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
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...
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 (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 (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 (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 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 (敬善寺洞), one of the significant caves directly commissioned by the Tang Dynasty imperial family, holds a prominent position within...
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...
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...
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, 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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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...
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 (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...
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...
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...
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 (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 (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...
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 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 (荆紫山), also known as Jingshan, Ao’an Mountain, and Jinzi Mountain, is situated in Xin’an County, Luoyang, and is hailed as...
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 (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 (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...
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 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...
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...
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....
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....
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...
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...
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...
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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (香山寺), the foremost of the ten temples of Longmen Mountain, holds a significant place in Korean Weishizong Buddhism as the ancestral temple...
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, 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 (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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
From November 4 to December 31, 2024, every Friday to Sunday at 19:00-19:20 and 20:00-20:20 (two performances each day), there will be artificial snowfall at Yingtian Gate to let you experience the limited romance of winter ahead of time.
Luoyang Shizijie (洛阳十字街) is a lively street with a great atmosphere, perfect for taking photos and strolling around. However, I wouldn’t recommend going there to eat or drink. The food available is just typical snacks that you can find anywhere, and you won’t get to taste the authentic cuisine of Luoyang. Plus, many places are just tourist traps.
During my recent visit to Luoyang, the traffic felt chaotic, with pedestrians and electric bikes weaving in and out of the vehicle lanes. The attractions were overcrowded, leading to a very poor experience. I won’t be returning after this visit.
During the summer vacation, the Longmen Grottoes experience a significant influx of visitors. If you plan to visit, be sure to:
– Prepare for the heat by wearing sunscreen.
– Bring several bottles of water, as it can get extremely hot.
Recommended Itinerary:
Day 1: Luoyang Museum – Longmen Grottoes (night tour)
Day 2: Luoyi Ancient City – Lijing Gate – Jiuzhou Pool – Mingtang Tiantang – Yingtian Gate
Day 3: White Horse Temple – Return journey
Transportation advice: Take the train to “Luoyang Longmen Station/Luoyang Station”. You can rent an electric scooter for traveling within the city area, and taking a taxi for longer distances is also very convenient.
Two-day-one-night guide to eating, drinking, and exploring in Luoyang Itinerary: ● Day 1: Baima Temple → Sui and Tang Dynasty Grand Canal Cultural Museum → Luoyang Museum of Ancient Tombs → Luoyi Ancient City → Xigong Xiaojie ● Day 2: Longmen Grottoes → Luoyang Museum → Sui and Tang Dynasties Yingtian Gate Site → Mingtang Tiantang Scenic Area Recommended Local Food and Shops All recommended eateries and shops are suggested by locals, offering delicious and affordable options. ● Nanguan Xiaowan… Read more »
Transportation in Luoyang Arrival: – Beijiao Airport: Approximately a 40-minute drive from the city center – Longmen High-Speed Railway Station: Take Line 2 of the subway to the city center after exiting the station – Luoyang Railway Station: Take Line 2 of the subway to the city center after exiting the station In-City Transportation: – Subway: Starting at 2 yuan, the preferred choice for travel with guaranteed time and speed – Shared electric cars: Convenient for attractions within 3 kilometers… Read more »
For friends who are planning to visit Luoyang recently, be prepared for the heat as it can be quite intense. Make sure to take necessary precautions to prevent heatstroke. You can visit the mountains and rivers to cool off and enjoy the outdoor activities. For other attractions, it’s best to wait for the weather to cool down a bit.
Luoyang, a city with half of Chinese history. Regarding hotels: It is recommended to stay near Shizi Street, Luoyi Ancient City, and Yingtianmen Scenic Area, close to the subway for convenient transportation. About local delicacies: Hot noodles , spicy soup, soup that doesn’t flip, wheat noodles , steamed carp , lamb soup , beef soup , peony cake , Luoyang swallow vegetables . ⛰️How to get to Mount Laojun: 1️⃣Take a bus across from Luoyang Station (Huadu Bus Station) and… Read more »
Day 1: 1️⃣ Nanguan Xiaowan Beef Soup: Only 10 yuan for a bowl of beef soup, with an extra 1 yuan for shredded pancakes and a large bag of fried meatballs for 5 yuan. The amount of beef is astonishingly generous, the soup is delicious, albeit slightly bland, so you can add salt to taste. A very satisfying meal. 2️⃣ Luoyang Museum: A national first-class museum, with a plethora of unearthed relics from the ancient capital of the thirteen dynasties.… Read more »