Luoyang 3-Day Itinerary: See Longmen Grottoes & Shaolin Temple

Why Trust My Luoyang Itinerary?

I've been leading tours in China for over a decade, and Luoyang is one of my favorite stops. I've personally taken hundreds of travelers through these exact routes, tweaking the plan every season based on crowd patterns and local changes. This itinerary is the result of real-time experience, not Google search results. I'll tell you exactly where to stand for the best photo at Longmen, when to arrive at Shaolin to catch the morning kung fu show without a mad rush, and which hotel front desk actually speaks English.

Your 3-Day Luoyang Plan at a Glance

Here's a high-level view. I've broken it down so you can print it or screenshot it.

Day 1: Longmen Grottoes & Night Market

Getting to Longmen Grottoes

From downtown Luoyang, take metro Line 2 to Longmen Station (Exit C). The exit spits you right at the south gate ticket office. Most tourists get off at the north gate, but I prefer the south entrance — it's less crowded and you start with the smaller grottoes, building up to the main Buddha. If you're coming directly from the train station (Luoyang Longmen Station), it's just one stop on the metro (or a 10-minute taxi, about 15 RMB).

What to Do (and Avoid)

Start at the west bank — that's where the massive 17-meter-tall Vairocana Buddha lives. Most tourists rush there at 9 AM, then get baked in the sun. Instead, arrive by 8 AM, walk the west bank first (it's shaded in the morning), and take your time. Don't climb the stairs to every single niche unless you're super fit. Pick the highlights: the Binyang Caves and the Ten Thousand Buddha Cave. By 11 AM, cross the bridge to the east bank for the panoramic view — that's your classic postcard shot. The east bank has fewer people and a nice breeze.

For lunch, skip the overpriced tourist restaurants at the site. Walk 10 minutes east to the village of Luoyang Longmen — look for a place called Longmen Old Street Noodle House. Their hand-pulled noodles are legit, and they accept WeChat Pay (cash is fine too). I always get the spicy beef noodle soup — it's not too heavy for a midday meal.

In the evening, head to Luoyang Old Town. Don't miss the Cross Street Buffet Night Market. The vibe is electric. Must-try: fried dumplings from the stall with a red lantern, and the sweet osmanthus cake. Prices range from 5–20 RMB per item. Bring small bills because some stalls don't have change for 100 RMB notes. Avoid the seafood skewers — I've seen too many tourists get stomach issues.

Day 2: Shaolin Temple & Martial Arts

How to Get to Shaolin Temple from Luoyang

Most tour buses depart from Luoyang Train Station (the main station, not Longmen). You can also take a public bus (line 801 or 802) from Luoyang's long-distance bus station — it takes about 2 hours and costs about 25 RMB. I personally prefer the shared minivan option: ask your hotel to book a seat on a minivan that leaves around 6:30 AM. They'll pick you up at your door and drop you at Shaolin's entrance. Expect to pay around 80–100 RMB per person. It's faster (1.5 hours) and you skip the bus terminal shuffle.

Why early? The temple opens at 8 AM, and the first kung fu show is at 10:30 AM. If you arrive after 9:30, you'll be stuck in a wall of tour groups. I've tested this multiple times: arriving by 8:15 gives you 45 minutes to tour the main temple halls before the crowds. Then head to the performance hall around 10:00 to get a front-row seat. The show lasts about 30 minutes — it's legit, performed by the monks of the Shaolin Temple itself.

Ticket Info

Entrance to the “Shaolin Temple Scenic Area” (includes the temple, Pagoda Forest, and the performance) is 100 RMB. You can also buy it on WeChat mini-program "少林寺". There's an extra fee for the cable car to the ancestral temple on the mountain (about 60 RMB round trip) — skip it if you're short on time.

After lunch (try the vegetarian noodles at the temple's restaurant — it's surprisingly good, and they have picture menus), walk through the Pagoda Forest. It's a burial ground for generations of monks. I always tell my groups to spend 20 minutes there, no more. Then head back to Luoyang by 5 PM. You'll be tired, so grab dinner near your hotel. I recommend the Old Luoyang Restaurant for their signature water banquet — a series of soup-based dishes. It's not for everyone, but it's an authentic local experience.

Day 3: White Horse Temple & Museum

White Horse Temple is considered the first Buddhist temple in China, and it's about 12 km east of the city. Take bus 56 from the train station, or a taxi (about 30 RMB, 25 minutes). Get there right at 8 AM opening time. The morning light is gorgeous for photos. The temple complex is large, so budget at least 2.5 hours.

Admission is 35 RMB (cash or WeChat; they rarely accept international cards). Inside, look for the Qiyun Pagoda and the new international-style temples (Thai, Indian, Myanmar) added in recent years. They're a bit kitschy but fun. I like the Indian temple because it's air-conditioned — a good break in summer.

After lunch, choose between Luoyang Museum (free, but you need to reserve via WeChat mini-program "洛阳博物馆") or Guanlin Temple (Guan Yu's tomb, about 45 RMB). The museum is world-class — it has bronze artifacts and Tang dynasty relics. If you're into history, go there. If you want something more relaxed, Guanlin is less crowded and has beautiful old trees.

Wrap up your trip with a walk along Lijing Gate, the restored ancient gate of Luoyang. Rent a bicycle (10 RMB/hour) and ride along the city wall. It's a chill way to end.

Where to Stay in Luoyang

Based on my experience with hundreds of guests, here are my top picks:

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