Central Plains

White Horse Temple Travel Guide

China's Oldest Ancient Temple · International Buddha Hall Area · Qiyun Tower

White Horse Temple is the first temple built by the government after Buddhism was introduced to China. Construction began in the 11th year of Yongping of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and it is honored as the 'Origin of Buddhism' and the 'Ancestral Court.' In recent years, international Buddhist halls in Thai, Indian, and Burmese styles have been added, creating a peculiar juxtaposition.

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Destination Details

Key facts

Best seasonAll year

Suggested stay1.5–2.5 hours

Key highlightsMountain Gate · Hall of Heavenly Kings · Great Buddha Hall · Qiyun Pagoda · International Buddha Hall Area

Admission ticketTemple entrance tickets are charged separately, and Qiyun Tower Courtyard is charged additionally.

TrafficAbout 12 kilometers east of downtown Luoyang

Baimasi Temple is located in the eastern suburbs of Luoyang. According to legend, Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty dreamed of a golden figure at night and sent envoys westward to obtain Buddhist scriptures. The envoys returned with the scriptures carried on a white horse, and a temple was subsequently built and named after the white horse. The current buildings were mostly rebuilt during the Ming and Qing dynasties, but the central axis layout and the site’s stratigraphy remain.

Key Highlights

Central Axis Buildings

The Shanmen Gate, Hall of Heavenly Kings, Great Buddha Hall, Mahavira Hall, Jieyin Hall, and Pilu Pavilion are arranged along the central axis in sequence. The statues inside the halls and the Ming dynasty inlaid craft statues are the highlights. The platform behind the Pilu Pavilion offers a view of the entire courtyard complex.

Qiyun Pagoda

About 300 meters east of the temple, the Qiyun Pagoda courtyard contains a square brick pagoda with densely layered eaves from the Jin dynasty, one of the oldest landmarks in the Luoyang area. Clapping beside the pagoda produces an echo resembling frog calls, which is an acoustic coincidence.

International Buddha Hall Area

On the west side of the temple, a separate area is built with Buddha halls in Thai, Indian, and Burmese styles. The buildings are exquisitely crafted but have an atmosphere very different from the ancient temple, and opinions about them vary.

Recommended Stay Duration

1.5 hours: Central axis and Qiyun Pagoda.
2.5 hours: Add the International Buddha Hall Area.

Local Tips

As this is a religious site, dress and behavior need to be appropriate.
It is possible to visit with Longmen Grottoes on the same day, with Baimasi Temple in the morning and Longmen in the afternoon.