Luoyang 4-Day Tour: Longmen Grottoes & Henan Only Show

Arrive early in the morning, take advantage of fewer people to first visit the Bingyang Three Caves and Lotus Cave, then climb up to Fengxian Temple to admire the Great Buddha; have a nearby lunch at noon, and in the afternoon visit Dongshan Grottoes and Xiangshan Temple, finishing the day by taking photos along the Yi River, concluding a fulfilling day.

Attraction Introduction: A highlight arranged in the itinerary is the grottoes, which were carved on the cliffs along both sides of the Yi River south of the city. Construction started continuously since Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei moved the capital to this location and continued through multiple dynasties including Eastern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Qi, Sui, and Tang. Currently, there are more than 2,300 niches, over 100,000 statues, and more than 2,800 inscribed steles. The most striking is the Leshan Giant Buddha at Fengxian Temple, which stands over 17 meters tall, with a full face and compassionate eyes, said to be carved based on the appearance of Empress Wu Zetian, representing the peak of Tang dynasty stone carving art. Along with Dunhuang and Datong's Yungang Grottoes, it is known as one of China's three major grottoes and is also a World Cultural Heritage site. When touring, walk from the West Mountain Grottoes along the Yi River path southwards; Bingyang Three Caves, Wanfo Cave, and Lotus Cave each have their highlights. Cross the bridge to the Dongshan Buddha Terrace for a panoramic view. My understanding is that in the morning, first see the main grottoes of West Mountain and savor the Great Buddha when there are fewer people, and in the afternoon go to Dongshan to look from the terrace; this timing offers the best light and angles for photos. Both sides of the Yi River require walking back along the same path, so a pair of comfortable shoes can save a lot of effort.

Tips: The grotto area has strong UV rays, so on sunny days bring a sunhat and sunscreen. Since the tour route is long, remember to stay hydrated. Visitor feedback generally indicates that most people find the Leshan Giant Buddha the most impressive, sunset at West Mountain provides the best light for photos; both sides of the Yi River require walking back along the same path, so wearing comfortable shoes and reserving half a day is recommended. Considering the actual situation, for the best photos, go early in the morning or late in the evening—fewer people and softer light in the early morning, golden light at dusk is ideal, while midday light is harsh and crowded, better to rest during that time.

Today's deep experience: reserve a whole day to follow the story's flow, focusing on the main plays and well-reviewed small plays; dine and rest inside the park, ending in the evening.

Attraction Introduction: A highlight arranged in the itinerary is Only Henan. 'Only Henan·Drama Fantasy City' is located in Zhongmu and is a massive theatrical settlement built with loess. Through more than twenty theaters and nearly a hundred performances, it showcases the hardships, harvests, and resilience of Central Plains civilization. The main theaters' performances like 'Fantasy City,' 'Train Station,' and 'Li Family Village' are highly praised, while the small theaters each have unique creativity, with the imagery of wheat fields running throughout. It is a phenomenal cultural tourism landmark in Henan. This is not a traditional attraction, but an immersive cultural experience. My understanding is that it is essential to reserve a whole day, schedule the main plays first, and then intersperse the smaller theaters; book tickets in advance through official channels and check the performance schedule carefully, as popular sessions often sell out.

Tips: Signal may be weak inside the canyon, so agree on meeting points with the guide in advance and do not move around alone. Visitors generally report that Drama Fantasy City's immersive experience appeals to young people, but tickets are expensive and time-consuming; it is recommended to choose the main theaters and reserve at least half a day. Based on actual conditions, long trips risk dehydration, so carry a water bottle and drink small amounts frequently; on the first night at high-altitude or mountainous areas, avoid washing your hair or taking long baths to give your body some time to adjust.

Morning: Enter Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden and walk through the streets restored according to 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival', watching folk performances and scenographic shows; at noon, try Bianliang snacks; in the afternoon, continue visiting the park or take a night tour of the Song Capital Imperial River to experience the prosperity of Northern Song Bianjing.

Attraction Introduction: One of the highlights arranged in the itinerary is Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden is located at Kaifeng, and is a Song culture-themed park built based on Zhang Zeduan's 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival' from the Northern Song Dynasty. The Rainbow Bridge, Bian River, streets, and taverns in the painting are all restored, recreating the bustling city life of Tokyo Bianliang. The park offers live performances and folk parades throughout the day. The most famous is the nighttime water live show 'The Great Song: Dream of Tokyo', which uses light and shadow to recreate the grandeur of the Northern Song capital; during the day, visitors can watch immersive folk performances such as the opening ceremony, Judge Bao welcoming guests, and Mr. Wang’s matchmaking. This is also a paradise for Hanfu enthusiasts; changing into Song-style Hanfu and walking between Rainbow Bridge and the Bian River, every shot is like an ancient-style photo. My understanding is to collect the performance schedule upon entering, plan the must-see shows and night sessions, and then stroll and eat freely; visiting the street market during the day is the most immersive, while the night performance is an audiovisual feast, worth seeing if the budget allows.

Tips: Popular attractions in the park have long queues, so collect the map and performance schedule upon entering and prioritize the must-play projects. Visitors commonly report that the street market during the day is the most immersive, while the night show 'The Great Song: Dream of Tokyo' receives mixed reviews; note that performance tickets are relatively expensive, so make choices according to your budget. Based on the actual situation, be punctual, arrive at the meeting point five to ten minutes early, better for people to wait for the vehicle than for the vehicle to wait for people, so you don't make everyone wait for you.

Transfer to the departure terminal per your booked train or flight; keep travel documents and tickets in your carry-on.