Where can I see rime ice and frozen waterfalls near Luoyang in winter, and how do I choose between Laojun Mountain and Baiyun Mountain?

[Direct conclusion] For rime ice and snow-covered trees near Luoyang in winter, Laojun Mountain in Luanchuan is the most reliable choice because its cable cars cut the climb down to about twenty minutes, so a clear day right after snowfall almost always delivers. Baiyun Mountain in Song County is wilder and equally beautiful, but its high-altitude access road is often closed for ice in winter and you cannot count on getting up. If you want frozen waterfalls rather than rime, go for the valleys with streams and cliffs, such as Chongdu Valley and Longyu Bay. How to plan it: 1. Decide what you are actually chasing. Rime ice, cloud sea after snow, and frozen waterfalls are three different things that appear in different places. Trying to get all three in one day usually means getting none. 2. Watch the weather, not the calendar. Rime forms when there is moisture, sub-zero temperatures, and then clearing. The afternoon after the snow stops through the next midday is the usual window. A warm winter can pass without a single good day. 3. Check access on the day before. Mountain roads are closed for ice without much notice, and cable cars stop in high wind. One phone call to the scenic area saves a wasted morning. 4. Take the cable car up at Laojun Mountain. The first stage reaches Zhongtianmen, the second reaches Shiliping, and the rest is a cliffside boardwalk. Walking the whole way in winter is slow and the light goes early. 5. Plan the descent before you plan the photos. Sunset comes early, and the last cable car down leaves well before dark. Waiting for the golden summit lights without checking the timetable is how people get stranded. 6. Bring crampons, waterproof boots, a windproof shell, gloves and a hat. The summit runs more than ten degrees colder than Luoyang city, and wind makes it feel colder still. Q: When exactly does the rime appear? A: There is no fixed date. It depends on moisture, sustained sub-zero temperatures and clearing skies. The first one or two clear days after a cold front are the best bet. Q: Is it suitable for elderly visitors and children? A: Laojun Mountain works well because the cable car and boardwalk keep the physical effort low. Baiyun Mountain is less suitable: the access road is long and winding, and children do not last long in summit temperatures. Q: Do the cable cars ever stop? A: Yes, in high wind, heavy snow or for maintenance, and winter stoppages are more frequent than in summer. Confirm both the day before and on the morning of your visit. Q: Is a day trip enough? A: A day trip from Luoyang is the standard pattern and it works, but it is tight. If you want sunrise or the evening illumination, stay overnight in the mountains. Q: What should I wear? A: Base layer, fleece or light down, windproof and waterproof outer shell, plus hat and gloves. Non-slip boots matter more than warm-looking ones, and keep your phone close to your body so the battery does not die in the cold.