Anyang 5-Day Tour: White Horse Temple & Baiyun Mountain

Morning tour: Start from the Shanmen (Mountain Gate) and the Hall of Heavenly Kings, carefully follow the central axis to the Great Buddha Hall, and then move on to the Qiyun Pagoda Courtyard; at noon, try the local dishes, and in the afternoon, visit the Burmese- and Indian-style Buddhist halls to experience the exotic charm of this ancient temple.

Attraction Introduction: A highlight arranged in the itinerary is the temple, located in the eastern part of the city, originally built during the Yongping era of the Eastern Han Dynasty to commemorate the transporting of sutras on white horses and the initial spread of Buddhism to the Central Plains. It is honored as 'China's First Ancient Temple' and is the first government-established temple built after Buddhism was introduced to China. Within the temple, the Qiyun Pagoda Courtyard, Great Buddha Hall, and Hall of Heavenly Kings are laid out along the central axis, with incense floating amid red walls and green cypresses for over two thousand years. It is worth mentioning that the temple also has foreign-style Buddhist halls donated by countries such as Myanmar, Thailand, and India, showcasing the unique scenery of the spread and return of Buddhist culture. My understanding is to first view the main halls along the central axis, then circle to the Qiyun Pagoda Courtyard, and finally visit the side exotic Buddhist halls to feel the cultural fusion; coming in the early morning with fewer people is ideal, as the morning light on the red walls and ancient cypresses is most picturesque, and it also helps avoid the peak of tour groups.

Tips: There are many incense stalls around the temple, so buy incense as needed and consume reasonably. Visitors generally note that foreign-style Buddhist halls (Thai, Burmese, Indian courtyards) are highly photogenic and seem more spacious than expected; note that walking in the international temple area can be long, so prepare your stamina. Depending on the situation, group tours should avoid a superficial visit, as listening to the guide is the essence. The cultural stories behind each attraction are often more memorable than photos, and if something is unclear, ask the guide on the spot.

Early in the morning, climb Yu Huang Peak to watch the sunrise over the sea of clouds, then visit the Nine Dragons Waterfall; in the afternoon, stroll along the forest trails, enjoy the cool in summer or the autumn foliage, and return in the evening.

Attraction Introduction: This stop is at Baiyun Mountain, located in the heart of Funiu Mountain in Song County. At Yu Huang Peak, you can watch the sunrise over the sea of clouds. The area is heavily forested with abundant negative oxygen ions, making it a natural large 'oxygen bar.' Within the scenic area, the Nine Dragons Waterfall and the Alpine Peony Garden each have their own characteristics. It's ideal for cooling off in summer and enjoying autumn leaves, making it one of the few high-mountain resort-type scenic areas in Henan. Visitors can use the cableway or shuttle buses to connect various points. The mountaintop offers wide views, with mist swirling around, creating a fairy-tale landscape. In my view, visiting in summer to escape the heat is most worthwhile, as the cool mountain air contrasts sharply with the scorching city. Getting up early to climb Yu Huang Peak for the sunrise requires some luck, but even if you miss the sunrise, the mountain scenery in the morning mist is already beautiful enough.

Warm Tips: The climbing routes have many steps and steep slopes, so be sure to wear non-slip sports shoes. Those with limited mobility are advised to use the cableway. Most visitors report that Baiyun Mountain is worth a special trip. It is recommended to slow down, listen to the guide’s explanations, and reserve time for the details that touch you the most and the best photo spots. Depending on your situation, if you want authentic food, go deeper into the alleys; the queues at the scenic area's main entrance tend to be long and the food average. For local specialties, always ask for the price and compare; local supermarkets often provide more authentic goods.

Today, with Sui-Tang Luoyang City as the theme, avoid peak times by entering the park off-peak, and follow the recommended route for an in-depth tour; have local specialties for lunch nearby, spend the afternoon on free activities or join the guide for additional sightseeing, and stay in a hotel in the evening to rest.

Attraction introduction: This stop brings us to Sui-Tang Luoyang City. The Sui-Tang Luoyang City National Heritage Park centers on Ying Tian Gate, Ming Tang, and Tian Tang, recreating the grandeur of the palaces in the flourishing Tang Dynasty “Divine Capital” Luoyang. Ying Tian Gate is the south gate of Sui-Tang Luoyang City, imposing in presence; climbing up allows for a view of the central axis, and at night there is a stunning light show. Ming Tang was the “Palace of Myriad Phenomena” during Wu Zetian’s era, while Tian Tang is the tall tower for Buddha worship. Both buildings' interiors reproduce the magnificent furnishings of Tang Dynasty palaces. Strolling by Jiuzhou Pond is also recommended, imagining the majesty of the former imperial gardens. This site is closely associated with films and TV series such as “Wu Zetian” and “The Wind Rises in Luoyang,” making it one of the most popular Tang culture check-in spots in Luoyang in recent years. My suggestion is to definitely visit at night—the lights of Ying Tian Gate, Ming Tang, and Tian Tang when dusk falls show the “Divine Capital” as it should be; view the palace interiors by day and enjoy the light show at night for two distinct experiences in one day.

Tips: Popular landmarks in ancient capitals see heavy crowds during holidays, so try to go off-peak or book tickets in advance. Most tourists feel that Sui-Tang Luoyang City is worth a special visit; it is recommended to slow down, follow the guide for explanations, and leave time for the details that touch you most and the best photo spots. Take your physical condition into account, reserve energy, tackle the highlights in the morning when you have energy, slow down in the afternoon, and avoid exhausting yourself on the first day, so you won't be worn out for the following days.