Longmen/Dragon Gate Caves

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Longmen/Dragon Gate Caves or Lungmen. Large complex of caves occupied by Buddhists and containing, or supporting, carvings, and wall-paintings. There are about 1,300 caves, innumerable niches and a number of pagodas. The caves are 9 miles south of Luoyang (cf. Pai-ma-ssu) in Honan province. The earliest carvings are from the end of the 5th cent. and the latest from the 8th cent. Unusual is the Medical Prescription Cave, which has inscriptions offering remedies for a variety of illnesses. Along with the caves at Tun-huang and Yun-kang, they are the most revered in China.