Guanlin (Chinese: 關林) is located in Luoyang, Henan (河南) Province, China. It is the memorial temple and tomb for Guan Yu (關羽), a famous general of the Shu Kingdom around the Three Kingdoms Period (220-265), it is said that Guan Yu's head with the wooden body is still buried in Guanlin.
China's feudal society had a strict system for designating graves, the tomb for sages was to be called lin (林; forest). Since Guan Yu was held in esteem as the military sage through the feudal dynasties, his tomb was named Guanlin (the Forest of Guan Yu).
Guanlin is one of the few historical sites which can stay intact after the Cultural Revolution, all statues inside the temple are original antiques from Ming (明; 1368-1644) Dynasty and Qing (清; 1644-1911) Dynasty.
Guanlin is very big and surrounded by many ancient pine and cypress trees, looks solemn.
The decorations and the statues are exquisite, different from the modern replicas in the other temples.
There is an ancient stage outside Guanlin, some local buskers stay around the stage and attract many people, noisy as a carnival, hope Guan Yu can rest peacefully.
