3 Days in Luoyang: See Longmen & Eat Like a Local

I've been guiding tours in China for over a decade, and Luoyang is one of those places that surprises everyone—even seasoned travelers. Most people come for the Longmen Grottoes, but they leave raving about the food and the laid-back vibe. Here's how to make the most of three days without burning out.

How to Get to Luoyang and Around

Arriving by Train or Plane

Luoyang has two main train stations: Luoyang Longmen (high-speed) and Luoyang Station (conventional). High-speed trains from Beijing take about 3.5 hours, from Xi'an only 1.5 hours. The airport is small but has flights from major cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou. Once you're in the city, the subway (Line 1 and 2) covers most tourist spots—super cheap at around 2–5 RMB per ride. Taxis start at 8 RMB, but be prepared for drivers who don't speak English; always have your destination written in Chinese on your phone.

Getting Around: Subway vs Taxi

For the 3-day itinerary, I recommend a mix. Use the subway for Longmen Grottoes (Line 2, get off at Longmen Station, exit B) and the old town. Take taxis for the Shaolin Temple day trip—it's about 1.5 hours east of Luoyang. Pro tip: download DiDi (Chinese Uber) on your phone; it's cheaper than hailing cabs and you can use the English interface.

Day 1: Longmen Grottoes and Ancient Tombs

Longmen Grottoes: Avoid the Crowds

Start your first day early. Longmen Grottoes opens at 8:00 AM (8:30 in winter). Buy tickets online via WeChat mini-program "Longmen Grottoes" (90 RMB for adults, 45 RMB for students). I've seen tourists queue for 30 minutes at the ticket booth—don't be that person. Go straight to the west bank first; the main Buddha statues are there. By 10 AM, the tour groups flood in. If you want that Instagram shot without hundreds of heads in the frame, be at the main Binyang Cave by 8:15 AM.

Allow 3–4 hours for the full site. Bring water and wear comfortable shoes—there are lots of stairs. The nearest subway exit is B from Longmen Station; it's a 10-minute walk to the entrance.

White Horse Temple

After lunch, take a taxi (about 30 minutes, 35 RMB) to White Horse Temple, China's first Buddhist temple. Admission is 35 RMB. The main complex is impressive, but the real gem is the international Buddhist garden behind it—a quiet spot with Thai, Indian, and Burmese-style temples. I always tell my groups: spend your energy here after Longmen, not before. The temple closes at 5:30 PM (5 PM in winter).

Day 2: Shaolin Temple Day Trip

Shaolin Temple or Bust

This day requires a bit of planning. Shaolin Temple is about 80 km from Luoyang. The easiest way is to join a small group tour (around 300 RMB per person on Trip.com) or hire a private driver for the day (about 600 RMB with a sedan). I personally prefer hiring a driver—you leave at 7 AM, beat the buses, and finish by 3 PM. The temple itself is cool, but the kung fu show at 10:30 AM is the highlight. The martial arts school next door puts on a 30-minute performance that'll blow your mind.

Entry ticket for Shaolin is 100 RMB, and you must bring your passport—they check it. For lunch, there's a vegetarian restaurant inside the temple grounds (around 40 RMB per person) with decent noodles. Avoid the stalls right outside the gate; they're overpriced.

Day 3: Luoyang Old Town and Food Crawl

Luoyang Museum

Your last morning: head to Luoyang Museum (free entry, just show passport). It's one of China's best provincial museums, showcasing the city's role as a capital for 13 dynasties. The highlight is the Han dynasty jade collection. Give it 2 hours. The museum is on Line 2, Wenbo Park Station, exit A.

Old Town Street Food

By noon, take a taxi to Luoyang Old Town (15 RMB). Start at the Lizhengmen Gate and walk into West Street. This is where the magic happens. You'll find shui xi (water banquet) restaurants serving 24 courses—overwhelming for one person. Instead, try the street stalls: Luoyang beef soup with flatbread, pepper chicken, and flower cake. My go-to spot is "Old Ma's Beef Soup" at 78 West Street—it's been there for 40 years, and the owner remembers my order. A bowl costs 15 RMB.

Spend the afternoon wandering the narrow alleys. There's a hidden courtyard temple at No. 32 East Street that most tourists miss. Ask a shopkeeper to point you to "the old well"—it's a local gathering spot. The vibe here is authentic Luoyang, not a theme park.

Where to Stay in Luoyang

I usually recommend staying in the Old Town area if you're a foodie, or near Longmen subway for easy access to the grottoes. Most mid-range hotels have stable Wi-Fi and English-speaking front desk (at least basic). Always check recent reviews on Agoda for elevator availability—some budget places have no lift.

Luoyang Food: What to Eat and Where

Luoyang's cuisine is distinct from other Henan food—less spicy, more soupy. Must-tries:

• Water Banquet (Shui Xi) – A 24-course set meal; best for groups of 4+. Try at Zhen Butong on Zhongzhou Road (~150 RMB/person).
• Luoyang Beef Soup – Breakfast staple. Go to Xiao Zhang Beef Soup at 103 West Street. Open 5:30 AM–11 AM only.
• Pepper Chicken (Hulaji) – Spicy and numbing. Liu's Chicken on East Street has the best.
• Peony Cake – A floral pastry; find it at Peony Cake Shop near Lizhengmen.

FAQ: Your 3 Days in Luoyang Questions

Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team. Prices and schedules were accurate at the time of writing but may change—always double-check official sources before traveling.