Jiaozuo 6-Day Tour: Laojun Mountain & White Horse Temple

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

Attraction introduction: A highlight of this itinerary is Laojun Mountain. Laojun Mountain is located in Luan County, Luoyang, and is the main peak of the Funiu Mountains. It is also a famous Taoist mountain, traditionally known as the place where Laozi, the founder of Taoism, retreated for cultivation. The Golden Summit Taoist Temple complex stands at an altitude of over 2,000 meters. With golden roofs, red walls, and rolling clouds, it is renowned for the saying, 'Travel far to witness the feast of the mortal world, and behold the beauty of the earthly realm.' The Ten-Mile Painting Screen Trail is the highlight of the route: a high-altitude plank road suspended along a cliff, offering changing views of the peak forests, sea of clouds, and sunrise. You can take a two-stage cable car to the top. On clear days, you can enjoy the sunrise above the sea of clouds; in winter, it is a popular spot in the Central Plains for snow viewing. My understanding is that it is essential to take the cable car early to catch the best light at the Golden Summit and Ten-Mile Painting Screen. The mountaintop is windy and cold, so a windbreaker and thermos are standard; those afraid of heights should avoid the glass observation deck.

Tips: Many mountain paths are slippery, especially on the way down, so pay attention to shifting your center of gravity backward and slowing your pace; knee pads are recommended. Visitors generally agree that the sea of clouds and sunrise at the Golden Summit are the main highlights, and many choose to stay overnight on the mountain to witness dawn. Note that the temperature difference on the mountaintop is significant, and cable cars may have long lines, so be sure to go early during peak seasons. Considering practical conditions, the biggest risk on long trips is dehydration, so carry a water bottle and drink small amounts frequently. On the first night at the plateau or mountainous area, avoid washing your hair or bathing for too long to give your body time to acclimate.

Enter [0] early in the morning and stroll inside the constant-temperature cave to see the spectacular stalactites shaped by the lights; in the afternoon, enjoy free activities, with the option to take additional photos of the vegetation outside the cave, and return in the evening.

Friendly reminder: There is no unified schedule on free activity days, so make a note of the hotel location and meeting time before going out, ensure your phone is fully charged, and bring a power bank. Tourists generally report that most of them use free activity days to sleep in, then go out for sightseeing, eating, and additional photos, making for a very relaxing day. Considering the actual situation, carry some small change and snack-sized packaged food, which can be useful if the attraction has poor signal or for unexpected snacks—don’t wait until you’re hungry to look for them.

Today's Buddhist pilgrimage journey: Following the tour guide from Qiyun Pagoda to the Sutra Repository, we listened along the way and understood the two thousand years of incense offerings at China's first ancient temple; in the afternoon, we strolled around the temple, and in the evening, we rested.

Attraction introduction: A highlight arranged in the itinerary is White Horse Temple, located in the eastern part of Luoyang city. It was first built during the Yongping years of the Eastern Han Dynasty to commemorate the White Horse carrying the scriptures and the initial transmission of Buddhism to the Central Plains. It is honored as 'China's first ancient temple' and was the first government-sponsored temple built after Buddhism was introduced to China. Within the temple, Qiyun Pagoda Courtyard, the Great Buddha Hall, and the Hall of Heavenly Kings are arranged along the central axis, with incense burning continuously among red walls and green cypresses for over two thousand years. It is worth mentioning that the temple also has foreign-style Buddha halls donated by countries such as Myanmar, Thailand, and India, presenting a unique landscape of Buddhist culture spreading eastward and returning. My understanding is to first see the main halls along the central axis, then circle to the Qiyun Pagoda Courtyard, and finally visit the exotic Buddha halls on the sides to experience cultural fusion. Visiting early in the morning when there are fewer people is best, as the morning light on the red walls and ancient cypresses is the most poetic, and it also helps to avoid the peak of tour groups.

Warm tips: The temple has many stone steps and thresholds—do not step on the thresholds when crossing. When worshiping, follow the order and do not push. Visitors generally report that the foreign-style Buddha halls (Thai/Myanmar/Indian courtyards) are photogenic and feel more expansive than expected; note that walking in the international temple area requires more energy. According to actual conditions, when taking photos, don’t focus only on the shots—pay attention to your feet and surroundings, and always stand firm near observation decks and paths.