Jiaozuo 8-Day Tour: Scenic Area & Sui-Tang Luoyang City

Set off early from the hotel straight to Sui-Tang Luoyang City, first listening to the tour guide explain the background and highlights, then leisurely explore on your own and take extra photos according to your interests; after lunch, rest for a bit, and return to the hotel in the evening to conserve energy for the next day.

Attraction Introduction: Today's itinerary includes Jiaozuo attractions. Jiaozuo is home to Yuntai Mountain World Geopark, featuring the red cliffs and clear waters of Hongshi Gorge, the waterfalls and streams of Tanpu Gorge, and the sea of clouds and sunrise at Zhuyu Peak, making it a concentrated essence of the Taihang Mountains landscape. My understanding is that when hiking, you must know your limits; use cable cars whenever possible, and if your knees are not in good condition, don’t force a hike. The scenery is not about pushing your limits.

Warm Tips: There is a large temperature difference in the mountains between morning and evening, and it is windy at the summit, so a windproof jacket and warm inner layers are necessary. Tourists generally feedback that most consider Jiaozuo worth a special visit; it is recommended to slow down, follow the guide's explanations, and reserve time for the details that move you the most and the best photo spots. Based on practical considerations, keep your ID and wallet separate, take photos of important documents and store backups on your phone, so that in case of loss, you can quickly replace them without affecting your trip.

Today's Buddhist pilgrimage journey involved following the tour guide from Qiyun Tower to the Sutra Pavilion, listening along the way, and understanding the two thousand years of incense offerings at China's oldest temple; in the afternoon, we strolled around the temple, and in the evening, we rested.

Attraction introduction: In this stop, we arrived at Sui-Tang Luoyang City. The Sui-Tang Luoyang City National Heritage Park centers on Yingtian Gate, Mingtang, and Tiantang, restoring the grandeur of palaces in the prosperous Tang dynasty 'Divine Capital' Luoyang. Yingtian Gate is the south gate of Sui-Tang Luoyang City, majestic in scale; you can overlook the central axis from the tower, and there is a spectacular light show at night. Mingtang was the 'Palace of Myriad Phenomena' during Empress Wu Zetian's time, while Tiantang is a high tower for Buddhist worship. The interiors of both buildings restore the luxurious furnishings of the Tang dynasty court. It is also pleasant to stroll along Jiuzhou Pool and imagine the grandeur of the royal gardens of the past. This place is closely related to TV dramas and films such as 'Wu Zetian' and 'The Rise of Luoyang', and has become one of the most popular Tang culture check-in spots in Luoyang in recent years. My understanding is that it is essential to visit at night—when the city lights first come on, the lighting of Yingtian Gate and Mingtang Tiantang reflects what the 'Divine Capital' should look like. You can see the palace furnishings in the daytime and enjoy the light show at night—two experiences in one day.

Friendly reminder: The ancient capital offers a variety of night tours; be sure to keep warm at night and remember the meeting points. Visitors generally feedback that most think Sui-Tang Luoyang City is worth a special visit. It is recommended to slow down, follow the guide's commentary, and leave time for the most touching details and the best photo spots. Depending on the actual situation, carry some small change and snack packs with you, which will be useful if there is poor signal or temporary needs at the scenic spot. Don’t wait until you’re hungry to look for food.

Assemble in the morning and depart for Erlitou. Follow the guide along the main route, visiting all the key highlights, leaving ample time for photos and rest. At noon, enjoy a local specialty meal, then continue exploring in the afternoon. In the evening, check in at the hotel and rest to prepare for the next day's itinerary.

Attractions Introduction: One of the highlights arranged in the itinerary is White Horse Temple. White Horse Temple is located in the east of Luoyang city and was first built during the Yongping period of the Eastern Han Dynasty. It was constructed to commemorate the delivery of Buddhist scriptures by white horses and the early transmission of Buddhism to the Central Plains. It is honored as the 'First Ancient Temple in China' and is the first state-run temple built after Buddhism was introduced to China. Inside the temple, the Qiyun Pagoda Courtyard, Great Buddha Hall, and Hall of Heavenly Kings are laid out along the central axis, with incense burning continuously for over two thousand years among red walls and green cypresses. Notably, the temple also houses Buddhist halls built by donations from countries such as Myanmar, Thailand, and India, presenting a unique view of Buddhist culture spreading eastward and returning. My suggestion is to first visit the main halls along the central axis, then move to the Qiyun Pagoda Courtyard, and finally explore the exotic-style Buddhist halls on both sides to experience cultural blending. Coming early in the morning when there are fewer people is ideal, as the morning light on the red walls and ancient cypresses is most picturesque and it helps avoid peak tourist crowds.

Kind Reminder: Please maintain quiet and dress neatly when entering the temple. Photos are generally not allowed inside the halls, and do not touch any religious items—donations are welcome. Visitors generally find that the foreign-style Buddhist halls (Thai/Myanmar/Indian) are very photogenic and surprisingly spacious. Note that the international temple area requires a fair amount of walking, so save some energy. Considering actual conditions, the mountain weather can change rapidly, so a windproof jacket is essential. Shoes should be non-slip and comfortable; it's better to take fewer photos than to sprain an ankle.