Ultimate Luoyang Travel Guide 2026: Top Tips, Food, Itinerary

👦🏻 This guide has been written by the creator of the China online travel guide, YenKid In China.

Summary: This guide contains my tips about attractions, activities, itinerary, directions, where to stay, what to eat, where to eat.

✨ Visit the marvellous Longmen Grottoes and try the best spicy pepper soup!

✨ Check out this hotel with stunning night-time views and centrally located

✨ Take a look at my ultimate Xi’an + Beijing + Nanjing guides and more!

Introduction to 洛阳

Luoyang is best known for

The spectacular Longmen Grottoes with thousands of Buddhist statues from multiple dynasties
Being the capital of Wu Zetian, the first female emperor of China in 690 AD.
Being the closest major city to the legendary Shaolin Temple (yes, even closer than Zhengzhou downtown)

A Few Facts about Luoyang

Capital of 13 dynasties, same as Xi’an! It often switched the capital city status with Xi’an throughout various dynasties.
It’s even older than Xi’an, going back to the Xia Dynasty around 4,000 years ago! One of the oldest archaeological sites, Erlitou, is in Luoyang.
Wu Zetian called Luoyang, “Shendu 神都”, meaning “divine capital”.
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What I liked particularly about Luoyang 👍🏻

Luoyang is one of my most underrated destinations! I really come to appreciate the importance of Luoyang in China’s history.
I only stayed here for two days. Turns out it was nowhere near enough. I think it gets overlooked by a lot of people because Xi’an is nearby.
I strongly recommend stopping in Luoyang if you’re into Tang Dynasty history and culture. So many people wearing Hanfu, even more common than Xi’an when I visited!
It really gave me the feeling of being in ancient China when I walked around Yingtianmen and Luoyi Ancient Town at night.
One of the best night-time skylines in China. The palace buildings truly make it a spectacular sight!

You could save money on your China trip by:

👉 Comparing flight prices to China HERE

👉 Comparing hotel rates in China HERE

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3 Things To See + Photographic Spots Not To Be Missed 📷

The 17 metre tall Vairocana Buddha statue and her companions at Longmen Grottoes
The grand palace landmarks of Yingtianmen, Mingtang, and Tiantang at night
The 2,000 year old White Horse Temple, which is said to be the first Buddhist temple in China
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3 Things To Do 🚶🏻

Sit on the reconstructed throne of Wu Zetian inside Mingtang + have your photo taken.
Dress up in hanfu at one of the hanfu shops around Yingtianmen + take pictures at key landmarks around the city.
Have a Tang Dynasty style banquet at a restaurant 👉 type these examples into the mapping app Amap - 武皇盛宴, 唐宫御宴, 大唐盛宴
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Points of Interest / Attractions to Visit 🌆

Must-See Attractions

Longmen Grottoes 龙门石窟⭐- this remarkable historic site is said to have tens of thousands of Buddhist statues across 2,000+ caves.
They were crafted over a period from 493 AD to 1127 AD. You will be able to see mindblowing sculptures, some of which are as high as 17m.
I was really wowed by the skill and scale of everything. Definitely one of the most unique landmarks of arts that I’ve ever seen!
I booked my ticket on Trip.
White Horse Temple 白马寺 ⭐- the oldest Buddhist temple in China - this is the place where Buddhism spread in China.
There are halls, courtyards, gardens, and the 13-story brick Qiyun Pagoda to see. I’m not a Buddhist, but still spent a good few hours here.
Was rather surprised to see temples in the Thai, Burmese, and Indian architectural styles, which were donated by these countries.
Make sure you visit the area with the Qiyun Pagoda. It’s east of the square before you go through the main gate with the stone horses. A lot of people don’t notice it.
Yingtianmen 应天门 ⭐- the southern gate of the grand imperial palace in the Sui and Tang dynasties. Originally built in 605 AD.
The main highlight for me is the illuminated architecture at night. Come here for stunning photos at night!
Mingtang + Tiantang 明堂天堂 ⭐- these are two grand buildings, originally built by Wu Zetian as part of the imperial palace in 688 AD. Its ruins were only discovered in 1986.
The current buildings are rebuilt versions. Mingtang was the main palace building and Tiantang was dedicated to Buddhist worship.
Mingtang was the largest wooden structure in the world at the time. Tiantang was once the tallest building in China. Don’t miss the dazzling light show at night!
Luoyi Ancient Town 洛邑古城 ⭐- I thought it was another typical ancient town, but this one really stood out to me.
There were a lot of people on a weekday, and public performances going on. So many people wearing hanfu. The atmosphere was infectious!
Luoyang Ancient Tombs Museum 洛阳古墓博物馆 ⭐- a site with over 25 tombs spanning a period from the Western Han to the Song Dynasty.
This is certainly a unique and exciting experience, especially if you’ve never visited tombs before (like me). Said to be the best ancient tomb museum in China.
Luoyang Museum 洛阳博物馆 - one of the best ancient museums with over 11,000 artifacts across 5,000 years, as far back as the Stone Age. Museum enthusiasts, do not miss this!
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Attractions to Consider

Shizi Jie Night Market 十字街夜市 - one of the best places to grab street food! I enjoyed the bustle of this place - there’s nearly 200 food stalls!
There were so many things I wanted to try. I recommend trying out beef soup, guotie, and soup dumplings.
Jiuzhouchi 九洲池 - an imperial garden pond during the Sui and Tang dynasties, originally located within the old palace. The garden also contains several pavilion-style structures.
Lijingmen 丽景门 - the historical western gate to the old city with a curved facade, a barbican, and a watchtower.
Guanyu Temple 关林庙 - if you know Guan Yu from the Three Kingdoms period, his head was buried here in 220 AD. Yes, really! The temple is over 1,800 years old.
National Flower Garden 中国国花园 - a garden filled with thousands and thousands of peonies, the national flower of China.
But the blooming seaon is only around March - April, so I recommend only visiting if you are here during this period.
The Yellow River 黄河 - you can also consider a half day or full day to the Yellow River, the 2nd longest river in China. One of the best places to view the river is Yellow River Three Gorges Scenic Area (黄河三峡景区).
It’s around 2 hours from the centre of Luoyang by car. You can get on a boat, where you’ll see some stunning scenery.
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My Suggested Itinerary

Day 1 - Longmen Grottoes ➡️ White Horse Temple ➡️ Luoyi Ancient Town ➡️ Mingtang Tiantang ➡️ Yingtianmen
Day 2 - Lijingmen ➡️ Luoyang Museum OR Luoyang Tomb Museum ➡️ Shizi Night Market ➡️ Jiuzhouchi
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Tickets and Directions🎟️

Attraction | Ticket Price | Metro Station Exit

Longmen Grottoes 龙门石窟 | 90rmb | take a DiDi or taxi
White Horse Temple 白马寺 | 35rmb | take a DiDi or taxi
Yingtianmen 应天门 | free to view, 60rmb to enter | Line 1, Yingtianmen, Exit A
Mingtang + Tiantang 明堂天堂 | free to view, 120rmb to enter | Line 1, Yingtianmen, Exit C2
Luoyi Ancient Town 洛邑古城 | free to enter | Line 1, Luoyigucheng, Exit A1
Jiuzhouchi 九洲池 | 60rmb | Line 1, Yingtianmen, Exit A
Lijingmen 丽景门 | free | Line 1, Lijingmen, Exit C2
Shizi Night Market 十字街夜市 | free | Line 1, Luoyigucheng, Exit A1
Luoyang Museum 洛阳博物馆 | free but book in advance | Line 2, Wenbo Park, Exit A
Guanlin Temple 关林庙 | 40rmb | take a DiDi or taxi
Luoyang Tomb Museum 洛阳古墓博物馆 | free but book in advance | take a DiDi or taxi
National Flower Garden 中国国花园 | 50rmb | take a DiDi or taxi

👉 Book your ticket on Trip or the official museum WeChat mini-program for info.

Note: most museums closed on Mondays. Even if the attraction is free, it is likely to require online booking.

(Information last checked in Apr 2026) 👉 check out my article How to Buy Tickets to Attractions in China

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Recommended Days in Luoyang 📅

Minimum 1-2 full days, add extra days if you’re visiting Shaolin Temple or Laojunshan

Best Time to Visit ☀️

March to May + September to November for the most comfortable temperatures.
Temperatures can rise to high 30s in the summer months and drop to well below 0C in the winter months
See my Weather Dashboard for temperature ranges by month.
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How to Get There ✈️

The easiest way is to take the train from Beijing or Xi’an. Most people visit Luoyang on their way to Xi’an, since they are very near to each other.
Take the high speed train to Luoyang Longmen station. Luoyang is around 1-1.5hrs from Xi’an, 3-4hrs from Beijing, and 5-6hrs from Shanghai.

How to Get Around 🚇

Luoyang Metro has two lines as of 2026, BUT it does not serve two of the biggest attractions, Longmen Grottoes and White Horse Temple.
Therefore, the quickest way to these two places is calling a DiDi or taking one of the city taxis.
The price is very reasonable, considering the distances travelled. My trip from the centre of the city to White Horse Temple was around 20rmb.
Check out these articles if you’re stuck:
How to Ride the Metro in China: Ultimate Guide to Getting Around the City
How to Hail a DiDi Driver in China
You can also hire a shared bike to cycle around Luoyang - see this article
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Where Should You Stay 🛏️

I stayed in this hotel near the high speed station for the first day as I arrived late in the evening and wanted to see Longmen Grottoes first thing in the morning.
I did see luggage storage facilities at the main entrance of the grottoes, which you may want to consider if you’re going straight there.
For the second day, I stayed in the centre of the city next to Yingtianmen - in this hotel. During my research, I did seeing a lot of hotels with spectacular night views.
I strongly recommend this area as everything (except for Longmen Grottoes) will be within easier reach. I love it for the fabulous night-time vibes and skyline views.
I booked my hotel on Trip, since it is the top hotel booking platform in China and has the bigger range of hotels. Always cheaper for me as well.
Check out my articles How to Get The Best Deal For Hotels in China and Things To Consider When Booking a Hotel in China.
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What Should You Eat 🥢

Luoyang’s dishes are some of the oldest in China and there are so many street snacks!
Major Luoyang specialties are:
- Luoyang beef soup | luò yáng niú ròu tāng | 洛阳牛肉汤
- pan fried dumpling | guō tiē | 锅贴
- spicy pepper soup | hú là tāng | 胡辣汤
- meatball soup | wán zi tāng | 丸子汤
- braised mutton noodles | huì miàn | 烩面 - the most famous noodle dish in the province
- water banquet | shuǐ xí | 水席 - a set of 16 warm and 8 cold small dishes, originating over 1,300 years ago during the Tang dynasty.
Also, check out my list of 60 dishes to eat in China and 31 classic breakfasts to try in China.
You can also try cuisines from other provinces in China such as Sichuan and Cantonese food! Look for regional restaurants.

Where Should I Eat 🧑🏻‍🍳

Luoyi Ancient Town | luò yì gǔ chéng | 洛邑古城
Shizi Night Market | shí zì jiē yè shì | 十字街夜市
Tang Dynasty restaurant | examples include 武皇盛宴, 唐宫御宴, 大唐盛宴

You can use Dianping to find restaurants and check out the food and reviews. Check out my articles

How to Find Great Restaurants in China - A Simplified Guide to Dianping and RedNote.

How to Order Food and Drink in China? A Mini-Guide with Key Phrases

How to Order Food Delivery in China - A Simplified Guide

Best Places to Relax ☺️

Sui Tang Botanical Gardens 隋唐园, Luoshen Park 洛神公园, Wangcheng Park 王城公园，Xiyuan Park 西苑公园

Nearby cities and villages worth visiting (1-2 hours by train) 🚅

Xi’an - take a look at my ultimate travel guide for Xi’an
Pingyao - one of the most famous ancient walled cities in China
Kaifeng - another ancient capital of China, most famously during the Song dynasty from 960 AD - 1127 AD.
Yellow River scenery
Shanzhou Dikengyuan 陕州地坑院 - pit courtyard houses, which are unique to this region of China