[Luoyang Itinerary] How to Make the Most of 3 Days and 2 Nights in Luoyang – Your Complete Travel Guide!

Spend your first day immersed in Luoyang’s rich heritage—marvel at ancient treasures in the museum, stand in awe before the Giant Buddha at the Longmen Grottoes, and soak in the cultural legacy of this capital city of 13 dynasties.

On day two, journey underground into royal tombs, ascend to the heavenly heights of Mingtang’s Tianmen, and savor a warm bowl of soup near Lijingmen. It’s a perfect blend of imperial grandeur and local flavor—bridging the royal past with the lively spirit of today’s Luoyang.

Located by the scenic Luo River and just north of the Sui and Tang City Ruins Botanical Garden, Luoyang Museum is a hidden gem that punches well above its weight. Though it’s in a prefecture-level city, the scale and richness of its collection easily rival those of major provincial museums.

The museum offers free admission, so all you need to do is pick up a ticket at the front desk. Once inside, you’ll find two main buildings—the central exhibition hall and an auxiliary space. At the entrance of the main hall, there’s a handy electronic display introducing some of the museum’s most prized pieces—perfect for getting a quick overview before diving in.

The first floor is home to general exhibitions, including the foundational “Heluo Civilization” display, which walks you through Luoyang’s epic 13-dynasty journey as a cradle of Chinese civilization. Head up to the second floor for the real showstoppers: the “Boutique Display Exhibition” and the Palace Culture Exhibition, where you'll find rare and intricately preserved artifacts.

Address: Northwest corner of the intersection of Nietai Road and Wenbo Road, Luolong District, Luoyang City, Henan Province

Business hours: Open from 09:00 to 17:00 tomorrow (no admission at 16:30)

Recognized as one of China’s four greatest grottoes and honored as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, the Longmen Grottoes are a breathtaking window into over a thousand years of Buddhist devotion and artistry.

Carved into the limestone cliffs along the Yi River, the site is split into two main areas: West Mountain and East Mountain. The East Mountain grottoes are primarily from the Tang Dynasty, known for their elegance and grace, while the West Mountain features older works from the Northern Dynasties through to the Tang, offering a more solemn and powerful aesthetic—often considered the artistic core of the entire site.

As you walk along the cliffside paths, you’ll encounter thousands of Buddha and Bodhisattva sculptures, ranging in size from just a few centimeters to towering figures over 17 meters high. Their serene expressions and flowing robes capture the essence of compassion, wisdom, and devotion. Despite the centuries that have passed, their spiritual presence still resonates deeply with visitors.

Address: No. 13, Longmen Middle Street, Luolong District, Luoyang City, Henan Province

Business hours: Open from 08:00 to 21:00 tomorrow (ticket sales stop at 19:30; admission stops at 20:00)

Located in Mangshan Town, the Luoyang Ancient Art Museum offers a rare opportunity to walk through the underground world of China’s ancient dynasties. The museum is divided into three key areas: the tombs of various dynasties, the imperial tombs of the Northern Wei emperors, and a fascinating mural exhibition hall.

What makes this museum truly special is that the tombs on display were carefully relocated from their original sites and reconstructed in their authentic underground form. As you explore, you'll find yourself immersed in the original layout and atmosphere of these ancient burial sites—complete with intricately carved brick walls, stunning murals, and unearthed artifacts that bring history to life.

Visitors can observe architectural details up close and gain insight into burial customs, artistry, and spiritual beliefs from thousands of years ago. It’s a must-visit for anyone fascinated by archaeology, ancient civilizations, or the mysteries of imperial China.

Address: No. 6 Airport Road, Laocheng District, Luoyang City, Henan Province

Business hours: Open from 09:00 to 17:00 tomorrow (admission ends at 16:00)

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Step back into the Eastern Zhou Dynasty at the Emperor’s Chariot Museum, a unique site where ancient relics remain in their original locations. The museum features two main exhibition areas, showcasing Luoyang’s role as an imperial capital, exquisite bronze artifacts, and massive chariot and horse burial pits.

Don’t miss the highlight: the awe-inspiring six-horse chariot in Pit No. 5—once used by a Zhou emperor, it's a striking symbol of ancient royal power.

Address: No. 226, Zhongzhou Middle Road

Business hours: Open from 08:30 to 18:30 tomorrow (ticket sales stop at 18:00)

Once the political heart of ancient Luoyang, this heritage park preserves the grand palace ruins from the Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, and Song periods. Its most iconic structures—Mingtang and Tiantang—date back to Empress Wu Zetian’s reign, serving as ceremonial and administrative hubs of her empire.

Located along the city's ancient central axis, Mingtang was the main hall where emperors ruled and held court. If it looks familiar, you might recognize it as the inspiration for the Tower of Heaven in the film Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (2013).

Designed with five outer floors and nine inner levels, the Tower of Heaven reflects the emperor's supreme status in ancient times. Today, visitors can ride an elevator straight to the ninth floor for a stunning panoramic view of Luoyang—especially magical at night.

As you explore the lower levels, you’ll find Buddha statues and murals of all sizes, offering a deeper look into the city's rich Buddhist heritage.

Address: Northwest corner of the intersection of Zhongzhou Road and Dingding Road in the old city of Luoyang

Opening hours: 09:00-22:30 (no admission after 22:30)

Built in 605 AD, Yingtian Gate once stood as the southern entrance to the imperial palace of Luoyang during the Sui and Tang Dynasties. For over 500 years, it hosted grand ceremonies, royal audiences, and foreign envoys—much like Beijing’s Wumen Gate today.

Its towering structure, once over 36 meters tall, symbolized imperial power. Though it was destroyed in 1128 by the Jin army, today’s reconstruction lets visitors relive its former grandeur. From here, poet Bai Juyi once looked out and described Longmen and the Yi River like art on a scroll.

Address: No. 23 Dingding South Road, Laocheng District, Luoyang City, Henan Province

Opening hours: 09:00-22:30 (no admission after 22:30)

The Lijingmen Scenic Area was first built in the Sui Dynasty. According to the "Research on the City Streets of the Two Capitals of the Tang Dynasty", there were two gates on the west side of the Eastern Capital Imperial City, the Lijing Gate in the south and the Xuanhui Gate in the north.

Today, after development and renovation, Lijingmen has become a comprehensive scenic spot integrating historical sites, folk customs, catering, entertainment and accommodation.

Among them, ancient temples such as Tianhou Palace, Jiudi Palace, Three Gods Temple, City God Temple, and Guanyin Temple are listed and have been rated as one of the new eight scenic spots in Luoyang.

Address: Intersection of Ximenkou Street and Jinye Road, Old Town, Luoyang City, Henan Province

Opening hours: 08:30-22:00

Founded in 68 AD, White Horse Temple is known as the first official Buddhist temple in China, marking the beginning of Buddhism’s spread across the country. The temple features five main halls arranged along a central axis, with the Great Buddha Hall at its heart, where major rituals take place.

Next door, don’t miss the World Buddhist Temple Expo Area, showcasing beautifully crafted temples in the styles of India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Japan, and South Korea—a peaceful celebration of global Buddhist culture.

Address: No. 6 Luobai Road, Baimasi Town, Chanhe District, Luoyang City, Henan Province

Business hours: Open from 07:40 to 18:40 tomorrow (no admission at 18:00)

Heluo Ancient City blends Heluo culture with Ming, Qing, Sui, and Tang architectural styles to bring Luoyang’s rich history to life. Designed as a cultural tourism complex, it combines traditional charm with modern convenience—featuring dining, lodging, shopping, and entertainment all in one place.

Whether you're here to explore ancient aesthetics or enjoy a leisurely stroll, this immersive city is a great stop for both culture lovers and casual tourists.

Address: East of the intersection of Zhongzhou East Road and Erguang Expressway, Luolong District, Luoyang City

Business hours: Open from 09:00 to 18:00 tomorrow