Luoyang 3-Day, 2-Night In-Depth Travel Guide

# No Tourist Traps! A 3-Day, 2-Night In-Depth Travel Guide to Luoyang Luoyang, the ancient capital of thousands of years, is like a thick history book, with each page filled with stories of the past. It has magnificent ancient buildings, splendid peony blossoms, delicious local snacks, and traditional Hanfu experiences. Now, let me take you to fully experience the charm of Luoyang with this 3-day, 2-night in-depth travel guide and avoid all possible tourist traps! ## Itinerary ### Day 1 In the early morning, as the first ray of sunlight shines on the land of Luoyang, our journey officially begins. Our first stop is Wangcheng Park, the main venue for the Peony Fair in the city. It can be reached directly by subway. In addition to the colorful peonies, there are also adorable animals in the park, making it very suitable for families with children. After visiting Wangcheng Park, take a stroll to Xigong Xiaojie, where various local snacks are gathered, allowing you to enjoy the food while having fun. In the afternoon, find a makeup and costume shop you like and change into beautiful Hanfu. Imagine walking on the ancient streets in gorgeous Hanfu, as if traveling back to the prosperous times of thousands of years ago. Then, head to Jiuzhou Pond, which has magnificent buildings and exquisite garden landscapes. You can also take photos with the Paradise Tower in the distance and check in at the most beautiful spots. Next, go to Mingtang & Tiantang, the landmark buildings of Luoyang during the Tang Dynasty. The night view is breathtaking. The last stop is Yingtian Gate, the south gate of the Sui and Tang Dynasty palace city. When the lights are on at night, it looks particularly grand. There are also many photographers at the entrance, with reasonable prices and excellent posing guidance, allowing you to easily take beautiful photos. ### Day 2 In the morning, head to the Luoyang Museum. Remember to book your tickets three days in advance. Tickets are released at 7:00am, so be sure to set your alarm and don't miss it. Here, you can appreciate Luoyang's long history and splendid culture. In the afternoon, visit the Sui and Tang Dynasty City Botanical Garden. The park is very large and can also be reached by subway. There are more than 200 varieties of peonies, as well as a sea of flowering crabapple trees, weeping willows, and mandarin ducks playing in the lake, as if you are on the shore of Daming Lake. In the evening, go to the Longmen Grottoes. Night tours are available here from April 1. You can go in the afternoon and stay until the evening to start the night tour. The lights turn on at 6:30pm, and the grottoes look even more mysterious under the lights. ### Day 3 In the morning, go to the White Horse Temple to experience the solemnity and sanctity of Buddhist culture. If you plan to go to the White Horse Temple, you may want to visit the nearby Divine Land Peony Garden to admire the beautiful peonies. In the afternoon, visit Lijing Gate, one of Luoyang's iconic buildings, with many snack shops around it. After enjoying the food, stroll around the Cross Street Snack Street and experience the lively atmosphere of the city. Then, go to the Drum Tower to feel the accumulation of history. After night falls, take a night tour of Luoyi Ancient City, an ancient city that integrates architectural elements from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. There are many young women wearing Hanfu, as if traveling through time and space. ## Travel Tips - Book your tickets for the Luoyang Museum three days in advance. Tickets are released at 7:00am. Be sure to set your alarm, or you may not be able to book them! - Jiuzhou Pond, Mingtang & Tiantang, and Yingtian Gate are very close to each other. You can plan to visit them on the same day, which is very suitable for taking photos in Hanfu. - It is recommended to do your makeup and costume after lunch, otherwise, it will be tiring to wear heavy makeup all day long, so you can take beautiful photos during the day and at night. - The Longmen Grottoes are open for night tours from April 1. You can go in the afternoon and stay until the evening. The lights turn on at 6:30pm, and the night view is super beautiful. - For accommodation, it is recommended to choose Wangcheng Park or near Lijing Gate, which is convenient for transportation and close to various attractions, making your travel more convenient. ## Best Places to See Peonies ### Wangcheng Park As the main venue of the Peony Fair, Wangcheng Park is an excellent place to admire peonies. It is easily accessible by subway. In addition to the colorful peonies, there is also a zoo in the park. Bringing children here allows you to admire the beautiful flowers and get up close with the adorable animals, which is a win-win situation. ### Sui and Tang Dynasty City Botanical Garden The park has a large area and can also be reached directly by subway. There are more than 200 varieties of peonies in the park. Strolling through it is like being in a sea of flowers. In addition, the sea of flowering crabapple trees, weeping willows, and mandarin ducks playing in the lake create a poetic and picturesque mood, making people feel as if they have come to Daming Lake. ### China National Peony Garden This is the most concentrated peony garden, with a complete range of flower colors and varieties. You can check in at some rare peony varieties here and feel the unique charm of peonies. ### Divine Land Peony Garden If you plan to go to the White Horse Temple, then the Divine Land Peony Garden is a good choice for admiring flowers. The two places are very close to each other. You can visit the beautiful peonies here after visiting the White Horse Temple. ## Hanfu Check-In Spots ### Jiuzhou Pond Jiuzhou Pond has magnificent buildings and exquisite garden landscapes. Taking photos in Hanfu here is like traveling back to ancient times. You can also take photos with the Paradise Tower in the distance, find the most beautiful spot, and take stunning photos. ### Tiantang & Mingtang As the landmark buildings of Luoyang during the Tang Dynasty, the night view of Tiantang & Mingtang is very beautiful. At night, the lights shine on the buildings, adding a mysterious atmosphere. Taking photos here in Hanfu is like feeling the prosperity of the past. ### Yingtian Gate Yingtian Gate is the south gate of the Sui and Tang Dynasty palace city. The night view is grand and atmospheric. There are many photographers at the entrance, and their prices are very reasonable. Moreover, their posing guidance is excellent, allowing you to take photos full of emotional value. Here, you can fully show your Hanfu style. ### Luoyi Ancient City Luoyi Ancient City integrates architectural elements from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Walking on the streets of the ancient city is like traveling through time and space. There are many young women wearing Hanfu here. Everyone communicates and takes photos with each other, creating a strong ancient atmosphere. ## Food Recommendations ### Xiaojie Tianfu There are various local snacks here, among which Dandan noodles are a must-order. The noodles are chewy, and the soup is rich. One bite is full of happiness. ### Local Milk Tea Xiaofang Tea Shop and Mudanting's milk tea are Luoyang's specialty drinks, with a unique taste that is worth a try. During the breaks, have a cup of milk tea to quench your thirst and enjoy the deliciousness. ### Beef Soup The first beef soup restaurant on Longlin Road and Nanguan Xiaowan Beef Soup are both well-known local beef soup restaurants. The beef soup tastes delicious and is served with shredded pancakes or sesame cakes. It is one of the favorite breakfasts of Luoyang people. ### Bu Fan Soup (Non-Repudiation Soup) There are many Bu Fan Soup restaurants along Lijing Gate Road, and they all taste good. The peppery soup with crispy balls is super delicious and warms you up. ### Luoyang Water Banquet Luoyang Water Banquet is a traditional Luoyang cuisine, and the Peony Yan Cai must be eaten. It is said that this dish was Wu Zetian's favorite. It tastes delicious and looks beautiful. ### Luoyang Fried Chicken Luoyang fried chicken has a sweet and spicy flavor. It is recommended to try Lvji Fried Chicken (Lupu Road) and Maji Fried Chicken (Qiming East Road). The chicken is tender and juicy, with a rich flavor that is unforgettable. With this guide, I believe you will be able to spend a fulfilling and wonderful three days and two nights in Luoyang! Let us walk into this ancient capital of thousands of years and feel its unique charm!