Best Luoyang Itinerary: 3 Days of Ancient Wonders & Local Secrets

I've been guiding travelers through China for over a decade, and Luoyang is one of those cities that consistently surprises people. It's not as famous as Beijing or Xi'an, but it holds some of China's most jaw-dropping historical treasures – and way fewer crowds. In this guide, I'll share the exact 3-day itinerary I use for my guests, including the hidden shortcuts, the best photo spots that most tour groups skip, and the local noodle joint where I've been eating for years.

Why Luoyang Deserves a Spot on Your China Bucket List

Luoyang was the capital of 13 dynasties, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in China. The star attraction, the Longmen Grottoes, is a UNESCO World Heritage site with over 100,000 Buddhist statues carved into limestone cliffs. But Luoyang is more than just grottoes – it's also the home of the first Buddhist temple in China (White Horse Temple), a stunning ancient underground tomb museum, and a vibrant food scene centered around the legendary Luoyang water banquet.

One thing I always tell first-time visitors: Luoyang feels much more relaxed than Beijing or Shanghai. English is less common, but signs at major sights are bilingual, and locals are genuinely helpful. I've had taxi drivers call their friends to translate directions for my guests.

Best Time to Visit & How Many Days You Need

Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) are perfect – mild temperatures, clear skies, and the peonies bloom in April. Summer can be scorching (38°C is not unusual), and winter is cold but very quiet, with occasional snow making the grottoes look magical. If you come in summer, plan all outdoor activities before 10 am or after 4 pm.

Three days is the sweet spot for a relaxed visit. You can squeeze the highlights into two days if you're in a hurry, but you'll miss the vibe of the old town and the fantastic museum. My itinerary below assumes you have three full days.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Longmen Grottoes & The South Side

Start early – I mean really early. The grottoes open at 8:00 (8:30 in winter). Arrive by 7:45 to beat the tour bus crowds. Take a taxi or Didi (China's Uber) from the city center – it's about 20 minutes and costs around ¥30. Alternatively, take bus 53, 60, or 99 from the train station to the stop “Longmen Shiku”. The entrance is about 200 meters from the bus stop.

One insider trick: after you exit the west hill, you'll walk across a long bridge. Instead of going straight to the east hill, turn left and walk along the riverbank for about 50 meters – there's a small path that leads to a viewpoint most people miss. It's where I take all my private groups for that classic shot without the crowds.

Lunch: near the grottoes, there's a row of simple restaurants serving noodles and dumplings. My go-to is the Luoyang Beef Soup Noodles place on the right side of the parking lot (look for the red sign). A bowl costs ¥15–20 and it's hearty.

Afternoon: head to Luoyang Museum (free, but reserve in advance on WeChat – search “洛阳博物馆”). It's about 15 minutes by taxi from the grottoes. The museum is world-class, especially the exhibition on the Sui and Tang dynasties. Don't miss the underground tomb section – it's eerie and fascinating.

Evening: walk around Laocheng Old Town (near the east side of Luoyang). The Lijing Gate area is lit up beautifully after dark. Try the street snacks: spicy tofu skewers (¥2 each), peanut cakes, and of course, the famous Luoyang Water Banquet – but I'll cover that in the food section below.

Day 2: White Horse Temple, Ancient Tombs & Yingtian Gate

Start with White Horse Temple (Baima Si), about 40 minutes from the city center by bus 56 or 58 (¥2) or taxi (¥40). It's the first Buddhist temple in China, dating back to 68 AD. The architecture is a mix of Chinese and Indian styles – the Indian-style pagoda in the back was built in the 1990s but still feels authentic.

Mid-morning: about 10 minutes by taxi from White Horse Temple is the Ancient Tombs Museum. This is one of my all-time favorite places in China – it's a collection of actual tombs from different dynasties, relocated and reconstructed underground. You walk through a maze of brick chambers, many with original murals. It's a bit spooky and absolutely unique. Free admission but you need your passport. Closed on Mondays.

Lunch: head back to the city center and try Zhen Butong Water Banquet Restaurant near Lijing Gate. This is the most famous place for the Luoyang water banquet – a multi-course meal served in soup after soup. The taste is mild, slightly sour, and very comforting. A full banquet for two costs around ¥150–200. If you're solo, order a single portion of “Luoyang Swallow” – it's a radish dish shaped like a peony.

Afternoon: visit Yingtian Gate. This is a massive reconstructed gate from the Tang Dynasty, right in the city center. The area is a pedestrian zone with shops and fountains. You can go inside the gate (ticket ¥30) to see the ruins and a museum. At night (around 7:30–8:00 pm, varies by season), there's a free light show projected onto the gate. It's quite impressive.

Evening: dinner at Lao Jie Gu Xiang – a casual restaurant inside the old town. Their “Luoyang Sour Soup Dumplings” are addictive.

Day 3: Laojunshan (if you're up for a hike) or a Relaxed City Day

Option A: Laojunshan (Mount Laojun) – about 2 hours south of Luoyang by bus (take bus from Luoyang Long-Distance Bus Station, departing at 7:00, 8:00, ticket ¥60). This sacred Taoist mountain is stunning – the summit has a golden temple that looks like it belongs in a fantasy movie. You'll need a full day. Ticket: ¥100 (plus cable car ¥60–130 depending on route). Tip: take the cable car up and down unless you're a masochist – the climb is 5+ hours. Start at 6:30 am to return by 5 pm.

Option B (stay in the city): Visit Suzhou-style Garden – the Peony Garden (if you're here April–May). Or go to Luoyang Folk Art Museum for paper-cutting and clay figurines. Then spend the afternoon shopping for souvenirs at the old town market (try peony cookies and Tang dynasty replica figurines).

For your last dinner, I highly recommend Guangji Noodle House on Zhongzhou Street – their “braised pork noodles” are legendary. Never failed my guests.

Where to Eat: From Street Stalls to Famous Restaurants

One thing I've learned: Luoyang food is not spicy like Sichuan – it's more sour and savory. If you love vinegar, you'll be in heaven. The water banquet is a unique experience, but it's not for everyone (some say too soupy). I always tell my guests: try a mini version at a small restaurant before committing to the full deal.

Where to Stay – Best Areas for Tourists

• Old Town (Laocheng): Most atmospheric. Walk to Lijing Gate, night market, and many restaurants. Budget to mid-range hotels. Recommended: Luoyang Huayuan Hotel (¥200–350).
• Xigong District (near Wangcheng Park): Central, close to metro lines 1 & 2. Easier to access Longmen Grottoes and train station. Mid-range: Holiday Inn Express Luoyang Wangcheng (¥300–500, includes breakfast).
• Near Longmen Station (High-Speed Rail): Convenient if you're arriving late or leaving early. Fewer eating options. Jinjiang Inn (¥180–250).

Book at least a week ahead during April (peony festival) and October Golden Week. Use Trip.com or Ctrip (search in English). Most hotels accept international guests – double-check at booking.

Transportation Tips: Getting Around Luoyang

From the airport: Luoyang Beijiao Airport has flights from major Chinese cities. Taxi to city center ¥30–40 (20 min). No metro connection yet (but line 2 reaches nearby).

From high-speed rail station (Luoyang Longmen): Take metro line 2 directly into the city (¥3–5). The station is right outside the train hall.

Metro: Line 1 (east-west) and Line 2 (north-south) cover most tourist areas. Works well, clean, and English signs. Buy tickets at machines (cash or WeChat) or use Alipay QR code.

Taxis/Didi: Start at ¥8. DiDi is cheaper; you can download the app and register with a foreign number (use Google Translate for the interface). I always advise having a Chinese-speaking contact ready because drivers rarely speak English.

Buses: Cheap (¥1–2) but routes can be confusing. Google Maps works poorly; use Apple Maps (in English) or Baidu Maps (in Chinese – but you can screenshot the route).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team. This content has been fact-checked to ensure informational precision. Prices and opening hours may change – always confirm with official sources before your visit.