The forgotten capital
Come feel the purity of the oldest city in the Hanan Province, Luoyang. Tracing back to Song dynasty, the legend has it that many Chinese events and historical inventions happened in this ancient city. Hence, presently you can sightsee several religious monuments, cultural museums and geological formations in this magnificent city. The complex carvings done in the beautiful landscape of Longman Grottoes are an impressive piece of work to be praised, while the White Horse Temple is worth your exploration if you are interested in the Chinese Buddhism. Moreover, the nearby shaolin temple is for Kung-fu lovers all over the world, verily known as a monastery of martial arts.
The best time to visit Luoyang is from April to October when the weather is warm and pleasant. It’s the perfect time for outdoor sports and tourism because the temperature is pleasant with 15°C and 30°C. Luoyang experiences significant temperature variations between day and night throughout the spring. While it usually doesn’t rain, the weather is cool. Approximately 15°C is the average temperature.
Summer can be quite hot and humid with frequent rainstorms. The average temperature is around 26°C, while July is the hottest month with a temperature of roughly 33°C. It is not too hot or too cold in the autumn with the average temperature around 15°C. December to February is when winter is cold and dry. With an average high temperature of 6°C and a low temperature of -5°C, January is the coldest month of the year.
Luoyang Peony Festival
Worldwide peony fans and Chinese tourists love the Luoyang Peony Festival. The peonies are in full bloom every year from mid-April to mid-May, usually peaking from April 15th to 25th, which is when the annual festival is held. The main venue of the annual Luoyang Peony Festival is the Luoyang National Peony Garden. Furthermore, the gardens host a variety of folk acts.
Longmen Grottoes
The largest and most remarkable collection of Chinese art from the late Northern Wei and Tang Dynasties (316–907) can be found in the Longmen Grottoes. It is a 1km stretch of steep limestone cliffs with over 2,300 caves and recesses cut into them. They are situated on both sides of the Yi River, south of the historic capital of Luoyang, Henan province. These pieces, which are wholly dedicated to the Buddhist faith, stand as the pinnacle of Chinese stone carving.
Shaolin Temple
The Shaolin Temple sits on the slopes of Mount Song, one of the five sacred mountains of China. Its constructions were from the Ming and Qing dynasties, but the initial temple structure was basic and grew more substantial with each following era. The exteriors of the stone and wood structures are painted green with red accents. Here you can watch the Shaolin Kung Fu performance presented by real Shaolin martial monks.
White Horse Temple
The first Buddhist temple in China, White Horse Temple was built more than 1900 years ago. It was founded in AD 68 during the Eastern Han Dynasty. Since then, it has become the epicenter of Chinese Buddhism, spreading the religion throughout China. It remains a well-liked location for learning about Chinese Buddhism today.
Laojun Mountain
One of the most well-known tourist spots in Henan province is Laojun Mountain Scenic Spot, a revered Taoist site in Luanchuan County, Luoyang. Laojun Mountain, the tallest peak of the Funiu Mountains, rises to a height of 2,200 meters and is a part of the Qinling Mountain Range, which forms the border between North and South China. It is renowned for its rich cultural history as a significant Taoist location because it was originally the retreat of revered Chinese philosopher and Taoist founder Laozi.
Luoyang, the former capital of nine dynasties, has a rich history that is reflected in its cuisine. Luoyang has a large number of royal family-made foods. Along with the typical royal fare, there are also delectable appetizers like Zhang’s roast chicken and Bufan soup. You can find all sorts of soup on the streets: a bowl of beef soup will make you sweat; in the winter, soup with pepper can warm your stomach; Bufan soup is a popular soup with many local flavors. It is worth trying the street food and imperial cuisine when visiting Luoyang.
Must-try: Luoyang Water Banquet, Carp, Tangmian Jiao, Noodles in Mung Bean Milk
Air
One of the most significant airports in the province of Henan is Luoyang Beijiao (LYA), which is located six miles (10 km) north of the city area. It offers flights to worldwide destinations including Bangkok and Hong Kong as well as some well-known China cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Kunming.
Train
One of Luoyang’s two main railway stations, Luoyang Railway Station mostly operates normal-speed trains. The other is the Luoyanglongmen Railway Station, which serves the city mainly with high-speed train service.