Chen Liu
What's Inside
- Why Luoyang with Kids is a Smart Pick
- The 7 Best Things to Do in Luoyang with Kids
- How to Build a One-Day Luoyang Itinerary for Your Family
- Where to Stay in Luoyang with Kids: Two Solid Choices
- What to Eat in Luoyang That Kids Will Actually Like
- Navigating Luoyang with Kids: Payment, Transport, and Booking
- FAQ: Things to Do in Luoyang with Kids
Strollers and ancient stones — yes, it actually works. I've guided dozens of families through Luoyang, and honestly, the city surprised me more than Xi'an. If you're hunting for things to do in Luoyang with kids, you probably expect dusty temples and bored faces. But the truth is, Luoyang has kids-friendly museums, sprawling parks, and even a giant Buddha that makes kids go 'wow'. Here's my no-nonsense advice: skip the tourist-trap bus tours, focus on two zones — the city center and the Longmen area, and always book tickets online via Trip.com or WeChat. Now, let's dive in.
Why Luoyang with kids is a smart pick (and one thing to watch out for)
Most first-time visitors rush to Xi'an for ancient vibes, but Luoyang quietly packs a punch. For kids, it's easier to handle: fewer crowds, wider walkways, and a fraction of the cost. The one thing that might make you groan? Steps. Longmen Grottoes has a serious amount of stair climbing. But if your kids are used to walking or you bring a light stroller, it's totally manageable. I always tell parents to wear shoes with good grip — the stone wears smooth.
Timing matters, too. Spring (April) and autumn (September to October) are perfect: mild weather and fewer school groups. Summer is hot and humid, but the botanical garden gives nice shade. Winter? Cold, but the crowds thin out — just bundle up.
As for budget, a family of four can eat well for under CNY 150 a day if you stick to local noodles and snacks. Admissions will be the biggest chunk, so book tickets online and look for family passes.
The 7 best things to do in Luoyang with kids
1. Longmen Grottoes — a jaw-dropping Buddha day
Start before 9 AM to beat the tour buses and the heat. Tickets are around CNY 90 for adults, and kids under 6 or under 1.4 meters are usually free — but bring passports to prove ages. Book online via Trip.com to skip the queue. Take the subway? Not directly. A taxi from the city center takes 30 minutes and costs about CNY 40. Strollers are hard on the stairs, so consider a baby carrier for the west side. I've seen kids stand open-mouthed in front of Fengxian Temple's giant Buddha — completely worth the climb.
There's a shuttle bus from the visitor center if you want to save a few steps, but I prefer walking the west side first, then taking the shuttle back. It gives you a better flow and avoids backtracking.
2. Luoyang Museum — rain or shine family winner
It's free, but you need to reserve a slot. Foreigners can show passports at the service desk, but it's smoother to book on Trip.com in advance. The museum is immense — the 'Treasure Room' is a hit. Plan for 2 hours. There are clean restrooms and a cafeteria. This is my go-to Plan B for rainy days.
Grab a free map at the information desk and let the kids lead the way. The exhibits are spaced out, so it's not overwhelming.
3. Sui-Tang City Ruins Botanical Garden — let the kids run wild
This is the best place to burn off energy. A massive green space with plants, a lake, and peonies if you visit in April. Entrance is about CNY 30. There's a kids' play area near the east gate. Rent a tandem bike or just picnic. It's the perfect mid-afternoon break to let kids run wild.
You can also pedal a boat on the lake — it's around CNY 40 for 30 minutes, and kids go crazy for it. Bring a blanket and some snacks to make it a full picnic session.
4. White Horse Temple — ancient pagodas and a wishing pool
This is the 'cradle of Chinese Buddhism', and it's wonderfully calm. Adults pay CNY 35. Kids under 1.2 meters are free. It's a bit far out, so combine it with a taxi or take bus 56 from the city center. My tip: bring coins for the wishing pool — kids love that.
The grounds are flat, so strollers are easy here. There's also a small vegetarian restaurant on site if you want a quiet lunch.
5. Luoyi Ancient City — lights, puppets, and sugar paintings
Free entry, but the magic comes alive after 5 PM. Lanterns light up, and kids love the puppet shows and sugar painting street vendors. It's a bit touristy, but the energy is infectious. A stroll here is perfect for dinner time.
There's a large-screen 3D light show at around 8 PM every night — check the board at the entrance. It's short, so keep your kids close.
6. Lijing Gate and Old Street — a feast for the senses
Walk inside the city wall at sunset. The old street is full of snacks like bu-style soup and peony cakes. It's a bit chaotic, but kids will love the sights and smells. Don't bother with a rickshaw unless you're tired — walking is fine.
Try a 'water-flour bun' (shui xi bao) — a fluffy, slightly sweet bread that's like a cloud. My kids ask for it every time.
7. A boat ride on the Yi River — my personal favorite
If available, take a small boat ride near the west entrance of Longmen. It's cheap and gives you a totally different angle. Check with the local boat operators for times; they usually run until sunset.
This is a hidden gem. Around CNY 20-30 per person, and it's a 20-minute ride. The kids get to wave at fish and duck under bridges.
Insider Advice: Don't try to squeeze all seven into one day. Pick four, enjoy them slowly, and leave a break for ice cream.
How to build a one-day Luoyang itinerary for your family
Imagine you have one full day in Luoyang. Here's a stress-free schedule I've used with dozens of families:
- 8:00 AM — Arrive at Longmen Grottoes (west entrance). Grab a map and a quick photo before the crowds.
- 11:00 AM — Head to Luoyang Museum. The taxi ride takes about 25 minutes. Book tickets the night before.
- 1:00 PM — Lunch at the museum cafeteria. The noodles are kid-approved.
- 2:30 PM — Stroll through Sui-Tang Botanical Garden. Let the kids climb trees or feed the fish.
- 5:00 PM — Walk the old street near Lijing Gate. Snack on peony cakes and watch the street performers.
- 7:00 PM — Luoyi Ancient City for the evening lights. The puppet show is a nightly treat.
If it rains, swap the garden for a second museum session or hit a tea house. The key is to keep moving — kids get cranky when they're stuck.
For older kids (10+), you can swap the botanical garden for the White Horse Temple to get more history. For toddlers, keep the garden and skip the temple — the walking is just right.
Where to stay in Luoyang with kids: two solid choices
You have two main base camps: the city center (near Luoyang Museum and the old town) or the Longmen area (cheaper, closer to the grottoes). I've compared my two favorites:
| Hotel | Location | Est. Price (per night) | Best For | Kid-Friendly Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Center Hotel (e.g., Luoyang Friendship Hotel) | Near Wangfu Park, 10-min taxi to Museum | CNY 400–600 | Convenience to everything | Family rooms, English-speaking staff |
| Longmen Bay Hotel | 5-min walk to Longmen bus stop | CNY 300–500 | Early bird at the Grottoes | Spacious courtyard, play area |
Both have stable Wi-Fi and a front desk that can call a taxi. I often recommend the city center for first-timers — you're close to the night market and the old town.
If you want a quieter night, pick Longmen Bay — the courtyard is a huge hit at sunset. Just note that you'll need to take a taxi (about 25 minutes) to the museum and ancient city.
What to eat in Luoyang that kids will actually like
Luoyang food leans savory and slightly spicy, but there are plenty of picks for picky eaters.
- Peony cakes (牡丹饼) — sweet, floral shortbread. Kids LOVE these. Buy them fresh near Lijing Gate.
- Buda-style soup (不翻汤) — a tangy, crispy pancake soup. Let kids add their own bread chunks.
- Sesame seed cakes — crunchy and mild. Great for strollers.
- Sweet noodles at Zhen Bu Tong — the famous restaurant near Lijing Gate. They have an English menu and polite staff.
I always give parents one rule: skip the menu at tourist spots and follow the smell of fried dough — that's where the real local food is.
Navigating Luoyang with kids: payment, transport, and booking
Let's tackle the three things that confuse most foreign families.
Payments
Most shops won't take foreign credit cards, but they'll accept Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to any international card. Set this up before you arrive. Keep some cash as backup — a few small notes for street vendors.
Transport
Use the metro (Line 1) for the museum and old town, but taxis or DiDi for Longmen. Taxis are cheap: a 30-minute ride runs about CNY 40–60. Show the driver the Chinese address for your destination. For navigation, Apple Maps or AMap Global works better than Google Maps.
Booking
Every major sight needs a reservation. Trip.com and Klook handle most bookings in English. For Longmen, use the English site — the Chinese WeChat mini-program is a maze. Always carry your passports for entry.
Pro Tip: Download a translation app like Apple Translate. It works offline for quick chats.
FAQ: Things to Do in Luoyang with Kids
Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.
This was the highlight of our Henan trip with the boys. The list gave us exactly the right balance—we did Longmen Grottoes, White Horse Temple, and the old town over two relaxed days. My sons are 11 and 7 and they both loved the Tang-era street performers near Lijing Gate, and the peony garden was prettier than we expected. We never felt rushed, there was ice cream around every corner, and the street food stalls were clean enough for us. My older son said Luoyang was even better than Beijing for family fun. Cannot recommend this route enough.
As a dad travelling with a 7- and 9-year-old, I wanted to love this list, but it oversells the 'fun' factor. The museum portion was easy and the old town had a nice vibe, but our kids were bored within an hour at the grottoes. There are lots of steep steps with no railings near the upper paths, so I spent more time worrying about them slipping than actually enjoying the view. The golf cart shuttle costs extra, and toilet stops along the route are few. We ended up having a much better time just playing in the park opposite the museum. Okay for culture, not really as kid-friendly as the title promises.
Usually I ignore listicles, but this one was spot on. We got to Longmen Grottoes at 8am and the crowds were still light—my daughter was genuinely fascinated by the sheer size of the stone Buddha. White Horse Temple was lovely too; feeding the turtles by the pagoda ended up being her favourite moment. The traditional Luoyang water feast that the list mentioned was maybe too much soup for the little ones, but my wife and I loved it. What made the day special was the mix of history, food, and open space at the museum plaza for the kids to just run around. Extremely recommend this itinerary for families.
We managed to tick off six of the seven picks in two days. Longmen Grottoes is genuinely stunning and the kids were into it for about an hour before they got tired. The old town at night was chaotic but a lot of fun—the flower syrup ice cream and the dumpling-making street stalls were a hit. The Luoyang Museum is free and well laid out, but there was no English audio guide designed for children, so my six-year-old lost interest quickly. A few spots needed better signposting in English, and we kept getting approached by souvenir sellers around the gates. Still, a really enjoyable family trip, just pace yourselves.
We followed this exact list for three days in Luoyang and it saved us. Longmen Grottoes was the big win—my eight-year-old kept shouting 'look at the giant Buddha!' and even our five-year-old was into counting the tiny carvings along the walkway. I was worried about all the stairs, but the shuttle and the covered walkway made it manageable with a stroller. White Horse Temple was peaceful and the kids loved feeding the goldfish near the pagoda. The peony garden was a bonus, and the fountain area gave us a chance to sit down while the kids ran around. Best family trip we have done in China so far.