White Horse Temple
白马寺
China’s first government-sponsored temple, founded during the Yongping era of the Eastern Han. Known as the “Origin of Buddhism” and “Ancestral Court,” it also has Buddhist halls in Thai, Myanmar, and Indian styles.
The White Horse Temple is in White Horse Town, about 12 km east of downtown Luoyang. It was founded in the 11th year of the Yongping era of the Eastern Han (AD 68). It was the first temple built by the government after Buddhism entered China. It is called the “Origin of Buddhism” and the “Ancestral Court.” According to legend, Emperor Ming of Han sent envoys west to seek Buddhist scriptures, and they returned carrying the sutras on white horses, which gave the temple its name.
The temple faces south, and its central axis runs through the mountain gate, the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, the Great Buddha Hall, the Great Hero Hall, the Welcoming Hall, and the Qingliang Terrace (Vairocana Pavilion). Inside the Great Hero Hall are dry-lacquer statues from the Yuan dynasty, which are national treasures. To the southeast of the temple stands the Qiyun Pagoda, a Jin-dynasty brick pagoda with eaves in a dense-roof style.
What makes the White Horse Temple special is its International Buddha Hall area. Thailand, Myanmar, and India each donated Buddha halls in their own national styles. The golden Thai-style hall and the Myanmar-style hall, which resembles the Golden Pagoda in Yangon, stand alongside Han Chinese temple architecture. It is a great place for photos. Admission is about 35 yuan, and a visit takes about 1.5–2 hours. From the city center, take Bus 56 or 58, or a taxi (about 30 minutes). You can also take Metro Line 1 to Yangwan Station and transfer. It pairs well with the nearby Luoyang Ruins of the Eastern Han and Wei.
Tips: Incense is busy inside the temple, and photography is not allowed in the halls. In autumn, when the ginkgo trees turn yellow, the temple gets crowded.
Opening hours
Summer 7:30 am–6:30 pm; winter 8:00 am–5:30 pm
Nearby sights
- Han-Wei Luoyang Ancient City Site
- Erlitou Site Museum of the Xia Capital
- Mausoleum of Emperor Guangwu of Han
- Luze Guild Hall (Luoyang Folk Custom Museum)
- Luoyi Ancient City
- Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall of Luoyang
- Zhenbutong Restaurant (Luoyang Water Banquet)
- Lijing Gate & Old Town Streets