Anyang 7-Day Tour: Laojun Mountain & Longtan Grand Canyon

Early in the morning, climb Laojun Mountain, first take the two-level cable car to the Golden Summit, check in at the Taoist temple cluster and the sea of clouds at sunrise; In the afternoon, slowly descend along the Ten-Mile Painted Screen, changing scenery at every step, returning by evening.

Attraction introduction: A highlight of the itinerary is Laojun Mountain, located in Luanchuan County Luoyang. It is the main peak of Funiu Mountain and a famous Taoist mountain, said to be the place where Laozi, the founder of Taoism, retired for cultivation. The Golden Summit Daoist temple cluster stands atop a peak over 2,000 meters above sea level. Its golden tiles and red walls and surging sea of clouds are renowned as "a spectacular feast on earth and a glimpse of the flourishing world." The Ten-Mile Painted Screen is the highlight of the entire trip. A high-altitude plank road suspended above a sheer cliff changes views with every step, offering panoramic views of peaks, forests, sea of clouds, and sunrises. You can take a two-level cable car up the mountain; on sunny days, you can watch the sea of clouds and sunrise from the summit. In winter, it is a highly popular snow-viewing spot in the Central Plains. My understanding is: be sure to take the cable car up the mountain early to seize the golden summit and the beautiful scenery of the Ten-Mile Painting Screen; At the summit, the wind is strong and the temperature low; a windbreaker and thermos bottle are standard, and the glass observation deck is a must-have.

Friendly reminder: The mountain roads are quite slippery, so be sure to shift your weight back and slow down when going downhill. Knee pads are a good option. Visitors generally report that the sea of clouds and sunrise at the Golden Summit are recognized as the main highlights, and many people stay at the summit waiting for dawn. Reminder: The temperature difference at the summit and long cable car queues are key—be sure to arrive early during peak season. Considering actual conditions, mountain weather can change quickly—a windproof jacket is more practical than anything. Be sure to choose shoes that are non-slip and comfortable—avoid taking a few photos and don't twist your ankle.

Today's Longtan Grand Canyon waterside trip focuses on Liubutan and Yixiantian to experience the 'canyon's finest' red rock landforms; Rest in the afternoon and check in at night.

Attraction introduction: This stop is Longtan Grand Canyon. Located in Xin'an, it is a canyon famous for its Hongyan Valley and water flowing upward, earning it the reputation of a "canyon masterpiece" and an "ancient marine natural museum." Trails like Liubutan and Yixiantian are highly water-friendly, with the Hongyan cliffs and clear waters complementing each other. In summer, it is especially cool and refreshing, making it a family waterside destination not far from Luoyang city. The canyon stretches for several kilometers, with waterfalls, deep pools, and strange rocks along the way, offering a new view at every step. My understanding is that wearing a pair of non-slip river trekking shoes or sneakers is ideal, and valuables like phones should be waterproofed; Families with children should slow down the pace and choose gentle boardwalks without rushing to finish the entire route.

Friendly reminder: The canyon's waterfront trails are slippery, so be sure to wear non-slip river shoes or sneakers, and keep your phone and other valuables waterproof. Most visitors generally say Longtan Grand Canyon is worth a special trip. It's recommended to slow down, follow the guide, and listen to the explanations, saving time for the most impressive details and the best camera spots. Based on your situation, don't shop impulsively—take three minutes to cool off when you see 'limited-time offers'; If you really want to bring souvenirs, make sure to visit reputable stores and keep your receipts for peace of mind.

Morning tour Shaolin Temple, see Chang Jiu and Talin, and watch Shaolin martial arts performances according to the schedule; Taste local food in Dengfeng at noon, and in the afternoon visit Songyang Academy or Chuzu Nunnery, and immerse yourself in Zen martial arts culture in one day.

Attraction introduction: Today's itinerary includes Shaolin Temple attractions. Shaolin Temple is located at the foot of Wuru Peak on Shaoshi Mountain in Dengfeng. It was first built in the 19th year of Taihe of the Northern Wei Dynasty (495 AD). It is both the ancestral temple of Chan Buddhism and the birthplace of Shaolin martial arts, with a history of over 1,500 years. The core highlights are concentrated in three places: the main temple is lined with the central axis as the mountain gate, Hall of Heavenly Kings, Mahavira Hall, Sutra Library, and Snow Pavilion, with halls and ancient steles lined up; The Pagoda Forest is the largest existing ancient pagoda complex in China, with over 200 brick and stone tomb pagodas from the Tang, Song, to Qing dynasties, each with a different form, corresponding to a high monk; The Bodhidharma Cave on Wuru Peak is said to be where Bodhidharma faced the wall for nine years. The martial arts hall hosts Shaolin martial arts performances at scheduled times every day, showcasing the true skills of boxing, weapons, and hard qigong. My understanding is that before entering the temple, you should first follow the guide along the central axis before freely exploring the area; Please keep quiet and tour the pagoda forest area; Enter the martial arts show fifteen minutes early to secure a good spot.

Friendly reminder: The temple has many stone steps and thresholds; do not step over the threshold. Arrange for regular queues during worship without pushing. Visitors generally report that martial arts performances are most popular with families, while the Pagoda Forest and First Patriarch's Hermitage are often overlooked along the way. Reminder: The scenic area is highly commercialized; please ask about prices for vegetarian meals and surrounding areas. Based on actual conditions, documents and wallets should be kept separately. Important documents can be taken and stored on your phone for backup. If lost, you can quickly reissue them without delaying your trip.

Set off from the hotel early in the morning to Mount Song, listen to the guide explain the background and highlights, then enjoy a leisurely tour and take additional photos of camera positions according to your interests. After lunch, take a short rest, then return to the hotel in the evening to recharge for the next day.

Attraction introduction: One highlight of the itinerary is Mount Song. Mount Song is the Central Mountain among the Five Great Mountains, mainly located in Dengfeng City, divided into Taishi and Shaoshi Mountains. The main peak, Junji Peak, rises to about 1492 meters. Its most special feature is that Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism have been adjacent to each other for thousands of years on the same mountain: Songyang Academy was a major center for Neo-Confucianism in the Song Dynasty, and the famous story 'Standing in Snow at Chengmen' is said to have happened here; Zhongyue Temple is one of the largest and best-preserved temple complexes among the Five Great Mountains; The Star Observatory in Gaocheng Town was built under the supervision of Guo Shoujing during the Yuan Dynasty and is one of the oldest existing astronomical observation buildings. In 2010, the "Center of Heaven and Earth" historical architectural complex, represented by Songyang Academy, Zhongyue Temple, Songyue Temple Pagoda, Shaolin Temple Regular Residence, Pagoda Forest, First Patriarch's Hermitage, and Star Observation Platform, was inscribed on the World Heritage List. My understanding is that on the first day, there's no need to overindulge—first visit the academy and Zhongyue Temple to understand the ritual system of "Heaven and Earth in the Center," saving the energy for hiking later; If you have extra time, going to the Sanhuangzhai plank road on Shaoshi Mountain in the evening to watch the sunset is the most photogenic part of the entire trip.

Friendly reminder: The mountain roads are slippery, so be sure to shift your center of gravity and slow down when going downhill. Prepare a pair of knee pads. Visitors generally say that Mount Song is worth a special trip. It's recommended to slow down and follow the guide to listen to the explanations, saving time for the most impressive details and the best camera angles. Depending on the situation, bring some change and small packs of snacks. These will be useful when the signal is poor or you need to resupply in the spot. Don't wait until you're hungry to find them.