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2 Days Private Luoyang Tour

Code: LY01

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Trip Highlights

Personalized private tour tailored to your own schedule and interests.
English-speaking private guide, air-conditioned private car with experienced driver.
Explore the Longmen Grottoes to admire Buddhist statues of various shapes.
Immerse yourself in the bustling local life at the Luoyang Old Town.
Visit the Shaolin Temple to comprehend the essence of Chinese Kung Fu.

This trip can be customized to meet your individual needs!

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Day 1 Luoyang Railway Station Pick-up; Visit Longmen Grottoes, Luoyang Museum & Old Town

Upon your arrival in Luoyang, your private guide and driver will meet you at the railway station, and then let’s kick off our 2 days private Luoyang tour itinerary with Longmen Grottoes. This complex, ranked by UNESCO as “the pinnacle of Chinese stone-carving art”, allows you to feast your eyes on 110,000 Buddhist stone statues completed intermittently over four centuries. Gazing at these magnificent carvings embedded in the sheer cliffs, few would imagine this 1,500-year-old wonder was executed through a well-oiled “assembly line”. Quarriers first used hammers and chisels to roughly hew out raw stone blocks from the mountain. Then, carvers took over, shaping the initial outlines of the Buddhist statues. The skilled sculptors followed, meticulously refining the statues’ facial features. As all stood silently in place, master painters applied the finishing touches to kindle the light of faith. Clearly, the nearer completion, the more exquisite the artisans’ craft became.

Next, we’ll proceed to the Luoyang Museum. Stepping into this time capsule, you’ll strike up a soul-stirring conversation with the 1,500-year-old ancient capital of the thirteen dynasties. Exhibits from rugged bronzes to radiant Tang Tri-color Glazed Ceramics allow you to catch a glimpse of the unparalleled artistry of ancient craftsmen. Take a close look at the pair of female terracotta figurines standing hand in hand, whose gentle smiles may remind you of wonderful memories you had with your close friends. Moreover, linger in front of the millennia-old White Jade Cup, which glows with a moonlit luster under soft lights. With its plain design, this cup fully showcases the natural beauty of fine mutton-fat jade.

Later, fully immerse yourself in the Luoyang Old Town. Upon entering the Lijing Gate, you’ll turn the cover page on the 1,000-plus-year-old story of the town. Wander through the West Avenue, where the air is filled with the tantalizing aroma of peony flower cakes, pot stickers, and paste noodles, drawing you involuntarily into its bustling market vibe. Moving on to the East Avenue flanked by paper-cutting workshops, calligraphy stores, and musical instrument boutiques, you’ll instantly get lost in the elegant charm of traditional Chinese culture. Near the busy intersection stands the Drum Tower. As the setting sun casts a rosy glow on its gray-tiled roof, the soft tinkle of copper bells on the eave wafts through the breeze.

After the visit, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel. Otherwise, you can stay longer and explore at your own pace before taking a 25-minute taxi back to your hotel by yourself. There are lots of traditional Chinese costume rental studios available for you to experience dressing up as the ancient people, just like some of the passersby you’ve encountered, but note that makeup and styling may take you 1 to 1.5 hours.

Accommodation: Hampton by Hilton (4 stars) or Luoyang International Hotel (5 stars)

Vairocana Buddha Statue in Longmen Grottoes

Vivid Sculptures in Longmen Grottoes

Day 2 Visit Shaolin Temple, Enjoy Kung Fu Show & Study Kung Fu; Hotel See-off

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel lobby, and then accompany you on a 1.5-hour ride to the Shaolin Temple, a living sanctuary where Zen Buddhism meets Chinese Kung Fu. Start by snapping souvenir photos with the stone archway inscribed “First Ancient Temple of the World” - the solemn beginning of your spiritual pilgrimage. Through the Mountain Gate, walk along the quiet path lined with over 20 stone steles in the shade of ancient pines and cypresses. Then, dive into the dense Pagoda Forest: beneath each pagoda rests a revered monk. These pagodas, diverse in form and weathered for more than 1,100 years, are the most profound testament to Chinese Buddhist spirituality. Afterward, follow your guide to enjoy a wonderful Kung Fu show. As the performance begins, the atmosphere suddenly grows tense. Young warrior monks throw punches with a whistling wind and wield their staffs as if they’re piercing through the air, but land as lightly as feathers. This is not mere acrobatics, but the practice of channeling Zen soul into each muscle and bone.
► Tips: Seats for the show are allocated upon arrival. During the busy season from April to October, particularly in the summer months of July and August, your guide will escort you to the venue 45 minutes early to secure the best possible seating. Also, the stage lighting may be intense, so please bring sunglasses just in case.

★ Featured Experience: Study Kung Fu

In the next hour, let’s learn basic Kung Fu footwork and fist postures from a real monk. When correcting your movements, he may gently remind you, “Your horse stance should be as steady as a pine tree rooted deeply in the soil.” During short breaks, he might share how he was attached to Buddhism and the essence of “the unity of Zen and martial arts”. As you end with a standard fist salute, what you’ll gain is not just Kung Fu moves, but the profound, lifelong enlightenment about perseverance and inner tranquility.

► Lunch Recommendation (at your own expense):
Lunch will be at your own arrangement. By the entrance, the Shaolin Temple Visitor Service Center Plaza offers a wide selection of hygienic food and drink stores, including Henan Stewed Noodles, Kaifeng Soup Dumplings, Dicos, Tastien Chinese burger, and Luckin Coffee. Within the temple, you can experience a monk-style daily diet at the Joyous Land Vegetation Restaurant with a relatively simple environment. If needed, your guide will be willing to help you locate them.

As your 2 days Luoyang tour ends, your guide and driver will accompany you to your own-booked hotel or the train station in Luoyang. We can also escort you to Zhengzhou’s airport or the railway station at your request. Please contact our tour consultant in advance for the specific charge. If you’d like to visit the nearby cities like Xi’an to admire the amazing Terracotta Army, we’ll be pleased to customize your exclusive itinerary.

Meal: Western buffet breakfast