Luoyang Laojun Mountain Day Tour: Ten-li Painting Screen & Golden Summit

Day 1 Luoyang – Laojun Mountain – Luoyang

Meet in downtown Luoyang and drive to Laojun Mountain in Luanchuan. Take the cable car up to the Golden Summit temples (Jade Emperor Peak, Liangbao Terrace), stroll the Ten-li Painting Screen and glass walkway; on clear days enjoy the sea of clouds. Return to Luoyang in the evening. [Attraction guide] [Laojun Mountain] In Luanchuan (Luoyang), Laojun Mountain is part of the Funiu Nature Reserve; its Jade Emperor Peak rises to 2,217 m and is named for Laozi's retreat. The core sights are the Golden Summit temples (Golden Hall, Jade Emperor Peak, Liangbao Terrace, Jade Emperor Temple), the Ten-li Painting Screen cliff walkway and a glass viewing platform, with cable cars for both ways and a loop trail along the Painting Screen. Not to be missed: the sunrise sea of clouds over the Golden Summit on a clear morning, and the sweeping view of the Funiu range from the Painting Screen—She Shen Cliff and the glass platform are also great for photos. Practical notes: the summit runs 8–10°C colder, so bring a windproof jacket; cable-car queues are long in peak season, so go early; wear non-slip shoes for the many steps, and boardwalks may close in rain/snow/fog—check the weather first; food on the mountain is pricey, so bring your own water. All in all, this is a rare large golden temple complex in the north and the sunrise clouds are well worth it—one of my favorite mountain escapes. Go before 7 am to beat the crowds; take both cable cars if less fit, or hike the Painting Screen loop. Winter snow is beautiful but slippery.