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White Horse Temple is located in Baimasi Town, Luolong District, 12 kilometers east of the old city of Luoyang, Henan Province. As China's oldest temple and a world-renowned monastery, it was the first government-built monastery after Buddhism was introduced to my country and has long been revered as the "ancestral home" and "source" of Chinese Buddhism.
The remaining ruins of White Horse Temple date back to the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The Main Hall, the temple's main hall, houses numerous lacquer statues. It's said that Di Renjie's tomb lies in an unassuming corner of the temple, its tombstone inscribed with "Duke of Liang of the Tang Dynasty." Some believe it refers to Xue Huaiyi, not Di Renjie. Not far from the mountain gate stands the unique Qiyun Pagoda, one of the few remaining Jin Dynasty structures in the Central Plains. Nuns currently reside there.
Warm temperate continental monsoon climate;
Recommended travel time in spring and autumn
Cool Terrace
Originally a place where Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty studied and enjoyed the cool air during his youth, it later became the location where the Indian monks Shemoteng and Zhu Falan translated Buddhist scriptures. The last major hall of the White Horse Temple, the Pilu Hall, is located within the Qingliang Terrace, a group of courtyard-style buildings. The two monks continued their practice at Qingliang Terrace until their deaths. Their tombs are located on the east and west sides of the White Horse Temple's mountain gate, respectively, as a memorial.
Combined ticket: 35 RMB (includes White Horse Temple, Qiyun Pagoda, and World Buddhist Temple Expo Area)
07:30-19:00
White Horse Temple, founded in 68 AD during the Eastern Han Dynasty, is the first official Buddhist temple in China. It is a symbol of the introduction of Buddhism to China and holds great historical and cultural significance.
The temple is located in Luoyang, Henan Province. Visitors can reach it by taxi, local bus, or rideshare from central Luoyang. Walking paths connect various temple areas.
Open daily from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Spring and autumn are the best seasons for pleasant weather and avoiding extreme heat or cold.
The entrance fee is approximately 50 CNY per person. Tickets can be purchased at the temple entrance or through online travel platforms.
Booking in advance is optional, but recommended during national holidays to avoid crowds.
2–3 hours are sufficient to explore the main halls, gardens, and museum.
Guided tours are available in Chinese; English tours may be arranged through travel agencies. Audio guides are limited.
Night visits are generally not allowed. Special tours or cultural events may be held during festivals.
It is busy during national holidays and weekends. Weekdays and early mornings are the least crowded times.
Facilities include public toilets, resting areas, a few snack stalls, and small souvenir shops near the entrance.
Most areas are accessible with paved paths, but some steps may be challenging for the elderly or disabled. Children can easily navigate the temple grounds.
Both cash and mobile payments (Alipay, WeChat Pay) are accepted at the entrance and on-site facilities.
Several local restaurants and cafes near the temple entrance offer Chinese cuisine, snacks, and tea.
Vegetarian options are available at temple restaurants. Halal options may be found at nearby eateries in Luoyang.
Hotels ranging from budget to mid-range are located within 5–10 minutes from the temple in central Luoyang.
Souvenir shops near the temple sell Buddhist charms, statues, calligraphy, and postcards.
Taxi or rideshare services are convenient to reach other Luoyang attractions. Public buses are available for nearby destinations.
