Jiaozuo 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 a leisurely 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 tall 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 while traveling at night and remember the meeting points. Visitors generally feedback that most think 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. Based on the actual situation, respect local customs, dress appropriately when entering religious places, avoid pointing carelessly, 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 observation deck, following the guide to learn about Taoist culture and the geology of the Funiu Mountains. In the afternoon, we will descend and rest to prepare for the next day.

Attraction 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. If you are afraid of the glass observation deck, don’t force yourself.

Tips: The mountain trails 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 up and down. Visitors generally agree that the Golden Summit’s sea of clouds and sunrise are the main attractions, and many stay on the mountaintop specifically for dawn. Note that the summit has large temperature differences and long cable car queues, so during peak season, go early. Considering the actual situation, the biggest risk of joining a tour group is rushing through; listening to the guide is the essence. The cultural stories behind each attraction are often more memorable than photos, so ask the guide immediately if you don’t understand something.

Gather in the morning and set off for Wanxian Mountain, following the main route with the guide, visiting all the key spots one by one, leaving ample time for photos and rest; enjoy a local specialty lunch at noon, continue to explore in the afternoon, and check into the hotel in the evening to rest and recharge for the next day's itinerary.

Attraction Introduction: A highlight included in the itinerary is Wanxian Mountain. The Wanxian Mountain scenic area is located deep in the Taihang Mountains of Huixian, featuring the Guoliang Cliff Road and Nanping Danfeng Valley. Red cliffs and cascading waterfalls intertwine here, making it one of the most representative mountain and water galleries of the Taihang Mountains. It is famous for being a filming location for many movies and TV shows. Attractions such as Guoliang Village, Tianchi, and the Watchtower form a breathtaking Taihang hiking route. Summers are pleasantly cool, and it is a place close to Zhengzhou and Luoyang where you can experience the Taihang landscapes. From my understanding, the hikes are long with many steps, so non-slip shoes are a must; be cautious of traffic on the cliff road segment, and the morning and evening light offers the best photos of the red cliffs.

Warm Tips: There is a large temperature difference between morning and evening in the mountains, and it is windy on the peaks. A windproof jacket and warm layers are necessary. Visitors generally report that the cliff road (Guoliang Tunnel) is the most impressive and photogenic, while mountain roads may cause motion sickness; it's recommended to bring motion sickness medicine and take your time on viewing platforms. To eat authentic local food, head deeper into the alleys, as the queues at the main entrance of the scenic area are long and the taste is average; for local specialties, inquire about prices and compare, as local supermarkets often offer more genuine products.