Luoyang Travel Guide

 Facts
Phone Code: 0379
Postal Code: 471000
Area: 15,208 Sq km (5,871.8 Sq miles)
Population: 6,620,000 (in 2010)
Nationalities: Han, Hui, Manchu, Mongolian
Neighboring Areas: Shandong, Anhui, Hubei, Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Hebei Provinces
Location: Known as 'the Gravity Center of China', Luoyang, the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, is situated in the west of Henan Province, crossing the northern and southern banks of the middle reaches of the Yellow River.

 Physical Features: Surrounded by mountains on four sides, the landform is complicated, with mountains, hills and plains interlacing with one another and 10 rivers wandering through.

Luoyang Maps

 History: As the hinterland of the first Chinese dynasty Xia Dynasty, Luoyang has been the capital city of 13 Chinese dynasties – Xia, Shang, Western Zhou, Eastern Zhou, Eastern Han, Caowei, Western Jin, Northern Wei, Sui, Tang, Later Liang, Later Tang and Later Jin, enjoying a long history of over 4,000 years. It was the birthplace of most great achievements in science, education, culture, history and philosophy in ancient China.

 Recommended Luoyang Tour Itinerary: 
China Tour with Luoyang: 10-Day of Beijing - Xian - Luoyang (Shaolin Temple) - Shanghai

 Attractions: Deep cultural background left rich cultural heritage for the ancient city. On the banks of the Luohe River are lined with five capitals sites of the Xia, Shang, Zhou, Han-Wei (Eastern Han and Northern Wei) and Sui-Tang, famed as 'the Five Capitals Assembling in Luoyang City'. Longmen Grottoes was one of the three famous treasure houses of ancient stone-carving art in China; Baima Temple was the first temple built after the introduction of Buddhism into China; Luoyang Ancient Tombs Museum is the largest tomb group in the world; Shaolin Temple is the origin of the Shaolin Martial Arts. Natural landscape in the city is also no less marvelous, including White Cloud Mountain, Longyuwan, Yellow River Xiaolangdi Scenic Area, Flower and Fruit Mountain National Forest Park and Cockscomb Limestone Cave. Besides, Luoyang Peony is praised a national beauty, winning ‘Flower Capital’ for the city. The annual peony show attracts thousands of visitors from all parts of the world with its unique charm and verve.

 Transportation
 Air: About 10 km (6.2 miles) northwest of  the city, Luoyang Beijiao Airport mainly has air routes to domestic cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Dalian and Kunming. It is also the alternate airport of Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport, Xian Xianyang Airport and Wuhan Tianhe Airport.
 Train: It is the intersection of Longhai and Jiaoliu railways, having three railway stations for passenger transport. Luoyang Railway Station is located on the Da'nan West road in the north of the city. 90% of the trains coming to or passing by the city will stop at this station. The East Railway Station is on Datong Road, while Guanlin Railway Station is in Guanlin Town, Luodong District.    

 Bus: There are three major bus stations in the city. Luoyang General Bus Station, 200 m (218.7 yards) east of the East Railway Station, mainly operates long-distance buses to the cities within Henan Province and cities of other provinces in China. There are also special tourism buses to White Cloudy Mountain from this station. Jinyuan Bus Station and operates buses to the nearby cities, counties and tourist spots like Shaolin Temple and Cockscomb Limestone Cave and Yellow River Xiaolangdi Scenic Area. Cities buses almost cover all of the scenic spots in and around the city. The ticket fare is either CNY1 or CNY1.5 according to the distance.
 Taxi: The taxi fare in the city is CNY5 for the initial 2 km (1.2 miles), and additional CNY1.3 or CNY1.5 per km for the latter journey. The city is not big, so taking a taxi in the city is relatively convenient and economic. For instance, it only costs CNY 35 - 40 from the downtown to Longmen Grottoes.

 Weather: Luoyang has for distinct seasons – dry and windy spring, hot and rainy summer, clear and pleasant autumn, cold and dry winter. Thus, autumn is, no doubt, the optimal visiting time. At the same time, from April 15 to May 8 every year during the Peony Show is also a good time to visit the city.

 Dining and Shopping
Being a capital for dynasties in Ancient China, Luoyang has a great variety of food, including Luoyang Yancai (Bird's Nest Dish) from the palace, Liyu Yue Long Men (Carp Jumping over Dragon Gate) from the local folk and Zhang's Roast Chicken. The local people love soups, so various soups become the popular local snacks like Bufan Soup, Beef soup and Hot Pepper Soup. Luoyang Old Street is a good place for enjoy local snacks. However, the most typical dish should be Luoyang Shui Xi (Water Banquet) which is characterized by a balanced diet of vegetable and meat, a variety of tastes of sweetness, sourness, hotness and saltiness, and a strict order of serving the dishes. The most famous restaurant to taste Luoyang Shui Xi is Zhenbutong Restaurant which is a China's time-honored Brand located on Zhongzhou East Road.

Handicrafts and local specialties are a feast for the eyes such as tri-colored glazed pottery of the Tang Dynasty (618 - 908), Luo embroidery, peony, Mengjin pear and Yellow River carp. Lijingmen and Luoyang Old Street are traditional shopping areas. Xinduhui, at the intersection of Zhongzhou Middle Road and Jiefang Road, is an emerging modern shopping center, gathering super markets, all sorts of brand stores, snacks square, restaurants, bars and cinemas.