Love this city so much, the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties travel guide

When departing from Xi'an, I always felt that the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties should be a heavy city carved from the same mold. It wasn’t until my feet stepped into the streets of Luoyang that I discovered this city hides a unique gentleness—it’s the aroma of beef soup drifting from the old alleys, the lively human warmth when the lights of Yingtian Gate first come on, and above all, the calmness that engraves the word "comfort" deep into the bones. Living in the poetic atmosphere of Magpie Luoshen Hotel (Xigong Xiaojie Yingtianmen Scenic Area Branch) We chose the Magpie Luoshen Hotel just a few steps from Yingtian Gate, and looking back, this was probably the best decision of the trip. Upon arrival at the front desk, the young lady smiled and handed us two cups of white tea, saying, "It’s hot, have this to cool down," and casually gave us a hand-drawn map marking all the good places to eat and shop nearby. "It’s not easy for students to travel; these are places locals often go to, no scams," her words warmed our hearts. We booked a simple American-style queen room, thinking our student budget would only allow something basic, but when we opened the door, we were pleasantly surprised. The off-white bedding smelled like it had been sun-dried, and after a shower at night, lying on the soft bed while hearing the faint calls from the night market outside, even dreams became lighter. Laojun Mountain: Catching the summer breeze in the clouds Early the next morning, we followed the hotel’s recommended route straight to Laojun Mountain. As the cable car ascended, we watched the clouds and mist swirling beneath our feet, the mountain peaks looking like islands floating in the sea. When we reached the Golden Summit on a clear day, the glazed tiles shimmered golden under the sun, and the breeze passing through the corridor brought a coolness that blew away all the fatigue from climbing. My best friend chased the clouds with her camera while I sat on the viewing platform munching on the steamed buns we brought, watching people in Hanfu taking photos in the distance, their flowing sleeves like figures stepping out of a painting. On the way down, I bought a mountain peach; the sweet and sour juice dripping on my hand was a refreshing taste unique to the wild. Listening to the bell at White Horse Temple, admiring the Buddha at Longmen Grottoes The third day was filled with a sense of history. At White Horse Temple, the red walls and black tiles reflected the blue sky, and amid the rising incense smoke, you could hear monks gently striking wooden fish. When we reached the International Buddha Hall area, it felt like stepping into a foreign land—the golden roofs of the Thai hall, the carvings of the Burmese hall, blending harmoniously with the simplicity of the Chinese ancient temple. The photos looked like we had visited several countries at once. In the afternoon, we went to Longmen Grottoes, where the Yi River quietly flowed by, and the smile of the Vairocana Buddha was especially gentle in the sunset. Walking slowly along the grottoes, seeing the Buddha statues weathered by thousands of years, running my fingers over the cool stone, it felt like touching the texture of time. My best friend said, "No wonder Empress Wu Zetian built the giant Buddha here; standing here, you really feel the weight of the words 'Divine Capital.'" Giving our stomachs to Luoyang’s local flavors During our days in Luoyang, our stomachs were never empty. At Haiyahui, the boiled beef tripe must be dipped in the secret sesame sauce; dipping the tripe in the hot soup for 10 seconds, then stuffing it into your mouth coated with sesame sauce, the aroma makes you stomp your feet; early in the morning, we went for beef soup, where the master ladled a scoop of boiling bone broth into the bowl, sprinkled with scallions and garlic sprouts, paired with a freshly baked fried pancake soaked in the soup, one bite warms your whole body; at Huajie Pancake Village, you have to make your own rolled pancake, wrapping the fragrant fried eggs and shredded potatoes in the paper-thin pancake, biting into it with a crisp sound; the last stop was Xiaojie Tianfu, where the brown sugar glutinous rice cake wrapped in soybean powder and the stir-fried cold noodles with a slight spiciness, sitting by the roadside holding bowls and eating, watching passersby carrying freshly bought pastries, suddenly you understand what "life is worth it" means. On the day we left Luoyang, the front desk lady at the hotel helped us call a car and even gave us two bags of local peony pastries. As the car passed Yingtian Gate, the sunlight was just right shining on the plaque of the city tower, and my best friend suddenly said, "Let’s come again next time." Yes, this city full of stories, warmth, and human life is worth saving the unfinished comfort for our next reunion.