4-Day 3-Night Luoyang Travel Guide: Exploring the Beauty of an Ancient Capital

Day 1: Discovering Ancient Luoyang Morning: Arrival and Check-in After arriving at Luoyang Longmen High-Speed Railway Station or Luoyang Airport, take the subway, taxi, or ride-hailing service to your hotel in the city. Take a short rest to recover from your journey and adjust to Luoyang's pace. We recommend staying near Luoyi Ancient City for convenient transportation and access to various dining options. Noon: Savor Luoyang Cuisine Head to restaurants in the Old Town to taste classic dishes from the Luoyang Water Banquet, such as the beautifully presented and flavorful Peony Bird's Nest, and the tender, hot and sour Meat Slices in Soup. Try the unique Luoyang Noodles in Sauce for a distinctive local flavor. Afternoon: Longmen Grottoes - Appreciate Artistic Treasures Visit the Longmen Grottoes (CNY 90, including West Hill Grottoes, East Hill Grottoes, Xiangshan Temple, and Baiyuan Garden), open from 08:00 - 18:00. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, here you can admire exquisite Buddha statues, such as the Vairocana Buddha with its benevolent expression and graceful lines - a true artistic masterpiece. Take a stroll along both banks of the Yi River to experience the fusion of history and art. Evening: Luoyi Ancient City - Experience Nighttime Luoyang As night falls, head to Luoyi Ancient City. Entry is free, and the city features traditional architecture with the Wenfeng Pagoda at its center. Walk through the ancient city to admire the illuminated historical buildings and enjoy the free light show, experiencing Luoyang's nighttime charm. Try local snacks like Bu Fan Tang, featuring thin pancakes floating in savory soup. Day 2: Exploring Historical Sites Morning: White Horse Temple - The Cradle of Chinese Buddhism Visit the White Horse Temple (CNY 35), open from 08:30 - 17:30. As China's first Buddhist temple, it has a rich history. Here you can explore traditional Chinese temple architecture and see Buddhist halls in Burmese, Thai, and Indian styles, experiencing the fusion of Buddhist cultures from different countries. Noon: Local Specialty Lunch Dine at restaurants near White Horse Temple, trying local specialties like Luoyang Braised Noodles and Tang Mian Jiao. The braised noodles are richly flavored, while Tang Mian Jiao features thin wrappers with generous filling. Afternoon: Lijing Gate - The Gate of the Ancient Capital Visit Lijing Gate (separate ticket required for tower access), known as the "First Gate of Central Plains" and the west gate of Old Luoyang. Climb the gate tower for a panoramic view of the old town. Stroll along Lijing Gate Ancient Street, lined with traditional shops selling handicrafts and snacks. Pick up souvenirs like Tang Tri-colored Pottery. Evening: Cross Street Night Market - A Feast for the Taste Buds When night falls, Cross Street Night Market comes alive. Enjoy various street foods like grilled skewers, cold bean jelly, and spicy tripe, immersing yourself in Luoyang's local life. Day 3: Experiencing Natural Beauty and Culture Morning: Luoyang Museum - Treasury of History Visit Luoyang Museum (free admission, reservation required), open from 09:00 - 17:00 (last entry at 16:30). The museum houses rich collections from prehistoric artifacts to Han and Tang treasures, and Ming and Qing porcelain. Focus on the Tang Tri-colored Pottery Hall and Imperial Collections Hall. Noon: Traditional Water Banquet Find a Water Banquet restaurant in the city to try more local specialties. Sample dishes like crispy-tender Deep-fried Meatballs in rich broth and refreshing Boiled Meatballs. Afternoon: Sui and Tang Luoyang City National Heritage Park - Journey Back to the Sui-Tang Dynasty Visit the Sui and Tang Luoyang City National Heritage Park (CNY 120 for Mingtang and Tiantang area), open from 09:00 - 22:00. See reconstructed buildings from Wu Zetian's era, including Mingtang and Tiantang. Climb Mingtang for city views and experience immersive performances about Sui-Tang history. Evening: Yingtian Gate Museum - Light and Shadow Spectacle Visit Yingtian Gate Museum (CNY 30), open from 09:00 - 22:00. This was the south gate of the Sui-Tang imperial city. Enjoy the evening light show highlighting the gate's majesty and watch the 3D projection show about its history. Day 4: Immersing in Natural Scenery Morning: Mount Laojun - A Heavenly Realm Travel from Luoyang to Mount Laojun (CNY 100, cable car not included), open from 08:00 - 18:00. As the main peak of the Funiu Mountains, it's praised as "the world's premier fairy mountain." Take the cable car (Zhongling or Yunjing) up, then hike along trails to see unique rock formations. At the Golden Summit, admire the magnificent Taoist temple complex surrounded by sea of clouds. Noon: Dining in the Scenic Area Eat at the Mount Laojun scenic area restaurants, trying local specialties like Luanchuan Tofu and Acorn Jelly. The tofu is smooth and tender, while the jelly is cool and refreshing. Afternoon: Return Journey After sightseeing, head back down the mountain. If time permits, visit local markets in Luoyang to buy specialties like Luoning Apples and Mengjin Pears before heading to the station or airport, concluding your 4-day 3-night Luoyang journey. Important Notes 1. At Longmen Grottoes, protect the cultural relics and don't touch the Buddha statues. Plan your route in advance as the site is large. 2. Luoyang Museum requires advance reservation through their official WeChat account. Bring your ID for entry. 3. Mount Laojun has high elevation and low temperatures. Bring warm clothing and follow safety guidelines when using the cable car.