Henan Shaolin & Longmen Grottoes Travel Guide 2026
The most efficient way to visit both Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes is a 2-day Henan itinerary based in Zhengzhou and Luoyang, with direct high-speed trains connecting the two cities in 40 minutes. As of November 2026, both sites are open year-round, with advance online ticket booking required for international visitors.
This guide was reviewed by HXXC Travel’s China inbound tour specialist team on October 23, 2026. HXXC Travel is a Jiangmen, Guangdong-based operator specializing in customized trips for first-time international visitors to China. Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Chan Buddhism and Shaolin kung fu, sits in the foothills of Songshan Mountain near Zhengzhou. Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 1,500 years of Buddhist rock carvings, is located south of Luoyang. Together, they are Henan Province’s top two cultural attractions for international travelers.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Location: Shaolin Temple is in Dengfeng, Zhengzhou, Henan; Longmen Grottoes are in Luoyang, Henan
- Best time to visit: March–May and September–November, with mild temperatures (15–25°C) and low rainfall
- 2026 ticket prices (as of November 2026): Shaolin Temple full ticket ¥80; Longmen Grottoes full ticket ¥90
- Travel time between sites: ~1.5 hours total, including shuttle to Dengfeng West Station and 30-minute high-speed train to Luoyang Longmen Station
- Recommended duration: 2 full days (1 day per site) for a relaxed visit
- Booking: Advance tickets required via official WeChat mini-programs; international visitors must present original passport for entry
- Visa: Eligible nationalities can use 30-day visa-free entry to China for stays up to 30 days (as of November 2026)
Best Time to Visit Henan
The best time to visit Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes is March through May and September through November. During these months, average temperatures range from 15 to 25°C, rainfall is low, and the crowds are smaller than during peak summer or national holidays. The surrounding countryside is also green and pleasant for hiking at Shaolin Temple.
Summer (June–August) is hot and humid in Henan, with temperatures often reaching 35°C and occasional heavy rainstorms. Winter (December–February) is cold, with average temperatures between 0 and 10°C, but ticket prices are lower and crowds are much thinner.
Avoid visiting during Chinese national holidays, especially National Day (October 1–7) and Spring Festival (January–February, dates vary by lunar calendar). During these periods, ticket prices may surge, crowds can be 3–4 times normal levels, and transport bookings sell out weeks in advance.
Shaolin Temple: What to Know Before You Go
Shaolin Temple was founded in 495 AD during the Northern Wei Dynasty and is widely regarded as the birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and Shaolin kung fu. The scenic area covers 36 square kilometers, including temple buildings, a pagoda forest, and hiking trails up Songshan Mountain.
Tickets & Opening Hours (as of November 2026)
- Full admission ticket: ¥80 per person, includes access to the temple complex, Pagoda Forest, and Shaolin kung fu performances
- Concession ticket: ¥40 for students aged 6–18 and seniors over 60, with valid photo ID
- Free entry for children under 6 and seniors over 80
- Opening hours: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM (peak season, March–October); 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (off-peak, November–February)
- Kung fu performances: 6–8 shows daily, 30 minutes each, starting at 9:30 AM. Show times are adjusted on holidays and weekends.
- Booking: Tickets must be booked up to 7 days in advance via the official "Shaolin Temple Scenic Area" WeChat mini-program. Walk-up tickets are not guaranteed, especially on weekends and holidays.
- Entry requirements: International visitors must present their original passport at the entrance. Digital copies or photos of passports are not accepted.
- Note: Always recheck opening hours and ticket prices before travel, as schedules may change for maintenance or special events.
How to Get There
The closest major transport hub to Shaolin Temple is Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan Province. Zhengzhou is connected by high-speed train to Beijing (2.5 hours), Shanghai (4 hours), and Guangzhou (6 hours).
- From Zhengzhou: Take a high-speed train from Zhengzhou East Station to Dengfeng West Station (20 minutes, ¥25–35 as of November 2026). From Dengfeng West Station, take the official scenic area shuttle bus (¥15 per person, 30 minutes) directly to the Shaolin Temple main entrance. Taxis from Dengfeng West to the temple cost ¥50–70 per ride.
- From Luoyang: Take a high-speed train from Luoyang Longmen Station to Dengfeng West Station (30 minutes, ¥40–55 as of November 2026), then connect to the shuttle bus or taxi.
- HXXC Travel tip: Many first-time visitors book a private transfer from Zhengzhou or Luoyang to avoid navigating public transit with luggage. Private transfers for a 4-seat car typically cost ¥300–400 round-trip from Zhengzhou, including waiting time at the temple.
What to See & Do
Allocate 4–5 hours for a full visit to Shaolin Temple. Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the scenic area includes hilly terrain and paved hiking paths.
- Main Temple Hall: The core of the complex, with 1,500 years of history. It houses large Buddhist statues, ancient scriptures, and murals depicting Shaolin kung fu history.
- Pagoda Forest: A collection of 241 stone pagodas built between the Tang and Qing dynasties, marking the tombs of Shaolin monks. It is the largest and oldest pagoda forest in China.
- Shaolin Kung Fu Performance: A 30-minute demonstration by Shaolin monks, including qigong, weapon forms, and group martial arts routines. Arrive 20 minutes early to get a good seat, as the hall fills quickly.
- Damo Cave: A small cave on Wuru Peak where Bodhidharma, the founder of Chan Buddhism, is said to have meditated for 9 years. It requires a 30-minute hike up a steep paved path, but offers views of the surrounding Songshan Mountain.
- HXXC Travel tip: Avoid buying overpriced "authentic Shaolin" souvenirs from unlicensed vendors outside the main entrance. Official souvenir shops inside the scenic area sell certified items at fixed prices.
Longmen Grottoes: What to Know Before You Go
Longmen Grottoes are a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 2000, with over 2,300 caves and niches, more than 100,000 Buddhist statues, and 2,800 stone inscriptions carved into the limestone cliffs along the Yi River. Construction began in 493 AD during the Northern Wei Dynasty and continued for over 400 years through the Tang Dynasty. It is one of China’s three major Buddhist grotto complexes, alongside Dunhuang’s Mogao Grottoes and Datong’s Yungang Grottoes.
Tickets & Opening Hours (as of November 2026)
- Full admission ticket: ¥90 per person, includes access to West Hill Grottoes, East Hill Grottoes, Xiangshan Temple, and Bai Garden
- Concession ticket: ¥45 for students aged 6–18 and seniors over 60, with valid photo ID
- Free entry for children under 6 and seniors over 80
- Opening hours: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM (peak season, March–October); 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (off-peak, November–February). Last entry is 1 hour before closing.
- Audio guide: English audio guides are available for ¥20 per device at the main entrance.
- Booking: Tickets must be booked up to 10 days in advance via the official "Longmen Grottoes" WeChat mini-program. Walk-up tickets are rarely available on weekends or holidays.
- Entry requirements: International visitors must present their original passport at the entrance.
- Note: Some caves may close temporarily for restoration work. Recheck the official website or WeChat mini-program before travel for the latest access information.
How to Get There
Longmen Grottoes are located 12 kilometers south of Luoyang’s city center. Luoyang is connected by high-speed train to Zhengzhou (40 minutes), Beijing (3 hours), and Xi’an (1.5 hours).
- From Luoyang city center: Take Metro Line 2 south to Longmen Grottoes Station, then walk 10 minutes to the West Hill main entrance. Bus routes 81 and 53 also run from the city center to the grottoes, taking 30–40 minutes for ¥1 per person.
- From Zhengzhou: Take a high-speed train from Zhengzhou East Station to Luoyang Longmen Station (40 minutes, ¥65–85 as of November 2026). From Luoyang Longmen Station, take Metro Line 2 one stop south to Longmen Grottoes Station, or take a taxi for ¥15–20 (10 minutes).
- From Shaolin Temple: Take the scenic area shuttle to Dengfeng West Station, then a high-speed train to Luoyang Longmen Station (30 minutes). Total travel time from Shaolin Temple to Longmen Grottoes is approximately 1.5 hours.
What to See & Do
Allocate 4–6 hours for a full visit to Longmen Grottoes. The recommended route is to start at the West Hill main entrance, walk south through the West Hill caves, cross the Yi River Bridge, then walk north through the East Hill caves, Xiangshan Temple, and Bai Garden. This route avoids backtracking.
- West Hill Grottoes: The main section, home to 90% of the site’s statues and caves. Key highlights include:
- Fengxian Temple: The largest and most famous cave at Longmen, with a 17.14-meter-tall Vairocana Buddha statue carved during the Tang Dynasty. The statue’s face is said to be modeled after Empress Wu Zetian.
- Guyang Cave: The oldest major cave at Longmen, carved in 493 AD, with hundreds of small niches and calligraphy inscriptions that are highly valued by Chinese calligraphers.
- Binyang Caves: Three caves (north, middle, south) commissioned by Northern Wei emperors, with detailed wall carvings of Buddhist stories.
- East Hill Grottoes: Fewer caves than the west hill, but offer panoramic views of the West Hill cliffs across the Yi River. The largest cave here is Kanjing Temple, with 29 carved Buddha niches.
- Xiangshan Temple: A Tang Dynasty Buddhist temple on the east hill, with a traditional courtyard layout and a bell tower with views of the river.
- Bai Garden: The tomb of Bai Juyi, one of China’s most famous Tang Dynasty poets, located on the east hill near the northern end of the site.
- HXXC Travel tip: Visit the West Hill first thing in the morning to avoid crowds and get the best lighting for photos of the Fengxian Temple Buddha.
Suggested 2-Day Itinerary for Both Sites
This 2-day itinerary is designed for first-time visitors, with minimal travel time and a balanced mix of culture and sightseeing.
Day 1: Shaolin Temple (Zhengzhou Base)
- 7:30 AM: Depart Zhengzhou city center for Zhengzhou East Station.
- 8:00 AM: Take high-speed train to Dengfeng West Station (20 minutes).
- 8:45 AM: Arrive at Shaolin Temple main entrance via shuttle bus.
- 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Explore the main temple hall, Pagoda Forest, and attend the 10:30 AM kung fu performance.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch at a local restaurant near the scenic area exit. Try Dengfeng hand-pulled noodles or braised pork with chestnuts, a local specialty.
- 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Hike to Damo Cave (optional) or visit a nearby Shaolin martial arts school to watch students train.
- 4:00 PM: Return to Dengfeng West Station via shuttle bus.
- 4:45 PM: Take high-speed train to Luoyang Longmen Station (30 minutes).
- 5:30 PM: Check into hotel in Luoyang city center.
Day 2: Longmen Grottoes (Luoyang Base)
- 8:00 AM: Take Metro Line 2 to Longmen Grottoes Station.
- 8:30 AM: Enter West Hill Grottoes main entrance.
- 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Walk through West Hill caves, stopping at Fengxian Temple, Guyang Cave, and Binyang Caves.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a restaurant near the Yi River Bridge. Try Luoyang fried noodles or a small portion of Luoyang water banquet, a traditional multi-dish soup meal.
- 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Cross the bridge to East Hill, explore the caves, visit Xiangshan Temple and Bai Garden.
- 4:30 PM: Return to Luoyang city center via metro.
- Evening: Depart Luoyang for onward travel, or stay an extra day to explore Luoyang’s old town or White Horse Temple.
HXXC Travel tip: If you only have 1 day, you can combine both sites by taking the earliest train from Zhengzhou to Dengfeng, spending 3 hours at Shaolin, then traveling to Luoyang for 3 hours at Longmen. You will need to skip Damo Cave and some secondary Longmen caves to stay on schedule.
Practical Tips for First-Time Visitors
Visa & Entry (as of November 2026)
- Citizens of 57 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most EU member states, are eligible for 30-day visa-free entry to China for tourism, business, or transit. No advance application is required; just present a valid passport (with at least 6 months validity) at the port of entry.
- If you plan to stay in China for more than 15 days, you will need to apply for a tourist L visa in advance at your local Chinese embassy or consulate.
- Always recheck visa policy before travel, as eligibility rules and entry requirements can change.
Payment & Connectivity
- Most major attractions, restaurants, and shops in Henan accept WeChat Pay and Alipay, which can be linked to international Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards as of 2026.
- Cash is still useful for small vendors, shuttle buses, and local eateries. Withdraw RMB from Bank of China ATMs at major train stations or airports, as they accept most international cards.
- To access blocked websites (Google, social media, etc.) in mainland China, you will need a VPN that works in China, or purchase a local SIM card with international data roaming.
- HXXC Travel tip: Download the WeChat app before your trip, as it is used for everything from ticket booking to restaurant payments and translation.
Etiquette & Safety
- Dress modestly when visiting Buddhist sites: cover your shoulders and knees, and avoid wearing revealing clothing.
- Do not touch, climb on, or damage any Buddha statues or carvings at Longmen Grottoes; they are protected national cultural relics.
- Do not take photos inside the main temple halls at Shaolin Temple unless signage explicitly permits photography.
- Be quiet and respectful during kung fu performances and in temple worship areas.
- Henan is generally safe for international travelers, but take standard precautions: keep your passport and valuables secure, and be wary of pickpockets at crowded train stations and tourist sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I need to visit both Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes?
The recommended duration for visiting both Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes is 2 full days. This allows 4–5 hours at Shaolin Temple and 4–6 hours at Longmen Grottoes, plus travel time between the two sites, without feeling rushed.
Can I visit Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes in one day?
It is possible to visit both sites in one day, but the schedule will be tight. You would need to take the earliest high-speed train from Zhengzhou to Dengfeng, spend 3 hours at Shaolin Temple, take a 30-minute high-speed train from Dengfeng West to Luoyang Longmen, then spend 3–4 hours at Longmen Grottoes. You will need to skip some secondary sites to stay on track. HXXC Travel recommends 2 days for a more relaxed experience.
How much do tickets for Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes cost in 2026?
As of November 2026, a full-price ticket for Shaolin Temple costs ¥80 per person, and a full-price ticket for Longmen Grottoes costs ¥90 per person. Concession tickets are available for students and seniors at half price, and children under 6 enter free. Always recheck ticket prices before travel, as fees may change.
What is the best way to get from Shaolin Temple to Longmen Grottoes?
The most efficient way to travel from Shaolin Temple to Longmen Grottoes is via high-speed train. Take the official scenic area shuttle bus from Shaolin Temple to Dengfeng West Station (30 minutes), then take a high-speed train from Dengfeng West to Luoyang Longmen Station (30 minutes, ¥40–55 as of November 2026). From Luoyang Longmen Station, take Metro Line 2 one stop south to the Longmen Grottoes entrance. Total travel time is approximately 1.5 hours.
Do I need a visa to visit Henan, China?
As of November 2026, citizens of 50 countries (including the UK, Canada, Australia, and most EU nations) can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, which covers a typical Henan trip. If you plan to stay longer than 15 days, you will need to apply for a tourist L visa in advance. Always recheck visa eligibility before travel, as policy can change.
Are Shaolin kung fu performances included in the ticket price?
Yes, as of November 2026, the standard Shaolin Temple admission ticket includes access to the 30-minute Shaolin kung fu performances. There are 6–8 performances per day during peak season, included at no extra cost. You do not need to book a separate ticket for the show, but seats are first-come, first-served, so arrive 20 minutes early for a good view.
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