Monastero Shaolin (Shaolin Temple)
Monastero Shaolin (Shaolin Temple)
4
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
About
This is a famous martial arts monastery, the birthplace of both kung fu and Zen Buddhism
Duration: 2-3 hours
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- MichaelBeijing, China29 contributionsKung fu - a little bit out of dateTemple is not so interesting as it is out of date with its kung fu. The world famous kung fu show looks like a very simple circus performance. We saw a lot of boys walking on the parade ground. It is neither interesting nor shootable. The site is very beautiful , well maintained but overcrowded with people. Be ready to walk more than 2 km from the taxi to the main entrance. It takes about one hour and 250 yuans to get there by taxi.Visited October 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 28 December 2023
- Maree RChristchurch, New Zealand1,287 contributionsPeacefulIt's peaceful and beautiful, up in the hills, we did it as part of our tour and I am pleased we did. It was a very long walk with a number of stairs in various places before you arrive at the temple. We did the kung fu show also and the Pagoda Forest after. A very long walk, you can get a cart back which a few from our group did. If you like temples then you should go, the front and back gates are original but the areas inside have been destroyed around 19 times!!Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 28 March 2024
- Jose G1 contributionShout out to the negative reviewsAs a world traveller I can confirm any tourist spot is commercialised to some extent. It hilarious to see many babies whining about how unauthentic Shaolin is. Some even attempt to dechiper and explain the history to justify it's 'unauthenticity' if you are not happy with no English signage or not given the local treatment, perhaps u should just stay in the west. In my opinion, the tempe is preserved well and the locals are polite when you greet them properly.(put on a humble demeanour when you visit people's dwelling.) Views are also amazing .Visited April 2024Travelled soloWritten 27 May 2024
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4.0
745 reviews
Excellent
268
Very good
274
Average
148
Poor
37
Terrible
17
Schhel
Kigali, Rwanda191 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Interesting place to visit from a cultural point of view. However, it is aimed towards mass tourism, is over developed and is not very scenic. Further, the main temple is was rebuilt fairly recently so it feel a bit fake. The pagoda forest is very nice and the upper parts of the park are much nicer and a lot less crowded. Unfortunately I only had time for one other temple, it was a nice walk up the forest, I was alone in it, and it felt a lot more genuine.
In summary, if you’re in the area do check it out, but don’t go out if your way for it
In summary, if you’re in the area do check it out, but don’t go out if your way for it
Written 12 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jose G
1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Solo
As a world traveller I can confirm any tourist spot is commercialised to some extent. It hilarious to see many babies whining about how unauthentic Shaolin is. Some even attempt to dechiper and explain the history to justify it's 'unauthenticity' if you are not happy with no English signage or not given the local treatment, perhaps u should just stay in the west.
In my opinion, the tempe is preserved well and the locals are polite when you greet them properly.(put on a humble demeanour when you visit people's dwelling.) Views are also amazing .
In my opinion, the tempe is preserved well and the locals are polite when you greet them properly.(put on a humble demeanour when you visit people's dwelling.) Views are also amazing .
Written 27 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maree R
Christchurch, New Zealand1,287 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
It's peaceful and beautiful, up in the hills, we did it as part of our tour and I am pleased we did. It was a very long walk with a number of stairs in various places before you arrive at the temple. We did the kung fu show also and the Pagoda Forest after. A very long walk, you can get a cart back which a few from our group did. If you like temples then you should go, the front and back gates are original but the areas inside have been destroyed around 19 times!!
Written 28 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dillen_Fried
Antwerp, Belgium142 contributions
Sept 2011 • Couples
We were there is September 2011 on a Sunday. The weather was very bad, pouring rain and cold. We did an organized tour from Luoyang. The place was very crowded. We were hurdled like sheep.
We went to the Kung Fu demonstration. In stead of a demo of martial arts or self defense the “so called” monks made fun of a couple of hand picked tourist which had to mimic a couple of standard Kung Fu movements. The crowd seemed to find this very funny and jeered and clapped all the time whilst the 3 tourists on stage were looking for the emergency exit. Before we even realized the “performance” was over and we were squeezed out of the hall like toothpaste out of a tube.
Like sheep we went to the temple. Monks were selling all kind of junk. When we tried to take pictures of them they behaved very aggressively and started insulting us. We did not understand at first but a helpful Chinese tourist explained us later on that they were actually using the Chinese “f** word”.
Everywhere we had to pay for entrances and more entrances. Before we even realized, we were back ad the gate.
This place is more like a Chinese version of Disneyland were people dress like monks and pretend being Buddhist or Kung Fu specialist. They are not working for their Nirvana but just for your money.
We went to the Kung Fu demonstration. In stead of a demo of martial arts or self defense the “so called” monks made fun of a couple of hand picked tourist which had to mimic a couple of standard Kung Fu movements. The crowd seemed to find this very funny and jeered and clapped all the time whilst the 3 tourists on stage were looking for the emergency exit. Before we even realized the “performance” was over and we were squeezed out of the hall like toothpaste out of a tube.
Like sheep we went to the temple. Monks were selling all kind of junk. When we tried to take pictures of them they behaved very aggressively and started insulting us. We did not understand at first but a helpful Chinese tourist explained us later on that they were actually using the Chinese “f** word”.
Everywhere we had to pay for entrances and more entrances. Before we even realized, we were back ad the gate.
This place is more like a Chinese version of Disneyland were people dress like monks and pretend being Buddhist or Kung Fu specialist. They are not working for their Nirvana but just for your money.
Written 23 October 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joseph001s
Yantai, China2 contributions
May 2011 • Friends
I learn shaolin kung fu for one month with real shaolin monks in shaolin temple,the place is amazing. The shaolin kung fu training is very good.My master’s enthusiasm during training is properly what I liked the most, always pushing us to do better. I really like to learn Shaolin kung Fu there and you are able to visit shaolin temple for free.
:)
:)
Written 1 November 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TerrenzNg
Bangkok, Thailand61 contributions
Apr 2011
Don't like this place. Do not feel anything like in a temple. Everything needs money. The tour guide & "monks" will guide/tell you to follow some path. You would think it is part of the ceremony but be warned, they will ask you for money before proceed. I decline and they show displeasure on their face.
After exit Shaolin Temple i went across to "Lo Han Temple", it was even worse there. Money, Money, Money. Everything that you do or they ask you to do will cost you money.
After exit Shaolin Temple i went across to "Lo Han Temple", it was even worse there. Money, Money, Money. Everything that you do or they ask you to do will cost you money.
Written 26 May 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom L
Scotts Valley, CA54 contributions
Oct 2011 • Couples
We actually did a full day hiring a driver to take us to the Longmen Grottos which were extremely cool though I would skip the Grottos on the "other" side of the river and just walkback on that side so you have a great view of what you walked through.
Then we took the 1 hour drive to see the Shaolin Temple (the Kung Fu demo in the arena could have easily skipped) - which was only ok as I've seen many temples in SE Asia - I liked the graves. Then went to town had dinner and went back for the evening show without high expectations but I was totally blown away!
The stunning visuals in this natural setting set to well choreagraphed music was one of the best shows I've seen in my entire life hands downbar none.
Be sure to either bring layers of clothes with a good jacket - or rent the ones from the parking lot - long green military winter jackets as it gets very cool at night.
Then we took the 1 hour drive to see the Shaolin Temple (the Kung Fu demo in the arena could have easily skipped) - which was only ok as I've seen many temples in SE Asia - I liked the graves. Then went to town had dinner and went back for the evening show without high expectations but I was totally blown away!
The stunning visuals in this natural setting set to well choreagraphed music was one of the best shows I've seen in my entire life hands downbar none.
Be sure to either bring layers of clothes with a good jacket - or rent the ones from the parking lot - long green military winter jackets as it gets very cool at night.
Written 28 October 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ilaria M
Guangzhou, China53 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
I went there with great expectations only to find a great disappointment. My trip started from the nearby Luoyang, where we got literally stalked by people trying to persuade us to buy expensive tours (the entrance fee is 100 RMB and the standard bus ticket from Luoyang to the temple area is 19.5 RMB but everybody was asking for at least 270 RMB). Even at the bus station we were unable to purchase a normal ticket: despite clear Chinese instructions, we received a ticket for the wrong tour and on the bus they asked for more money. In the end they dropped us at another temple, some 10 km from Shaolin, where the main group started a tour comprising all the attractions in the area, while the others were left on their own.
From there, we had to hire a taxi and a scooter because there are no other options (25 + 40 RMB). On the way up we realised how many people were actually going in our same direction: some 800.000 tourists visited the temple on the same day and all I remember is the mass of people and the constant need of avoiding incence sticks burning me. I don't have one single decent picture or the place either - too many people everywhere. I strongly suggest to go there not on weekends or national holidays. Perhaps winter is a better season for visiting Shaolin Temple.
As for the Pagoda Forest, in which I was most interested, I found it is not fascinating at all as shown in the photos. The pagodas are actually quite small and they are located in some restricted area surrounded by a poor looking fence - clearly necessary to avoid total destruction by the tourists. Also, I did not like the commercialization of the kung fu operated through little kids posing everywhere for pictures.
From there, we had to hire a taxi and a scooter because there are no other options (25 + 40 RMB). On the way up we realised how many people were actually going in our same direction: some 800.000 tourists visited the temple on the same day and all I remember is the mass of people and the constant need of avoiding incence sticks burning me. I don't have one single decent picture or the place either - too many people everywhere. I strongly suggest to go there not on weekends or national holidays. Perhaps winter is a better season for visiting Shaolin Temple.
As for the Pagoda Forest, in which I was most interested, I found it is not fascinating at all as shown in the photos. The pagodas are actually quite small and they are located in some restricted area surrounded by a poor looking fence - clearly necessary to avoid total destruction by the tourists. Also, I did not like the commercialization of the kung fu operated through little kids posing everywhere for pictures.
Written 5 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NVtoSF
Reno, NV118 contributions
May 2011
We went to Shaolin not expecting too much more than another temple. We hired a private car from downtown Luoyang through our hotel and it took about 1 and a half hours to get there. We missed all the shows being put on because we wanted to tour the whole place and only had 4 hours. Our favorite part was taking the cable car up the Taoist sacred mountain Mt. Song. There were two different cable cars to choose from. We chose the one farthest away from the main gate, it’s quite a long walk to get to the cable cars and it took about 30 minutes to get to the top, it was an additional cost to take the cable cars. We then were able to hike on the mountain path that winds around the mountain for about an hour. The scenery was gorgeous and we wished we had more time to hike. As we were walking back to the main gates to leave around 3:30 all of the kids enrolled in the school were making their way to the practice area, there must have been a couple of thousand kids there, it looked like a parade. The younger kids were already exercising in a gated court yard. As with all the tourist attractions in China everyone is out to make a few Yuan and harass you constantly. To us this place was more about the scenery then the kung fu but still worth the visit.
Written 3 June 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ru2bz4me
Singapore, Singapore25 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
As it is less than 1h drive from Longmen, we decided to visit Shaolin Temple (少林寺) despite the advice from our wonderful guide; Bryan that it is too commercialized with many of the temples newly reconstructed.
Our first stop was Pagoda Forest (塔林). This is the place where prominent monks and abbots of the temple are buried. There are many of them of various sizes ranging from tang, song, jin, yuan, ming and qing dynasties so some of them are more than 1,000+ year old.
The actual façade of Shaolin Temple (少林寺) is so small that wasn't quite what I expected. You really have to give credit to the cameramen that have been so successful to film it in such a way that it looks so majestic and grand from the movie....perception of Shaolin Temple (少林寺) is still so strong so job well done from marketing/branding perspectives for creating positive perception....
Although it didn't meet my expectation, this trip at least kind of satisfied my childhood dream to visit Shaolin Temple (少林寺).
Our first stop was Pagoda Forest (塔林). This is the place where prominent monks and abbots of the temple are buried. There are many of them of various sizes ranging from tang, song, jin, yuan, ming and qing dynasties so some of them are more than 1,000+ year old.
The actual façade of Shaolin Temple (少林寺) is so small that wasn't quite what I expected. You really have to give credit to the cameramen that have been so successful to film it in such a way that it looks so majestic and grand from the movie....perception of Shaolin Temple (少林寺) is still so strong so job well done from marketing/branding perspectives for creating positive perception....
Although it didn't meet my expectation, this trip at least kind of satisfied my childhood dream to visit Shaolin Temple (少林寺).
Written 7 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do you need to make a reservation for the Kung fu show?
Written 23 April 2019
你好，我们要在登封住两晚。你们建议住少林寺附近还是登封市区？哪里比较方便？（比如，吃，公交，看禅宗少林·音乐大典。。。）谢谢。
Hi, we are planning to stay 2 nights in Deng Feng. Would you recommend us to stay near Shaolin Temple or in the Dengfeng city? Which is more convenient （eg. food, public transport, watching the Zen Music ritual)? Thank you.
Written 4 October 2018
Hi fellow travellers!
Would like to ask does anyone have any guide/driver contact?
Will be travelling from Xi’an and it’s fine to pick me up either at LongMen or Zhengzhou train station.
Will be doing an overnight stay.
Thanks in advance!
Written 18 September 2018
Guide can be found outside shaolin, in my opinion its no need for guide since its mostly scenery and such, take note of showtimes, dont get scam by shaolin monks pretending to hand u incense inside the temple itself. U can download didi car嘀嘀打车, its like china grab.
Written 18 September 2018
Hi fellow travellers!
Would like to ask does anyone have any guide/driver contact?
Will be travelling from Xi’an and it’s fine to pick me up either at LongMen or Zhengzhou train station.
Will be doing an overnight stay.
Thanks in advance!
Written 18 September 2018
Please contact this driver who doesn’t speak any English but you can download offline google translate.
He is very honest guy.
I don’t know his number but here’s his WeChat id: wxid_f6h36dpgw8tx21
I knew him from Lisa whom I found on google as a private driver. I never met her after coming to Luoyang. In fact, she’s just a taxi dispatcher and she ribs off as much as she could.
You can also google showing how to get to longmen grottoes from train station.
Remember NO google, FB, Viber, YouTube, Yahoo in China.
You must download WeChat, Baidu for easy communication and searching and translation!
Good luck!
Written 26 September 2018
Então, umd os meus objetivos de vida é ir ao templo shaolin,,, logo acho que irei ano que vem, lá pra mês de Junho.
Gostaria de saber oq preciso fazer para passar alguns dias lá, vendo a rotina dos monges e se possível dormir e até participar das rotinas deles.
Agradeço desde já.
Atenciosamente,
Igor.
Written 9 September 2018
Hello! We are going to Luoyang and then, we want to go to Shaoling Temple. Could You be so nice and tell me how to get there from Luoyang? I've heard that I have to take a bus, near the Luoyang Railway station but there are a lot of bus station. Which one is correct? What do You think? Greetings,
Written 1 April 2018
I would like to help you but I had some friends taking me there on a private car! Beautiful place to visit.
Written 19 July 2018
we are planning to visit Shaolin temple in early May. we be traveling from Xian. can you please advise us how do we travel from Xian to Shaolin temple. thank you
Written 23 January 2018
We took the High Speed train. Its comfortable, pretty fast and reasonable. We hired a driver to pick us up and take us to the hotel and then to Shaolin Temple. Driver picked us up and took us back to the hotel, stayed overnight and then had the driver take us to the airport. Not as expensive as it sounds. We stayed at the ChanWu Hotel in Dengfeng Henan. They have connections with the Temple and its a really nice place to stay. I have a review on the hotel.
Written 24 January 2018
Hi,
I am planning to take my 6 yo son whose fascinated by martial arts. It seems you visited few temples. Which one would you recommend? Thanks!
Written 9 June 2016
The Shaolin show is definitely suitable for a 6 y/o and there are quite a few young kids amongst the performers.
The theater is small and packed. Shows are booked in advance and it is advisable to start queuing for your show time as soon as the previous show spectators are in, so that you can be among the first to get in and choose your seats. I was able to get front row seats downstairs, which was great.
The main temple is traditional with a succession of courtyards and sanctuaries on all sides, and there are plenty of monks around. It is very busy with worshipers.
There is then a "stelle forest", which is a grave yard.
You can also take short treks to nearby hills. I did not.do this, due to mobility problems.
I hope this helps.
Written 10 June 2016
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