Location: Henan, Luoyang, Longmen Grottoes
Travel note: At noon in Luoyang, I tried the Luoyang Water Banquet, one of China's great feasts (others include the Manchu-Han Imperial Feast, Confucius Family Banquet, etc.). With 24 dishes including cold appetizers, hot dishes, and soups, it was truly lavish. I shared a bottle of Dukang liquor with some young guys at the next table who were working on a Huawei project. In the afternoon, I visited Longmen Grottoes, one of China's four major grottoes and the third one I've been to. If I had to describe each in one word: Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes are mysterious, Datong Yungang Grottoes are majestic, and Longmen Grottoes are magnificent. Located by the Yi River with claims of 100,000 Buddha statues, the central grand Buddha personally overseen by Empress Wu Zetian is breathtaking. Back in Zhengzhou city, I met up with my university classmate Junming who happened to be here on business—truly 'meeting an old friend in a distant land.' We ate at a well-served Banu Tripe Hotpot, then went to the 38th floor of the JW Marriott Hotel in the CBD to enjoy the night view, drank a few colorful cocktails, and chatted about life. A rich evening in Zhengzho…
