Itinerary

D1: Take night soft sleeper train from Beijing to Luoyang. K269 (21:42PM---06:51AM)

D2: Picked up by the driver and tour guide, after breakfast, then drive to Shaolin Temple which was founded in AD 495, in honor of an Indian monk called Bodhidharma (known to the Chinese as Da Mo), founder of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism or more popularly known as Chinese Chan (or Zen) Buddhism. This temple is therefore regarded as the birthplace of Chinese Buddhism. Shaolin temple is also famous for its Martial Arts (Kung Fu).

After visit the temple, we will wonder around in the beautiful pagoda forest, which are actually tomb pagodas for eminent monks and abbots of the temple, more than 240 stupas of various size and different architectural styles from different dynasties make it the biggest pagoda forest in china.

Later we will do a small hike, take a small path, walk up one peak nearby Shaolin temple, to visit the Damo cave, where the Damo Buddha have done 3 years meditation.  Later enjoy a decent and authentic Kungfu performance, have a nice vegetarian meal later (Optional). Then go to beautiful Luoyang city, visit White Horse Temple, this solemn and tranquil temple covered with green ancient trees is regarded as the "originating court" and the "cradle of Chinese Buddhism" by the Buddhist..  Enjoy a delicious dinner (provided), you can have a free walk on busy and beautiful Peony Square, have a basic idea of Luoyang night view.   

D3: After breakfast, we will visit the UNESCO Site-Grottoes in the afternoon, spanning a length of over 1,000 meters on the hillsides along the Yi River, Today, there are still 2345 caves and niches, 100,000 Buddhist images ranging in size from 2 cm to 17.14 meters, it is reputed as the three greatest stone sculpture treasure houses in China.

Then go to Luoyang city Museum, it emerges an important part of the whole Chinese history, including the first dynasty in China - Xia dynasty, the heyday of China old history---Tang dynasty and lots of other dynasty history.  Later drive to a small village, where they still have the very interesting house, basically its a big square pit as a courtyard, and dig some caves into the steep wall served as room, locally called Dikengyuan, we will visit a bound feet 96 years old lady who has lived her whole life in the underground cave house. Surely she has lots of stories to tell.    After dinner, transferred to the train station, embark on the train back to Beijing. K270 (20:21PM---05:57AM)