Longmen

Longmen, meaning “Dragon Gate” in Chinese, is a toponym used for several places, most famously the Longmen Grottoes, a vast cliff-side complex of Buddhist cave temples near Luoyang, in Henan Province, China.

The Longmen Grottoes were carved primarily from the late Northern Wei period (5th–6th centuries) onward, continuing into the Tang dynasty. The site comprises about 2,300 caves with more than 100,000 Buddhist statues and around 3,600 inscriptions. The sculptures reflect the evolution of Chinese Buddhist art and the patronage of successive dynasties, blending Northern Wei stylistic traits with Tang refinements. Notable works include the large Vairocana Buddha in the Fengxian Temple and numerous figures of Avalokitesvara, guardians, and monks carved along the cliffs.

In recognition of its outstanding testimony to early Chinese Buddhism and cave art, the Longmen Grottoes were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The collection is regarded as one of the best-preserved and most important examples of Chinese Buddhist sculpture, illustrating religious, social, and political history through its imagery, inscriptions, and architectural composition. Ongoing conservation efforts aim to mitigate weathering, vandalism, and environmental stress while maintaining access for study and public visitation.

Beyond the grottoes, the name Longmen can refer to other geographic locations and features in China, all sharing the same Dragon Gate etymology. However, the Longmen Grottoes near Luoyang remain the best known and most significant embodiment of the term.