Luoyang Must-Visit Historical Sites

「🗺️3-Day Luoyang Tour | Longmen Grottoes and White Horse Temple・Suitable for All Groups」

Travel is an encounter with beautiful scenery and a journey of relaxation for the soul. In Luoyang, you can feel the charm and style of this ancient capital with a history of thousands of years. Here is a 3-day travel guide for Luoyang.

🗓️Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Arrive in Luoyang → Longmen Grottoes → Yingtian Gate
Day 2: White Horse Temple → Luoyang Museum → Luoyi Ancient City
Day 3: Sui-Tang Luoyang City National Heritage Park Tiantang Mingtang Scenic Area → Jiuzhou Pond → Xigong Small Street

🏯Day 1: Cave Art and Ancient City Nightscape
📍Longmen Grottoes (5A)
Highlights: The largest and most numerous stone carving art treasury in the world, with grotto statues mostly built by royal nobles, possessing extremely high artistic value. Both elderly and children can feel the shock of historical culture here.
🕙Opening Hours: 9:00-21:00, recommended to visit in the afternoon; photos at sunset are stunning. 💰Fee: 90 RMB, half price for seniors over 60, free for children under 1.4 meters.
📸Photo Spots: Viewing platform opposite the Great Buddha, both sides of the Great Buddha.
🍖Recommended Dining: Nearby Longmen Grottoes, you can try some local farmhouse dishes, about 50 RMB per person.
💡Tips: If traveling with elderly and children, you can take the sightseeing bus inside the scenic area to reduce walking distance.

📍Yingtian Gate
Highlights: An important part of the Sui-Tang Luoyang City National Heritage Park, symbolizing the ancient capital. It is very beautiful when lit up at night, with spectacular light shows and performances.
🕙Opening Hours: 9:00-21:30. 💰Fee: 60 RMB.
📸Photo Spots: Climb the gate tower for panoramic views of Yingtian Gate and surrounding night scenes.
💡Tips: Check performance times in advance to plan your visit accordingly.

🏯Day 2: Ancient Temple Serenity and Historical Depth
📍White Horse Temple (4A)
Highlights: China’s first ancient temple, the first official Buddhist temple built after Buddhism was introduced to China. The temple features unique architectural styles and Buddhist halls in Thai, Burmese, and Indian styles.
🕙Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00. 💰Fee: 35 RMB, with discounts for seniors and children.
📸Photo Spots: Mountain gate, Thai-style Buddhist hall.
💡Tips: When bringing children, explain Buddhist cultural knowledge; for elderly, be cautious as some temple floors are uneven.

📍Luoyang Museum
Highlights: One of the first national first-class museums, rich in collections with many precious cultural relics, allowing the whole family to understand the historical and cultural changes of Luoyang.
🕙Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00, reservation required 3 days in advance. 💰Fee: Free.
📸Photo Spots: Large relic display area inside the main exhibition hall.
💡Tips: There are rest areas inside; take breaks as needed for elderly and children.

📍Luoyi Ancient City
Highlights: Based on profound historical culture, it showcases Luoyang’s ancient architectural style and traditional culture. The lights at night are dazzling, making you feel like you’ve traveled back to the prosperous Tang Dynasty.
🕙Opening Hours: 9:00-23:00. 💰Fee: Free.
💡Tips: You can experience Hanfu costume changing here and take photos.

🏯Day 3: Royal Gardens and Local Delicacies
📍Sui-Tang Luoyang City National Heritage Park Tiantang Mingtang Scenic Area
Highlights: Royal palace architecture from the Wu Zetian period, with luxurious interior decorations. The second floor’s golden splendor is great for photos.
🕙Opening Hours: 9:00-21:00. 💰Fee: 90 RMB.
📸Photo Spots: Inside Tiantang Mingtang, the square.
💡Tips: Do not touch the exhibits.

📍Jiuzhou Pond
Highlights: A royal garden from the Sui-Tang period, featuring pavilions, towers, waterside pavilions, and corridors. The scenery is beautiful and perfect for photos.
🕙Opening Hours: 9:00-21:00. 💰Fee: 30 RMB.
📸Photo Spots: On the city tower, by the water.
💡Tips: Be careful near the water while playing.

📍Xigong Small Street
Highlights: A gathering place for various Luoyang specialty snacks, such as small street potstickers, dandan noodles, and beef tripe hotpot, satisfying the whole family’s tastes.
🕙Opening Hours: All day.
🍖Recommended Dining: Must-try dandan noodles and sweet and sour spicy potato slices at Xiaojie Tianfu, about 30 RMB per person.
💡Tips: It can get crowded; keep an eye on your children.

✨Luoyang Survival Guide
1️⃣Transportation: The city subway starts at 2 RMB, very convenient. Subway plus shared bikes can reach 90% of scenic spots in the city. Taxis are also convenient for elderly and children, starting at 8 RMB.
2️⃣Clothing: Wear light jackets and shirts in spring; short sleeves and shorts in summer, with sun and mosquito protection; long-sleeve shirts and light jackets in autumn; down jackets and sweaters in winter.
3️⃣Taboos: Keep quiet in religious places like White Horse Temple, respect religious beliefs and customs, and do not touch Buddha statues.
4️⃣Accommodation: Recommended to stay near Yingtian Gate, Lijing Gate, or Luoyi Ancient City for convenient travel and dining. For example, Victoria Hotel, near the subway, includes breakfast, about 100+ RMB per person.

🛍️Must-Buy Souvenirs
①Luoyang Eight Treasures, about 30 RMB/box.
②Peony Pastry, about 25 RMB/box.
③White Horse Temple Yogurt, about 5 RMB/bottle.

The beauty of Luoyang requires you to savor it slowly. If you come to Luoyang, would you rather feel the weight of history at Longmen Grottoes or experience the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty at Luoyi Ancient City?