Located in the west of Henan Province in central China, Luoyang occupies quite an important geographic location. It is in the middle reaches of the Yellow River and is encircled by mountains and plains. To its east and west are the Hu Lao Pass and Han Gu Pass which were essential domestic transportation junctions in ancient times. To its north, Mengjin County was an important ferry crossing of the Yellow River. Thus, Luoyang was selected as the capital city by 13 dynasties starting from the Xia Dynasty (21st-16th century BC) in the 21st century BC. In the period following the Han Dynasty (206BC-220), and particularly during the Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) dynasties, the city experienced a period of growth and prosperity and ranked as one of the international metropolitans of the time.
Its long history endows Luoyang with a profound sense of culture. The city is the cradle of Chinese civilization where many Chinese legends happened, such as Nvwa Patching the Sky, Dayu Controlling Flood and the Chinese ancestor Huangdi Establishing the Nation. The city is also famed as the 'Poets Capital' as poets and literates of ancient China often gathered there and left grand works, including 'Book of Wisdom' ('Daode Jing'), 'Han History' ('Han Shu') and 'Administrative Theory of Admonishing Official' ('Zi Zhi Tong Jian'). Religious culture once thrived here. Taoism originated there and the first Buddhist temple set up by the government was located there. Luoyang is also the hometown of many of the scientific inventions of ancient China, such as the seismograph, armillary sphere, paper making, printing and the compass.
Luoyang has rich historical and cultural sites. The Longmen Grottoes are one of China's three most precious treasure houses of stone sculptures and inscriptions. The White Horse Temple is the first Buddhist temple and is honored as the 'Cradle of Buddhism in China'. Mt. Mangshan is where ancient tombs of emperors, nobles and literates in the past dynasties collected. The Luoyang Ancient Tombs Museum is the world's first example of the kind and presents thousands of treasures discovered in the tombs. Shaolin Temple is the place of origin for Chinese Zen Buddhism and the cradle of Chinese Martial Art. Landscapes in Luoyang hold the same attraction as the cultural sites. White Cloud Mountain, Funiu Mountain, Long Yu Wan National Forest Park, Ji Guan Limestone Cave and the Yellow River Xiaolangdi Scenic Area are all worth a visit. Additionally, Luoyang is particularly well known for its peonies. Every year in April, the flowers blossom and attract tourists from all over the world.
Dining in Luoyang is quite an enjoyable experience. Various kinds of local dishes, including Water Feast, Yan Cai and others which use the famous Yellow River carps as an ingredient, together with the uniquely flavored soups, will greatly satisfy your taste buds. Luoyang's local specialties such as Palace Lanterns, bronze vessels and Tri-colored glazed potteries will no doubt delight your eyes and offer you ideal souvenirs. Being a modern city as well, Luoyang has hotels of all standards which provide you quite a broad choice for your stay. Most of the hotels have reasonable room prices and perfect services.
Transportation is well developed in Luoyang. Beijiao Airport has many domestic flights extending to many large cities in other provinces. It's also very easy to get to Luoyang by train because one of China's most important railway lines Long Hai Railway traverses the city and connects most cities in east, west and central China. The convenient city buses and taxies can carry you around the city. Near the railway station, special tourist buses can take you to the tourist spots in the suburban areas of the city.
Luoyang, a charming city filled with the fragrance of peonies and the primitive atmosphere of ancient civilization, is waiting and welcoming guests from all over the world. Putting the city into the list of your exploration in China, you will get far more than what you expect.
Recommended Luoyang Package Tour Itineraries:
Spotlights of Luoyang: 3 Days White Horse Temple & Shaolin TempleRecommended Tours including the visit to Luoyang:
Chinese Kungfu Tour: 10 Days Beijing-Xian-Luoyang (Shaolin Temple)-Shanghai
Jewish Tour: 9 Days Beijing-Harbin-Zhengzhou-Kaifeng-Luoyang-Shanghai
Hiking Tour: Information about hiking in Lijiang for your reference
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Travelers' Voices on Luoyang City
1.
Oct. 6,2009 00:10 Reply
Ms.Nina(Australia) said:
Hi,
I am travelling through China with some friends in December and we want to visit Luoyang to see the Longman Grottos and Guanlin Temple. We also want to travel to Shaolin Temple to see the kung fu show. Where should we stay in Luoyang and is it very far to Shaolin Temple from Luoyang or do you suggest we stay in Zhengzhou? We also would like to travel to Beijing from here. Do you recommend travelling from Luoyang or Zhengzhou?
Thanks
Oct. 9,2009 22:52
Mr.Paul replied:
It seems there are shuttle bus between Longmen Grottoes to Shaoling Temple. Here is my suggestion, after the visit of Longmen grottoes and Guanlin Temple, you can go directly to Zhengzhou city and stay in Zhengzhou. You can get to Shaolin Temple from Zhengzhou easily and it is more convinient to go beijng from Zhengzhou for more train and there are bullet train which can take you to Beijing in 5 hours.
Oct. 12,2009 09:16
Ms.Nina(Australia) replied:
Thanks Paul.
How long does it take from Zhengzhou to Shaolin Temple? And what time is the kung fu show on?
Oct. 14,2009 01:56
Mr.Paul replied:
Shaolin Temple is about 1.5 hours drive from Zhengzhou by bus. The shows are performed at 3pm, 4pm and 5pm. Every show lasts 30 minutes. No need to pay for the show.
Oct. 24,2009 06:41
Mr.swanhouw@yahoo.com(Netherlands ) replied:
In 2007 I stayed in a hotel just 50 meters next to right handside of the station exit. Very simple, clean rooms and cheap ( about 150 Rmb maximum per night). When U cross the station square on the left side there is a kind of busstation where every 12 minutes there is a ordinary city-bus departing to LongMen Grottoes ( it's the end of the line). Just ask at the hotel the number of the bus ( I forgot sorry).
For the Shaolin tour I would suggest you collect data at the hotel.
As we were in a budget hotel in the centre of town there were many possibilities to choose from and we booked directly upon arrival for the next morning to take the daytrip to Shaolin. You will be guoided to 5 spots of which 3 are temples( White horse temple etc). The bus location to commence the tour will be told to you by the person where you register the trip. As December is the winter season in our Northern hemisphere, I am not so sure about the frequency of the bus tours. I was there in October, which is the ideal month to visit China.
Have a pleasant tour and lots of good luck.
Oct. 24,2009 06:56
Mr.swanhouw@yahoo.com(Netherlands ) replied:
October 24,2009
Sorry I forgot to tell that I used Luoyang as my starting point. ZhengZhou is a little to big and too busy for me.
Besides I went with 2 elderly chinese friends, so I was in good hands and they did the talking for me. After 3 days we were picked up by some nephews of them and we drove to Ji Yuan village ( about 70 km north of LuoYang. Many sigghtseeing spots within 30 K from JiYuan, we visited the Wang WU Shan mountains to admire the autumn leaves and also saw a more than 1000 years old tree, and paid a visit to the Huang He ( Yellow river) hydropower-basin.
Oct. 24,2009 19:42
Ms.Nina(Australia) replied:
Thanks for your help!
I just wanted to know also if I take the K16 train from Luoyan to Zhengzhou (1217-1348) on the 23/12 will I have time to travel to Shaolin Temple after checking in at my hotel? Or should I take the earlier train (K890 0725-0909)?
Also is this itinerary possible?
Dec 22: Arrive in Luoyang on the K84/K81 train (0835-1336). Check into hotel. Go to Guanlin Temple (1hr) then spend the rest of the day at the Longman Grottos.
Dec 23: Take a train to Zhengzhou, check into hotel then travel to Shaolin Temple. Stay overnight in Zhengzhou.
Dec 24: Take a flight to Beijing
Also is travelling around Luoyang to Guanlin Temple and the Longman Grottos possible by taxi? Would it be difficult for us if we do not know Manderin? Would you be able to give me the names in Chinese?
With Shaolin Temple I have read that I can ask the hotel to arrange bus tickets is this correct? Or is there a website where I can buy return tickets?
Thanks so much for your help
Thank you for yoru help
2.
Jan. 28,2009 03:19 Reply
Mr.Ali(Indonesia) said:
I wonder if the shaolin temple really worth seeing?anybody can give me some advice where else to go in Luoyang?I am planning to go there this mid-feb.
@Mr.Harvey..wow, you really have a strong feeling to this place, you even married a local girl..must be a really nice place..and wonderful girl for sure
Mar. 3,2009 21:31
Ms.erica (china) replied:
all travel place not so much different. many people. but i know the stamp showing will hold in luoyang this year. my hometown is luoyang. last year spring festival i went to shaolin temper. not so much interesting. but i think worth you go have a look. in spring festival we didnt see kongfu showing.
luoyang antoehr place is that big budi figer, longmen ??. long ment will more supprised you than shaoling i think.
Oct. 24,2009 11:25
Mr.SWANHOUW(Netherlands) replied:
Hi Mr Ali,
I hope u will enjoy ur trip to Henan province. Of course it is a personal taste and nobody can advise u whether it is worth or not to go there.
First of all Feb means winter on the northern hemisphere, so I would suggest to go in October ( 15-30 Oct), this is the best season to visit China.
Another point is that U should be ready to do a lot of walking and have also the physical endurance to walk a lot otherwise u will always stay behind and cannot enjoy the explanations of the guide.
I myself like walking and discovering new places, so as long as I still can walk I surely will enjoy every place I visit in China.
And last but not least U must prepare urself by reading the good travelguide books like Lonely Planet. It is very useful to know something about the area and its people before going there. A map of the whole area is always a plus. U might download maps from the internet.
3.
Oct. 24,2009 10:49 Reply
Mr.SWANHOUW(Netherlands) said:
I took the nite train from ChongQing[Sichuan], arrived about 10:30 at LuoYang station. Booked a hotel just nextdoor [righthandside when leaving the main exit]. Took a few steps to the busterminal to find small restaurants where the food was delicious. Then we [ 3 of us] took the local city -regionnbus to the Longmen grottoes. We were lucky no rain, nice weather till the evening.
Wonderful place.
Next day joined a daytrip with local chinese and a few Taiwanese to the Shaolin temples and trainingcampus.
The guide picked us up from the hotel as we were very close to everything in LuoYang
The bus departs from the terminal only 100 yards from the station.
4.
Oct. 24,2009 03:55 Reply
Mr.Gary(USA) said:
Hi, I am staying in Luoyang tonight and tomorrow night (Oct 24th and Oct 25th), visiting the Shaolin temple tomorrow and the Longmen Grottoes the day after. I am staying at the Peony hotel and they have organized private taxis for me to visit both places. For the Shaolin temple they have offered a taxi for the day at 400rmb and 350rmb for the following day for the White Horse Temple and Longmen. After reading this I'm thinking that both are expensive (especially the fee for Longmen) so I may cancel and follow your advice.
Can you recommend any good restaurants close to Peony Hotel? Does anyone living in Luoyang want to join me for dinner on me and practice their English? I'm a British guy, now living in California, traveling around China.
Gary.
Oct. 24,2009 07:42
Mr.swanhouw(Netherlands ) replied:
go to the main railway station in the north, there u have city-and regional busses to Longmen grottoes, it only 35 minutes, and at the end of the busline. So very easy to go back again. Busride will cost you less than 3 Rmb. Why pay a taxi for 300 RMB?? To visit Shaolin location of Kung Fu training U may find hotel registrations next to the station. They will accept anybody who is interested in the daytrip. The tour comprises 5 or 6 locations , as u know the shaolin temple and trainingcampus are located in 3 different places. It is good to go with a local travel group , so u can start getting to know the local habits, even when not understanding or speaking the language. That Shaolin bustour will cost you less than 180 Rmb all inclusive takes 11 hours and a free lunch. Register at the hotel next to the station. Good luck
Oct. 24,2009 08:32
Mr.swanhouw@yahoo.com(Netherlands ) replied:
did u find any local touring group yet? Most hotels have this. It's much more fun to join such a group. Last time I got such a group by registering at the hotel desk, just next to the railwaystotion exit ( righthand side when leaving the maingate, no more than 100 yards away. Price for a full day trip was around 180 Rmb including 1 lunch and most entrance fees.
Much cheaper than going alone by taxi. And who knows these taxi guys might cheat you as u are alone !!
Oct. 24,2009 08:44
Mr.SWANHOUW(Netherlands) replied:
I am used to travel on budget fares also cheap trips and hotels.
Hiring a taxi all by yourself is rather a waste of money. It's too late now to find some students in the streets or at KFC/Mac D ??
Otherwise go register for local bustours, they must have them in the hotels.
I am not familiar with Peony hotel there.
5.
Aug. 28,2009 01:38 Reply
Ms.Alice(Malaysia) said:
Is it safe for a girl to travel at LuoYang alone?
Aug. 30,2009 21:30
Mr.Paul replied:
Yes. But still need to take care. :-) Be cautious, for you travel alone, and it should be like that for all that travel alone.
Sep. 22,2009 21:47
Mr.Lincoln(China) replied:
Luoyang is my hometown,it is very safe to travel there,even alone.Believe me you can have funs there,the single problem may be that most of the older residents (above 50 years old) don't understand English totally.
Oct. 2,2009 08:04
Ms.chen(cn) replied:
of course. safe
Oct. 2,2009 08:11
Ms.HNLY(China) replied:
Of course, safe. Welcome.
Oct. 24,2009 07:14
Mr.swanhouw(Netherlands ) replied:
Hi,
Sure it is safe to travel alone in China. Remember they still have capital punishment if girls are kidnapped or raped (forced against their will). Not to forget mentioning the big trial in Shanghai-Suzhou_Hangzhou about end 1999( sorry forgot the exact date) when a German family was murdered by burglars in an newly built isolated foreigner's compound. All 4 burglars got the death penalty, and hopefully their organs were donated to the needed !
Oct. 24,2009 08:40
Mr.SWANHOUW(Netherlands) replied:
yes very safe, don't worry
6.
Jul. 30,2009 20:26 Reply
Mr.SeanandJenny(USA) said:
We have lived in China seven months now and we are on our summer vacation traveling around the country. We stayed in Zhengzhou for two days to see the Shaolin Temple and other sights. We did not enjoy Zhengzhou at all - the most unfriendly and rude people we have met in China so far. Many of the city folks called us laowai to our faces (unusual for Chinese in most places) and there was even an argument at our bus station because a woman was angry two laowai were riding the same bus as Chinese (she didn't think we paid for our ticket). They finally stormed the bus, checked our tickets, and then stormed off again as we waved goodbye from our seats.
Travel Tip: To Shaolin Temple from Zhengzhou, take the bus from Zhengzhou to Denfeng City (1.5 hours ride), but then pay 10 yuan to take a taxi up to the Shaolin Temple - do not get on the mini-bus because they stop for all passengers, taking xtra money on the side, and it will take you hours to travel the 9 miles up to the Temple.
If you have a choice, we suggest staying in Luoyang instead of going near Zhengzhou, you can get to Shaoilin Temple easily and you can get to the famous grotto caves from here too.
Zie Jian, Zhengzhou!
Sep. 22,2009 21:59
Mr.Lincoln(China) replied:
I feel sorry that a lady was rude to you in Zhengzhou.I hope it is not because of the language.
And I dont think it is kind of unpolite to call you laowai,in my mind ,it just means you are foreigners.
I totally agree with what you said except that.
Oct. 24,2009 07:29
Mr.swanhouw(Netherlands ) replied:
Yes it is true that LuoYang ius a much quieter place to stay.
It is a pity you had that unfriendly experience there in ZZ. But calling somebody Lao Wei is not an insult. Even I often being called Lao Wei as soon as I open my mouth. As an overseas chinese from Indonesia they still can hear that I am a foreigner when in China. So I do not care so much.
Remember when travelling in October there is a certain day that they have " elderly-day" in whole china and most fares and entrance-fees to tourist spots are half-price or even free. Ha ha ha ! I will go to China again in February 2010, this time to Xiamen ( south) and will visit some villages outside Xiamen.
7.
Oct. 16,2009 02:10 Reply
Mr.Chew(China) said:
Hi, my wife & I would like to visit Shaolin temple and Longmen Grottoes in first week of Dec... do you think it's ok ? will there be shaolin kung-fu shows in Dec ? does it snow there in dec ?
thanks..
Oct. 17,2009 04:07
Mr.Sam replied:
If you don't care about the cold weather, it is ok to go to Henan in Dec. Not very sure about the show, but you could see the practice when visiting the Shaolin Temple.
Oct. 17,2009 09:32
Mr.Chew(China) replied:
Thank you, Mr. Sam
8.
Oct. 9,2009 08:02 Reply
Ms.Bhavana(india) said:
i am planning a trip to xian and luoyang...could you please suggest me the transoport option from xian to luoyang and return? flight option will also do.
Oct. 12,2009 03:13
Mr.John replied:
Xian is only 4.5-5 hours by train to Luoyang. So, no need to travel by air. There are more than 50 trains shuttling between these two cities. so, it is very easy to get tickets too, if not in public holidays.
9.
Oct. 6,2009 19:17 Reply
Ms.ASIANWAYTRAVEL(Viet Nam) said:
Hi all,
i am planning my trip to Shoulin and Longmen grotto, too.
I will arrive Beijin on 4Nov and want to connect to Zhengshou or Luoyang on same date. Can anyone help to recommend any lowcost airlines for either route Bejing-Zhengshou/Luoyang - Beijing or revert.
How fare is it from Zhengshou tp Luoyang as i see bus sked takes 2,5hrs. Should i stay in Luoyang or in Zhengshou
Many thanks
Asianway
Oct. 9,2009 23:00
Mr.John replied:
Yes, it needs 2-2.5 hour from Zhengzhou to Luoyang. As to lowest airlines, you can search for the price info at:
www.travelchinaguide.com/china-flights/Flightsearch.asp
Other option, you can take bullet train from Beijing to Zhengzhou, 5 hours, if the air ticket that day is not cheap. Just to stay at the city when you first arrive in from Beijing. If you stay in Zhengzhou, you can get to Luoyang first and then take Bus 81 at Luoyang Railway Station to the grottoes. If you stay in Luoyang, you can take bus to Dengfeng first and then change to public bus or taxi to Shaolin Temple.
Oct. 10,2009 08:18
Mr.ASIANWAYTRAVEL(Viet Nam) replied:
Dear Jonh,
Many thanks for your very clear information.
However, i finally selected trip to Hangzhou and Suzhou instead. If you are the person from Travel China company then please help to offer me car rental for below program:
We are 3 persons would like to travel as following itinerary. Please help to quote
4Nov: PEK-SHA
Pick up at airport and transfer to hotel in Shanghai. Hotel name TBA
PEKSHA: MU5156 (1745-2000)
5Nov: SHA – Suzhou
07h00: pickup at hotel and take quick SHA city tour for for viewing the harbor, TV tower (just seat in car) then heading to Suzhou. Tour in Suzhou.
18h00: Transfer from Suzhou to hotel in Hangzhou.
Hotel TBA
6Nov: HGH – PEK
Fullday tour in HGH and transfer to airport for PEK
HGHPEK: MU5161 (1905-2105)
Pick up and transfer to hotel. Hotel name TBA
7Nov: PEK
Fullday tour in PEK including great wall, Ming 13 Tombs, Heaven Temple
Hotel TBA
8Nov: PEK - HAN
Half day tour in PEK including tour to forbidden palace and Summer Palace.
Transfer to airport for departure.
VN0901: 1530-1820
Thanks
Hanh
10.
Oct. 2,2009 08:03 Reply
Mr.chen(cn) said:
If you have any question about Henan, please email me chenzhuo(at)rocketmail.com
I will reply you soon.