By Luoyang is located in the west of Henan Province, in the middle reaches of the Yellow River, surrounded by mountains. It is the cradle of Chinese civilization because it was the capital of 13 dynasties of the Xia Dynasty (21-16th century BC). It houses the World Heritage Site of Longmen Grottoes and is adjacent to the famous Shaolin Temple. It is a popular destination in central China.
Luoyang is the capital of 13 dynasties in different periods in history. Luoyang is known as one of China’s four ancient capitals and is China’s most popular tourist destination.
Things to do and travel advice
Luoyang became the capital as early as the Xia Dynasty (2070 to 1600 BC). It is considered one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization. As a political, economic and cultural center for a century, the city has a wealth of cultural relics. It is the oldest city in the world. One of the famous is Longmen Grottoes.
Located about 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) south of Luoyang, the Longmen Grottoes contain thousands of Buddha statues, most of which were carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty (493-534 AD) and the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). The Longmen Grottoes contains some Chinese Buddhist artworks, and was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2000.
Shaolin Temple
Outside Luoyang city, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) from the city, is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in China: Shaolin Temple. This temple is the birthplace of Chinese Kung Fu and is extremely famous in China and abroad. Today, when you walk around the area, you can still see young students and monks practicing Kung Fu. Shaolin Kungfu performance is not to be missed when visiting the temple.
For tourists who have limited time and want to visit the most famous attractions around Luoyang, the Longmen Grottoes and Shaolin Temple are two must-visit attractions, and they can take a day trip in Luoyang. For those who have more time and want to see more attractions, Luoyang offers more choices, such as the White Horse Temple and Luoyang Ancient City. For history lovers, Luoyang Museum is a good place to learn and visit some ancient cultural relics in Luoyang.
Shaolin Temple Kung Fu Performance
Near Shaolin Temple, travelers who like nature and trekking can add Mount Song to their Luoyang travel itinerary. Songshan UNESCO Global Geopark has stunning rock formations and stunning catwalks along the cliffs.
Special Cuisines of Luoyang
Luoyang is famous for its water banquets, which are dishes cooked with various broths, gravies and juices. Peony cake is a crispy cake filled with the petals of Luoyang’s famous peony. It is the most popular local snack and can be found almost anywhere in Luoyang.
Eating in Luoyang is a very pleasant experience. The famous local water feast includes a series of soup dishes, which is a feast for the eyes and taste buds. The historic Yancai restaurant offers exquisite and delicious imperial meals, such as Yellow River Carp. It is highly recommended that you go to Zhenbao Cave, which is an old and famous restaurant. Various local snacks, including Bufan soup, pepper soup, mutton soup and beef soup, are worth trying.
Popular night activities in Luoyang
At night, the ancient city of Luoyang is a lively place for walking, tasting local delicacies or picking up some souvenirs. At the southeast corner of the old town, Roy Old Town, a newly rebuilt tourist area, is very beautiful at night when the buildings are all illuminated, and it is very suitable for walking.
Best time to visit Luoyang
Although the summer and winter temperatures may not be so comfortable, Luoyang is an ideal place to visit throughout the year.
Luoyang holds the Peony Festival every year from early April to early May. During this period, the city received many tourists, so tourists who do not plan to participate in the Peony Festival should avoid visiting during the festival.
Longmen Grottoes and Shaolin Temple are both top tourist attractions in China, therefore, we do not recommend visiting them during public holidays, weekends and summer vacations (July to August) in China.
How to go to Luoyang?
Luoyang is located between Beijing and Xi’an. It takes about 4 hours to take a bullet train from Beijing and 1.5 hours to take a bullet train from Xi’an. If you plan to visit Xi’an while traveling in China, Luoyang can conveniently fit your itinerary. In addition to high-speed trains, Luoyang Beijiao Airport also has domestic flights to and from major cities in other provinces.
