Plan at a glance
Visiting area and entrance
Guanlin Temple is at No. 2 Guanlin South Street, Guanlin Town, Luolong District, Luoyang. Enter through the South Gate. The main sights are concentrated along the ceremonial gate, stone-lion avenue, halls, Guan Yu’s tomb mound and the ancient cypress grove. The route is clear and works well as a city stop before or after Longmen Grottoes.
Tickets and opening hours
The reference adult ticket price is CNY 40. Advance booking is usually not required; tickets can be bought on site or through the official mini program. From April to October, the site usually stays open until 17:30. From November to March of the following year, it usually stays open until 17:00. Entry ends about 30 minutes before closing in both periods. Annual passes and discounted tickets are handled according to the current identification and policy requirements.
How much time to allow
Allow about 30–40 minutes for the main axis and Guan Yu’s tomb mound; allow about 1.5–2 hours for a slower visit to the buildings, inscriptions and ancient cypresses, including any guided explanation available that day. Guanlin Temple is about 8 kilometers from Longmen Grottoes, so the two work as a driving combination rather than a walkable route.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
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Stone-lion avenue and Guan Yu’s tomb mound
The stone-lion avenue is about 35 meters long and has 104 Qing-dynasty stone lions on both sides. It is the main visual point after entering Guanlin Temple. Guan Yu’s tomb mound is toward the end of the route and is said to be the burial place of Guan Yu’s severed head. Together with the temple buildings and ancient cypress grove, it forms the “tomb mound, temple and grove” visiting area, suitable for visitors interested in the Three Kingdoms, historic buildings and local religious traditions.
Qisheng Hall and the ancient cypress grove
Qisheng Hall is the main hall at Guanlin Temple and contains a gilded-faced seated imperial statue of Guan Gong. The ancient cypress grove contains old cypresses in varied forms. When photographing the buildings, use the depth of the stone-lion avenue; after entering the religious spaces, follow the on-site etiquette and photography rules.
Who this suits
Visitors interested in Three Kingdoms history, Guan Gong culture, Ming- and Qing-dynasty architecture and inscriptions can follow the full route. Visitors with limited time can go directly along the main axis to Guan Yu’s tomb mound. Those who want to look quietly at the buildings and old trees may prefer to enter in the morning, when there are usually fewer tour groups.
Build your day
30–40 minutes: Main-axis quick route
Enter through the South Gate, pass through the ceremonial gate and follow the stone-lion avenue. See the main hall, the second hall—the Hall of the God of Wealth—and the third hall—the Hall of Spring and Autumn—before continuing to Guan Yu’s tomb mound. Afterward, return to the exit by the side route. This covers the main buildings and tomb mound in a short time.
1.5–2 hours: Buildings and ancient cypresses
Entering at around 09:00 is recommended. First ask whether the volunteer guide is scheduled for around 10:00 that day, then follow the main-axis route. After the explanation, continue to the inscriptions, ancient cypresses and the area around the tomb mound, and decide when to leave according to the opening hours of your next stop.
Pairing with Longmen Grottoes
Guanlin Temple and Longmen Grottoes are about 8 kilometers apart and can be two driving stops on the same day. If you visit Guanlin in the morning and go to Longmen in the afternoon, set off according to Longmen’s ticket-sales cut-off that day. If you choose a night visit at Longmen, confirm the night-visit area and return transport separately.
Get there
Metro and bus
Take Metro Line 2 to Guanlin Station. After exiting from Exit B, walk about 8–10 minutes to the South Gate. Bus routes 15, 39, 55, 58, 69 and 81, among others, stop at “Guanlin Temple” and are suitable for traveling directly from the city center.
Self-driving
The scenic area has a parking lot. Set Guanlin Temple South Gate or the scenic-area parking lot as the destination. Parking should still be confirmed in advance on weekends and public holidays. If continuing to Longmen Grottoes that day, check both sites’ opening and last-entry times before setting off.
Know before you go
Guided visits and spending
The timing and availability of free volunteer explanations can change with the day’s arrangements, so ask near the visitor center after entering. Incense, souvenirs and other goods can be purchased as needed. Do not follow or pay unfamiliar people who approach you with unsolicited sales pitches.
Photography and pace
The stone-lion avenue works well for depth-based compositions, while the ancient cypress grove is best photographed in softer light. Turn off the flash inside the halls and follow the on-site rules. The short route can be completed entirely on foot, so comfortable shoes are sufficient.