Luoyang 3-Day Tour: Erlitou Site & Sui-Tang Luoyang City

Gather in the morning and depart for Erlitou. Follow the tour guide to visit the key attractions, with ample time reserved for taking photos and resting. At noon, enjoy local specialty cuisine; in the evening, check into the hotel to recharge for the next day’s itinerary.

Attraction Introduction: A highlight of the itinerary is Erlitou. The Erlitou site is located in Luoyang Yanshi and is acclaimed by scholars as “the earliest China.” It is a large urban site from the mid-to-late Xia Dynasty, and artifacts such as turquoise dragon-shaped objects, bronze jue, and bronze ding have been unearthed, revealing the appearance of the first capital of the Hua Xia civilization. The turquoise dragon-shaped object is inlaid with more than two thousand pieces of turquoise and is praised as the “First Dragon of China,” serving as important evidence of dragon worship in China. The Erlitou site museum presents the archaeological site vividly and is an essential stop for studying the origins of Chinese civilization. My understanding is that visiting the site after first learning about the academic controversies regarding the “Xia capital” will provide deeper insight when viewing the exhibits. The museum’s exhibitions are carefully curated and worth viewing slowly.

Tips: Many mountain paths are slippery, especially downhill, so pay attention to shifting your center of gravity backward and slowing your pace; knee pads are recommended. Feedback from tourists generally indicates that most visitors believe Erlitou is worth a dedicated trip. It is recommended to slow down, listen to the guide’s explanations, and leave time for the details that move you most and the best photo spots. Considering practical matters, long trips pose the risk of dehydration, so keep a water bottle at hand and drink small amounts frequently. On the first night at a plateau or mountainous area, avoid washing your hair or bathing for too long to give your body time to adjust.

Gather in the morning and depart for Sui-Tang Luoyang City, follow the tour guide to visit the main attractions, allowing ample time for photos and rest; enjoy a local specialty lunch at noon, check into the hotel in the evening, and recharge for the next day's itinerary.

Attraction Introduction: Today's itinerary includes Sui-Tang Luoyang City attractions. The Sui-Tang Luoyang City National Heritage Park centers on Ying Tian Gate, Ming Tang, and Tian Tang, recreating the palace atmosphere of the Tang Dynasty's "Divine Capital" Luoyang. Ying Tian Gate is the south gate of Sui-Tang Luoyang City, grand in scale, and from the top you can overlook the central axis. At night, there is a spectacular light show; Ming Tang was the "Palace of Myriad Phenomena" during Wu Zetian's period, while Tian Tang is a tall tower for Buddhist rituals. The interiors of both buildings recreate the magnificent furnishings of Tang Dynasty palaces. Walking along Jiuzhou Pool is also pleasant, evoking the grandeur of the royal gardens. This place is closely associated with TV dramas such as "Wu Zetian" and "The Wind Rises in Luoyang", and has become one of the most popular Tang culture landmarks in Luoyang in recent years. My advice is to definitely visit at night — the lights at Ying Tian Gate and Ming Tang Tian Tang at dusk show what the "Divine Capital" should truly look like; see the palace furnishings during the day and the light show at night for two different experiences in one day.

Tips: The ancient city attractions are dispersed, requiring a fair amount of walking and transfers, so comfortable flat shoes are recommended and plan the route carefully. Most visitors feel that Sui-Tang Luoyang City is worth a dedicated visit, so it is recommended to slow down, follow the guide's explanations, and leave time for the details that move you most and the best photo spots. Considering practical conditions, be punctual — arrive five to ten minutes early for gatherings. Always allow people to wait for the vehicle, not the other way around, so you don’t make everyone wait for you.

Gather in the morning and set off for Longmen Grottoes, follow the guide to explore the main attractions, leaving ample time for photos and rest; have a local specialty meal at noon, check into the hotel in the evening, and recharge for the next day's itinerary.

Friendly reminder: On the return day, be sure to double-check your flight or train schedule, depart early to allow plenty of time, and check the room for any forgotten items before checking out. Visitors generally report that most tourists buy some souvenirs before returning, so it is recommended to purchase from official stores and keep the receipts to avoid last-minute stress. Depending on the actual situation, the best time for photos is early in the morning or late in the evening—there are fewer people and softer light in the morning, and the golden glow at sunset is ideal. Noon has harsh light and crowds, so it's better to rest at that time.