Luoyang (洛阳) is an ancient capital in Henan, central China, and most foreign visitors come for the Longmen Grottoes: more than 2,300 caves and niches holding almost 110,000 Buddhist statues, cut into the cliffs on both sides of the Yi River and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000. The full ticket is RMB 90 and is sold by real-name, timed booking up to seven days ahead. From March to October the site is open 08:00–21:00. High-speed trains stop at Luoyang Longmen station, in the same district as the grottoes. Give the city two days.
What are the Longmen Grottoes?
Luoyang was the capital in the late Northern Wei and early Tang dynasties, and the carving at Longmen runs from the end of the 5th century to the middle of the 8th. UNESCO calls it the high point of Chinese stone carving: besides the statues there are more than 60 stupas and 2,800 inscriptions along a kilometre of cliff. The best known work is the group at Fengxian Temple, whose central Vairocana Buddha is more than 17 m tall and is said to have been modelled on Empress Wu Zetian.
How to visit the Longmen Grottoes
- The route is one-way: West Hill, then across the river to East Hill, Xiangshan Temple and Bai Garden. Allow about half a day.
- West Hill is the core. It has the earliest caves, Guyang Cave and the three Binyang caves, then Wanfo Cave with its 15,000 small Buddhas and, near the end, Fengxian Temple.
- East Hill is mostly Tang work and much quieter. Its real use is the view back across the river to the great Buddha.
- Boats run from two piers inside the site, payment is cashless, and most stops have a QR code for an audio commentary.
- Evenings: from March to October the site is open until 21:00, with last entry at 20:00. A separate night ticket has also been sold on some summer evenings; check the official account for your date.
Tickets and opening hours
- Price: RMB 90 for the full ticket, in a July 2026 guide by Sina Travel. We did not find a 2026 official price notice.
- Booking: real-name and timed. Slots open seven days ahead on the official WeChat accounts 龙门石窟官微 and 龙门石窟服务号, and you enter with the original document you booked with.
- Foreign visitors: the same guide says travellers without a mainland phone number upload a passport photo through the official account and wait one to two hours for review. Book the day before at the latest.
- Hours: 1 March–31 October 08:00–21:00, ticket sales to 19:30 and last entry 20:00. 1 November–end of February 08:00–18:00, sales to 16:30 and last entry 17:00.
- Concessions listed: 60 and over free, children 12 and under or up to 1.4 m free. The half price for ages 13–17 is marked for Chinese nationals only.
- Ticket office: 0379-65980972.
What else to see in Luoyang
| Sight | What it is | Hours and notes |
|---|---|---|
| White Horse Temple | Founded in AD 68 and regarded as the first Buddhist temple built by the state in China; halls in Indian, Thai and Burmese styles stand next door | April–November 07:40–18:30, December–March 08:00–17:30; RMB 35 in a July 2026 listing |
| Luoyang Museum | The city’s history from prehistory to the Song dynasty, with Tang tri-colour glazed pottery | 09:00–19:00, closed on Mondays; allow two to three hours |
| Mingtang and Tiantang | Halls on the palace site of the Sui and Tang capital, linked to Empress Wu Zetian | 09:00–22:30, last entry 22:00; go after dark |
| Luoyi Ancient City | An old-town quarter around the Wenfeng Pagoda, lit at night | 09:00–22:30 |
| Peony festival | Luoyang’s peony season; the 43rd festival ran from 1 April 2026 through the month | April; hotels and trains fill early |
Getting there: which station?
- Luoyang Longmen station (洛阳龙门站) is the high-speed station on the Zhengzhou–Xi’an line. It is in Luolong District, the same district as the grottoes.
- Luoyang station (洛阳站) is the older station, used by conventional trains.
- Read the station name on your ticket. Check 12306 for trains from Xi’an or Zhengzhou on your date.
How many days in Luoyang
- Day one: the Longmen Grottoes for half a day, then the museum or an evening in the old town.
- Day two: the White Horse Temple in the morning, Mingtang and Tiantang after dark.
- A third day: Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, by road.
Luoyang questions
Where is Luoyang?
In Henan Province, central China, on the high-speed line between Zhengzhou and Xi’an.
What is Luoyang known for?
The Longmen Grottoes, the White Horse Temple, its history as a capital in the Northern Wei and Tang dynasties, and peonies in April.
How much is the Longmen Grottoes ticket?
RMB 90 for the full ticket, booked by real name for a time slot up to seven days ahead on the official WeChat account.
How long do I need at the Longmen Grottoes?
About half a day for the one-way route through West Hill, East Hill, Xiangshan Temple and Bai Garden.
Can I visit the Longmen Grottoes in the evening?
Yes, from March to October it is open until 21:00, with last entry at 20:00. In winter it closes at 18:00.
How many days do I need in Luoyang?
Two days for the grottoes, the White Horse Temple and the museum. Add a third for Shaolin Temple.
Sources(8)
- Longmen Grottoes (inscribed 2000)UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- Longmen Grottoes listing: route, hours and concessionsTrip.com Group (Ctrip)
- Longmen Grottoes price and booking rules (July 2026)Sina Travel
- White Horse Temple listing: founding and seasonal hoursTrip.com Group (Ctrip)
- Luoyang Museum listing: hours and galleriesTrip.com Group (Ctrip)
- Mingtang and Tiantang listing: hoursTrip.com Group (Ctrip)
- Luoyi Ancient City listing: hoursTrip.com Group (Ctrip)
- Luoyang peony festival blooms with Tang Dynasty flair (8 April 2026)People’s Government of Henan Province, from China Daily