Luoyang Travel Guide

Luoyang, named for its location north of the Luo River (where “yang” historically refers to the northern bank of a river in ancient China), is one of China’s most ancient and culturally rich cities. As the earliest and longest-serving capital in Chinese history, Luoyang was home to more than 100 emperors across 13 dynasties. Known as the “City of Emperors,” it offers a fascinating blend of historical sites and vibrant nightscapes for visitors to explore.

The Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, along with the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang and the Yungang Grottoes in Datong, are celebrated as one of China’s three major ancient Buddhist sculptural sites.Carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty over 1,500 years ago, the site boasts over 1,300 caves and niches containing more than 100,000 Buddha statues.

Luoyang is also famous for its spectacular peony flowers, which are in full bloom from the Qingming Festival in early April to the May Day holiday. Renowned for their variety and vibrant colors, Luoyang’s peonies range from common pinks and whites to rare black and green hues. During the Peony Festival, the city is adorned with these flowers, transforming parks and streets into a colorful paradise. Notable places to enjoy the peonies include Wangcheng Park and the National Peony Garden.

Most Popular Luoyang Attractions

longmen grottoes luoyang
Longmen Grottoes, Luoyang - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang (洛阳龙门石窟) stand as the world’s largest and most extensive repository of stone carving art, hailed by UNESCO as the...
luoyang museum
Luoyang Museum - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Luoyang Museum (洛阳博物馆), sprawling across 300 acres with a built-up area of 62,000 square meters, stands as a testament to China’s rich cultural...
white horse temple luoyang
White Horse Temple, Luoyang - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
White Horse Temple (白马寺), founded in the eleventh year of the Yongping era of the Eastern Han Dynasty (68 AD), holds the distinction of being the first...
guanlin temple luoyang
Guanlin Temple, Luoyang - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Guanlin Temple (关林庙) in Luoyang is the sacred ground where the head of the Shu general Guan Yu was buried during the Three Kingdoms period. It is a shrine...
Lijing gate luoyang
Lijing gate, Luoyang - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Lijing Gate (丽景门), originally constructed in the first year of Xingding during the Jin Dynasty (1217 AD), has long been a place of worship for officials...
wangcheng park luoyang
Wangcheng Park, Luoyang - Ticekt, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Wangcheng Park in Luoyang (洛阳王城公园, Royal City Park) covers an area of 37.5 hectares and was established in 1955. Its name originates from being situated...

Other Attractions in Luoyang

Jingshan Temple Cave in Longmen Grottoes
Jingshan Temple Cave in Longmen Grottoes
Jingshan Temple Cave (敬善寺洞), one of the significant caves directly commissioned by the Tang Dynasty imperial family, holds a prominent position within...
Yaofang Cave in longmen grottoes
Yaofang Cave (Medical Prescription Cave) in Longmen Grottoes
Yaofang Cave (药方洞), also known as the Medical Prescription Cave, is situated between the Fengxian Temple and Guyang Cave on the western hillside of Longmen...
Leigutai Grottoes in Longmen Caves
Leigutai Grottoes in Longmen Caves
The Leigutai Grottoes (擂鼓台石窟), also known as Drum Beating Platform Grottoes, situated within the Eastern Hill of the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, consist...
Vairocana Buddha Statue in Longmen Caves
Vairocana Buddha Statue in Longmen Caves
The Vairocana Buddha Statue (卢舍那大佛), located on the southern slope of the west hill of Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, Henan Province, China, is situated...
Jiang and Song's Villa in longmen grottoes
Jiang and Song's Villa, Luoyang - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Jiang and Song’s Villa, also known as the Jiang-Song Villa (蒋宋别墅), is the former residence of Chiang Kai-shek and his wife Soong Mei-ling. In 1936,...
kanjing temple in longmen grottoes
Kanjing Temple in Longmen Grottoes
Kanjing Temple (看经寺) is situated on the northern side of the Wanfo Valley in the eastern hills of Longmen in Luoyang. It is the largest cave there. The...
guyang cave in longmen grottoes
Guyang Cave in Longmeng Grottoes
Guyang Cave (古阳洞), constructed during the Northern Wei Dynasty by Emperor Xiaowen in honor of his grandmother Empress Dowager Feng, holds a significant...
Lotus Cave in Longmen Grottoes
Lotus Cave in Longmen Grottoes
Lotus Cave (莲花洞), situated within the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, was constructed between 525 and 527 AD. It derives its name from the giant lotus flower...
binyang caves in longmen grottoes
Binyang Caves in Longmen Grottoes
Binyang Caves (宾阳洞) in Longmen Grottoes, formerly known as Lingyan Temple (灵岩寺), consist of three caves: Binyang Central Cave, Binyang North Cave, and...
yingtian gate luoyang
Yingtian Gate, Luoyang - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Yingtian Gate (应天门, Yingtianmen), situated in the southern part of the Imperial City, also known as Zhaiwei City, within the Sui and Tang dynastic capital...
Ten Thousand Buddhas Cave in Longmen Grottoes
Ten Thousand Buddhas Cave in Longmen Grottoes
The Ten Thousand Buddhas Cave (万佛洞), situated within the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, Henan Province, derives its name from the approximately fifteen thousand...
qianxi temple in longmen grottoes
Qianxi Temple in Longmen Grottoes - Location and Highlights
Qianxi Temple (潜溪寺), also known as the Zhaifutang (斋祓堂), is a cave temple situated at the northernmost end of the western hill of the Longmen Grottoes...
International Peony Garden, Luoyang
International Peony Garden, Luoyang - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Located in the heart of Central China, the Luoyang International Peony Garden (洛阳国际牡丹园) stands as a testament to the beauty and diversity of peonies, showcasing...
luoyang sancai art museum
Luoyang Sancai Art Museum - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Luoyang Sancai Art Museum (洛阳三彩博物馆) is a cultural institution dedicated to the research, production, exhibition, and sale of Luoyang Sancai art. Covering...
erlitou site museum of the xia capital
Erlitou Site Museum of the Xia Capital - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Erlitou Site Museum of the Xia Capital (二里头夏都博物馆) was completed on October 19, 2019, covering an area of 32,000 square meters, serving as a national...
lingshan temple, luoyang
Lingshan temple, Luoyang - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Lingshan Temple (灵山寺), originally named Baozhong Temple and also known as Bao’en Temple or Fenghuang Temple, is a Buddhist holy site with a long...
luoyang bai garden
Bai garden, Luoyang - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Luoyang Bai Garden (洛阳白园), also known as the Bai Juyi Memorial Garden, stands as the sole garden in the nation dedicated to commemorating the famous Tang...
longmen aquarium luoyang
Longmen Aquarium, Luoyang - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Luoyang Longmen Aquarium (洛阳龙门海洋馆) stands as one of the largest marine museums in China, boasting a sprawling architectural footprint of over 10,000 square...
xiyuan park, luoyang
Xiyuan Park, Luoyang - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Xiyuan Park in Luoyang (洛阳西苑公园) was established in the late 1950s, initially serving as a nursery. In 1962, it was officially named the Botanical Garden....
jingzi mountain xin'an county
Jingzi Mountain, Xin'an County - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Jingzi Mountain (荆紫山), also known as Jingshan, Ao’an Mountain, and Jinzi Mountain, is situated in Xin’an County, Luoyang, and is hailed as...
tianchi mountain song county
Tianchi mountain, Luoyang - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Located in the northwest of Song County, Henan Province, Tianchi Mountain (天池山) is a captivating tourist destination nestled on the northern side of the...
Fengxiang Hot Spring Resort
Fengxiang Hot Spring Resort - Location and Highlights
Fengxiang Hot Spring Resort (凤翔温泉), located at the southern end of Wangcheng Avenue in Luoyang, is a premier leisure and wellness destination centered...
longma futu temple
Longma Futu Temple, Mengjin - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Longma Futu Temple (龙马负图寺), established in the fourth year of Yonghe reign of Emperor Mu of Jin Dynasty (348 AD), stands as the first sacrificial site...
Mausoleum of Han Emperor Guangwu
Mausoleum of Han Emperor Guangwu - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Mausoleum of Han Emperor Guangwu (汉光武帝陵) is the burial site of Liu Xiu, the founding emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and his empress Yin Lihua....
luoyang old street
Luoyang Old Street - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Luoyang Ancient Street (洛阳老街), also known as the Historical and Cultural District of Luoyang Ancient City, is the only area in Luoyang where the traditional...
cross street night market luoyang
Cross Street Night Market, Luoyang - Highlights and Location
Nestled in the heart of Luoyang‘s old city area, the Cross Street Night Market (十字街夜市) is a lively and charismatic destination. Renowned as the “food...
folk museum of luoyang
Folk Museum of Luoyang - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Folk Museum of Luoyang (洛阳民俗博物馆) is situated on the grounds of the prestigious Luze Guild Hall, a nationally designated key cultural heritage site....
Tomb of Di Renjie
Tomb of Di Renjie - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Tomb of Di Renjie (狄仁杰墓) is located near the White Horse Temple, 12 kilometers east of Luoyang City in Henan Province. It is a circular earthen mound....
luoyang drum tower
Drum Tower, Luoyang - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Drum Tower (鼓楼), officially known as the Qiaolou, is one of the landmark buildings in the old city area of Luoyang. It was initially constructed in...
shenzhou peony garden, luoyang
Shenzhou Peony Garden - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Located in Luoyang, the Shenzhou Peony Garden (神州牡丹园) sits opposite the renowned White Horse Temple, covering an expansive area of over 600 acres. It stands...
longmen museum
Longmen Museum - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Nestled at the northern entrance of the Longmen Grottoes scenic area, with the majestic West Mountain as its backdrop and the tranquil Yi River in its...
shanxi-shaanxi guild hall luoyang
Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall, Luoyang - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall in Luoyang (洛阳山陕会馆) covers an expansive area of over 10,000 square meters, with a built-up area of nearly 5,000 square meters....
luopu Park, luoyang
Luopu Park, Luoyang - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Luopu Park (洛浦公园), stretching along the Luo River for 16 kilometers, spans both banks of the river and runs through five districts of Luoyang, with a total...
qiyun pagoda in white horse temple
Qiyun Pagoda in White Horse Temple - A Glimpse into Ancient Mastery
Qiyun Pagoda (齐云塔), also known as the White Horse Temple Pagoda, stands as a testament to ancient Chinese architecture, with a history dating back nearly...
xiaolangdi dam scenic area
Xiaolangdi Dam Scenic Area - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Xiaolangdi Dam (小浪底大坝), on the southern bank of the Yellow River, is a pivotal engineering marvel for the management and development of the Yellow River....
fengxian temple in longmen caves
Fengxian Temple in Longmen Caves - A Testament to Tang Dynasty Buddhist Art
Fengxian Temple (奉先寺), nestled within the serene landscapes of Luoyang, China, stands as a testament to the rich heritage of Mahayana Buddhism and the...
Xiangshan Temple Luoyang
Xiangshan Temple, Luoyang - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Xiangshan Temple (香山寺), the foremost of the ten temples of Longmen Mountain, holds a significant place in Korean Weishizong Buddhism as the ancestral temple...
Emperor Carriage Museum, Luoyang
Emperor Carriage Museum, Luoyang - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Emperor Carriage Museum (周王城天子驾六博物馆), located in the heart of Luoyang, is a significant archaeological site discovered during the construction of the...
luoyi ancient city, luoyang
Luoyi Ancient City, Luoyang - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Luoyi, the former name of Luoyang, known as the capital of thirteen dynasties, holds a significant place in Chinese history and culture. Luoyi Ancient...
baiyun mountain luoyang
Baiyun Mountain (White Cloud Mountain), Luoyang - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Baiyun Mountain (白云山), also known as White Cloud Mountain in English, is situated in Song County, Luoyang, Henan Province. It is renowned as a World Geopark,...
luoyang national peony garden
Luoyang National Peony Garden - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Luoyang National Peony Garden (洛阳国家牡丹园), also known as the China Luoyang National Peony Gene Bank, is a botanical marvel situated in Luoyang. Established...
mingtang & tiantang scenic area
Mingtang & Tiantang Scenic Area - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Mingtang and Tiantang Scenic Area (明堂天堂景区), located at the heart of the Tang Dynasty’s imperial palace complex known as the “Ziwei City...
longtan valley luoyang
Longtan Valley, Luoyang - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Luoyang Longtan Valley (龙潭大峡谷) boasts a distinctive geological landscape characterized by typical red rock formations, sculpted over 1.2 billion years...
Luoyang Ancient Art Museum
Luoyang Ancient Art Museum - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Formerly known as the Luoyang Ancient Tomb Museum (洛阳古墓博物馆), the Luoyang Ancient Art Museum (洛阳古代艺术博物馆) is China’s largest museum dedicated to ancient...
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