Luoyang - An Underrated Ancient Capital in China
Luoyang, one of the Four Holy Cities in the world, is the oldest capital city in China. It had been the home for over a hundred Chinese emperors. Along the Luohe River are ancient ruins of Erlitou in the Xia Dynasty, Yanshi in the Shang Dynasty, Imperial City in Eastern Zhou Dynasty, Old Capital of Han and Wei Dynasties, and Old Luoyang in Sui and Tang Dynasties silently telling the long-gone past of Luoyang.
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| Luoyang City |
Summary of Luoyang City
Located in west Luoyang, Luoyang is one of the four holy cities in the world (the other three being Jerusalem, Mecca, and Athens) and one of the starting points of Silk Road. It has Luo River in the south, hereby the name Luoyang (south of the Luo River). Since the Xia Dynasty, the first dynasty in China, about 13 orthodox dynasties established their capital here, making Luoyang one of China's greatest ancient capitals. The only Empress of China, Wu Zetian, set her capital here and renamed the place as Divine Capital. Luoyang is also a paradise of peonies. The world’s largest peony gene storehouse is set here.
Things to do in Luoyang
- Longmen Grottoes
Situated on Longmen Mountain and Xiangshan Mountain, Longmen Grottoes are a rock carving treasure house. They were carved in Northern Wei Dynasty and further extended and enlarged in Eastern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Qi, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, and Song eras. Therefore, a large scale of grotto complex spanning 1000m with 2,345 caves and niches, 100,000 Buddhist statues, and over 2,800 inscriptions was created. Among all the works, Longmen Twenty Masterpieces was the milestone of Chinese calligraphy. Cliffside Inscription of Yique Niches, written by Chu Suiliang, was the example of the early Tang Dynasty regular script. All these substantial images, records, statues, and inscriptions together presented us with a long beautiful scroll of ancient Chinese politics, economics, religions, cultures, etc..
Location: Luolong District, Luoyang, 10km from Luoyang Railway Station.
Ticket: 120 RMB/pax, including battery car.
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| Longmen Grotttoes |
- White Horse Temple
Originally built in 68 (Eastern Han Dynasty), White Horse Temple is the first Buddhist temple built by the Chinese government after Buddhism being introduced. It’s revered as the ancestral temple of Chinese Buddhist temples. The name of the temple came from the tale of White Horse bearing the Buddhist scriptures. Like any other historical sights, the White Horse Temple was ruined and restored multiple times. Today’s White Horse Temple is divided into two major sections, the traditional temple area and the newly built World Buddha Halls dedicated to host the Buddha statues overseas. In the traditional temple area, you will find the Ming Dynasty gate, Song Dynasty carved horses, Yuan Dynasty dried lacquer Buddhist statue, chanting monks and nuns, magnificent worshiping halls, and tranquil yards. In the World Buddha Halls, your horizon widens suddenly. The buildings are tall, statues are new, and visitors are less, making the place ideal for leisure and peace.
Location: No.6, Luobai Road, Luolong District, Luoyang
Ticket: 35RMB/pax.
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| White Horse Temple |
- Luoyang Old Town
Luoyang Old Town was built upon the Dongcheng ruins of Sui and Tang Dynasties. It has a history of over 1300 years. The part of the city still preserves the original appearance. You can have a glimpse of the real lifestyle of Luoyang people here. Best of all, it’s a paradise of Luoyang local food. Make sure you taste the Luoyang Water Banquet.
Location: South of Luoyang City
Ticket: Free.
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| Luoyang Old Town |
Lijing Gate
Lijing Gate
Established in the Sui Dynasty, Lijing Gate was the West Gate of Luoyang and a place where ancient Chinese people offered sacrifices for god. The current Lijing Gate was rebuilt on the basis of old Lijing gate ruins. Outside the gate, you will find a street of unique Luoyang attribute. There are numerous stands, restaurants, shops, stores, etc. where all kinds of food, arts, crafts are on display. One thing you must try is the Peony Cake.
Location: Lijing Gate Scenic Area, Luoyang Old Town
Ticket: Free unless you board the Lijing Tower (30 RMB/pax).
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| Lijing Gate |
National Peony Garden
National Peony Garden
Seated in north Luoyang, National Peony Garden is the only national-level peony gene bank. Inside the garden, you will see tens of thousands of kinds of peonies. One of the most famous peonies is a cluster of Millennium Queen of Peony from the Sui Dynasty. It’s the living fossil of Luoyang peony. The garden only opens in April every year when the peonies are blooming. Make sure you visit then if you plan to see peonies.
Location: 1500m West to the Crossing of Wangcheng Street and 310 National Highway, Xigong District, Luoyang
Ticket: 60 RMB/pax.
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| Peony Garden |
Shaolin Temple
Shaolin Temple
The Shaolin Monastery is the cradle of Chinese Buddhism and Chinese martial arts. It was inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2010. The monastery was initially established by Emperor Xiaowen in the 19th year (495 A.D.) of Emperor Taihe in the Northern Wei Dynasty to accommodate the Indian master. The whole complex ranges about 57 600 sq meters, and its current abbot is Shi Yongxin. Besides spreading its significant influence in Buddhism, the Shaolin Monastery holds a prestigious reputation in the martial art, especially Shaolin Kung Fu.
Location: Songshan Shaolin Scenic Area, Dengfeng City, Zhengzhou, Henan
Ticket: 80 RMB/pax.
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| Shaolin Temple |
Laojun Mountain
Laojun Mountain
Laojun Mountain, called Jingshi Mountain initially, is the holy place for Taoist Quanzhen school. It belongs to the major peak of the Funiu Mountain in the southeast range of the Qinling Mountains. Lao Zi, the founder of Taoism, revered as Tai Shang Lao Jun (Supreme Lord), used to practice Taoism doctrines here. Therefore, Tang Taizong changed the name Jingshi Mountain to Laojun Mountain. In the Northern Wei Dynasty, temples were built to memorize Lao Zi. Since then, Laojun Mountain became a famous mountain among Taoist disciples. Besides the cultural significance, Laojun Mountain has an amazing view. You can always see something refreshing, especially the breathtaking sea of clouds and sunrise.
Location: Eastern Side of Luanchuan County, Luoyang
Ticket: 80 RMB/pax.
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| Laojun Mountain |
National Heritage Park of Luoyang City in Sui and Tang Dynasties
National Heritage Park of Luoyang City in Sui and Tang Dynasties
1300 years ago, the only Empress in Chinese history, Wu Zetian, changed the era from the Tang Dynasty to the Zhou Dynasty and ascended the throne. She established Luoyang as her capital and regarded it as the Shendu (Divine Capital). The National Heritage Park of Luoyang City is built on the place where the Empress used to live and attend state affairs. You will admire the restored Heavenly Hall, Bright Hall, Heavenly Pagoda, and many small rooms. Here, you will understand more about Wu Zetian’s reign.
Location: Crossing of Zhongzhou Middle Road and Dingding Road, Luoyang
Ticket: 120 RMB/pax
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| National Heritage Park |
- Guanlin Temple
Situated in Guanlin County, 7 kilometers away from the south of Luoyang City, Guanlin Temple is also called General Guan's Tomb built for the memorial and respect for General Guan Yu, the only person enjoying respect from Taoists, Buddhists, and Confucianists. It is initially built in Han Dynasty (B.C. 202-220) and rebuilt under the reign of Emperor Wanli in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). After the expansion and renovation in the following Dynasty, the Temple became what we see today.
Location: 7km south of Luoyang
Ticket: 35 RMB/pax.
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| Guanlin Temple |
- Luoyang Museum
Luoyang Museum is a museum themed with the Chinese civilization source and the representative Heluo culture. The collections have a wide span of time, which can be as early as Yangshao and Longshan culture and as near the People’s Republic of China. Some of the most charming collections are jade, bronze wares, stone carvings, Han terracotta figures, Tang Tri-color Glazed Ceramics, and Qing court objects. Therefore, it's a great place to understand the whole of Chinese civilization.
Location: Nietai Road, Luolong District, Luoyang
Ticket: Free
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| Luoyang Museum |
How to Get to Luoyang?
There are mainly two ways to get to Luoyang, by air, and by train.
Luoyang Airport has flights running to and from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Chongqing and Hangzhou. Taking flight will save you a lot of time. However, Luoyang is often not a major destination for visitors. People tend to visit Xian, Beijing, Shanghai, or Zhengzhou before getting to Luoyang. In such cases, the high-speed train is a better choice. Luoyang has trains connecting the neighboring cities in China. Besides, the train costs less.
Five Food You Must Try in Luoyang
- Water Banquet
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| Water Banquet |
It’s a traditional Luoyang food and one of three exclusives (the other two refer to Longmen Grottoes and Luoyang Peony Fair) in Luoyang. It has two attributes. Most of the dishes are soup, and the meals are served one by one, like a flow line. There are 24 dishes in a Water Banquet, and most of them are sour and hot. Having a Water Banquet is a great way to understand Luoyang eating customs.
- Bufan Soup
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| Bufan Soup |
Bufan Soup is a kind of chicken soup soaked with agaric, kelp, pepper, dried small shrimps, leek, bean vermicelli, meatballs, etc. When the soup is boiling, a soup pancake is put on the soup's surface gently, helping to maintain the flavor of the soup.
- Yancai
Legend has it that Empress Wu Zetian was presented a giant turnip. The royal cook sliced the turnip, steamed it, and put it in the soup. Empress was
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| Yancai |
- Donkey Meat Soup
It’s made of fresh donkey bone, donkey meat, and garlic. The soup is thick as milk, intensely flavored, and the donkey meat is greatly braised, making it an excellent company for drinking.
- Spicy Soup
It’s a special food for breakfast in Luoyang, strongly flavored and spicy. The
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| Donkey Meat Soup |
Best Time to Visit Luoyang
Luoyang is located in the transitional zone from warm temperate zone to the subtropical area. It has a distinct seasonal difference and sufficient sunlight every year. The annual average temperature is 14.86 degrees, which is suitable for cultivating peonies.
Spring and Fall are the best times to visit Luoyang. In Spring, particularly in April, peonies are blooming all over Luoyang, and the grand Peony Fair is held. It’s a wonderful time to enjoy flowers, visit historical sights, and taste local food. In Autumn, the weather turns great again. Most people climb mountains and enjoy chrysanthemum.
What to Buy in Luoyang?
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| Peony Ceramics |
As an ancient capital, Luoyang has so much to offer as gifts. There is food like Peony Cake, Laobajian (eight kinds of different pastries), and Mengjin Pear, drink like Dukang Wine, arts like Tri-color Glazed Potteries, Archaistic Bronze Vessels, Bamboo Screens, Peony Ceramics, and Peony Cigarette.
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