Buddha's Light of the Wei and Tang Dynasties: The Essence of Cultural Relics from Longmen Grottoes

Rising on the opposing cliffs of the eastern and western mountains, the Longmen Grottoes stand in majestic grandeur as the Yi River winds northward below. Thousands of niches carved along the nearly one-kilometer cliff face create an awe-inspiring vista, once praised in the Tang-dynasty poems: "Monasteries coil around the layered ridges; Thousands of niches are carved into the steep cliffs." "What mortal can comprehend the art that made this view? In silent awe, I face the cliffs, carved through and through."

Designated by the Northern Wei court and later the Tang imperial family as a sacred site for large-scale Buddhist carving, the Longmen complex comprises 2,345 caves and niches, nearly 110,000 statues, and over 2,800 inscriptions. Celebrated for its exquisite craftsmanship and profound cultural value, it is regarded as the consummate model of China’s imperial cave temples.

This exhibition marks the first assemblage of 85 outstanding Longmen artifacts, including eight national treasures repatriated from overseas. Visitors are welcome to experience the serene elegance of Northern Wei sculpture, admire the majestic beauty of Tang Buddhist art, hear the moving stories behind the return of national treasures, and learn about the preservation and restoration of these time-worn masterpieces.