Plan at a glance
Address, tickets and hours
Gongyi Grotto Temple is in Siwan Village, Helao Town, Gongyi, Zhengzhou. Enter through the Hanque gate. The adult ticket is listed at CNY 30; students and teachers with credentials pay half price, and visitors aged 60 and over enter free. Opening hours are around 08:30–18:00, with last entry at 17:30. It normally opens on Mondays.
How much time to allow
The scenic area has only five main grottoes, and the key sights are concentrated. Allow one to two hours to visit Grottoes 1–5. Arrange return transport and nearby attractions separately rather than estimating a full-day itinerary from the grotto visit alone.
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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Grotto 1: the Imperial Procession Reliefs
The Imperial Procession Reliefs in Grotto 1 are the main highlight of Gongyi Grotto Temple. The carvings show a Northern Wei imperial Buddhist procession with many figures and details. Visitors interested in Northern Wei history, stone carving or religious art should make this grotto a priority.
Grotto 3: the turning-head apsaras
On the eastern side of Grotto 3's entrance arch is a pair of turning-head apsaras. Their ribbons and poses reward close observation. Earlier rubbing has left deeper surface marks on parts of the stone; adjust your photography angle to the available light.
Grotto 5 and the grotto setting
The lotus caisson ceiling in Grotto 5 is worth viewing overhead. The outer pillars also provide a view of the grottoes and Dali Mountain in the distance. The grotto interiors are dark and lighting is limited, so a small flashlight can help you see the relief details, but do not touch the carvings or cross the boundaries for a photo.
Build your day
1–2 hours: visit Grottoes 1–5 in order
Enter through the Hanque gate and visit Grottoes 1 through 5 in order. First take in the whole site, then return to Grottoes 1 and 3 for a closer look. Leave Grotto 5's lotus caisson ceiling for the final section, when you can look up at the ceiling structure before leaving.
Light and photography
The grotto interiors are dark. Use a flashlight only to see the carvings; do not hold a strong beam close to the objects or shine it on them for a long time. The space in front of Grotto 1's reliefs and below the apsaras in Grotto 3 is useful for observing the composition, but stay within the open area and follow conservation rules when taking photos.
Nearby combinations
Kang Baiwan's Manor and the Northern Song Imperial Tombs can be added to a Gongyi day, but they are separate attractions. If you continue to either one, confirm its vehicle arrangements, opening hours and return route separately.
Get there
High-speed rail plus taxi
From Zhengzhou or Luoyang, take a high-speed train to Gongyi South Railway Station, then take a taxi for about 20–30 minutes directly to Gongyi Grotto Temple. The reference fare is CNY 25–30. For the return, a ride-hailing car from the entrance is an option, while Bus 66 can serve as a backup to Gongyi town.
Driving
If driving, navigate to Gongyi Grotto Temple; parking is free. Siwan Village is suburban, so vehicle availability and bus frequency may be less stable than in the city. Confirm your return transport before leaving the grottoes.
Tourist shuttle
The tourist shuttle from Gongyi South Railway Station may no longer be running, so do not treat it as a fixed option. If you want to use a bus, confirm the day's route and stop location first. If no dependable service is available, a ride-hailing car is the more direct final leg.
Know before you go
Grottoes and conservation
The interiors are dark, and a small flashlight can help you see the reliefs. A flashlight is for observation, not for close-range illumination; do not touch the stone carvings. Stay in the open areas and do not cross barriers for a supposedly close-up photo.
Last entry and return
Last entry is at 17:30, and the core visit takes about one to two hours. If you arrive late in the afternoon, prioritize Grottoes 1, 3 and 5. The site is some distance from Gongyi town, so confirm a ride-hailing car or bus before leaving.
Food nearby
Siwan cold rice noodles are available about 200 metres from the exit, and Gongyi town has food such as Xiyixing braised meat. Kang Baiwan's Manor and the Northern Song Imperial Tombs are separate itinerary stops; keep their food and transport arrangements separate from the grotto ticket.