Luoyang 6-Day Tour: White Horse Temple & Longmen Grottoes

Today's Buddhist pilgrimage trip: Follow the guide from Qiyun Tower to the Sutra Pavilion, listening to lectures along the way, and understand the two thousand years of incense of China's oldest temple; in the afternoon, take a stroll around the temple, and rest in the evening.

Attraction introduction: A highlight arranged in the itinerary is White Horse Temple. White Horse Temple is located in the east of Luoyang city, built during the Eastern Han Dynasty, and is honored as "China's First Ancient Temple," being the first state-run temple after Buddhism was introduced to the Central Plains. Qiyun Tower, the Burmese-style Buddha Hall, and the Indian-style Buddha Hall each have their exotic charm. Among the red walls and green cypresses, one can quietly experience two thousand years of incense. The Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Great Buddha Hall, and the Qiyun Tower Courtyard are particularly worth a close look.

Tips: The trip involves a lot of walking, so it is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes and prepare a light jacket according to the weather; be sure to bring your ID and other valid documents, follow the guide throughout, and remember the meeting times and locations. Visitors generally report that the foreign-style Buddha halls (Thai/Burmese/Indian courtyards) are highly photogenic, and people usually feel they are more spacious than expected; note that walking in the international temple area can be long, so save some energy. Considering the actual situation, wear shoes suitable for walking inside the many halls of the temple; respect religious etiquette, and do not make noise or take photos inside the halls.

In the morning, head to Longmen Grottoes. Walk along the Yi River trail from the Western Hills Grottoes, carefully observing the Leshan Giant Buddha at Fengxian Temple, then cross the bridge to the East Hills Buddha Worship Terrace to enjoy a panoramic view. At noon, taste the Luoyang water banquet. In the afternoon, visit Xiangshan Temple and Bai Garden, then return to the hotel in the evening.

Attraction Introduction: Today's itinerary includes the Longmen Grottoes attraction. Longmen Grottoes was carved into the cliffs on both sides of the Yi River, with more than two thousand existing niches and over 100,000 statues. The Leshan Giant Buddha at Fengxian Temple is the most spectacular. Alongside Dunhuang and Yungang, it is called one of the three great grottoes, representing the pinnacle of stone carving art from the Northern Wei to the High Tang dynasty. It is recommended to reserve half a day to study it in detail, with the Leshan Giant Buddha at Fengxian Temple, Binyang Three Caves, and Lotus Cave being the most worth seeing closely.

Tips: There will be a lot of walking throughout the day, so it is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes and bring a light jacket according to the weather; be sure to carry your ID and other valid documents, follow the guide closely, and remember the meeting times and places. Most tourists find the Leshan Giant Buddha the most impressive, and the best light for photography at Xishan is at sunset. Walking along both sides of the Yi River requires retracing your steps, so wear comfortable shoes and allow half a day. Depending on the situation, the night tour of the Longmen Light Show has an additional fee and requires a separate reservation. If you want to see the night scene, please book in advance through official channels.

Enter Chongdugou early in the morning, take advantage of the cool weather to walk the bamboo forest trails and view the waterfalls, suitable for a leisurely family outing; enjoy free activities in the afternoon, with opportunities for additional photos or a short rest, and return in the evening.

Attraction Introduction: At this stop, visit Chongdugou, located in Luanchuan. It is known for its vast bamboo forests, cascading waterfalls, and the farming scenery of western Henan. The Jinji River and Dicui River areas each have clusters of waterfalls. Visitors can stay at local farmhouses and try wild mountain vegetables. It is one of the few “Jiangnan water town” style summer retreat spots in Henan, ideal for leisurely family visits. Among its attractions, Jinji River, Dicui River, and Shuilian Palace are the most worth seeing in detail.

Tips: The itinerary includes mountain road sections; there are significant temperature differences between morning and evening and many steps. It is recommended to wear a light jacket and non-slip sports shoes, and watch your step when going up and down stairs. Be sure to bring your ID and other valid documents, follow the guide throughout, and remember the meeting times and locations. Most visitors think Chongdugou is worth visiting specifically. It is recommended to slow down, listen to the guide’s explanations, and leave time for the details that impress you most and for the best photo spots. Considering practical conditions, Chongdugou is especially known for its water scenery and bamboo forest. It is pleasantly cool in summer, and non-slip shoes are advised on rainy days as trails can be slippery.