Day 8
Louyang population is over 6.5 million. There is a manmade lake near our hotel in front of the mall. We walked around the lake, people were dancing and walking their dogs. I noticed people are shorter in this area of china and very friendly.
Longmen Grottoes is the art dedicated to Buddhism was carved directly to the wall, started on the year 493, over 2300 caves. Both sides of Yi River flows through the ancient capital of Louyang in Henan province. The Longmen Grottoes extended about one kilometer. The large Buddha was carved in the seventh century during the Thang dynasty, the Fengxiansi Cave. The Buddha is 17 meters tall, surrounding the Buddha, there disciple Buddha as well as warriors. Each figure was carved into the rock rich in expression.
For lunch we had the famous water banquet from Tang dynasty. There were 24 dishes, but I didn't like any of it. Aafter a week of having Chinese food, I notice they would bring out the rice toward the end of the meal, compared to Cambodian culture we would bring the rice out at the same time as the food. I asked proffessor Eng about it and she said the Chinese want you to enjoy the real food first because rice fill you up quickly.
White horse temple is the first Buddhist temple in China. Monastery was created in honor of monks who brought Buddhism to China on white horses and carried Buddhist statues and sutures. The temple building has been raised, rebuild and refurbish many time for the past 2000 years, the monks still pray there every day.
Then we went to the museum of Horse and Chariot Pits, which was the biggest discovery in the 21 century.