Anyang 5-Day Tour: Sui-Tang Luoyang City & Laojun Mountain

Leave the hotel early in the morning and go straight to Sui-Tang Luoyang City. First, listen to the tour guide explain the background and highlights, then explore freely at your own pace and take extra photos of spots you’re interested in. After lunch, rest for a while, then return to the hotel in the evening to save energy for the next day.

Attraction Introduction: This stop is at Sui-Tang Luoyang City. Sui-Tang Luoyang City National Heritage Park centers around Yingtian Gate, Mingtang, and Tiantang, recreating the grandeur of the palaces in the flourishing Tang Dynasty “Divine Capital” Luoyang. Yingtian Gate is the main south gate of Sui-Tang Luoyang City, imposing and majestic; by climbing the tower, you can overlook the central axis, and at night there is a stunning light show. Mingtang was the “Palace of Ten Thousand Phenomena” during Wu Zetian's reign, while Tiantang is a high tower for worship; the interiors of both buildings recreate the magnificent furnishings of Tang Dynasty palaces. The area around Jiuzhou Pool is also worth a leisurely stroll, evoking the grandeur of the royal gardens in the past. This place is closely associated with films and TV series such as "Wu Zetian" and "The Wind Rises in Luoyang," and it has become one of the most popular Tang cultural destinations in Luoyang in recent years. In my understanding, it’s a must to visit at night—the lights of Yingtian Gate and Mingtang-Tiantang are how the “Divine Capital” should truly look when the lamps are first lit; you can see the palace interiors during the day and enjoy the light show at night, giving you two different experiences in one day.

Tips: The ancient capital offers abundant night-tour options, so keep warm when going out at night and remember the meeting points. Generally, tourists feel that Sui-Tang Luoyang City is worth a special visit. It’s recommended to slow down, follow the guide’s explanations, and reserve time for the details that touch you most and the best photo spots. Respect local customs based on actual circumstances; dress appropriately when entering religious sites, avoid pointing around casually, and a simple greeting can earn goodwill.

Today’s in-depth tour: After taking the cable car up the mountain, we will focus on the Golden Summit, the Ten-Mile Painted Screen, and the Glass Viewing Platform, following the guide to learn about Taoist culture and the geology of the Funiu Mountains. In the afternoon, we descend and rest to build energy for the next day.

Scenic Spot Introduction: One of the highlights arranged in the itinerary is Laojun Mountain, located in Luoyang, Luanchuan County. It is the main peak of the Funiu Mountains and a famous Taoist mountain, said to be the place where the founder of Taoism, Laozi, retired to cultivate. The Golden Summit Taoist temple complex stands atop a peak over 2,000 meters above sea level, with golden tiles and red walls, surrounded by a sea of clouds, reputed as "a grand feast on earth worth seeing once in a lifetime." The Ten-Mile Painted Screen is the highlight of the trip: a high-altitude walkway suspended on a cliff allows visitors to enjoy ever-changing views of the peak forest, sea of clouds, and sunrise. You can take a two-stage cable car to ascend; on a clear day, you can watch the sunrise over the sea of clouds from the summit, and in winter it is a highly popular spot in central China for snow-viewing. My understanding is that you must take the cable car early to get the best light for the Golden Summit and Ten-Mile Painted Screen; the summit is windy and cold, so a windbreaker and a thermos are standard. Those afraid of heights should not force themselves to go on the glass viewing platform.

Friendly Tips: The hiking routes have many steps and steep slopes, so be sure to wear non-slip sports shoes. Those with limited mobility are advised to take the cable car both ways. Visitors generally regard the sea of clouds and sunrise from the Golden Summit as the main attractions, and many specifically stay on the mountain overnight to see dawn. Note that the summit has large temperature differences and long queues for the cable car, so it’s essential to go early during peak season. Depending on your actual situation, the biggest danger in group tours is rushing through the sights; listening to the guide is the real essence. The cultural stories behind each scenic spot are often more memorable than photos, so ask the guide questions on the spot if something is unclear.

In the morning, visit White Horse Temple, taking a close look along the central axis from the Shanmen (Mountain Gate) and the Hall of Heavenly Kings to the Great Buddha Hall, then proceed to the Qiyun Pagoda Courtyard; at noon, try local dishes; in the afternoon, visit Buddhist halls in Burmese and Indian styles to experience the exotic charm of this thousand-year-old ancient temple.

Attraction Introduction: One of the highlights arranged in the itinerary is White Horse Temple. White Horse Temple is located in the eastern part of Luoyang city, originally built during the Yongping period of the Eastern Han dynasty to commemorate the White Horse carrying the Buddhist scriptures and the initial transmission of Buddhism to central China. It is revered as "China's First Ancient Temple" and is the first official temple built after Buddhism was introduced to China. Within the temple, the Qiyun Pagoda Courtyard, Great Buddha Hall, and Hall of Heavenly Kings are arranged along the central axis. Between the red walls and verdant cypresses, incense has been continuously burning for more than two thousand years. It is worth mentioning that the temple also has exotic-style Buddhist halls sponsored by Myanmar, Thailand, India, and other countries, presenting a unique landscape of the eastward spread and return flow of Buddhist culture. My understanding is to first see the main halls along the central axis, then walk to the Qiyun Pagoda Courtyard, and finally visit the side exotic Buddhist halls to experience cultural integration; come early in the morning when fewer people are around, as the morning light on the red walls and ancient cypresses is most poetic, and it also helps avoid the peak tourist crowds.

Tips: The temple has many stone steps and thresholds; do not step on the thresholds while crossing, and when worshiping, follow the order and avoid pushing. Tourists generally report that the exotic-style Buddhist halls (Thai/Burmese/Indian Courtyards) are very photogenic, and most feel they are more spacious than expected; note that the international temple area requires a fair amount of walking, so save some energy. Depending on the situation, if you want to eat authentic local food, venture deeper into the alleys as queues at the main gate are long and the taste is average; for specialty products, inquire about prices and compare them first, as local supermarkets are often more genuine.