Luoyang 8-Day Tour: Erlitou Site & Longmen Grottoes

In the morning, gather and depart for Erlitou. Follow the tour guide along the main route, visiting all the key spots, allowing ample time for taking photos and resting. At noon, enjoy a local specialty meal, and continue exploring in the afternoon. In the evening, check into the hotel to rest and recharge for the next day's itinerary.

Attraction Introduction: Today's itinerary includes Erlitou attractions. The Erlitou site is located in Luoyang Yanshi and is regarded by scholars as 'the earliest China.' It is a large city site from the middle and late Xia Dynasty, where turquoise dragon-shaped artifacts, bronze jue, bronze ding, and other major items have been unearthed, revealing the appearance of the first royal capital of Huaxia. The turquoise dragon-shaped artifact is inlaid with more than two thousand pieces of turquoise and is known as 'the first dragon of Huaxia,' serving as significant evidence of dragon worship in China. The Erlitou Site Museum presents an archaeological site experience and is an indispensable stop for studying the origins of Chinese civilization. My understanding is that visiting after gaining knowledge of the academic disputes regarding the 'Xia capital' will give a deeper understanding of the exhibits. The museum’s exhibitions are meticulously arranged and worth taking time to appreciate.

Tips: The mountain trail has many steps and steep slopes, so be sure to wear non-slip sports shoes. Those with mobility issues are recommended to use the cable car. Visitor feedback generally indicates that most tourists consider Erlitou worth a special trip. It is advisable to slow down, follow the guide’s explanations, and leave time for the details that move you most and the best photo spots. Considering the actual situation, be mindful of time — arrive five to ten minutes early for gatherings. It is better for people to wait for the vehicle than for the vehicle to wait for someone, so do not make the group wait for you.

Arrive early in the morning, take advantage of the fewer crowds to first visit Binyang Three Caves and Lotus Cave, then climb Fengxian Temple to admire the Great Buddha; have a nearby lunch at noon, in the afternoon visit Dongshan Grottoes and Xiangshan Temple, and at sunset take photos by the Yi River, ending a fulfilling day.

Attraction Introduction: A major highlight in the itinerary is Longmen Grottoes. Longmen Grottoes was carved on the cliffs along both sides of the Yi River in the south of Luoyang city, and construction continued after Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei moved the capital to Luoyang, spanning several dynasties including Eastern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Qi, Sui, and Tang. There are currently more than 2,300 grottoes, over 100,000 statues, and more than 2,800 inscription plaques. The most stunning part is the Vairocana Buddha of Fengxian Temple, over seventeen meters high, with a full, serene face and kind eyes, said to have been carved based on Wu Zetian's appearance, representing the pinnacle of Tang Dynasty stone carving art. Along with Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes and Datong Yungang Grottoes, it is known as one of China’s three major grottoes and a World Heritage Site. When visiting, start from the West Mountain Grottoes along the Yi River trail heading south. Binyang Three Caves, Ten Thousand Buddhas Cave, and Lotus Cave each have their highlights; crossing the bridge to Dongshan’s Worship Platform offers a panoramic view. My understanding is that in the morning, first visiting the main grotto of West Mountain lets you appreciate the Great Buddha while it’s less crowded, and in the afternoon heading to the Dongshan platform provides excellent lighting and angles for photos; walking along both banks of the Yi River involves some backtracking, so a pair of comfortable shoes can save a lot of effort.

Tips: The grotto area has strong UV rays; on sunny days, bring a sun hat and sunscreen. The route is relatively long, so remember to stay hydrated. Most visitors report that the Vairocana Buddha is the most impressive, the West Mountain has the best lighting at sunset for photos; walking along both banks of the Yi River involves backtracking, so wearing comfortable shoes and allowing half a day is recommended. Practically speaking, when taking photos don’t just focus on getting a good shot; watch your footing and surroundings, and make sure to hold steady on viewing platforms and boardwalk edges.

Today's hydrophilic trip focuses on Liubu Pool and Yixiantian, experiencing the 'canyon gem' red rock landforms; take a rest in the afternoon and check in at night.

Attraction introduction: This stop is at Longtan Grand Canyon, Longtan Grand Canyon is located in Xin'an and is a canyon famous for its red rock ravines and the spectacle of water flowing uphill, known as the 'canyon gem' and 'natural museum of the ancient ocean.' Trails like Liubu Pool and Yixiantian offer strong water-interactive fun, with sheer red cliffs reflecting in the clear blue pools. It is especially cool in the summer and a family-friendly water destination not far from Luoyang city. The canyon stretches for several kilometers, with waterfalls, deep pools, and unique rocks along the way—every step offers a different view. My understanding is that wearing non-slip creek shoes or sports shoes is most suitable, and valuables like mobile phones should be waterproofed; families with children should slow the pace, choose the gentler plank trails, and not rush to complete the entire route.

Friendly reminder: Signal may be poor inside the canyon, so agree on a meeting point with the guide in advance and do not move alone. Visitors generally report that most think Longtan Grand Canyon is worth a special visit. It is recommended to slow down, follow the guide's explanations, and leave time for the details that move you the most and the best photo spots. Depending on the actual situation, the best times for photos are early morning or late afternoon—the soft light in the early morning and the golden glow at dusk are most photogenic. Midday light is harsh and crowded, so it’s better to rest then.

In the morning, take the cable car up Laojun Mountain and visit the Golden Summit Taoist Temple complex. On clear days, you may encounter a sea of clouds; have a simple lunch at the mountaintop at noon. In the afternoon, walk along the Ten-Mile Painting Screen Trail, and overlook the mountains from the glass observation deck. In the evening, descend and check into a hotel.

Attraction Introduction: One of the highlights of this itinerary is Laojun Mountain, Laojun Mountain is located in Luoyang Luanchuan County, the main peak of the Funiu Mountains, and a famous Taoist mountain. It is said to be the place where the Taoist ancestor Laozi retired for cultivation. The Golden Summit Taoist Temple complex stands at an altitude of over 2,000 meters. With golden roofs, red walls, and a sea of clouds, it is praised as “a dazzling feast for mortals, a glimpse of worldly grandeur.” The Ten-Mile Painting Screen is the essence of the whole route, an elevated walkway along a sheer cliff that changes scenery step by step, capturing the peaks, clouds, and sunrise. Visitors can take a two-stage cable car to the top. On sunny days, you can enjoy the sea of clouds and sunrise. In winter, it is a very popular place for snow viewing in central China. My understanding is that you should take the cable car up early to secure the best lighting at the Golden Summit and Ten-Mile Painting Screen; it is windy and cold at the top, so a windbreaker and thermos are essential. The glass observation deck is not recommended for the faint-hearted.

Tips: Climbing sections have many steps and steep slopes, so be sure to wear non-slip sports shoes. Those with mobility issues should take the cable car both ways. Visitors generally feel that the sea of clouds and sunrise at the Golden Summit are the main attractions, and many stay on the mountaintop waiting for dawn. Be aware that the temperature difference is large and the cable car might have long queues, so plan to go early during peak season. Depending on your situation, the long journey risks dehydration, so carry a water bottle and drink small amounts frequently. On the first night at a highland or mountain area, avoid washing hair or taking long baths to give your body time to adapt.