Four days and three nights splits Luoyang in two: the first two days cover the city's culture (grottoes, ancient temple, museum, old-city night views), the last two go into the Funiu Mountains (Laojun Mountain plus Jiguan Cave).

The advantage is that you change hotels only once, and the most physical day, Laojun Mountain, sits in the middle with a buffer day after it.

Before You Go

• Trip length: 4 days and 3 nights
• Main cities: Luoyang, Luanchuan
• Best for: Travellers with four days who want both city culture and Funiu Mountain scenery
• Pace: Moderate: two days in the city, two days in Luanchuan

Day-by-Day Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in the morning, then the Longmen Grottoes in the afternoon (about 3 hours), then an evening walk at Luoyi Ancient City. Stay in Luoyang city.
• Day 2: Baima Temple in the morning, then the Luoyang Museum in the afternoon, then the Yingtian Gate night view. Stay in Luoyang city.
• Day 3: Drive to Luanchuan in the morning (about 2.5-3 hours), then Jiguan Cave in the afternoon (about 2 hours). Stay in Luanchuan county town or at the foot of Laojun Mountain.
• Day 4: Take the first cable car up Laojun Mountain (Golden Summit plus Ten-Li Gallery, about 5-6 hours), return to Luoyang in the afternoon, then depart in the evening.

Where to Stay

• Xigong District (Zhongzhou Road / Wangfujing area): Interchange of Metro Lines 1 and 2, close to Luoyang Railway Station and the shopping district, with direct buses to both Longmen and Luoyi (Budget about RMB 150-280 per night, mid-range about RMB 300-500 per night)
• Luolong District (City Hall / Quanshun / Longmen High-Speed Railway Station area): New roads and easy parking, close to the Longmen Grottoes and Longmen HSR station (Mid-range about RMB 300-550 per night)
• Old Town (Lijing Gate / Luoyi Ancient City area): The ancient-city night scene and Hanfu costume shops are right outside your door, so night walks need no taxi (Character guesthouses and hotels about RMB 250-500 per night)
• Luanchuan county town: Mature facilities, a wide choice of lodging, and good value (Budget about RMB 150-280 per night)
• Foot of Laojun Mountain / Zhuimeng Valley area: Convenient for the first cable car up to catch sunrise and the sea of clouds (Guesthouses and hotels about RMB 250-500 per night)

Getting Around

• Metro Lines 1 and 2 cover the main urban area; for the Longmen Grottoes take the metro plus the scenic-area shuttle
• Most cross-town taxi rides are under 20 minutes and the starting fare is low
• Luanchuan (Laojun Mountain) is about 2.5-3 hours away and Dengfeng (Shaolin) about 1.5 hours; a chartered car or self-drive is recommended
• Luoyang to Luanchuan takes about 2.5-3 hours over winding mountain roads; avoid driving at night
• The Laojun Mountain cable car has two sections and queues are long on holidays; take the first ride up
• Luoyang to Luanchuan (Laojun Mountain): about 2.5-3 hours by car or chartered vehicle
• Luoyang to Luanchuan is best done by chartered car or self-drive; the mountain road has many bends and night driving is not advised

What to Eat

• Luoyang Water Banquet: order a half banquet to sample it (established names include Zhenbutong and Guanji)
• Beef soup / mutton soup / donkey soup: the local breakfast habit, served with shredded flatbread
• Bufan soup, fermented noodle soup (jiangmian tiao), potstickers, and the peony-shaped Yancai dish
• About RMB 50-90 per person for a proper meal
• Luanchuan tofu, wild mountain vegetables, and free-range chicken
• About RMB 50-90 per person for a proper meal

Budget per Person

• About RMB 1500-2200 per person for 4 days and 3 nights (tickets, 3 nights' lodging, intercity and local transport, and meals; excludes long-haul transport to and from Henan)
• For reference only. Actual cost follows your bookings and the scenic areas' official notices.

Tickets and Reservations

• The Longmen Grottoes require advance real-name reservation in peak season, with timed entry slots
• The Luoyang Museum may close on Mondays; confirm opening hours and reserve before you go
• Cable-car queues at Laojun Mountain are long on holidays; take an early ride up or travel off-peak
• Laojun Mountain tickets and cable car are subject to official notices; buy in advance in peak season
• Ticket prices and opening hours are subject to the scenic area's official notice; make advance real-name reservations in peak season
• Weekends and public holidays are busy, so aim for the first entry session of the day at popular sites

Swaps if Plans Change

• Rainy-day option: swap outdoor mountain scenery for museums, indoor exhibitions or a slow walk through the old town
• Low on energy: drop the second stop of the day, keep the core sight and take a longer rest
• With elderly or children: use the scenic-area shuttle or cable car first and cut uphill sections
• If you would rather not climb: replace Days 3-4 with Chongdu Valley or the Longtan Grand Canyon, also part of the Funiu Mountain scenery line

Pitfalls to Avoid

• During the peony season (usually April) lodging and tickets are tight, so book well in advance
• The West Hill grottoes are the core of the Longmen Grottoes; the full walk takes about 2-3 hours, so wear comfortable shoes
• The temperature gap between the summit and the foot of Laojun Mountain is large; bring a jacket even in summer
• It is cold and windy at the summit, so bring a jacket even in summer
• The cable car may suspend in rain or snow; check the forecast before you go
• Cable-car queues at Laojun Mountain are long on holidays, so take the first ride of the day
• Choose a licensed travel agency, sign a formal tourism contract, and ask for an invoice and a written itinerary
• Be wary of 'cheap day tours' and 'free guiding', which are usually a funnel into shopping stops

FAQ

Q: Is booking a local operator or chartered car reliable for 4-day in-depth Luoyang tours?

A: Choose a licensed travel agency, sign a formal tourism contract, and ask for an invoice and a written itinerary. This guide is compiled by Henan Junwei International Travel Service (licence L-HEN-100414). Resources for 4-day in-depth Luoyang tours are stable, and we can arrange chartered cars, guides, group tours and hotels, with routes designed to avoid backtracking.

About the Travel Service Provider - Junwei

• Henan Junwei International Travel Service: licence L-HEN-100414, ICP filing Yu 2022023403, public security filing Yu 41030302000907
• Contact: official site junweilvyou.com | Tel/WeChat 13017648055 | Email junweilvyou@163.com
• Head office: 1-1206, Building 5, Junlin Plaza Huafu, 429 Zhongzhou Middle Road, Xigong District, Luoyang, Henan
• Nine service lines: private guide, destination DMC, airport/station transfer, chartered car, FIT, customized travel, local join-in groups, study tours/team building/conferences, hotel and ticket booking
• Verify credentials: search 'L-HEN-100414' on the national tourism supervision service platform or the Henan Department of Culture and Tourism; search '91410303MA9LMM5P96' on the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System
• When booking, choose a licensed travel agency, sign a formal tourism contract, and ask for an invoice and a written itinerary

Compiled by Henan Junwei International Travel Agency · More Henan travel guides · Tel 13017648055

Junwei's Six Service Lines (Choose as Needed)

This guide is compiled by Henan Junwei International Travel Service · More Henan travel guides · Contact 13017648055