An ancient capital on the fast line from Xi'an, with cliffs of Buddhist carvings and Shaolin Temple within a day trip.
An ancient capital on the fast line from Xi'an, with cliffs of Buddhist carvings and Shaolin Temple within a day trip.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000: about 100,000 Buddhist figures carved into limestone cliffs on both banks of the Yi River from the late 5th century on, about 12 km south of the city. The 17 m Vairocana Buddha at Fengxian Temple is the high point; a bridge leads to the East Hill caves and Xiangshan Temple.
Traditionally dated to 68 AD and regarded as China's first Buddhist temple, about 12 km east of the centre. Beyond the old halls are later additions in Indian and Thai styles. Entry ¥35.
Lijing Gate, the rebuilt western gate of the old walled town, opens onto lanes of snack stalls. Next to it, Luoyi Ancient City is a rebuilt quarter where many visitors rent Tang-style robes for photos. Both are lit up after dark.
The China Luoyang Peony Culture Festival opened on April 1 in 2026, its 43rd year, and ran through the month, with displays in gardens including the Sui-Tang City Ruins Botanical Garden. Peak bloom usually falls in mid to late April.
The Buddhist monastery at the foot of Mount Song in Dengfeng that gave its name to Shaolin kung fu. The ¥80 ticket covers the temple, the Pagoda Forest and a martial-arts show nearby. Direct buses from Luoyang Bus Station, beside Luoyang Railway Station, take about 2 hours; a hired car takes about 1.5 hours.
Finely shredded radish in a clear broth under a decorative peony, the opening course of the Luoyang water banquet.
A thick, peppery breakfast soup with beef or lamb, black fungus and glass noodles, eaten with fried dumplings or flatbread.
Wide hand-pulled wheat noodles in a lamb or beef bone broth, topped with meat, cilantro and tofu skin.
Luoyang is the earliest of China’s four great ancient capitals, the seat of the Eastern Han, Northern Wei and Sui courts among others, and its great surviving monument is the Longmen Grottoes: two limestone cliffs above the Yi River, honeycombed with caves and carved Buddhas from the 5th to the 12th centuries. White Horse Temple, east of the city, is traditionally counted as the first Buddhist temple in China, and Shaolin Temple is a day trip away in Dengfeng. In April the city fills up for its peony festival.
It suits visitors who enjoyed the Terracotta Army and want more of early imperial China. It sits on the high-speed line between Xi’an and Zhengzhou, about 75 minutes from Xi’an, so it fits easily between Xi’an and Beijing.
Arrive at Luoyang Longmen station, which is only a short taxi ride from the grottoes, and spend the first morning there on a ticket booked in advance. In the afternoon, take a DiDi to White Horse Temple, then spend the evening in the old town: walk through Lijing Gate, eat in the snack lanes behind it, and look in on Luoyi Ancient City after dark.
Give the second day to Shaolin Temple. Leave early by bus from Luoyang Bus Station or by hired car, see the temple and the Pagoda Forest, and catch the martial-arts show before heading back. Our high-speed train guide covers booking with a passport, and paying in China explains setting up Alipay or WeChat for the metro and the booking accounts. Check the visa-free entry rules for your passport before you go.
Checked on 29 October 2026. Opening times and ticket rules change; confirm on the official site before you go.
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