One Day Private Tour to Luoyang from Xi'an

★ Special Inclusion: Xi’an-Luoyang High-speed Train Experience

Start your one day Luoyang tour from Xi’an with an exhilarating 1.5-hour high-speed train journey this morning. We’ve specially arranged round-trip high-speed train tickets between these two ancient capitals, allowing you to experience the legendary ‘Chinese speed’. Please arrive at Xi’an North Railway Station at least 30 minutes before departure time on the pre-booked tickets for you and board the train with your passport. On the train, you’ll find convenient charging for your electronic devices and enjoy considerate services. Ready to be amazed as the train glides so smoothly that a coin can stand upright even at speeds of 250 to 350 km/h!

Upon arrival at Luoyang Longmen Railway Station, your local private guide and driver will pick you up and drive you directly to the Longmen Grottoes, one of the Four Great Grottoes of China and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasting a remarkable history of continuous carving that spans over a thousand years, beginning in the 4th century. With more than 100,000 vivid Buddhist statues carved out of rock in over 2,000 caves of different sizes, Longmen Grottoes represents the pinnacle of Chinese stone carving art and Buddhist art. Let’s mainly explore those thousands of caves sculptured into the steep cliffs on the West Hill. The first highlight that greet you will be the Wanfo Cave, in which the densely arranged little Buddha statues seem to be the same from a distance, but when you get closer, you’ll find that their expressions and clothing patterns are ever-changing. Looking up, the top is also engraved with words in a ring, recording that it was two women who meticulously built this magnificent cave. Then, continue to the open-air Fengxiansi Cave, where the most eye-catching is a group of huge Buddha figures. The 17-meter-high (56-ft.) Cosmic Buddha Vairocana sits in the middle, surrounded by eight statues including Kasyapa and Bodhisattvas, fully demonstrating the hierarchical order and solemnness of Buddhism. Besides the awe-inspiring stone sculptures and ancient stupas, also appreciate Chinese inscriptions on steles accompanied by your guide’s elaborate explanation.

► Get a Taste of China’s Grotto Culture
Buddhism, originating in India, journeyed north to Pakistan and China’s western Xinjiang region, laying the foundation for the combination of painting and sculpture in the construction of grottoes throughout central China. It continued to spread eastward along the ancient Silk Road, forming the Dunhuang Grottoes group, including the famous Mogao Grottoes. Further east, the north China grottoes group, mainly commissioned by royal families and nobles, including Luoyang Longmen Grottoes, features intricate stone carving techniques. Finally, Buddhism reached Chengdu in southwest China, where the grottoes were predominantly carved into cliffs, and the Buddha statues began to take on more localized and secular characteristics.► Recommendation for Lunch (at your own expense):
A five-minute walk from the Longmen Grottoes exit is the immensely popular Luoyang Water Banquet Restaurant · Eight Large Bowls, where you can taste famous Luoyang cuisine. Aged more than 1,000 years, the Water Banquet has been included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Order a few of the total 24 dishes to your liking, and it is suggested to try the top-listed Peony Swallow Dish, featuring shredded radish, ham, mushroom and meat, and topped with a peony-shaped steamed egg.
Average cost per person: CNY 55 (USD 8)
Address: Intersection of Yidong Road and Yingbin Avenue, Luolong District

In the afternoon, continue to explore another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Chinese Zen Buddhism and Shaolin Kung Fu. Dating back 1,500 years, the temple will amaze you with its varied traditional Chinese structures, exquisite Buddhist statues, and beautiful mural paintings about Buddhist legends. Step into the Pagoda Forest, a graveyard for eminent monks, and you’ll marvel at hundreds of pagodas from over 600 years ago. As we move through the monuments and points of interest, stop to see a large pot in front of the depositary of Buddhist texts. The pot, weighing more than 1,300 jin (1,433 lb), is a testimony to the monks’ proficiency in both kung fu and cooking - monks would cook food with it while hanging themselves from the tree upside down to practice kung fu in ancient times. Imagine the crazy cooking scene! Besides, expect to watch a brilliant Shaolin Kung Fu Show, which is performed 4 times a day, each lasting for about 30 minutes. You will be guided to watch the one closest to your visiting time. Just indulge in the fascinating Chinese martial arts demonstrated by the well-trained monks. If you want to see more, go and admire students aged 5 to 18 from nearby kung fu schools practicing in the yard.

After sightseeing, your guide will see you off at the Luoyang Longmen Railway Station and there you can board the high-speed train back to Xi’an. Hope you had a wonderful trip with us! Want to spend more time exploring more classic sights in Luoyang like White Horse Temple or in Xi’an like Terracotta Army Museum? Then feel free to contact us to create an exclusive itinerary tailored to your needs.