Luoyang

Walk through the limestone caves of the Longmen Grottoes, where over 100,000 Buddha statues line the cliffs along the Yi River. Visit the halls of the White Horse Temple, built in 68 CE as China's first Buddhist temple. In April, pink and white peonies bloom across Wangcheng Park during the annual Peony Festival. Explore the ancient city gates, sample soups at the local markets, and discover Ming and Tang Dynasty artifacts at the Luoyang Museum.

Exploring the Longmen Grottoes

The Longmen Grottoes stretch for one kilometer along limestone cliffs beside the Yi River. More than 100,000 Buddhist statues fill these caves, ranging from tiny carvings to the 17-meter Buddha at Fengxian Temple. Visit early morning between 8:00-10:00 for the best photography light and fewer visitors. Take subway Line 2 or bus 81 from the city center to reach the site.

Getting Around Luoyang

Two subway lines connect the main areas. Line 1 runs through the old town with stops near historic sites, while Line 2 links the new district with the old city. City buses run extensive routes throughout Luoyang, with fares between ¥1-1.5. For intercity travel, use Luoyang Station for regular trains or Luoyang Longmen Station for high-speed connections to Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai.

Local Food Scene

Try the Water Banquet, where servers bring 24 soup-based dishes in a specific sequence. Each soup comes with its own eating method and ingredients - from clear broths to thick stews. In the street markets, you'll find local specialties like Bufan soup with beef and vegetables, spicy pepper soup, and rich mutton soup, particularly popular during winter months.

Buddhist Temples and Religious Sites

At the White Horse Temple, 14 kilometers east of downtown, walk through multiple courtyards and prayer halls built since 68 CE. The halls contain Ming Dynasty Buddha statues and ancient stone carvings. At Guanlin Temple, you'll see intricate stone carvings depicting the life of warrior Guan Yu. Both temples open daily from 8:00 to 17:00.

Visiting During Peony Season

Plan your visit to the Peony Festival in April to see hundreds of peony varieties in Wangcheng Park. Local artists perform traditional music and dance throughout the month. Visit the gardens between 7:00-10:00 when the flowers are freshly opened and before the day heats up.

Important Travel Notes

You cannot visit three counties within Luoyang Prefecture: Yiyang, Luanchuan, and Song. Summer temperatures often exceed 30°C (86°F), while winter drops below freezing, making April-May and September-October the most comfortable months to visit. Most sites open from 8:00 to 17:00, with extended hours until 19:00 during summer.