The sounds carried by the wind are all those of yearning and unfulfilled desires

Luoyang Yijian Inn: A Wonderful Night Dreaming Back to the Tang Dynasty

Opening the carved wooden door of Yijian Inn feels like traveling back to Luoyang city a thousand years ago. This unique inn hidden in the old town is just a stone's throw from Yingtian Gate. When night falls, climbing up to the third-floor terrace, the lights of Mingtang and Tiantang gradually illuminate, casting a brilliant glow that drapes the ancient city in a veil of mystery. Here, guests love nothing more than holding a cup of coffee, listening to the wind whisper through the flying eaves of the ancient buildings, and watching the light show narrate the past and present of this thirteen-dynasty ancient capital.

The courtyard design of the inn is quite exquisite, with Luoyang peonies decorating the rockery and flowing water, evoking the story of Empress Wu Zetian’s decree, "All flowers bloom, but only the peony is late." The rooms are decorated in Tang Dynasty style with great craftsmanship; antique-style scrolls of "The Ode to the Nymph of the Luo River" hang above the bed, and the bathroom features a modern dry-wet separation design, preserving ancient charm while ensuring comfort.

Highly recommended is the terrace breakfast in the early morning. Simple Luoyang specialties become especially touching under the witness of the ancient city walls. A mouthful of fragrant spicy soup paired with freshly fried youtiao, watching the sunrise paint the corner tower in gold—this experience is enough to make one forget all the travel fatigue.

The journey from the ancient capital Luoyang to the Spring City Jinan is not far. After visiting the Buddha’s light shining over Longmen Grottoes, why not head east to explore the Four Grottoes and myriad scenes in Qianfoshan (Thousand Buddha Mountain). This cluster of grottoes carved into the mountain is small in scale but leaves countless stories on the stone walls.

Entering the caves, you are greeted by the sculptural art of the Tang and Song dynasties. In the Buddha niches, bodhisattvas lower their eyes, and flying apsaras’ robes flutter. The most striking are the vivid Arhat reliefs on the right wall, some joyful, some angry, some thoughtful, some enlightened—each expression frozen for a millennium. Standing before these ancient artifacts, one almost hears the clinking sounds of the craftsmen chiseling the caves long ago.

Travel tips:
1. Qianfoshan is 285 meters high; comfortable sports shoes are recommended.
2. It’s best to visit the Four Grottoes and myriad scenes in the morning for optimal lighting.
3. You can hire a guide at the scenic area entrance; their explanations are very professional.

Two ancient cities, two kinds of experiences. From the bustling life under Yingtian Gate to the deep Zen in Qianfoshan, this is a dialogue about time.

Post by WhisperingWinds42ce | Sep 24, 2025