Luoyang 洛陽 had been on and off the capital of China for a total of 13 dynasties covering several centuries. It is equally important and famous as the other 3 ancient capitals Nanjing, Peking (the current Beijing) and Xian. When my tour arrived in Luoyang, first we visited the White Horse Temple, the original of which was the very first Buddha temple in China.
Luoyang had seen its utmost splendour during Sui and Tang (隋唐) Dynasties. In 2015 an ancient city of Luoyang was rebuilt including a gigantic palace-like fortress, with many shops and restaurants and performances to attract tourists and local people. My tour skipped all the commercial spots and only visited Tiantang (Sky Hall) and Mingtang (Bright Hall). This part is known as the Sui and Tang Luoyang City National Heritage Park. These two towers were recreated in the exact size on the original site of the two architectural wonders built by the only Empress of China, Wu Zetian (武則天). Tiantang (天堂, the pagoda) was mainly used for the religious ceremony, while Mingtang (明堂), was used by Wu Zetian to meet with the royals and high officials to discuss the affairs of state.

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