A Fairyland on Earth: Yunwu Mountain
Hello everyone! As a travel blogger, I have carefully planned a 3-day, 2-night in-depth travel guide for Laojun Mountain in Henan, focusing on "Taoist sacred site + sea of clouds at the Golden Summit + snow-capped wonders (autumn and winter) + high-altitude filming scenes," with a budget controlled within 1800 RMB. It is perfect for shooting Vlogs, aerial footage, Hanfu travel photography, and hiking documentaries, helping you create stunning visual works of "a fairy mountain in a painting."
⛰【Henan · Laojun Mountain】3 Days 2 Nights Theme: Taoist Ancestral Court × Sea of Clouds at the Golden Summit × Ethereal Hanfu × Autumn and Winter Snow Scenery (optional) Best Time: Spring and Summer (April to June): lush greenery, blooming azaleas Autumn and Winter (November to March): snow-capped wonders, rime and sea of clouds, golden photography period Suitable for: photography bloggers, Hanfu travel photography, hiking enthusiasts, Vloggers Budget: 1800 RMB/person (including round-trip transportation) Content Focus: visual impact + cultural depth + natural wonders + emotional atmosphere
🗺 Itinerary Overview Days Highlights Accommodation Photo Highlights Day 1 Arrival at Luanchuan + Jiguandong Cave exploration + Laojun Mountain night view Hotel in Lushi/Luanchuan County town Cave light and shadow, mountain gate lighting Day 2 Full-day hike on Laojun Mountain + Golden Summit sea of clouds + Hanfu shooting Golden Summit Taoist temple dormitory or return to county town Golden Palaces cluster, Ten-Mile Painted Screen, cliff plank road Day 3 Return trip + optional Bamboo Sea Wildlife Park No mountain return, animal interaction
📅 Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Luanchuan + initial geological wonders exploration Afternoon arrival at Luoyang Longmen Station / Zhengzhou East Station → transfer by bus to Luanchuan County High-speed train to Luoyang Longmen Station (about 1.5 hours, ticket about 100 RMB) Luoyang → Luanchuan bus: 2 hours, ticket 45 RMB (departing from Luoyang Bus Station) Taxi to county town hotel: about 30 RMB Recommended stay: budget hotels or homestays in Luanchuan County town Recommended: "Luanchuan Jinjiang Inn," "Shanshui Guixinju," "Laojun Mountain Inn" Price: 260-320 RMB/night, convenient transportation, suitable for early mountain entry next day Afternoon activity: Jiguandong Cave (optional, energy-saving version) Ticket: 80 RMB (including cave light show) 📍 National 5A-level karst cave, known as "the number one cave in the north" Shooting tips: use slow shutter to capture stalactite light and shadow – shoot the "underground galaxy" time-lapse Record narration: "There is a cave in the mountain, and heaven in the cave" 💡 Alternative (save money/time): rest directly to conserve energy for next day’s hike Dinner: County town Henan cuisine restaurant (recommended: Luanchuan tofu feast, wild vegetables, about 60 RMB) Evening: shoot Laojun Mountain night lighting (mountain gate area) or organize gear
Day 2: Core day on Laojun Mountain Ascend and seek Tao + Sea of Clouds at the Golden Summit Early departure: arrive at Laojun Mountain scenic area gate before 7:00 AM (taxi about 40 RMB) Tickets + transport: Ticket: 100 RMB (purchase in advance via official WeChat "Laojun Mountain Scenic Area") Scenic shuttle bus (first-level cable car): 70 RMB (must take, saves energy) Second-level cable car (optional): 80 RMB (can be replaced by hiking) Recommended hiking route (suitable for shooting): 1. Take cable car up to Zhongtianmen (about 10 minutes) Shooting: cable car passing through clouds, valley below 2. Hike the "Ten-Mile Painted Screen" (about 2.5 hours, gentle slope wooden plank road) Shooting spots: peak forest wonders, pine and rock scenery – cliff plank road walking shots (safety first) Hanfu-clad girls walking in the mist (highly recommended!) 3. Arrive at Golden Summit Taoist temple cluster (core filming location) 🌟 Must shoot: Golden Palaces cluster: shining golden in sunlight or snow, stunning aerial shots Tao De Mansion: statue of Laozi + incense smoke swirling Bright Treasure Terrace: 360° viewing, sea of clouds surging – Jade Emperor Peak: altitude 2217 meters, highest point in Central China Shooting tips: use drone for panoramic aerial shots of the Golden Summit (note: flying is prohibited at the summit, can launch at mid-mountain) Hanfu recommendation: white/light blue long dresses, paired with round fans, bamboo flutes – Record narration: "One mountain, one world; one temple, one pure heart." Accommodation options (choose one): ✅ Option A: stay in dormitory at Golden Summit Taoist temple cluster (highly recommended for sunrise shooting) Price: 80-120 RMB/person (includes simple meal, basic conditions but unbeatable location) Advantage: can shoot early morning sea of clouds sunrise + Golden Palaces morning light (golden photography moment) Reminder: bring toiletries, warm clothes (below freezing at night) ❌ Option B: descend same day, stay in county town to save money but miss sunrise, suitable for moderate stamina Dinner: simple meal on the mountain (vegetarian noodles, instant noodles, steamed buns, about 40 RMB)
Day 3: Golden Summit sunrise + return trip Wake up at 5:30 AM → secure spot for sunrise shooting Sea of clouds sunrise time about 6:20-6:50 (seasonal) Recommended spots: Bright Treasure Terrace, east cliff side of Jade Emperor Peak – Shoot: surging sea of clouds, gilded Golden Palaces, Hanfu silhouette Morning activity: hike down Ten-Mile Painted Screen again (or take cable car) Can shoot "looking back at the Golden Summit while descending" gradual distant shots Before noon descend Lunch: simple meal at scenic area entrance or county town (about 50 RMB) Optional itinerary (if time allows): Bamboo Sea Wildlife Park (30 minutes from county town) Ticket: 80 RMB – Shoot: close-up feeding of sheep, red pandas, peacock display – suitable for family content or relaxed ending Afternoon return trip Luanchuan → Luoyang bus (buses available before 16:00) Luoyang → Zhengzhou/Beijing/Shanghai high-speed train return 📸 Blogger Tips: Closing quote: "Laojun Mountain is not just a mountain, it is the boundary between the mortal world and the fairyland." Shoot the transition "from city to sea of clouds": "We are all searching for our own mountain top."
💰 Budget breakdown (per person) | Item | Cost Round-trip major transport (high-speed train + bus) 550 RMB (Luoyang round-trip + bus) 2 nights accommodation (1 night county town + 1 night Golden Summit dorm) 400 RMB (320 + 80) Meals (5 dinners + 2 breakfasts) 300 RMB Scenic area tickets + transport 330 RMB (ticket 100 + shuttle 70 + cable car 70 + second cable car 80) Hanfu rental/emergency/souvenirs 220 RMB Total 1800 RMB ✅ 💡 Money-saving tips: Skip second-level cable car, hike up and down (save 80 RMB) Bring your own snacks to reduce mountain top expenses Choose cheaper accommodation (hostel about 200 RMB/night)
🎒 Blogger’s exclusive gear list - 📷 Camera + 24-70mm zoom (for landscapes), 85mm (portraits), wide-angle (architecture) 🛰 Drone (only allowed to launch at mid-mountain, no flying at summit) 🎙 Wireless microphone (use windscreen in windy conditions) 👗 2 sets of Hanfu (mainly white/light blue, paired with bamboo hats, dusters) 🧥 Warm gear: down jacket, fleece, hat, gloves (windy at summit) 🧗 Trekking poles, non-slip shoes, power bank - 🗺 Offline maps + Amap navigation
🌟 Next recommended stops: Luoyang or Baiyun Mountain Luoyang (2-hour bus, ticket 45 RMB): continue the "Central Plains mountain and water line": Longmen Grottoes, White Horse Temple, Luoyi Ancient City – Content upgrade: "From Fairy Mountain to Ancient Capital: A Spiritual Pilgrimage" Baiyun Mountain (1.5 hours from Laojun Mountain): also a 5A-level scenic area, high mountain forest lakes, Vlog theme: "Central Plains Double Wonders: Laojun Mountain vs. Baiyun Mountain"
🌄 Warm tips Laojun Mountain weather is changeable, check weather forecast in advance, be cautious in rain or snow – Golden Summit accommodation is basic, no private bathroom, be mentally prepared – Hanfu recommended to be lightweight to avoid being blown by strong wind – Respect religious sites, avoid noise when filming Taoist temples – Large temperature difference in autumn and winter, summit night temperatures range from -5°C to 5°C, be sure to keep warm.