Major city · China
Luoyang洛阳
Give Luoyang 2 nights: Longmen Grottoes at 08:00 opening, White Horse Temple and the old town on day two. Skip if you have under 36 hours.Give Luoyang 2 nights: Longmen Grottoes at 8:00 AM opening, White Horse Temple and the old town on day two. Skip if you have under 36 hours.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, wet), Jan–Feb (cold, dry)
- Airport
- LYA
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Luoyang was capital for nine dynasties and the eastern end of the Silk Road, but the modern city is a mid-sized Henan industrial centre and the sights sit 12 km apart. Two nights covers the Longmen Grottoes, White Horse Temple and the old town without rushing. Most travellers reach it by high-speed rail from Xi'an (1.5–2 h) or Zhengzhou (40 min).
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Luoyang, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyLuoyang is a low-crime city and solo travel is routine.
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLYA Luoyang Beijiao Airport (About 10 km north of the centre; limited domestic routes.LYA Luoyang Beijiao Airport (About 6.2 mi north of the centre; limited domestic routes.
- Getting aroundMetro Line 1 runs east–west through the old town and Line 2 links the station to the south.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥20–40 (≈ US$3–6)
- Street or quick mealNoodle bowl (Luoyang water banquet style)¥15–40 (≈ US$3–6)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a convenience store¥20–35 (≈ US$3–5)¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 mi5 km taxi3.1 mi taxiStart ¥8 including 3 km, then ¥1.70 per km (2022 tariff).Start ¥8 including 1.9 mi, then ¥1.70 per km (2022 tariff).¥15–20 (≈ US$3)
- Metro or bus rideMetro ride¥2–5 (≈ under US$1)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Luoyang Museum free; Dingding Gate ¥30)¥0–30 (≈ US$0–5)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥60 (≈ US$9)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥320 (≈ US$45)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥600 (≈ US$85)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥350 (≈ US$50) · Mid CN¥650 (≈ US$95) · High CN¥1,200 (≈ US$170)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LYA Luoyang Beijiao Airport (About 10 km north of the centre; limited domestic routes. Zhengzhou Xinzheng (CGO) has far more flights and is on the high-speed line.)LYA Luoyang Beijiao Airport (About 6.2 mi north of the centre; limited domestic routes. Zhengzhou Xinzheng (CGO) has far more flights and is on the high-speed line.)
Weather and climate
Luoyang: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C45°F
−3°C27°F
4 rd
Feb
11°C52°F
0°C32°F
5 rd
Mar
17°C63°F
5°C41°F
7 rd
Apr
23°C73°F
11°C52°F
8 rd
May
29°C84°F
16°C61°F
8 rd
Jun
33°C91°F
21°C70°F
9 rd
Jul
33°C91°F
24°C75°F
13 rd
Aug
31°C88°F
22°C72°F
11 rd
Sep
27°C81°F
17°C63°F
9 rd
Oct
22°C72°F
11°C52°F
7 rd
Nov
15°C59°F
4°C39°F
5 rd
Dec
8°C46°F
−1°C30°F
4 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Metro Line 1 runs east–west through the old town and Line 2 links the station to the south. City buses cost ¥1–1.5. Taxis start at ¥8 with ¥1.70 per km (2022 tariff). Longmen Grottoes are 12 km south of the centre — a shuttle bus runs from Longmen high-speed station.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Longmen Grottoes
goDoor to door: About 45–60 min
Bus 53/60/71 or taxi from the centre; shuttle from Longmen high-speed station
Go at 08:00 opening; the site is open to 21:00 in peak season. Ticket ¥120.Go at 8:00 AM opening; the site is open to 9:00 PM in peak season. Ticket ¥120.
White Horse Temple
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus 56, 58, 87 or 801 east
¥35 normally, ¥50 on public holidays; 07:40–18:00.¥35 normally, ¥50 on public holidays; 7:40 AM–6:00 PM.
Guanlin Temple
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Bus 81 from the station, or 15/39/55/58
¥40, 08:00–18:30; pairs with Longmen on the same day.¥40, 8:00 AM–6:30 PM; pairs with Longmen on the same day.
Zhengzhou
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
High-speed rail from Luoyang Longmen
40 min in transit but the station is outside town; only worth it for a flight connection.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Luoyang Station area (Jinguyuan Road)
Walk to the low-speed station and the main bus station; metro Line 2 nearby. Best for one night with bags.
Old Town (Laocheng)
Lijing Gate, snack streets and the canal museum; 15–20 min by taxi or metro from the station.
Luolong / Longmen Station
High-speed rail station and a short ride to the grottoes; quieter, fewer restaurants.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥250–450 (≈ US$35–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥450–900 (≈ US$65–130) excl. bed
- High
- ¥900 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 2 nights × CN¥320 | CN¥640 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CN¥650 | CN¥2,600 |
| Longmen Grottoes ticket2 × CN¥120 | CN¥240 |
| White Horse Temple ticket2 × CN¥35 | CN¥70 |
| Metro and bus, two days2 × CN¥30 | CN¥60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥120 | CN¥240 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥385 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥1,059 per person per day, bed included | CN¥4,235≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate in yuan; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Noodle bowl (Luoyang water banquet style) | ¥15–40 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Coffee | ¥20–40 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a convenience store | ¥20–35 (≈ US$3–5) / ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| 5 km taxiStart ¥8 including 3 km, then ¥1.70 per km (2022 tariff).Start ¥8 including 1.9 mi, then ¥1.70 per km (2022 tariff). | ¥15–20 (≈ US$3) |
| Metro ride | ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1) |
| Museum entry (Luoyang Museum free; Dingding Gate ¥30) | ¥0–30 (≈ US$0–5) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Foreigners are barred from Yiyang, Luanchuan and Song counties in Luoyang prefecture — Laojun Mountain and Baiyun Mountain are off-limits. Carry your passport.
- Longmen Grottoes ticket is dated; buy on the official channel and keep the passport used to book.
- The Ancient Art (Tombs) Museum has been closed for renovation — check before going.
- Left-luggage touts at Luoyang Station may quote ¥15 (≈ US$3); the posted price is ¥10 (≈ US$2) per bag.
- Air quality dips in winter; check the AQI if you have respiratory issues.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Luoyang洛阳
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
No US or UK consulate in Luoyang; the nearest are in Zhengzhou (check the address) or the embassies in Beijing.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Luoyang Longmen → Xi'an North, high-speed: about ¥175–260 (≈ US$25–40) second class, 1.5–2 h
- Luoyang Longmen → Zhengzhou East, high-speed: about ¥60–90 (≈ US$9–13), 40 min
- Taxi centre → Longmen Grottoes: ¥35–50 (≈ US$5–7), about 30 min
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxie)
- 多少钱? — How much is it? (duōshao qián)
- 我听不懂 — I don't understand (wǒ tīng bu dǒng)
- 洗手间在哪里? — Where is the toilet? (xǐshǒujiān zài nǎli)
- 可以刷卡吗? — Can I pay by card? (kěyǐ shuākǎ ma)
Carry your passport: hotels, museums and some tickets require it.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Luoyang. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, wet), Jan–Feb (cold, dry) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LYA and the Zhengzhou Xinzheng rail transfer: last departures field-checked, taxi fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Longmen Grottoes, White Horse Temple, old town and Lijing Gate, Luoyang Museum and the Sui-Tang canal museum.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Longmen, White Horse Temple, Guanlin, Luoyang Museum, Dingding Gate) and eat pages with last orders.
- Restricted-county warning fixture so the Laojun Mountain trap never reaches a plan.
Sources
- officialLuoyang municipal government
- officialLuoyang Museum
- officialLuoyang Beijiao Airport
- secondaryWikivoyage: Luoyang, revision 5331634 (CC BY-SA 4.0)