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3 Days in Luoyang: Itinerary 2026
Start your first day at the Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site about 30 minutes by bus (route 53 or 60) from the city center. Arrive by 8:30 AM to… 🗺️ Day 1: Longmen Grottoes & Old Town
Start your first day at the Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site about 30 minutes by bus (route 53 or 60) from the city center. Arrive by 8:30 AM to beat the crowds; entry is 90 CNY. Spend 3-4 hours exploring the caves along the Yi River, then take a taxi (15 minutes, 20 CNY) to the Luoyang Museum for a free afternoon visit (closed Mondays). In the evening, head to the Old Town Street (Lijingmen area) for dinner at a local restaurant like Zhen Bu Tong, where a bowl of beef soup costs around 15 CNY.
🏛️ Day 2: White Horse Temple & City Parks
Begin day two at the White Horse Temple, China's first Buddhist temple, located 12 km east of the city. Take bus 56 or 58 from the train station (45 minutes, 2 CNY); entry is 35 CNY. Explore the temple grounds for 2 hours, then return to the city for lunch near the Wangcheng Park area. In the afternoon, visit the Luoyang Ancient Tombs Museum (free, 9:00-17:00) to see over 20 restored tombs. End the day with a stroll through the Sui-Tang Dynasty City Ruins Park, a peaceful green space with lit pathways after sunset.
🏯 Day 3: Shaolin Temple & Pagoda Forest
Dedicate your final day to the Shaolin Temple, about 90 minutes by bus from Luoyang's long-distance bus station (departures every 30 minutes, 25 CNY). Arrive by 9:00 AM to watch the monk martial arts performance at 10:30 (included in the 100 CNY entry). Explore the Pagoda Forest and the temple halls for 3-4 hours. Return to Luoyang by 4:00 PM and catch a flight or train from Luoyang Beijiao Airport or Luoyang Longmen Station.
🚌 Getting Around Luoyang
Luoyang's public bus system is efficient and cheap, with most routes costing 1-2 CNY. For faster travel, use the metro (Line 1 and Line 2) which covers the city center, train station, and Longmen Grottoes; a single ride is 2-6 CNY. Taxis start at 8 CNY, and ride-hailing apps like Didi are widely available. To reach the Shaolin Temple, take a direct bus from the long-distance bus station (departs hourly, 25 CNY, 1.5 hours).
🍜 Where to Eat
For authentic Luoyang water banquet, try the Old Town's Zhen Bu Tong restaurant (Lijingmen Street), where a set meal costs around 80 CNY per person. For budget eats, visit the night market on East Street (open 17:00-23:00) for skewers and fried dumplings starting at 5 CNY. Don't miss the local specialty: Luoyang beef soup, best enjoyed at Longmen Beef Soup near the grottoes (15 CNY per bowl, open 6:00-14:00).
💡 Money-Saving Tips
Many museums in Luoyang, including the Luoyang Museum and the Ancient Tombs Museum, offer free admission with a valid ID. Purchase a combo ticket for Longmen Grottoes and White Horse Temple (120 CNY instead of 125 separately) at any major attraction ticket office. Avoid eating at tourist-trap restaurants near the grottoes; instead, walk 10 minutes to the nearby residential area for cheaper meals. Public buses are the most economical way to travel, with a day pass costing just 10 CNY.
🌙 Evening Activities
After dark, the Lijingmen area comes alive with illuminated ancient architecture and street performances. Walk along the moat of the Sui-Tang Dynasty City Ruins Park, which is free and open until 22:00. For a cultural show, check the schedule at the Luoyang Grand Theatre (tickets from 80 CNY), or simply enjoy the night market on East Street for snacks and souvenirs.
the metro tip is solid, i use line 2 all the time to get between the train station and longmen, takes like 20 mins vs 40 on the bus. the east street night market is good but honestly the stalls near lijingmen gate have better fried dumplings imo, the ones with chive and egg are like 3 CNY each and they make them fresh right there
if you have an extra hour on day 2, skip the wangcheng park lunch area and walk 5 mins north to the small noodle shops on jianshe road, there's this place called lao cheng mian guan that does hand-pulled noodles with soybean paste for 12 CNY, way better than anything near the park. also the sui-tang ruins park is nice at night but bring bug spray if you're going in summer, the mosquitoes by the moat are relentless
honestly this is a really solid itinerary, i've done similar routes a few times. one thing i'd add is that the Luoyang Museum can get surprisingly crowded on weekends even though it's free, so if you're there on a saturday try to go right when it opens at 9 AM. also the water banquet at Zhen Bu Tong is legit but portion sizes are huge, so unless you're starving i'd skip the set meal and just order a couple dishes a la carte for like 40-50 CNY total
for the Shaolin Temple day, that 90 minute bus estimate is optimistic if there's traffic, i've had it take over 2 hours before. if you're tight on time to catch a flight get the 7 AM bus from the station, that way you're there before the tour groups roll in around 10. and tbh the martial arts performance is fine but the Pagoda Forest is the real highlight, spend extra time wandering the back paths where most people don't go
one spot the guide missed is the Guanlin Temple, it's right near Longmen Grottoes and only 30 CNY entry, dedicated to Guan Yu with some beautiful old cypress trees. you could easily tack it onto day 1 afternoon after the museum if you're not museum'd out. also the night market on East Street is best after 8 PM when the locals come out, earlier it's mostly tourists imo
oh man the water banquet is worth trying once but yeah it's a lot of food. another thing i'd add is if you're at the longmen grottoes try to cross the bridge to the west side, most people just do the east bank but the view back across the river is gorgeous and there's way fewer people over there
also for day 2 if you're into calligraphy the ancient tombs museum has some really cool epitaphs on display, like actual stone carvings from tang dynasty poets. it's easy to miss if you're just walking through the tombs but they
Where to Stay in Luoyang (2026)
The Old City (Laocheng) is the historic heart of Luoyang, packed with ancient temples and narrow lanes. It's ideal for first-time visitors who want to be near the Luoyang Museum… 🏛️ Old City Charm
The Old City (Laocheng) is the historic heart of Luoyang, packed with ancient temples and narrow lanes. It's ideal for first-time visitors who want to be near the Luoyang Museum and the famous Lijing Gate. Budget guesthouses start around 120 CNY per night, while mid-range hotels like the Luoyang Old City Youth Hostel offer clean rooms from 200 CNY.
🌃 Nightlife Hub
For night owls, the area around Wangfujing and the Jianxi District buzzes with bars, karaoke lounges, and late-night food stalls. The trendy Luoyang Wanda Realm Hotel (5-star) sits right in the action, with rooms from 500 CNY. Expect lively crowds until 2 AM, especially on weekends.
🍜 Family-Friendly Zones
The Luolong District near the Sui-Tang City Ruins and the Peony Garden is perfect for families. Hotels like the Holiday Inn Express Luoyang City Center (from 350 CNY) offer spacious rooms and easy access to the Longmen Grottoes. Quiet parks and kid-friendly restaurants line the streets.
💻 Digital Nomad Spots
The Jianxi District, home to the Luoyang University area, has reliable Wi-Fi and co-working cafes like Coffee & Code. Serviced apartments near the Chang'an Road metro station cost around 300 CNY per night. Many cafes offer power outlets and strong coffee for remote work.
💰 Budget Stays
Backpackers and budget travelers should head to the Old City's hostels, such as Luoyang Mingtang Youth Hostel, with dorm beds from 60 CNY. Private rooms in guesthouses near the Luoyang Railway Station start at 100 CNY. Street food nearby keeps meal costs under 20 CNY.
🏨 Luxury Options
For a splurge, the 5-star Luoyang Marriott Hotel in the New District offers panoramic views of the Luo River, with rooms from 800 CNY. The hotel's spa and fine dining restaurant, Yi, are highlights. Book early for peak peony season in April.
🚇 Getting Around
Luoyang's metro Line 1 and Line 2 connect major districts, with stations near most hotels. A single ride costs 2-5 CNY. Taxis are affordable, with flagfall at 8 CNY. Staying near a metro stop like Zhouwangcheng Square saves time and money.
🌺 Seasonal Tips
During the Peony Festival (April-May), book accommodations at least a month in advance as prices double. The Luolong District hotels fill up fastest. For quieter stays, visit in autumn when room rates drop by 30% and the weather is mild.
ngl the guide skipped over the area around the peony park in the laocheng district, which is a solid middle ground between old city chaos and newer district quiet. i stayed at a place called luoyang huayu hotel there last fall, 180 a night for a double room, and it was right next to a massive peony garden that's free to walk through when the flowers aren't blooming. the longmen grottoes bus stop is a 10 minute walk away too, which beat dealing with the metro transfers from the jianxi area. just a heads up the hotel doesnt have an english sign so look for the red lanterns out front near the intersection of jiefang road and zhongzhou road
the old city is solid but honestly the area around laoji (老集) metro stop is slept on. there's a cluster of cheap minzu guesthouses tucked in the alleys behind the main street that are quieter than the ones facing lijing gate. i paid 90 a night for a private room with a little courtyard in april last year, no booking site just walked in and asked. also the noodle shop two blocks east of the mingtang hostel does the best lamian in the district for 12 yuan, not the tourist trap ones by the gate
I stayed in the Jianxi District last fall and it's worth a mention for anyone who wants to avoid the tourist crowds. The area around the university has a bunch of local hot pot places that are half the price of anything near the Old City, and the metro gets you to Longmen Grottoes in about 25 minutes. I found a decent serviced apartment on a side street off Chang'an Road for 280 a night through a local booking app, not the international ones.