Interior of Practice Hall, Shaolin Temple, Dengfeng, Henan

The interior of the practice hall (万福殿), the rear-most hall at Shaolin Temple (少林寺), in Dengfeng, Henan (河南, 登封市), has dents in the floor allegedly made by years of Shaolin stomping.

Guandi Statue, Guanlin, Luoyang, Henan

This statue of Guandi (关帝) (also called Guanyu 关羽) is at Guanlin (关林), a temple in Luoyang, Henan (河南, 洛阳市), where his head is allegedly entombed.

Bronze Buddha and Attendants, Xiangshan Temple, Luoyang, Henan

This Bronze Buddha (佛) and Attendants are at Xiangshan Temple (香山寺), Luoyang, Henan (河南, 洛阳市), near the Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟).

Vairocana at Longmen Grottoes, Luoyang, Henan

Colossal Vairocana Buddha (毗卢遮那佛) at Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟) in Luoyang, Henan (河南, 洛阳市). It's said that this is the face of Wu Zetian (武则天), the empress who paid for much of the carving.

Yongning Temple Pagoda Remains, Luoyang, Henan

The pyramid-like mound is all that remains of Yongning Temple Pagoda (永宁寺塔) in Luoyang, Henan (河南, 洛阳市). It was once perhaps 147 meters (nearly 500 feet) tall, which would have made it then the world's tallest building. It burned in 534--for three months!

Qiyun Pagoda, Luoyang, Henan

The Qiyun Pagoda (齐云塔) in Luoyang, Hebei (河南, 洛阳市), has a long and fascinating history, and in its way contributed to the founding of Wutaishan (五台山). Its compound is attached to Baima Temple (白马寺).

White Horse, Baima Temple, Luoyang, Henan

This White Horse in front of Baima Temple (白马寺) in Luoyang, Henan (河南, 洛阳市), represents one of those who gave the temple its name: "Baima" is Chinese for "White Horse."