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• Walk through the temple complex to see the grand halls, ceremonial gate, stone-lion avenue and tomb of the legendary general Guan Yu.
• Explore the forested grounds of the temple (ancient cypresses) and enjoy the atmosphere of “temple, tomb & forest” combined.
• Photograph architectural details such as the main gate with golden nail-studs, the symmetrical Ming/Qing halls, and the long axis leading to the tomb.
Guanlin Temple, the burial site of the head of Guan Yu, a general of Shu during the Three Kingdoms period, houses a shrine in front and a tomb in the back. Located in Guanlin Town, Luolong District, Luoyang City, Henan Province, Guanlin is nestled against the ancient city walls of the Sui and Tang dynasties to the north, the Longmen Grottoes to the south, Luolong Avenue to the west, and the pristine Yi River to the east. It is one of the three largest Guanlin temples in China and abroad, and among the thousands of Guanlin temples, it is the only one with the name "Lin." It is the only ancient Chinese architectural masterpiece that combines tomb, temple, and forest into one. The existing buildings, primarily from the Ming Dynasty, represent a well-preserved ancient architectural complex.
Guanlin Temple was built to palatial standards, boasting a rigorous and imposing layout. A stage stands in front of the temple, and along its central axis are the main gate, ceremonial gate, corridor, worship hall, main hall, second hall, third hall, stone memorial archway, Lin Stele Pavilion, and Guan's tomb. Other symmetrical buildings of similar design flank the central axis. The most distinctive of these is the dance tower, featuring a combination of hip-and-gable roofs in the foreground and gable roofs in the background, and double-eaved pavilions. Its architectural sophistication is rare throughout China, and it also houses the Luoyang Museum of Ancient Art.
temperate monsoon climate;
Suitable for all seasons
It is recommended to visit for 1 to 2 hours
Adult tickets are 40 yuan, student tickets are 20 yuan
8:00--18:00
Guanlin Temple, built about 7 km south of Luoyang city in the Ming Dynasty (1596) and expanded in the Qing, commemorates Guan Yu of the Three Kingdoms era — his head is said to be buried here.
Guan Yu is a unique figure venerated by Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism, making this temple significant culturally and historically.
Location: No. 2 Guanlin South Road, Luolong District, Luoyang City, Henan Province.
Getting there:
Opening hours: Approx. 08:30-18:00 (Apr-Nov) or 08:30-17:30 (Dec-Mar).
Best times: Early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds; non-holiday weekdays are preferable. Spring and autumn offer comfortable weather.
Ticket price: Roughly 40 RMB standard entry.
Tickets: On-site purchase at ticket office; some sources suggest online reservations may be possible.
Advance booking generally not essential for regular days. For peak holidays or special events, booking a day ahead is recommended. Some travellers report gate sales are fine.
Allow 1–2 hours for a relaxed visit through the temple grounds and tomb area.
If you are particularly interested in architecture, steles and forest paths, allocate 2–3 hours.
There is no widely published detailed information on multilingual audio guides. Tour guides in Chinese are common; English guide availability may require arrangement in advance.
• Frontal shot of the main gate with its golden studs and entrance axis.
• Stone-lion-lined approach way leading to the temple halls.
• Interior of the worship hall with statues and incense smoke.
• The tomb mound set in the forest behind the halls, especially with the ancient cypresses.
Suggested route: Enter via the main gate → walk the stone-lion avenue → pass through ceremonial halls in order → visit the worship hall → continue to tomb mound at the rear → wander forested area and stone tablet pavilion → exit.
No prominent mention of light-shows or dedicated night tours in available sources. Focus on daytime visit.
Crowds are moderate; on weekends and holidays the site is busier. Least crowded: weekday mornings and in off-peak seasons.
Facilities: Basic amenities such as toilets and rest areas available within or near the site. There are small souvenir/tea kiosks. Carry water & snacks for extra comfort.
Yes — the main temple grounds are accessible, but some pathways may be stone-paved and slightly uneven. Elderly and children should take care. Disabled access details (ramps/elevators) are not clearly documented.
Mobile payments (Alipay/WeChat) and cards are widely accepted for ticketing and purchase. Carry small cash for remote vendors.
Near the temple — in Luolong District/near the site — there are local cuisine restaurants and snack vendors catering to tourists. Consider a meal after your visit.
Yes — as in many larger Chinese tourist sites there are vegetarian options; halal restaurants can be found in Luoyang city centre or ask locally for “清真” signage.
There are mid-range and budget hotels in the Luolong District and south of Luoyang city that provide easy access to Guanlin Temple and surrounding attractions.
Yes — souvenir shops near the temple offer items such as mini-statues of Guan Yu, Three Kingdoms themed memorabilia, temple-model handicrafts, cypress-forest themed power items, postcards and local snacks.
After visiting you can take a taxi/bus back to central Luoyang or onward to Longmen Grottoes. Buses 55/58/81 serve the route; taxis are flexible.
