Luoyang

1. Longmen Grottoes (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Carved along the cliffs on both sides of the Yi River, the Longmen Grottoes are a world-famous Buddhist art treasure, with construction starting in the 494 AD during the Northern Wei Dynasty and continuing for over 400 years through the Sui and Tang dynasties. There are more than 2,300 niches, 100,000 statues, and 2,800 inscriptions, among which the Lushena Buddha Statue in the Fengxian Temple is the most magnificent, standing 17.14 meters tall, with a gentle and benevolent expression, said to be modeled after Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty. The inscriptions in the grottoes, such as the “Twenty-Two Chapter Monument,” are important materials for studying ancient calligraphy and history. The grottoes not only showcase the superb carving techniques of ancient Chinese artisans but also reflect the prosperity of Buddhism and the cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries. The night view of the Longmen Grottoes, illuminated by lights, adds a mysterious and solemn atmosphere to this ancient cultural heritage.

2. White Horse Temple

Hailed as China’s first ancient temple, White Horse Temple was founded in 68 AD during the Eastern Han Dynasty, marking the official introduction of Buddhism to China. According to legend, two Indian monks brought Buddhist scriptures to Luoyang on white horses, so the emperor ordered the construction of this temple to honor the horses and enshrine the scriptures. The main buildings include the Tianwang Hall, Mahavira Hall, and the Scripture Collection Pavilion, preserving ancient Buddhist statues, pagodas, and inscriptions. In recent years, international Buddhist temple complexes have been added, including Indian, Thai, and Burmese-style temples, reflecting the global spread and integration of Buddhism. The ancient cypresses in the temple courtyard are lush and green, and the bell tower and drum tower stand tall, creating a peaceful and sacred atmosphere, making it an important destination for Buddhist believers and cultural tourists.

3. Sui and Tang Luoyang City Site Park (Yingtian Gate & Mingtang-Tiantang)

As the imperial city of the Sui and Tang dynasties, the Sui and Tang Luoyang City Site Park is a key cultural heritage site that showcases the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty’s imperial capital. Yingtian Gate, the main gate of the imperial city, was once the venue for grand imperial ceremonies and foreign envoys’ visits, with its magnificent ruins restored to display the grand scale of the Tang Dynasty’s architecture. Mingtang and Tiantang were the core buildings of Wu Zetian’s rule, with Tiantang being the tallest building in Luoyang at that time, serving as a place for Wu Zetian to worship heaven and hold important political activities. The site park uses modern technologies such as 3D projections and immersive performances like the “Tang Palace Music Feast” to reproduce the prosperity of the Sui and Tang dynasties, allowing visitors to travel back in time and experience the grand scenes of the ancient imperial capital.

4. Laojun Mountain

A famous Taoist mountain and 5A-level scenic area, Laojun Mountain is named after the legendary Taoist ancestor Laozi, who is said to have practiced and preached here. The mountain is famous for its magnificent natural scenery, including steep peaks, strange rocks, and dense forests, especially the Ten-Mile Painting Screen, which offers panoramic views of the mountain’s beauty. The Golden Top Taoist Temple Complex, located at the top of the mountain, consists of several golden-tiled Taoist temples, which are particularly dazzling under the sunlight. In the early morning or evening, the sea of clouds shrouds the golden tops, creating a fairy-tale-like scene. As a Taoist holy land, there are many Taoist temples and cultural relics on the mountain, and the annual Taoist cultural festivals attract a large number of Taoist believers and tourists, promoting the inheritance and development of Taoist culture.

5. Jiuzhou Pool

A royal garden in the Sui and Tang dynasties, Jiuzhou Pool is located in the imperial city of Luoyang, with a history of over 1,400 years, serving as a place for emperors and empresses to relax, entertain, and hold banquets. The pool is designed in the shape of the nine continents in ancient Chinese geography, with pavilions, terraces, and corridors built around the water, and small islands connected by stone bridges, presenting a typical southern Chinese water garden style. The restored Jiuzhou Pool retains the original layout and architectural style, with clear water reflecting the ancient buildings, creating a beautiful and serene picture. The immersive performance “Phoenix Dance in the Divine Capital” held here uses lights, music, and dance to reproduce the grand banquets and cultural scenes of the Tang Dynasty, allowing visitors to experience the charm of the prosperous Tang era.

6. Wangcheng Park

As Luoyang’s iconic urban park, Wangcheng Park is built on the ruins of the Zhou Dynasty’s royal city, integrating historical culture, garden landscapes, and peony appreciation. The park has a large peony garden with thousands of peony plants of hundreds of varieties. During the annual Luoyang Peony Festival, the peonies are in full bloom, colorful and fragrant, attracting countless tourists to come and admire. In addition, the park also includes cultural attractions such as the Tianzi Jia Liu Museum, which displays the chariot and horse relics of the Zhou Dynasty, reflecting the grandeur of the Zhou royal family. The zoo in the park and various amusement facilities make it a popular destination for both locals and tourists, combining cultural heritage with leisure and entertainment.

7. China National Peony Garden

Known as the “hometown of peonies,” the China National Peony Garden is the largest peony garden in China, with over 400,000 peony plants of more than 1,200 varieties, including rare and precious varieties. Peonies have been loved by the Chinese people since ancient times, symbolizing wealth, prosperity, and nobility, and Luoyang peonies are renowned nationwide for their large flowers, bright colors, and rich fragrances. The garden is not only a place for peony appreciation but also a base for peony research and cultural dissemination, with a peony culture museum displaying the history, cultivation techniques, and cultural significance of peonies. Every spring, during the peony blooming season, the garden is a sea of flowers, and various cultural activities such as peony painting exhibitions and folk performances are held, making it a must-visit place to experience Luoyang’s peony culture.