Luoyang 5-Day Itinerary: Explore Ancient Capital Like a Local

Ling Wu 09 Jun 2026 1 reads 10 min read

More details

updated: 09 Jun 2026 reviewer: Kairui Sheng 2026-06-09

📌 Quick Navigation

Day 1: Longmen Grottoes & Night Market
Day 2: Shaolin Temple & Kung Fu
Day 3: Luoyang Museum & Old Town
Day 4: White Horse Temple & Guanlin
Day 5: Peony Garden & Farewell
FAQs from Travelers

I’ve been guiding travelers through Luoyang for over a decade, and trust me—this city is way more than just the Longmen Grottoes. Most itineraries you’ll find online are either too rushed or skip the hidden gems that make Luoyang special. Here’s my personal 5-day plan, tested with hundreds of guests. No fluff, just real details on tickets, timing, and where to grab the best bowl of beef soup at 6 AM. Luoyang tour plan

Day 1: Longmen Grottoes & Night Market

Why start here? The Longmen Grottoes are Luoyang’s crown jewel, but go early—before 8:30 AM—to beat both the crowds and the heat. The complex opens at 8:00, but I recommend getting there by 7:45 to buy tickets (or better, pre-purchase on WeChat mini-program “龙门石窟” 24 hours ahead). Adult ticket: ¥90 (seasonal, check official site). No children’s discount officially posted, but under 6 years or under 1.2m are free—bring passport for verification.

Guide’s Tip: Most tourists start at the west bank, but I take my groups to the east side first. The view of the entire grotto from across the Yi River is breathtaking, and you’ll avoid the initial crush. Cross the bridge later.
Getting there: Take bus 53, 60, 81, or 99 to Longmen Station. From Luoyang Longmen Railway Station (high-speed rail), it’s a 10-min taxi ride (~¥15). No subway yet (Line 2 is under construction).

Spend 3–4 hours exploring the caves. The main Binyang, and the colossal Vairocana statue (20m high!) are unmissable. By noon, you’ll be hungry—walk to the nearby Longmen Town (a reconstructed ancient village) for lunch. I always stop at “Old Street Noodles” for their hand-pulled noodles with beef broth (¥25).

After a rest at your hotel (I suggest one near the old town, like the Luoyang Joy International Youth Hostel for budget, or Buddha Zen Hotel for comfort), head to Lijing Gate Old Town in the evening. The night market here is legendary. Try: bu qi (crispy sesame bread), jiang chi (sweet sticky rice rolls), and the local specialty: Luoyang water banquet—a 24-course soup feast! The most authentic version is at Zhenbu Tong Restaurant, but it’s pricey (¥150–200/person). For budget, just sample street stalls. things to do in Luoyang

Day 2: Shaolin Temple & Kung Fu

Today is a full-day trip to Dengfeng, about 1.5 hours east of Luoyang. I always tell my groups: skip the packaged tours and take the bus from Luoyang Long Distance Bus Station. Buses run every 30 minutes from 6:30 AM, cost ¥30, and drop you right at the Shaolin Temple ticket office. Return buses until 5:30 PM. No need to book in advance, but arrive early to secure a seat. Luoyang Longmen Grottoes

Ticket price: ¥80 for the temple and pagoda forest. Most itineraries miss this: the Kung Fu show at the temple’s training center is free with admission, but only at 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM. Check dates on their official WeChat (少林寺). The show lasts 30 minutes—it’s authentic, not a tourist trap.

Don’t skip: The Pagoda Forest behind the temple holds over 240 brick pagodas, each marking a monk’s tomb. It’s a photographer’s paradise but gets crowded by noon. Go straight there after the morning kung fu show.
Lunch: “Shaolin Vegetarian Restaurant” inside the temple complex. Their mock meat dishes are surprisingly good; I always order the “Buddha’s Delight” (¥38). Cash or WeChat Pay only—no credit cards.
Warning: Beware of touts near the parking lot offering “private guides.” They’re rarely licensed. Use the official audio guide (¥20) or join a small group from your hotel.

Return to Luoyang by 6 PM, and treat yourself to a relaxing foot massage (¥60 for 60 min) at any shop near the old town. Your feet will thank you after all the steps. Luoyang travel guide

Day 3: Luoyang Museum & Old Town

Third day is for history buffs. The Luoyang Museum (free admission, but register via WeChat “洛阳博物馆” 3 days in advance) is phenomenal. It’s China’s first-class museum with 10,000+ artifacts, including the famous bronze chime bells. I recommend 2.5 hours, starting from the ground floor and working up. The top floor has a temporary exhibition on ancient silk road relics—check their website for current shows.

Location: No. 200 Langxie Road, near the city center. Take bus 77 or 37 to “Luoyang Museum” stop. Open 9:00–17:00, last entry 16:00 (closed Mondays).

After lunch at a nearby “Tianfu Xiaochi” (a local chain known for dumplings), walk 15 minutes to the Old City Wall Ruins Park. This is a free park along the remaining Ming dynasty wall. Most tourists ignore it, but I love the quiet path lined with pomegranate trees. Grab an ice cream from a street vendor (¥3–5) and relax.

In the evening, explore Luoyang Old Street (also called Lijing Gate). The architecture is a mix of Ming and Qing styles, beautifully lit after dark. Stop by a paper-cut shop (I always buy a couple as gifts) and watch artisans at work. Dinner at “Lin's Kitchen” for the best liangpi (cold noodles) in town, about ¥15 a bowl. Luoyang itinerary 5 days

Day 4: White Horse Temple & Guanlin

Start early again—White Horse Temple (Baima Si) is 12 km east of the city. Take bus 56 or 58 from the train station (¥2). Opens at 8:00; ticket ¥35. This is considered the “birthplace of Chinese Buddhism” because the first Buddhist scriptures arrived here in 68 AD. The complex is huge: allow 2.5 hours to see the main halls, the Qiyun Pagoda, and the international temple area (Thai, Indian, and Burmese style temples built in recent years—a bit kitschy but fun for photos).

Local secret: Walk to the back of the international temples and you’ll find a small farming village where monks grow vegetables. They sometimes sell fresh produce—I once bought a bag of persimmons for ¥5. Perfect snack.
Lunch: At the temple’s vegetarian cafeteria (¥20 for a set meal). Simple but clean.

In the afternoon, visit Guanlin Temple (ticket ¥40, bus 81 from White Horse Temple area). This is dedicated to Guan Yu, the revered general from the Three Kingdoms era. The architecture is stunning, but the real draw is the forest of stone tablets with calligraphy. Take bus 58 back to town; last bus at 6:30 PM.

Tonight, try Luoyang water banquet at a more affordable place: “Lao Cheng Shui Xi” near the old east gate. Set menu starts at ¥88 per person. Go for the “small set” (12 courses) unless you’re starving. The yan cai (salted vegetable soup) is my favorite. Luoyang tour plan

Day 5: Peony Garden & Farewell

If you’re visiting between mid-April and early May, the peonies are in bloom—Luoyang is the peony capital of China. The best garden is Luoyang National Peony Garden (ticket ¥50, bus 83 from city center). No flowers off-season? Don’t worry. I take my groups to Lijingmen Metro Art Museum (free, near Line 1 stop) which showcases peony-themed paintings and pottery year-round.

Afternoon: do some souvenir shopping. Head to Luoyang Arts and Crafts Store on Zhongzhou Road for Tang tri-colored pottery replicas (quality ones are ¥100–300). Avoid the cheap stuff near Longmen—they break easily.

Before you leave, have one last niurou tang (beef soup) for breakfast at “Old Ma’s Soup Shop” on Baima Road. It’s a hole-in-the-wall that opens at 5:30 AM, but if you miss breakfast, they serve until noon. The broth is rich with star anise, and the meat is melt-in-your-mouth. Add a pinch of chili flakes for a kick.

Depart from Luoyang Longmen Station by high-speed rail to Zhengzhou (40 min, ¥65) or Xi’an (1.5 hours, ¥120). Book your train via 12306 app or Trip.com at least a day ahead—especially for weekend departures. things to do in Luoyang

FAQs from Travelers

Q: Is 5 days too long for Luoyang?

Not at all—if you want to go beyond the main sights. A rushed 2-day tour covers Longmen, Shaolin, and maybe one museum. With 5 days, you can experience the city’s pace: morning temple visits, afternoon tea in a courtyard, evening market strolls. It’s the difference between checking boxes and actually feeling the ancient capital’s rhythm.

Q: What’s the best time of year for the Luoyang 5-day itinerary?

April and May are peak peony season, so expect crowds and higher hotel prices. October is also lovely with mild weather and fewer tourists. Avoid Chinese National Holiday week (Oct 1–7) and Lunar New Year—museums may close, and transport is chaotic. Summer is hot (35°C) but the grottoes are still busy; bring a hat and water.

Q: Can I use credit cards in Luoyang?

No—cash and mobile payments (WeChat Pay, Alipay) are king. Most street vendors, small restaurants, and even some ticket windows only accept WeChat. If you’re a foreigner without Chinese bank account, I recommend carrying enough cash for the trip (¥2000–3000) and using WeChat top-up via a travel agency or hotel front desk. Credit cards are accepted at big hotels and some fancy restaurants, but don’t rely on it.

Q: Which Luoyang 5-day itinerary is best for families with kids?

Adapt Day 2: Skip the Pagoda Forest trek and instead spend extra time at the kung fu show— kids love it. Swap Day 4’s Guanlin Temple (which involves lots of stairs) for a visit to the Luoyang Science & Technology Museum (free, closed Mon). Book a Didi (Chinese Uber) for the whole day to save energy; it’s cheap, about ¥200 for 8 hours.

Q: Is the Luoyang water banquet worth it?

For the experience, yes—but with a warning. It’s 24 small soup-based dishes, and about half of them taste similar (broth + vegetables). If you’re adventurous, go for it. If you prefer modern flavors, stick to street food. I recommend the “Lao Cheng Shui Xi” restaurant near the old town for a streamlined 12-course version that won’t overwhelm your palate.

Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team. This content has been fact-checked to ensure informational precision. However, prices and schedules can change—always confirm via official WeChat mini-programs before your visit.
Last updated: based on firsthand visits. For real-time info, scan the QR codes at any attraction.

Ling Wu

Ling Wu, a Guangzhou-based Certified National Tour Guide, specializes in Central South China itineraries covering the 3-Day Guangzhou Historical Deep Dive, Zhuhai coastal loop, and Shamian Island.