Luoyang 7-Day Tour: Longmen Grottoes & Longtan Grand Canyon

Start early and enter Chongdugou, taking advantage of the cool morning to walk along the bamboo forest trail and visit the waterfalls, suitable for a leisurely family stroll; in the afternoon, enjoy free activities, which can include catching up on photos or taking a short rest, and return in the evening.

Warm tips: Free activities are suitable for catching up on sleep and leisurely strolling. It is recommended to rest in the morning and explore or eat according to personal interest in the afternoon. Avoid staying out too late at night to prevent affecting the next day's schedule. Many visitors generally feel that the day of free activities is the most relaxed day, allowing them to go at their own pace. Take into account the actual situation and respect local customs; dress appropriately when visiting religious sites, do not point or gesture casually, and a simple greeting can bring goodwill.

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

Attraction Introduction: A highlight arranged in the itinerary is Longmen Grottoes. Longmen Grottoes was carved on the cliff on both sides of the Yi River in the south of Luoyang City, and continuous construction began since Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei moved the capital to Luoyang. It went through the Eastern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Qi, Sui, Tang, and several other dynasties. There are currently more than 2,300 caves and niches, over 100,000 statues, and more than 2,800 steles and inscriptions. The most stunning is the Vairocana Buddha in Fengxian Temple, with a total height of over 17 meters, a full face, and compassionate eyes, said to be carved based on Wu Zetian's appearance, representing the peak of Tang dynasty stone carving art. Along with Dunhuang Mogao Caves and Yungang in Datong, 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 Caves 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 West Mountain in the morning, enjoy the Buddha statue while there are fewer people, and in the afternoon, go to the East Mountain viewing platform for a distant view; the lighting and angles are best for photos. Walking along both sides of the Yi River requires retracing your steps, so a pair of comfortable shoes can save a lot of effort.

Tips: The grottoes are mostly built on cliffs, so when viewing, keep a distance from the cliff, hold onto the railings, and take care of the elderly and children. Visitors generally report that most feel the Vairocana Buddha is the most stunning, and the lighting at sunset at West Mountain is best for photos; as walking along both sides of the Yi River requires retracing your steps, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and reserve half a day. According to the actual situation, don't just focus on taking photos; pay attention to your footing and the surrounding environment. On viewing platforms and along boardwalk edges, make sure to hold on and stand steadily.

Morning visit to [0], walking along the Liubutan and Yixiantian trails close to the water, observing the wonders of the Red Rock Gorge and the phenomenon of water flowing uphill; simple lunch in the scenic area at noon, continue exploration in the afternoon, and return in the evening.

Scenic Spot Introduction: This stop is [0]. [0] is located in Xin’an and is a canyon famous for wonders like the Red Rock Gorge and water flowing uphill, earning the titles "Canyon Gem" and "Natural Museum of Ancient Oceans." Trails such as Liubutan and Yixiantian offer strong water-related fun, with red cliffs and clear pools reflecting each other. It is especially cool in summer and is a family-friendly water destination not far from [1] city center. The canyon stretches for several kilometers, with waterfalls, deep pools, and unusual rocks along the way, offering a new view at every step. In my understanding, wearing anti-slip creek shoes or sports shoes is most suitable, and valuables like mobile phones should be kept waterproof; families with children should slow down, choose the gentler boardwalk sections, and not rush to complete the entire route.

Tips: The canyon's water-friendly sections are slippery, so be sure to wear anti-slip creek shoes or sports shoes, and keep valuables like mobile phones waterproof. Visitors generally feedback that most think [0] is worth a special visit. It is recommended to slow your pace, follow the guide’s explanations, and leave time for the details that move you most and the best spots for photos. Depending on the actual situation, the best times for photos are early in the morning or late in the evening — mornings are less crowded with soft light, and evenings offer golden light, while noon has harsh light and is crowded, so it's more worthwhile to rest then.

Set off early from the hotel straight to Sui-Tang Luoyang City. First, listen to the tour guide explain the background and highlights, then enjoy a leisurely walk on your own and take additional photos according to your interests. After lunch, take a short rest, and return to the hotel in the evening to conserve energy for the next day.

Attractions introduction: This stop is Sui-Tang Luoyang City. The Sui-Tang Luoyang City National Heritage Park centers around Yingtian Gate, Mingtang, and Tiantang, reconstructing the grandeur of the palaces in the prosperous Tang Dynasty 'Divine Capital' Luoyang. Yingtian Gate serves as the main southern gate of Sui-Tang Luoyang City, majestic in scale; climbing the tower allows a view down the central axis, and at night there is a stunning light show. Mingtang was the 'Palace of Myriad Phenomena' during Empress Wu Zetian's reign, while Tiantang is a tall tower for Buddhist rituals. The interiors of both buildings recreate the luxurious furnishings of a Tang Dynasty court. It is also suitable to stroll by Jiuzhou Pool, imagining the grandeur of the imperial gardens in the past. This location is closely associated with TV dramas 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 understanding is that it is essential to visit at night—the lights at Yingtian Gate and Mingtang Tiantang are at their most 'Divine Capital' style when dusk falls. Daytime is for viewing the palace furnishings, and nighttime is for the light show—two experiences in one day.

Tips: Popular landmarks in ancient capitals are crowded during holidays, so try to avoid peak times or book tickets in advance. Generally, tourists feel that Sui-Tang Luoyang City is worth a special visit. It is recommended to slow down, follow the guide’s explanations, and reserve time for the details that move you most and the best photo spots. Considering practical situations, the biggest concern for long journeys is dehydration, so carry a water bottle and drink small amounts frequently. In highlands or mountainous areas, avoid washing your hair or showering for too long on the first night to give your body some time to adjust.