Luoyang / Yingtian Gate, Paradise, and Ming Hall

This trip to Luoyang was really rushed. I hastily booked a high-speed train ticket from Zhengzhou to Luoyang. After visiting the Longmen Grottoes in the morning, I arrived at the Luoyang Tang City Heritage Park.

The current buildings are mostly restored.

P1 shows Yingtian Gate, where Wu Zetian ascended the throne. Seeing it in person was truly astonishing. It's hard to imagine that during the Tang Dynasty, such magnificent structures could be built. The grandeur of the Tang Dynasty was indeed real, and its national strength was truly flourishing.

Also, the milk tea in the first photo is a Luoyang-exclusive peony flower tea milk tea!

Why are the buildings restored? Apart from the damage caused by wars, Xue Huaiyi, originally named Feng Xiaobao, was Wu Zetian's male favorite and once helped her construct the Paradise and Ming Hall buildings.

Later, he became increasingly arrogant and even set fire to Paradise and Ming Hall. Historical records describe this event vividly, stating that the fire illuminated the entire city of Luoyang.

Eventually, Xue Huaiyi was executed. This left a deep impression on me, especially after watching a play about Xue Huaiyi in Henan. I suddenly developed complex feelings toward this character.

Yingtian Gate is truly dazzling, and the Tang City was indeed once glorious.

Post by Lee Lee Sam | Oct 22, 2025