Luoyang 8-Day Tour: Longmen Grottoes & Longtan Grand Canyon

Enter the cave early in the morning, stroll inside the constant-temperature cave to admire the spectacular stalactites created by the changing lights; enjoy free activities in the afternoon, you can also retake photos of the vegetation outside the cave, and return in the evening.

Tips: On free activity days, taking a taxi or walking is convenient. Check the route to your destination in advance and mark the shops and attractions you want to visit on the map. Visitors generally report that most people use free activity days to sleep in naturally, then go sightseeing, eat, and retake photos, spending the day very leisurely. Depending on your situation, if you want authentic local food, go deeper into the alleys, as queues at the main entrance are long and the taste is average; for specialty products, ask for prices first and compare, as local supermarkets often offer more genuine items.

Today's visit is to Longmen Grottoes, and it is recommended to allow at least half a day: connect the main caves of the West Mountain, the viewing platform of the East Mountain, and Xiangshan Temple Baiyuan in a line, follow the guide to understand the stories of the Northern Wei and flourishing Tang behind the stone carvings; return and rest in the evening.

Attraction Introduction: A highlight arranged in the itinerary is Longmen Grottoes. Longmen Grottoes was carved on the cliffs along both sides of the Yi River south of Luoyang city, continuously constructed since Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei moved the capital to Luoyang, spanning multiple dynasties including Eastern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Qi, Sui, and Tang. Currently, more than 2,300 grottoes, over 100,000 statues, and more than 2,800 inscriptions remain. The most striking feature is the Vairocana Buddha of Fengxian Temple, over 17 meters tall, with a full face and kind eyes, said to have been carved based on Wu Zetian's appearance, representing the peak of Tang stone carving art. Together with Dunhuang Mogao Caves and Datong Yungang, it is known as one of China's three major grottoes and is also a World Cultural Heritage site. When visiting, start from the West Mountain Grottoes along the Yi River trail heading south; Binyang Three Caves, Ten Thousand Buddha Cave, and Lotus Cave each have points of interest. Cross the bridge to the East Mountain Worshiping Platform for a panoramic view. My understanding is to first see the main caves of the West Mountain in the morning and enjoy the Buddha while crowds are smaller, then in the afternoon go to the East Mountain viewing platform for distant views—the lighting and angles are most photogenic; walking along both sides of the Yi River requires retracing steps, so a pair of comfortable shoes will save a lot of effort.

Tips: The grotto area has strong UV rays, so bring a sunhat and sunscreen on sunny days. The visit route is long, so remember to stay hydrated. Visitors generally feedback that most find the Vairocana Buddha the most impressive, the West Mountain at sunset is the most photogenic; walking along both sides of the Yi River requires retracing steps, so wearing comfortable shoes and allowing half a day is recommended. Practically speaking, dehydration is the biggest concern on long trips, so carry a water bottle and drink in small amounts multiple times; when arriving at high plateaus or mountainous areas, avoid washing your hair or taking long baths on the first night to give your body time to adjust.

Morning tour: Walk along Liubu Pond and One-Line Sky trails close to the water, and observe the spectacular phenomena of the Red Rock Chasm Valley and water flowing upward. Lunch in the scenic area with a simple meal, continue exploring in the afternoon, and return in the evening.

Attraction introduction: This stop is at Longtan Grand Canyon, located in Xin'an. It is a canyon famous for wonders like the Red Rock Chasm Valley and water flowing upward, and is known as the 'Canyon Gem' and 'Natural Museum of Ancient Oceans.' Trails such as Liubu Pond and One-Line Sky are very engaging near the water. The red rock cliffs and clear blue pools complement each other, especially refreshing in summer, making it a family-friendly destination not far from Luoyang city center. The canyon stretches several kilometers, with waterfalls, deep ponds, and unusual rocks along the way, offering scenery every step of the journey. My suggestion is to wear non-slip creek shoes or sports shoes, and keep valuables such as your phone waterproofed. Families with children should slow their pace, choose the flatter boardwalk sections, and not rush to complete the entire route.

Tips: Signal may be poor inside the canyon, so arrange meeting points with your guide in advance and do not act alone. Visitors generally feedback that most believe Longtan Grand Canyon is worth a dedicated trip. It is recommended to slow your pace, listen to the guide’s explanations, and give time to the details that move you most and the best photo spots. Depending on your situation, be punctual. Arrive five to ten minutes early for gatherings; it's better for people to wait for the vehicle than for the vehicle to wait for people. Don’t make everyone wait for you.

Start early in the morning and, while it's cool, first visit Hongshi Gorge and Tanpu Gorge to experience the spectacular phenomenon of water flowing uphill; in the afternoon, you can take the cable car up to Zhuyu Peak to overlook the Taihang Mountains, and descend in the evening.

Attraction Introduction: Today's itinerary includes several attractions. One of them is located in Xiuwu and is one of the first World Geoparks, known for the red cliffs and green waters of Hongshi Gorge, the cascading waterfalls and streams of Tanpu Gorge, the 'tallest waterfall in Asia' Yuntai Tian Waterfall in Quanpu Gorge, and the sea of clouds and sunrise at Zhuyu Peak. It represents the most iconic landscapes of the southern Taihang Mountains. Hongshi Gorge is the essence among the essence, a red quartz sandstone gorge about two kilometers long, with winding green waters at the valley floor and cliffs as red as sunset; Zhuyu Peak is famous because of the Tang dynasty poet Wang Wei's line 'Planting zhuyu everywhere, yet a person is missing.' Taking the cable car to the top offers a panoramic view of the Taihang peaks. Shuttle buses connect various points within the scenic area, and the paths are gentle, suitable for family trips. In my opinion, if one day is not enough, first focus on the core areas of Hongshi Gorge and Monkey Valley, and be sure to allow enough time for queuing for the shuttle bus; it's refreshing by the water in summer, and in autumn the forests are ablaze with color, each season having its own charm.

Tips: The mountain trails have many steps and steep slopes, so be sure to wear non-slip sports shoes. Those with mobility issues are advised to use the cable car to ascend and descend. Visitors commonly report that Hongshi Gorge is recognized as the most scenic section for photos, and Zhuyu Peak's sea of clouds is also worth seeing. Be reminded that queuing for the shuttle bus can be long, so if one day is not enough, prioritize Hongshi Gorge and Monkey Valley. Based on the actual situation, when taking photos, don’t just focus on getting a good shot—pay attention to your feet and surroundings. Make sure to steady yourself when standing on observation decks or walkways.