Trip Overview
When: October 2020 (National Day Golden Week - expect crowds!)
Duration: 6 days, 5 nights
Travelers: Solo traveler (just me, myself, and I)
Budget: ~1,500 RMB (~$210 USD) - excellent value!
Transportation: Train + day tours
Essential Foreigner Info
Getting There: Train network in Henan is excellent. I traveled between Kaifeng and Luoyang by train - fast, cheap, and convenient. Book tickets in advance during National Day!
Money Matters: Mobile payment (WeChat Pay, Alipay) is everywhere. Carry some cash for small vendors and tips.
Language: English is limited outside major attractions. Learn a few basic Mandarin phrases or use a translation app.
Day Tours: Highly recommended for distant attractions like Laojun Mountain and Longtan Grand Canyon. Tour companies handle transportation, which is a lifesaver.
Day 1: Arrival in Kaifeng (开封)
First stop: Kaifeng (开封), an ancient capital with serious historical credentials. Arrived by train in the evening and checked into a hotel near Qing Shang He Yuan (清明上河园) - 150 RMB for the night. The hotel location was perfect for early morning park entry.
Day 2: Qing Shang He Yuan (清明上河园)
The crown jewel of Kaifeng! This theme park recreates the famous Qingming Shanghe Tu painting, and honestly, it's way more fun than I expected. The key? Don't miss the big historical reenactments - especially the Battle of Song Dynasty and General Yue Fei vs. Liang Wang battles. Massive scale, impressive stunts, definitely worth catching.
Ticket: 120 RMB (~$17 USD)
Spent the whole day exploring and watching shows - there's a WeChat mini-program or map showing show times and locations. Pro tip: plan your route to catch as many performances as possible!
Evening train to Luoyang (洛阳), checked in near Luoyang Station - 117 RMB. Location was super convenient for day trips.
Day 3: Longtan Grand Canyon (龙潭大峡谷)
Joined a day tour (110 RMB including guide, transport, and entrance) - worth every yuan! The canyon is about 1.5 hours by bus from Luoyang. Here's the deal: you walk one way (downhill, easy) to the endpoint, then take a bus back. But if you're feeling ambitious like me, hike back up the mountain road - it's faster than you think since it's downhill, and you'll save the bus fee.
The scenery? Pretty good, though not jaw-dropping. But the fresh mountain air and canyon walls make for a nice day out. Senior alert: If you're with elderly or kids, take the bus back - the return road is steep!
Back in Luoyang by late afternoon, stayed near the station again - 150 RMB.
Day 4: Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟)
One word: WOW. I've been to the Yungang Grottoes in Datong, but honestly, the Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟) are even more impressive. Why? Because they're situated along the Yi River (伊河), creating an incredible feng shui atmosphere that Yungang lacks. The caves line both sides of the river - the west bank has the main caves (massive, detailed, breathtaking), while the east bank has fewer caves but features a temple and tomb.
Entrance: 90 RMB (~$13 USD)
Took the bus from Luoyang - the scenic area is close to Luoyang Longmen Station. Bought tickets at the entrance, though you can book online too. Spent a relaxing day strolling through history - much easier than the canyon hike!
Stayed near Luoyang Station - 144 RMB.
Day 5: Laojun Mountain (老君山) - The Real Deal
THIS is the highlight. Laojun Mountain (老君山) is about 2+ hours from Luoyang, and it's absolutely stunning. I went on a rainy day (yes, it was drizzling), but honestly? Even with the fog rolling in, the mountain delivered. The place was still packed - this attraction is POPULAR.
Here's the logistics: Two cable car sections - the big gondola from the base to Zhongtian Gate (中天门), then a smaller cable car to Nantian Gate (南天门) at the summit. I only bought the first cable car round-trip (walking the second section) and it was totally doable.
Day tour cost: 256 RMB including guide, transport, entrance, and BOTH cable car round-trips - incredible deal!
The highlight is the Ten-Mile Picture Screen (十里画屏) at the summit - a walkway through peaks that looks like Chinese landscape paintings come to life. Unfortunately, the rain brought fog that obscured the views halfway through, but what I saw was spectacular. Pro tip: Check the weather forecast and go on a clear day if possible!
Cold up there! It was raining and even snowing slightly. I had just a shirt + light jacket + raincoat, which was enough while walking but chilly when the wind picked up.
Our tour group met at 5:30 PM to return. I finished exploring by 4 PM - plenty of time. Stayed near Luoyang Longmen Station - 146 RMB.
Day 6: Sui-Tang Luoyang City Night View (隋唐洛阳城)
Last day! Explored the Sui-Tang Luoyang City (隋唐洛阳城) night scene - three connected attractions near Luoyang Station: the Tongtian Tower (通天塔), the Sui-Tang Ruins, and the Yingtian Gate (应天门). According to history, this was where Empress Wu Zetian (武则天) ruled the empire. At night, it's MAGICAL - the ancient architecture is beautifully illuminated.
Foreigner tip: The night view alone is worth staying an extra day. The ancient gates and towers lit up against the dark sky create an unforgettable atmosphere.
Caught my return train in the afternoon. Trip complete!
Final Thoughts
Honestly, all four attractions were great. Here's my ranking:
#1 Qing Shang He Yuan (清明上河园) - Highest playability, suitable for all ages, not tiring, highly recommended!
#2 Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟) - Impressive, awe-inspiring, and easy walking. Worth the visit.
#3 Laojun Mountain (老君山) - Stunning mountain scenery, but physically demanding and weather-dependent. Still recommend!
#4 Longtan Grand Canyon (龙潭大峡谷) - Good scenery but requires early wake-up and long day. The most tiring of the four.
Bonus: If you visit in April, Luoyang hosts the Peony Festival (牡丹花会) - the city is famous for peonies, the official city flower! There are parks all over town dedicated to these beautiful flowers.