The Longmen Grottoes is located on both sides of the Yi River to the south of the ancient capital of Luoyang, Henan province, China. Comprising of more than 2,300 caves and niches carved into the steep limestone cliffs over a one km long stretch, this place contains almost 110,000 Buddhist stone statues, more than 60 stupas and 2,800 inscriptions carved on steles. Luoyang was the capital during the late Northern Wei Dynasty and early Tang Dynasty, and the most intensive period of carving dates from the end of the 5th century to the mid-8th century.