Luoyang travel guide: Longmen Grottoes by rail

From Buddhist grottoes to Luoyang’s imperial past

Spring adds another dimension to the city. Luoyang is famous throughout China for its peonies, which typically bloom from April into early May. This is also one of the busiest periods to visit, so accommodation and high-speed rail tickets are worth booking well ahead.

Luoyang is also featured in Trip.com Group’s global Go China campaign with Jackie Chan, Global Ambassador for China Travel, highlighting the city as part of a wider journey through China’s cultural and historic destinations.

Water Banquet, beef soup and Luoyang’s local flavors

Luoyang eats differently from the rest of Henan. The signature is the Luoyang Water Banquet. Dating back to the Tang dynasty, the banquet traditionally consists of 24 courses served in sequence, with soups and broth-based dishes playing a central role. Its signature opening dish, peony yancai, uses finely shredded white radish arranged and garnished to resemble a peony, setting the tone for a meal that is as much about presentation as flavor.

For everyday eating, Luoyang’s food scene is closely tied to its soup and wheat-based traditions. Luoyang beef soup is a classic local breakfast, usually served with flatbread torn directly into the broth. Many traditional shops open early and are busiest in the morning. Jiang mian tiao is another distinctive local specialty, combining noodles with a tangy, fermented mung-bean broth that gives the dish its characteristic flavor. Bu fan tang has a sour and peppery profile, traditionally served with a thin mung-bean pancake floating in the soup. For something sweeter, peony pastries are a popular snack and souvenir, particularly during Luoyang’s spring peony season.

The area around Lijing Gate and Luoyang Old Town is an easy choice for an evening of sightseeing and local snacks, with plenty of places to stop between the historic streets. Beef soup, however, is best saved for breakfast, when traditional soup shops are at their liveliest.

Luoyang Longmen to Xi’an North and Zhengzhou East

Luoyang sits on a major east-west high-speed rail corridor, making it easy to pair the city with destinations across Henan and neighboring Shaanxi. Xi’an is the standout connection, linking two of China’s most important ancient capitals in little more than an hour.

Luoyang Longmen or Luoyang Station: Which one should you use?

Luoyang has more than one railway station, and travelers constantly mix them up, so make sure you check the station name on your ticket before the trip.

From Luoyang Longmen, the main sights are straightforward to reach:

• Longmen Grottoes: A taxi or ride-hailing service is the simplest option from Luoyang Longmen Station. Public transport is also available, but allow extra time if you are returning to the station for an onward train.
• Old town and Lijing Gate: Take the metro toward central Luoyang, then continue on foot or by a short taxi ride. Taxis and ride-hailing services are more convenient if you are carrying luggage.
• White Horse Temple: The temple lies east of the city center, so a taxi or ride-hailing service is generally the easiest option when time is limited.
• Early departures from Luoyang Longmen: Staying near a metro station or closer to the high-speed rail hub can save a longer cross-city journey in the morning.

• Day 1: Arrival
  Arrive at Luoyang Longmen Station and settle into your hotel before spending the afternoon at Luoyang Museum. In the evening, Yingtian Gate and Luoyi Ancient City come alive with illuminated architecture, hanfu photography and busy streets. It is also a good introduction to Luoyang’s local food, whether you opt for a full Water Banquet or something more casual around the old city.
• Day 2: Longmen Grottoes
  Set aside at least half a day for the Longmen Grottoes, with enough time to explore the major caves along the West Hill and walk beside the Yi River. The East Hill offers some of the best views back across the water. Afterward, return to central Luoyang for a slower afternoon and an evening around the old city’s lantern-lit streets.
• Day 3: White Horse Temple and historic Luoyang
  Start the morning like a local with a bowl of Luoyang beef soup, then spend a couple of hours at White Horse Temple. The afternoon can be devoted to Lijing Gate and the surrounding historic neighborhoods, leaving the evening free for a traditional Luoyang Water Banquet.
• Day 4: Luoyang Longmen → Xi’an North
  After breakfast, head to Luoyang Longmen Station for the high-speed train to Xi’an. The fastest journey takes around 1 hour 15 minutes, so even with a relaxed morning in Luoyang, you can arrive in Xi’an with plenty of time for an afternoon walk along the City Wall or dinner in the city center.

The Xi'an–Luoyang corridor is extremely well served, but that does not mean every train has seats available when you want them. Current schedules show well over 100 daily connections, yet the most convenient morning and evening departures can still become difficult to book around weekends, public holidays and major travel periods.

China Railway normally opens train tickets 15 days before departure. If your itinerary depends on a particular train, especially during peak periods, it is better to plan before the sales window opens rather than waiting until you arrive in China.

Booking through Trip.com is particularly convenient for international travelers because you can search schedules in English, book using passport details and pay with international payment methods. Trip.com also allows travelers to reserve eligible train journeys before tickets officially go on sale, helping secure seats once the railway booking window opens. 

For most mainland China rail journeys, there is no need to collect a paper ticket. Keep the original physical passport used for your booking with you, as your identity document is linked to your rail reservation.

When choosing seats:

• Second class: The best-value choice for the short Luoyang–Xi'an journey. Modern high-speed trains are clean, comfortable and efficient, and 75–90 minutes passes quickly.
• First class: Offers wider seats, more personal space and a quieter carriage. Consider it if Luoyang is one leg of a longer rail day.
• Business class: Available on selected G-series trains and offers the most space, but availability varies by service.

One final detail matters. Luoyang Longmen and Luoyang Railway Station are not interchangeable. If you are traveling to or from Xi'an on a G-series high-speed train, check carefully that your ticket shows Luoyang Longmen.

Ready to continue through China's ancient capitals? Lock in your passport-verified e-tickets on Trip.com, and travel from Luoyang to Xi'an in as little as 1 hour 15 minutes.