Luoyang Beijiao Airport

机About this airport

Luoyang Beijiao Airport serves Luoyang, one of China's Four Ancient Capitals alongside Beijing, Xi'an, and Nanjing. As the capital of thirteen Chinese dynasties — most significantly the Eastern Han (25–220 CE) and the Tang during Wu Zetian's reign (690–705 CE) — Luoyang was at its peak among the largest cities in the world. The Longmen Grottoes — over 100,000 Buddhist figures carved into limestone cliffs along the Yi River south of the city over five centuries from the 5th to the 10th CE — are the city's most internationally recognised heritage site and a UNESCO World Heritage property. The Fengxian Temple's Vairocana Buddha, 17 metres tall and of extraordinary Tang sculptural quality, is the site's centrepiece.

The airport handles primarily domestic routes, connecting to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and other major cities [VERIFY: current routes — May 2026]. High-speed rail from Luoyang Longmen station — which takes its name from the grottoes nearby — reaches Xi'an in approximately 1.5 hours, Zhengzhou in 45 minutes, and Beijing in approximately 2 hours. The rail station is approximately 8 km from the grottoes themselves.

Beyond the Longmen Grottoes, Luoyang's heritage includes the White Horse Temple (Baima Si, traditionally considered China's first Buddhist temple, established 68 CE under the Eastern Han dynasty), the Guanlin Mausoleum (burial site of the Three Kingdoms general Guan Yu), and the Luoyang Museum's collection of Han and Tang dynasty artefacts. The Shaolin Temple, associated with the origins of Chan Buddhism and kung fu, is approximately 75 km east in the Dengfeng area of the Songshan mountains.

Luoyang's peony festival in April draws millions of visitors annually: Luoyang peonies have been cultivated since the Tang dynasty and the spring bloom (typically late March to early May, depending on temperatures) fills the city's dedicated peony gardens — the National Peony Garden, Wang Cheng Park, and the Longmen Peony Gardens — with varieties in every colour. The bloom period for accommodation requires early booking, sometimes months in advance, as the city sees extremely high visitor density during this period.

The airport is positioned approximately 10 km north of the city centre. The shuttle bus to the city and Luoyang Longmen railway station takes approximately 30 minutes (CNY 15); taxis cost approximately CNY 50–70 [VERIFY: current fares — May 2026]. No Priority Pass lounge is available; the terminal has limited food options that are adequate for a short wait. Wi-Fi is available in the departure hall.

For visitors combining Luoyang with Zhengzhou (the provincial capital and Henan transport hub), Kaifeng (the Northern Song dynasty capital), and the Shaolin Temple/Songshan area, the high-speed rail connections between these cities are all under one hour and make the Henan heritage circuit efficiently navigable without return flights. The Henan Museum in Zhengzhou, with its collection of early Bronze Age ritual vessels and oracle bones from Anyang, provides an essential complement to the Buddhist heritage of the Luoyang area.

The airport terminal has limited food but is functional for short waits. The peony garden season (April) brings very high visitor numbers to Luoyang; accommodation prices increase substantially and the airport and rail stations become crowded. The Longmen Grottoes are open year-round and are best appreciated in the morning hours before tour groups arrive. A dawn visit to the Fengxian Temple to observe the Vairocana Buddha in the low light is a specific recommendation from veteran visitors.