Every foreign tourist knows Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai. Almost none know Luoyang — and that's exactly why you should go. This is the city where Chinese civilization was, quite literally, built: capital of 13 dynasties across 1,500 years, birthplace of Chinese Buddhism's first temple, home to one of the world's greatest collections of Buddhist cave art, and the gateway to Shaolin Temple, where kung fu was born.
Luoyang sits dead-center on China's most-traveled rail corridor, about 1.5 hours by high-speed train from Xi'an and 3–4.5 hours from Beijing. If you're already doing the classic Beijing → Xi'an route in 2026, adding Luoyang is a single train ride and one of the best-value cultural detours in the country. This guide covers Longmen Grottoes tickets and the 2026 night tour, the Shaolin Temple day trip, White Horse Temple, Luoyang's water banquet, a tested 2–3 day itinerary, and practical logistics.
The Longmen Grottoes (Longmen Shiku, "Dragon's Gate") are the single greatest reason to visit Luoyang — and arguably one of the top five cultural sights in all of China. Carved into the limestone cliffs of the Yi River gorge over 400 years (from 493 AD under the Northern Wei dynasty through the Tang dynasty), the site holds 2,345 caves and niches with more than 100,000 statues, ranging from thumbnail-sized Buddhas to the towering Vairocana Buddha of Fengxian Temple, which at 17 meters tall still gazes over the river after 1,300 years.
Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, it draws a fraction of the visitor numbers of the Great Wall or the Forbidden City — you will walk the same cliff paths and stand before the same colossal Buddhas that have greeted pilgrims for thirteen centuries.
| Item | 2026 Details |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket | 90 CNY (about US$12). Half-price for students and seniors 60–69; free for children under 1.4m and seniors 70+. |
| Daytime hours (Apr 1 – Oct 7) | Tickets sold 8:00–17:30; last check-in 18:00; close 18:30. |
| Winter hours (Nov 1 – Feb 28) | Tickets sold 8:00–16:30; last check-in 17:00; close 18:00. Night tour suspended in winter. |
| Night tour (night tour of Longmen) | Runs from March 30, 2026. Ticket sales 17:30–19:30, check-in 18:00–20:00, clear-out 21:00. Open areas: West Hill Grottoes and Xiangshan Temple; White Garden and East Hill are daytime-only. |
| Booking | Discount/free categories must be booked via the official "Longmen Shiku" WeChat account or ticket center, with original passport for verification. Book online in advance on busy days. |
Longmen Grottoes sits about 12 km south of downtown. From Luoyang Longmen High-Speed Rail Station it's a short taxi ride (5–10 minutes, roughly 10–15 CNY). From the old railway station or city center, take bus 81 (about 40 minutes) or a taxi (~35 CNY). If you're combining with Shaolin Temple, see the day-trip section below.
No trip to Luoyang is complete without the Shaolin Temple, the most famous Buddhist monastery in China and the birthplace of both Chan (Zen) Buddhism and Shaolin kung fu. Founded in 495 AD at the foot of Mount Song (Songshan) in Dengfeng, it's the place where a legendary Indian monk named Bodhidharma is said to have meditated facing a wall for nine years — and where warrior monks have trained for over 1,500 years.
The temple complex includes the main halls, the Pagoda Forest (an UNESCO-listed collection of 248 brick pagodas, the burial towers of generations of abbots), and the training grounds where you'll likely catch monks practicing martial arts. Tickets are around 80 CNY; allow a full half day. The surrounding "Historic Monuments of Dengfeng" — including the Songyang Academy, the Zhougong Observatory and the oldest intact pagoda in China — are also UNESCO-listed if you want to extend.
Founded in 68 AD, White Horse Temple is where Buddhism first took root in China — the story goes that two Indian monks arrived carrying sutras on a white horse, and the emperor built this temple in their honor. Today it's a serene, working monastery about 12 km east of the city, with original-style halls and an international section featuring Thai, Indian and Burmese temples. Ticket: about 35 CNY; allow 1.5–2 hours.
One of the best provincial museums in China and free with passport reservation. The permanent collection tells the story of the 13 dynasties that ruled from Luoyang, with standout bronzes and the famous "three treasures of Luoyang" — including the exquisite blue-and-white porcelain and painted Tang dynasty figures. Plan 2–3 hours; English audio guides and signage are available.
Guanlin is the tomb of Guan Yu, the deified warrior-hero of the Three Kingdoms — an atmospheric complex of red walls and ancient cypresses that's deeply loved by Chinese visitors and nearly empty of foreigners. Afterwards, walk the Luoyang Old Town: enter through the Ming-era Lijing Gate, wander the pedestrian streets, and finish at the Cross Street Night Market (Shizi Jie) for street food. In 2026 the old town is also Luoyang's hanfu (traditional dress) capital — hundreds of visitors wear flowing Tang-dynasty robes daily; rentals start around 50–100 CNY with makeup if you want to join in.
Luoyang's signature dish is the water banquet (shuixi) — a 24-course feast served in soup form, course after course, "like water flowing." Born in the Tang dynasty palace kitchens, it ranges from the famous Peony Swallow Dish (a shredded-radish dish shaped like a peony) to sour, spicy, savory and sweet broths. You don't need the full 24 courses: most restaurants offer a 6–8 course sampler for two people for around 100–150 CNY per person.
For everyday eating, Luoyang is a breakfast-soup city: beef soup (niuroutang) — clear, rich broth with hand-cut beef and flatbread served from dawn; mutton soup (yangroutang) — heartier, often with chili oil and garlic; and rustic staples like buxang soup and sour fermented jiangmian noodles. At night, the Cross Street Night Market serves grilled skewers, sweet rice balls and fried dough until late.
Vegetarian travelers take note: Shaolin Temple and the city's Buddhist heritage mean excellent vegetarian options, and Luoyang's soup culture is easy to navigate with the phrase "bu yao rou" (no meat). See our regional food map for how Luoyang fits into China's wider culinary landscape.
Traveling with kids? Luoyang is one of China's most family-friendly ancient cities — compact, cheap, and endlessly fascinating for children who've never seen giant stone Buddhas or monks doing kung fu. Our family travel guide covers the general principles; the Golden Week survival guide has crowd strategy for October.
Luoyang Longmen Railway Station sits on the Xuzhou–Lanzhou high-speed line, making it a perfect add-on to the classic route:
Book through 12306 or Trip.com using your passport — see our high-speed rail guide for foreigners for the full how-to, including registering your passport on 12306 in advance.
Luoyang Beijiao Airport has domestic connections plus a growing set of international routes. Most foreign visitors fly into Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport (about 1 hour by train from Luoyang) or combine Luoyang with a Beijing or Xi'an landing. Check the visa-free policy update to see which airports and entry points apply to your nationality — and remember the 240-hour visa-free transit option if you're routing through China on a long layover.
Two full days covers the essentials (Day 1: Longmen; Day 2: Shaolin). A third day adds White Horse Temple, the museum and the old town without rushing — the 3-day itinerary above is our recommendation for most travelers.
Regular adult tickets can usually be bought on arrival, but booking online in advance (official WeChat account or ticket platforms) is recommended on weekends, holidays and during April's peony festival. Discount and free tickets must be booked in advance and require your passport at check-in.
Yes — the illuminated West Hill statues against the dark river gorge are unforgettable, and evenings are far more pleasant in summer. Just remember it covers West Hill and Xiangshan Temple only, and it's seasonal (running from March 30 in 2026, suspended in winter).
Do Beijing → Luoyang → Xi'an (or the reverse). High-speed trains run frequently between all three; Luoyang Longmen station is directly on the line. A classic week-plus route: 3 days Beijing, 2 days Luoyang, 3 days Xi'an — see our 14-day itinerary for the full blueprint.
Planning the full route? Start with the Beijing guide, continue with Xi'an, and use the 14-day itinerary to fit Luoyang in. For timing, check the autumn guide and Golden Week survival guide.
Last updated: August 19, 2026. Sources: Longmen Grottoes official notices (2026 seasonal hours, night tour from March 30, 2026, ticket policy); China Railway high-speed schedules; UNESCO World Heritage listings (Longmen Grottoes 2000; Historic Monuments of Dengfeng 2010); Luoyang Municipal tourism information. Ticket prices and hours are as published and may be adjusted by the issuing authorities; verify on the official WeChat account before your visit.