CITY · HENAN
Luoyang
洛阳 · Luòyáng
Overview
Ancient capital of 13 dynasties, on the Luo River. Longmen Grottoes (UNESCO), White Horse Temple (the first Buddhist temple in China), and the Peony Festival in April.
Luoyang was the capital of unified or partial-China dynasties for over 800 years cumulatively, between the Eastern Han and the Tang. The Longmen Grottoes (UNESCO), 13 km south, are the most extensive Buddhist cliff carvings in the country: 100,000+ statues over 2,000+ caves carved between the 5th and 9th centuries. The White Horse Temple, 12 km east, was the first Buddhist temple in China (founded 68 CE). The city is the centre of the Chinese tree peony cult — the annual Peony Festival in April brings two million domestic visitors.
What to see
- Longmen Grottoes (UNESCO)
- White Horse Temple
- Luoyang Museum
- Peony gardens (April)
- Shaolin Temple — 70 km east, day trip
What to eat
- Luoyang water banquet (24-course soup-dominated menu)
- Niu rou tang (beef soup)
Getting there
Luoyang Beijiao (LYA) airport. Luoyang Longmen HSR: Xi'an 1h 30m, Zhengzhou 35 min.
Getting around
Metro and bus.
Where to stay
Around Wangcheng Square or the Longmen Grottoes side.
We list neighbourhoods, not specific hotels — we don't endorse hotels.
When to go
April for peonies, May, October.
Budget guide (CNY per day)
| Backpacker | ¥220 |
| Mid-range | ¥480 |
| Comfortable | ¥1100 |
Nearby attractions
Longmen Grottoes 龙门石窟
UNESCO-listed Buddhist cliff carvings 13 km south of Luoyang. 100,000+ statues in 2,300+ caves carved between the 5th and 9th centuries.
Mt Song 嵩山
UNESCO-listed sacred Daoist mountain in central Henan. The Shaolin Temple sits on the western (Shaoshi) slope.
Shaolin Temple 少林寺
Birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and Chinese martial arts. Active monastery and martial arts school 70 km east of Luoyang at Mt Song.
White Horse Temple 白马寺
The first Buddhist temple in China, founded 68 CE. The 'cradle of Buddhism in China'.
Itineraries visiting Luoyang
Food of Central China
- Chairman Mao's Red-Braised Pork毛氏红烧肉
Hunan-style slow-braised pork belly in soy, Shaoxing wine and chilli — the dish Mao Zedong reportedly ate weekly in Zhongnanhai.
- Doupi (Wuhan Tofu Skin)豆皮
Wuhan breakfast: layered pan-fried tofu skin and rice cake with mushroom, ham and bamboo shoots inside.
- Fish Head with Chopped Chilli剁椒鱼头
A whole silver carp head blanketed with fermented chopped red chilli and steamed until the flesh is silky and fiery.
- Hunan Chilli Fried Pork小炒肉
Thin-sliced pork belly wok-fried with fresh long green chillies and fermented black beans — Hunan's most-ordered everyday dish.
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