Zhengzhou 8-Day Tour: Longmen Grottoes & Jiguan Cave

Today's tour Longmen Grottoes suggests spending half a day: the main cave of Xishan Mountain, the East Mountain Grandstand, and Baiyuan of Xiangshan Temple are all connected, followed by explanations to understand the stories behind the stone carvings of the Northern Wei and flourishing Tang dynasties; Return in the evening to rest.

Attraction introduction: A highlight of the itinerary is Longmen Grottoes, carved into the cliffs on both banks of the Yi River south of Luoyang city. Since Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei moved the capital to Luoyang, construction has continued through Eastern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Qi, Sui, Tang, and other dynasties. There are over 2,300 cave niches, over 100,000 statues, and more than 2,800 inscriptions and inscriptions preserved. The most impressive is the Vairocana Buddha at Fengxian Temple, standing over 17 meters tall, with a plump face and benevolent eyes. Legend has it that it was carved after Wu Zetian's likeness, marking the pinnacle of Tang dynasty stone carving art. Along with Dunhuang Mogao Caves and Datong Yungang, it is one of China's three great grottoes and a World Cultural Heritage site. When touring, head south along the Yi River trail from the Xishan Grottoes, where Binyang Three Caves, Ten Thousand Buddha Caves, and Lotus Cave each have highlights. Cross the bridge to the Dongshan Buddha Worship Platform for a panoramic view. My understanding is that in the morning, first visit the main cave of Xishan and admire the Big Buddha while there are fewer people; in the afternoon, go to the Dongshan Viewing Platform for the best lighting and angle; If you need to walk backward along both banks of the Yi River, a pair of comfortable shoes can save you a lot of effort.

Friendly reminder: Visiting the grottoes mainly involves walking and stairs. It is recommended to wear non-slip, comfortable shoes and travel lightly. Pay attention to your footing along both banks of the Yi River. Visitors generally report that most find the Vairocana Buddha the most breathtaking, and the best light at sunset on the western hills; If you need to walk back along both banks of the Yi River, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and reserve half a day. Based on actual circumstances, be very punctual. Arrive five to ten minutes early. Better to wait for a car than for a car—don't make everyone wait for you.

Morning tour: Enter the karst cave to see the myriad stalactites; have a nearby lunch at noon, and in the afternoon you can optionally visit Longtan Grand Canyon, with one cave and one gorge complementing each other, returning in the evening.

Attraction Introduction: There is Jiguan Cave attraction on today's itinerary. Jiguan Cave is the karst cave in Luanchuan. Inside the cave, the stalactites are varied and ornate, with stalagmites, stone pillars, and stone flowers transforming into brilliant colors under the lighting. The cave maintains a constant and pleasant temperature throughout the year, warm in winter and cool in summer. The cave is densely packed with scenic spots, offering constantly changing views, and with guided explanations, you can understand the miraculous geological changes over hundreds of millions of years. Together with Longtan Grand Canyon, forming one cave and one gorge, they complement each other and make up a classic geological wonder route in western Henan. In my understanding, when entering the cave, remember to follow the guide; the formation and naming of stalactites are very interesting, and it’s easy to miss highlights if you look on your own. The cave floor is slippery, and some areas are low, so wear anti-slip shoes and watch your head.

Tips: The mountainous area has a large temperature difference between morning and evening, and the mountaintop is windy, so a windproof jacket and warm inner layers are necessary. Tourists generally feedback that most of them consider Jiguan Cave worth visiting specifically. It is recommended to slow the pace, listen to the guide’s explanations, and leave time for the details that move you the most and the best photo spots. Considering the actual situation, don’t focus solely on taking photos; pay attention to your feet and the surrounding environment. Make sure to stand securely on viewing platforms and along the edges of walkways.

Early in the morning, take the two-stage cable car to reach the Golden Summit, check in at the Taoist temple complex, and enjoy the sea of clouds and sunrise; in the afternoon, slowly descend along the Ten Li Painting Screen, changing scenery step by step, and return in the evening.

Attraction Introduction: One of the highlights arranged in the itinerary is the Golden Summit. It is located in Luanchuan County, the main peak of the Funiu Mountains, and a famous Taoist mountain, said to be the retreat and cultivation site of Laozi, the founder of Taoism. The Golden Summit temple complex stands atop a peak over 2,000 meters above sea level, with golden-tiled and red-walled temples and rolling clouds, earning the reputation of 'traveling far for a magnificent feast, to behold the world's splendor in one glance.' The Ten Li Painting Screen is the essence of the whole journey, a high-altitude plank road suspended on a cliff offering changing views with each step, encompassing the peaks, clouds, and sunrise. You can take a two-stage cable car up the mountain; on clear days, you can watch the sea of clouds and sunrise from the summit, while 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 secure the best light at the Golden Summit and Ten Li Painting Screen; the summit is windy and cool, so a windbreaker and a thermos are must-haves, and cautious visitors should be careful on the glass viewing platform.

Tips: The mountain paths are often slippery, especially on the descent, so keep your center of gravity backward and slow your pace; knee pads are recommended. Visitors generally agree that the sea of clouds and sunrise at the Golden Summit are the main highlights, with many choosing to stay on the summit overnight to wait for dawn. Note that the temperature difference at the summit is large and cable car queues are long, so during peak season, it's essential to go early. Depending on conditions, for the best photos, head early in the morning or late in the evening—the morning offers fewer people and soft light, while dusk provides golden light; midday light is harsh and crowded, so it’s more worthwhile to rest then.