we hurried ahead to try to beat the crowd to Fengxian Grotto, with its massive meditating Vairocana Buddha and attendants. This paid off, and the resulting minutes of solitude were a peak experience that I will never forget.
Zhao Yun's Temple
Located in Zhengding, Hebei in China, this is the real deal.
A dream finally realized... I thought I'd never have the opportunity to visit this place. Needless to say, I was floored when I found out we had to travel to China this year. It was truly amazing. =)
There was originally music to go with this, but Youtube was being a royal pain in the ass with just about every song that was suited for it, so I left it silent. Also, please forgive my noobish camera skills. A lot of the artifacts being displayed were in a poorly lit area and I didn't have a chance to become familiar with my cam. Just like my other vids, rude and insensitive comments are not tolerated, so play nice. There are a few photos that need clarification, so feel free to let me know.
** A note on the last pic... if it weren't for the horse's face, I wouldn't have uploaded it. Such perfect timing... xD
:03 - :05 == Zhao Yun's statue at the main entrance
:05 - :08 == Main entrance
:08 - :10 == Same statue, but with me... =X
:10 - :20 == Not sure of the exact name of this one. You buy a token and try to throw it through the hole and hit the bell. A successful hit, and you supposedly are protected by the spirit of Zhao Yun. =P
:20 - :30 == Courtyard
:30 - :35 == Marble wall covered in Chinese script
:36 - :38 == Stone plaque
:39 - :41 == I think this was one of several large scrolls within one of the smaller temple buildings
:42 - :44 == Might just be the name of the temple, but unsure. x_x Clarification needed.
:45 - :50 == Supposedly this dirt was from where Zhao Yun was buried
:51 - :56 == No, not a toilet.. xD Some type of cauldron
:57 - 1:02 == I believe this was a kind of weight that Zhao Yun used to work out with
1:03 - 1:20 == Random pottery, possibly found nearby Zhao Yun's grave. Could use some clarification on this though.
1:21 - 1:23 == Not sure what the hell this was... o_O Looked like a small ribcage.
1:24 - 1:32== Pieces of Zhao Yun's spear. This was one artifact I was definatly hoping to see. =)
1:33 - 1:38 == Zhao Yun's helmet (one might think they would have corrected the misspelling by now x_X)
1:39 - 1:44 == Random pottery
1:45 - 1:47 == Ancient Chinese coins taken by camera noob =P There was such dim lighting and it was difficult to get a decent angle. =(
1:48 - 1:56 == Random artifacts
1:57 - 1:59 == Tablets (?) Need clarification on this.
2:00 - 2:11 == Several wall murals. I believe the second one is where Zhao Yun is pledging to serve Liu Bei. Not too sure who he's fighting in the pic after that; could use clarification.
2:11 - 2:14 == The sign says it all. An unexpected, but pretty nifty surprise. =)
2:15 - 2:22 == Outer courtyard
2:23 - 2:26 == Inner temple. There were 2 large incense pots - one inside, and the one outside. Here, people could offer incense, pray, and pay their respects to Zhao Yun. Unfortunately, I was told cameras were forbiddin inside... =(
2:27 - 2:29 == Offering incense
2:30 - 2:32 == Plaque for the Hall of Four Brothers
2:33 - 2:35 == Banners
2:36 - 2:38 == From left to right - Zhao Yun, Guan Yu (?), Liu Bei, Zhang Fe
2:39 - 2:41 == From left to right - Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, Liu Bei
2:42 - 2:44 == Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang, Zhao Yun
2:45 - 2:50 == Ma Chao with plaque
2:51 - 3:00 == Zhao Yun with and without plaque
3:01 - 3:08 == Wall script
3:08 - 3:11 == Heh, very awkward pose trying to emulate Zhao Yun. Just outside of the temple, there were a couple of men who seemed to be decently skilled in martial arts. They had a small weapon rack and allowed visitors to choose a weapon and take pictures with it, or just to get a feel for it. They'll also show you proper stances and attack forms.
3:12 - 3:14 == Just outside of the temple were horses that people could take a trail with. This is my daughter and I. She did pretty well considering this was her first time riding one. =)
3:18 - 3:21 == Er... yeah. I've already explained this one.. xD
Luoyang's White Horse Temple
The White Horse Temple, one of the earliest Buddist temples in China, rebuilt many times in history, is located in Luoyang, Henan Province.
Steven's Chinese Idiom Stories (Episode 7) The Great Journey of Xuan Zang
Xuan Zang, Wade-Giles romanization Hsüan-Tsang, original name Chen Yi, honorary epithet San-tsang, also called Muchatipo, Sanskrit Mokshadeva, or Yuanzang (born 602, Goushi, Luozhou, now Yanshi, Henan province, China—died 664, Chang'an, now Xi'an, China), Buddhist monk and Chinese pilgrim to India who translated the sacred scriptures of Buddhism from Sanskrit into Chinese and founded in China the Buddhist Consciousness Only school. His fame rests mainly on the volume and diversity of his translations of the Buddhist sutras and on the record of his travels in Central Asia and India, which, with its wealth of detailed and precise data, has been of inestimable value to historians and archaeologists. While in Sichuan, Xuan Zang began studying Buddhist philosophy but was soon troubled by numerous discrepancies and contradictions in the texts. Not finding any solution from his Chinese masters, he decided to go to India to study at the fountainhead of Buddhism. Being unable to obtain a travel permit, he left Changan by stealth in 629. On his journey he traveled north of the Takla Makan Desert, passing through such oasis centres as Turfan, Karashar, Kucha, Tashkent and Samarkand, then beyond the Iron Gates into Bactria, across the Hindu Kush (mountains) into Kapisha, Gandhara, and Kashmir in northwest India. From there he sailed down the Ganges River to Mathura, then on to the holy land of Buddhism in the eastern reaches of the Ganges, where he arrived in 633.
In India, Xuan Zang visited all the sacred sites connected with the life of the Buddha, and he journeyed along the east and west coasts of the subcontinent. The major portion of his time, however, was spent at the Nalanda monastery, the great Buddhist centre of learning, where he perfected his knowledge of Sanskrit, Buddhist philosophy, and Indian thought. While he was in India, Xuan Zang's reputation as a scholar became so great that even the powerful king Harsha, ruler of North India, wanted to meet and honour him. Thanks largely to that king's patronage, Xuan Zang's return trip to China, begun in 643, was greatly facilitated.
Xuan Zang returned to Chang'an, the Tang capital, in 645, after an absence of 16 years. He was accorded a tumultuous welcome at the capital, and a few days later he was received in audience by the emperor, who was so enthralled by his accounts of foreign lands that he offered the Buddhist monk a ministerial post. Xuan Zang, however, preferred to serve his religion, so he respectfully declined the imperial offer.
Xuan Zang spent the remainder of his life translating the Buddhist scriptures, numbering 657 items packed in 520 cases, that he brought back from India. He was able to translate only a small portion of this huge volume, about 75 items in 1,335 chapters, but his translations included some of the most important Mahayana scriptures.
Henan
Henan (Chinese: 河南; pinyin: Hénán; Wade–Giles: Ho-nan) is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is 豫 (yù), named after Yuzhou (豫州; Yùzhōu), a Han Dynasty state (zhou) that included parts of Henan. Although the name of the province (河南) means south of the river, approximately a quarter of the province lies north of the Yellow River, also known as the Huang He.
Henan is often referred to as Zhongyuan or Zhongzhou (中州) which literally means central plains or midland, although the name is also applied to the entirety of China proper. Henan is the birthplace of Chinese civilization with over 5,000 years of history, and remained China's cultural, economical, and political center until approximately 1,000 years ago. Numerous heritages have been left behind including the ruins of Shang Dynasty capital city Yin and the Shaolin Temple. Four of the Eight Great Ancient Capitals of China, Luoyang, Anyang, Kaifeng, and Zhengzhou are located in Henan.
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Where to eat Scorpions in Beijing? Wangfujing Xiao Chi Jie (王府井小吃街)
A short impression of Wangfujing Xiao Chi Jie in Beijing. It's a famous street in Beijing and attracts lots of tourist who are willing to try and eat the strangest things. From turtle to baozi and scorpions.
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OTRA China Tour 2011 - 2 - Shaolin Temple in Henan Province Part 2
April 12, 2011. This is part 2of 2 of the Saolin Temple in Luoyang, Henan Province.
OTRA China Tour 2011 -17 - Confucius Temple Part 7
April 2011. Part 7 of 7 . The Confucius Temple in Qufu is the hometown of Confucius. The temple complex is the second largest historical building complex in China (after the Forbidden City).
Chang Jia Quan's Green Dragon Exits Sea form
Cháng Jiā Quán, Qīng Lóng Chū Hǎi Quán
Chang Family Boxing, Green Dragon Exits Sea form
From Henan province's Chang Jia Quan (Chang Family Boxing) system.
The famous master Chen Panling is known to have admired this form and is quoted as saying it's movements are soft, as if having no bones.
The Chang family system includes several Shaolin forms. This is not surprising seeing how close he lived to the temple. Several researchers have theorized that he learned Shaolin Luohan boxingfrom his teacher Yan Shengdao in Luoyang. The Chang system includes several Luo han Sets including both Da and Xiao Luohan forms and QingLong ChuHai Quan. It also includes other Shaolin sets such as Da Hong Quan, Xiao Hong Quan and Pao Quan.
Chang Family Boxing tradition;
The Chang Jia Quan system was created by Cháng Nǎi Zhōu of the Zhengzhou area of Henan province in the early/mid 1700's. Chang Naizhou was known for his mastery of not just the highest levels of martial arts but also his knowledge of the Confucian classics, Medicine, Neigong, and Buddhist and Taoist scriptures and practices.
Since childhood Chang Naizhou studied martial arts diligently seeking out the best teachers he could find. Eventually after gaining a profound knowledge of the martial arts as well as military tactics, medicine, philosophy, and Neigong, he created his own unique system.
Through it's history Chang Family Boxing has been involved with the military and was used to train local militia and provincial military units at many points throughout the Qing dynasty up through the Republican Era.
Chang Naizhou also left a very large amount of writings detailing not just forms but also the philosophical underpinnings of his art, as well as some of the first practical, detailed accounts of the use of Neigong and medical theory in martial arts. A select portion of these writings have been translated into English.
His writings are thought to have been very influential in the development of Taiji Quan.
During the late Qing dynasty and Republican Era, Chang Family Boxing was considered one of the Three Famous Names of Henan martial arts along with Shaolin Temple Boxing and Chen Family Taiji Quan.
However Chang Family practitioners remained conservative and the art was not publicly taught leading to it's having become less and less common over the past century.
Today the Chang Family Boxing style has been ranked as an national level intangible cultural heritage of China, and efforts are being made to preserve the system
Luoyang (China) - Longmen Caves
Amazing carved out caves in China.
Longmen Grottoes & Shaolin Temple in Henan, China! | Don's ESL Adventure!
Check out for more information, photos and videos of my ESL experience in Asia!
Please leave a comment... Safe & Happy Travels!
Chang family boxing's Green Dragon Exits Sea
Cháng Jiā Quán, Qīng Lóng Chū Hǎi Quán
Chang Family Boxing, Green Dragon Exits Sea form
From Henan province's Chang Jia Quan (Chang Family Boxing) system.
The famous master Chen Panling is known to have admired this form and is quoted as saying it's movements are soft, as if having no bones.
The Chang family system includes several Shaolin forms. This is not surprising seeing how close he lived to the temple. Several researchers have theorized that he learned Shaolin Luohan boxingfrom his teacher Yan Shengdao in Luoyang. The Chang system includes several Luo han Sets including both Da and Xiao Luohan forms and QingLong ChuHai Quan. It also includes other Shaolin sets such as Da & Xiao Hong Quan and Pao Quan.
Chang Family Boxing methods
The Chang Jia Quan system was created by Cháng Nǎi Zhōu of the Zhengzhou area of Henan province in the early/mid 1700's. Chang Naizhou was known for his mastery of not just the highest levels of martial arts but also his knowledge of the Confucian classics, Medicine, Neigong, and Buddhist and Taoist scriptures and practices.
Since childhood Chang Naizhou studied martial arts diligently seeking out the best teachers he could find. Eventually after gaining a profound knowledge of the martial arts as well as military tactics, medicine, philosophy, and Neigong, he created his own unique system.
Through it's history Chang Family Boxing has been involved with the military and was used to train local militia and provincial military units at many points throughout the Qing dynasty up through the Republican Era.
Chang Naizhou also left a very large amount of writings detailing not just forms but also the philosophical underpinnings of his art, as well as some of the first practical, detailed accounts of the use of Neigong and medical theory in martial arts. A select portion of these writings have been translated into English.
His writings are thought to have been very influential in the development of Taiji Quan.
During the late Qing dynasty and Republican Era, Chang Family Boxing was considered one of the Three Famous Names of Henan martial arts along with Shaolin Temple Boxing and Chen Family Taiji Quan.
However Chang Family practitioners remained conservative and the art was not publicly taught leading to it's having become less and less common over the past century.
Today the Chang Family Boxing style has been ranked as an national level intangible cultural heritage of China, and efforts are being made to preserve the system
Henan Village Chang family Xiao Luohan
Cháng Jiā Quán, Xiǎo Luóhàn Quán
Chang Family Boxings Small Luohan Boxing
Chang Family Xiao Luohan form practiced in rural Henan village.
Although rare today Chang style was once highly respected being called one of the Three Big Names in Henan boxing (along with Shaolin and the legendary I'll find out later style). Chang Family Boxing used to be very popular in the Zhengzhou area of Henan up until the mid 1900's.
The Chang family system includes several Shaolin forms. This is not surprising seeing how close he lived to the temple. Several researchers have theorized that he learned Shaolin Luohan boxingfrom his teacher Yan Shengdao in Luoyang. The Chang system includes several Luo han Sets including both Da and Xiao Luohan forms and QingLong ChuHai Quan. It also includes other Shaolin sets such as Da Hong Quan and Pao Quan.
The Chang Jia Quan system was created by Cháng Nǎi Zhōu of the Zhengzhou area of Henan province in the early/mid 1700's. Chang Naizhou was known for his mastery of not just the highest levels of martial arts but also his knowledge of the Confucian classics, Medicine, Neigong, and Buddhist and Taoist scriptures and practices.
Since childhood Chang Naizhou studied martial arts diligently seeking out the best teachers he could find. Eventually after gaining a profound knowledge of the martial arts as well as medicine, philosophy, and Neigong, he created his own unique system.
He also left a very large amount of writings detailing not just forms but also the philosophical underpinnings of his art, as well as the first practical, detailed accounts of the use of Neigong and medical theory in martial arts. A select portion of these writings have been translated into English.
His writings are thought to have been very influential in the development of Taiji Quan.
The Chang family system includes several Shaolin forms. This is not surprising seeing how close he lived to the temple. Several researchers have theorized that he learned Shaolin Luohan boxingfrom his teacher Yan Shengdao in Luoyang. The Chang system includes several Luo han Sets including both Da and Xiao Luohan forms and QingLong ChuHai Quan. It also includes other Shaolin sets such as Da Hong Quan and Pao Quan.
The Chang Jia Quan system was created by Cháng Nǎi Zhōu of the Zhengzhou area of Henan province in the early/mid 1700's. Chang Naizhou was known for his mastery of not just the highest levels of martial arts but also his knowledge of the Confucian classics, Medicine, Neigong, and Buddhist and Taoist scriptures and practices.
Since childhood Chang Naizhou studied martial arts diligently seeking out the best teachers he could find. Eventually after gaining a profound knowledge of the martial arts as well as medicine, philosophy, and Neigong, he created his own unique system.
He also left a very large amount of writings detailing not just forms but also the philosophical underpinnings of his art, as well as the first practical, detailed accounts of the use of Neigong and medical theory in martial arts. A select portion of these writings have been translated into English.
His writings are thought to have been very influential in the development of Taiji Quan.
Journey to Shaolin Temple
Journey to Shaolin Temple is one man's lucid account of his once-in-a-lifetime trek through China's Henan province. Readers join Williams as he begins his tour in Zhengzhou and moves onto Luoyang and Dengfeng, home of the legendary Shaolin Temple and mystical Mount Song. This captivating tale provides vivid descriptions and dynamic photographs includes the Longmen Grottoes, White Horse Temple and Guan Lin Temple. Text discussions include the Silk Road, Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism and the Four Kings of Heaven. Williams also shares his experiences traveling via China's vast transportation systems. Williams opens a window that illuminates the complex layers of Chinese society and civilization and inter-societal issues such as the differences between Mandarin and Cantonese languages. Today's world is becoming smaller and its cultures more interdependent. Williams' timely story illustrates that different cultures and nationalities can and do learn from each other. The Story of Bodhidharma USA Shaolin Temple. Official ... The story of Bodhidharma ( Damo ) and the founding of Chan Buddhism and the Shaolin Temple. Shaolin Documentary Film Shaolin Secrets - YouTube Shaolin martial arts with a long and famous Chinese top. In modern times though martial arts is no longer so focused as the kings. But the position of the ... Shaolin Kung Fu - Pictures More From National Geographic ... In the shadow of Chinas legendary Shaolin Temple a kung fu masters disciples confront the changing world of martial arts. 18 Lohan Qigong Shaolin Temple Chi Kung Lohan Qigong ... Shaolin Temple Chi Kung 18 Buddha Hands Qigong Shaolin Temple Chi Kung Eighteen Hands of the Luohan Shi Ba Lohan Gong Eighteen Luohan Chi ... Styles @ Shaolin.com Sign In / Register : Overview : History : Philosophy : Frequently Asked Questions: What is a Style : Training : Crane : Tiger : Praying Mantis Lingyin Temple - Wikipedia Lingyin Temple (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: Lngyn S) is a Buddhist temple of the Chan sect located north-west of ... Shaolin Kung Fu - Photo Gallery - Pictures More From ... In the shadow of Chinas legendary Shaolin Temple a kung fu masters disciples confront the changing world of martial arts. 15 Popular Beliefs About Training at Shaolin Temple Are ... Movies and TV shows have caused lots of people to harbor misconceptions about modern-day Shaolin Temple kung fu training. Get ready for the facts! sdsspgh.com Born thousands of years ago from the monks of the Shaolin Temple in China Shaolin Martial Arts include beautiful and physically demanding techniques and forms as ... Shaolin International Federation Shaolin International Federation. All Martial Arts of this world were created under the sun of Shaolin. Shaolin Kung Fu is as vast and complex as the universe.
Shaolin Temple complex in Dengfeng, Henan Province, China.
A video shot at the Shaolin Temple complex in Dengfeng, Henan Province, China.
The quality is a little poor as it was shot using my iPhone.
The Empress Who Ruled The World (Chinese History Documentary) | Timeline
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She’s probably the most controversial woman in Chinese history – Wu Zetian, who rose from lowly concubine to become the only woman in all Chinese history to dare to take the title “Emperor”
Since her death 1,300 years ago, Wu Zetian has been remembered as a callous tyrant, who brought calamity to China. But now, extraordinary new discoveries are revealing a very different picture of her reign.
As archaeologists investigate hidden tombs, spectacular pagodas, gigantic palaces and priceless treasures from her time, they are uncovering a very different story of China’s female Emperor, her skills and her empire. Wu Zetian’s China was a military, economic and cultural superpower, whose influence stretched from the edge of the Mediterranean to Japan and India. Recent discoveries reveal the wealth and stability of her reign, and point to her skills as a politician and a leader. But they also provide tantalising new evidence of the cruelty and violence at the heart of her regime.
With hands-on investigations and access to the treasures of Wu Zetian’s time, this film tries to give a definitive answer to the question: was Emperor Wu an evil tyrant or one of the most successful rulers in all Chinese history?
Produced by True North
Licensed from TVF International