Things to do in Luoyang

Our guide at the Luobo Museum, Mr. Pei, was excellent. He was considerate of the artifact display cases, reminding the children in our group and others to keep a safe distance to avoid obstructing photos or leaving handprints. His explanations were engaging and detailed, although latecomers sometimes interrupted him. Overall, it was a good experience, and we saw all the museum's treasures and popular artifacts within the limited time – definitely worth it.

From Yuntaishan, we boarded a bus bound for Luoyang. The journey was long — more than four hours on the road. We left at 2:30 pm and only arrived close to 7:00 pm, which meant our first day in Luoyang was largely consumed by travel. That evening, drained from the ride, I managed only a brief visit to Yingtianmen, illuminated against the night sky.The following day was devoted entirely to two of Luoyang’s most iconic sites: the Longmen Grottoes and the White Horse Temple. After exploring the temple, we caught bus no. 58 directly to Luoyi Ancient City. By then, the hours of walking through grottoes and temple grounds had left us physically exhausted. Still, the ancient city welcomed us with free admission and a promise of cultural immersion.Dinner was taken at a basement food court along Minzhu Street. By the time we finished, night had fallen, and Luoyi Ancient City had transformed. The streets glittered with lanterns, music pulsed through the air, and the atmosphere was electric. Crowds gathered near the lake to watch 天女散花 — the “Fairy Scattering Flowers” dance performance — though we chose not to linger.Luoyi Ancient City (洛邑古城) remains one of China’s most authentic living historic districts. Here, 3,000 years of dynastic history — from the Zhou to the Ming — can still be felt in its preserved city walls, pagodas, canals, and performances. It is not simply a relic of the past, but a vibrant cultural stage where history and daily life coexist.

Teacher Meng's explanations were exceptionally good, making the visit very rewarding. However, the children in the group were extremely noisy, rolling around on the ground, and despite Teacher Meng's repeated reminders, it was no use. The parents also ignored it, which was quite frustrating. Kudos to Teacher Meng again; she is incredibly dedicated!

The scenery is beautiful, and the local shopkeepers outside the scenic area are very friendly and welcoming without pressuring you to buy anything. Prices are also very reasonable. However, there are many mountain paths, so hiking is not recommended for elderly people with mobility issues.

The Sui and Tang Grand Canal Culture Museum is located in Luoyang's old city and opened in 2022. Admission is free, but reservations are required via the official WeChat account. Highlights include: the world's largest ceramic ceiling, an ancient shipwreck, and the interactive exhibition "A Grain of Rice's Journey Along the Grand Canal." Open Tuesday through Sunday, it's suitable for history and family trips.

A guided tour is a must. The guides are incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, and present information clearly. Highly recommended. For exploring the origins of Chinese dynasties, museum artifacts provide powerful physical evidence, offering more than just a few words in ancient texts.

The activities were plentiful; we even arrived just in time for a watermelon-eating contest during class! There was also a storytelling performance featuring cultural relics. My child paid for me to see "The Hero: Mengde" and another Three Kingdoms performance. There were also interactive activities and small gifts, which the kids loved. I especially want to mention the museum guide was very professional; we learned a lot, and we'll definitely hire her again next time.

The old street starts from Lijing Gate in the west and ends at Drum Tower in the east, with the bustling Cross Street in the center. The streets are lined with antique buildings, and the bluestone road extends under your feet, full of the heavy sense of history. Lijing Gate is the landmark building of the ancient city of Luoyang, known as the "No. 1 Building in the Central Plains". Climbing the tower, you can overlook the style of the entire old street and feel the charm of the ancient city. The Cross Street is the essence of the old street, where a variety of Luoyang specialties are gathered, such as no-turn soup, beef soup, noodles, spicy soup, etc., which are fragrant and mouth-watering. In addition to food, there are many handicraft shops in the old street, and handicrafts such as Tang Sancai, peony porcelain, and palace lanterns are dazzling and full of artistic atmosphere. Strolling on the old street, listening to the shouts of hawkers, watching the people coming and going, and feeling the strong atmosphere of market life, it seems to have returned to the prosperous ancient capital era. Here, you can not only taste authentic Luoyang food, but also feel the city's profound historical and cultural heritage, which makes people linger.

Luoyang Museum has volunteers who give free explanations. In the Treasure House, the question I heard most from tourists was whether the cultural relics were real or fake. The answer is that they are all real. If you want to know more, it is recommended to buy an explanation device.

Many tourists write about the beautiful night view of Longfengshan Ancient Town. I stayed here for a night and felt the beauty of the morning. The greatest beauty of the morning is that there are no people. I am the only one wandering around the ancient town and taking beautiful photos. There are also some photos I like.