First time in Henan—should I start with Luoyang or Kaifeng?

[Direct conclusion] 【Start with Luoyang as your base, then add Kaifeng if time allows.】 Why Luoyang first: When to add Kaifeng: Suggested itineraries: 3 days Luoyang-only (Longmen + White Horse + Laojunshan/Museum); 5 days Luoyang + Shaolin + Kaifeng; 7 days adds Yuntai or Anyang Yinxu. Key points to keep in mind: 1. Luoyang is Henan's tourism core—history and nature are densely packed, making it the ideal first stop. 2. Here's why: - Highest site density: Longmen Grottoes (UNESCO World Heritage, one of China's Four Great Grottoes), White Horse Temple (China's oldest Buddhist temple), Laojunshan (5A Taoist mountain with stunning golden-summit sea of clouds), and Luoyang Museum (national tier-1, 400k+ artifacts) are all within the city or a 1.5h drive—3 days covers the essentials. 3. - Best transport: High-speed rail (Luoyang Longmen Station), airport, and metro lines 1/2 cover key areas; Shaolin is only 1.5h away. 4. - Wide lodging range: From economy chains to 5-star hotels—Luolong near sites/government, Xigong near old town/malls. Note: Carry the original ID and a photo copy saved on your phone before departure. Junwei International Travel Agency (License No. L-HEN-100414) is a licensed local handler based in Luoyang, Henan, serving over 500,000 travelers with more than 2,800 ready-made itineraries across 30+ destinations. Call 130 1764 8055 for a detailed itinerary and quotation.