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• Explore the extensive exhibitions tracing Luoyang’s history as a capital of multiple dynasties—looking at archaeology, bronze ware, jade, Tang-dynasty tri-coloured pottery and palace artifacts.
• Focus on “Heluo Civilization” gallery to see how the region developed from prehistoric times through Xia, Shang, Zhou, Han, Sui/Tang eras.
• Appreciate the architectural design of the museum (its tripod-like form referencing ancient ritual vessels) and photograph the entrance and interior halls.
The Luoyang Museum of Ancient Art, formerly known as the Luoyang Ancient Tomb Museum, covers an area of over 130 mu (approximately 1.3 acres) and boasts a building area of over 8,200 square meters. It comprises a cluster of buildings modeled after the Han Dynasty and another modeled after the Northern Wei Dynasty. The grounds are interspersed with abundant plantings of flowers, trees, rockery, and ponds, creating a truly park-like museum. The Luoyang Ancient Tomb Museum is a world leader in its size, unique style, and diverse collection of ancient tombs, representing a truly remarkable sight in China. As a result, it is one of the largest ancient tomb museums in my country and the world's first.
The Luoyang Museum of Ancient Art is divided into three exhibition areas: Typical Tombs of Various Dynasties, Imperial Tombs of the Northern Wei Dynasty, and the Mural Gallery. The Typical Tombs of Various Dynasties exhibition area is divided into two sections: above-ground and underground. Twenty-five representative tombs dating from the Western Han Dynasty to the Song and Jin Dynasties have been relocated and restored, displaying approximately 600 cultural relics. This comprehensive exhibition of tomb structures offers a broader perspective on the tomb architecture, unearthed cultural relics, tomb murals, brick carvings, and the spatial environments in which the relics were found.
temperate monsoon climate;
Suitable for all seasons
It is recommended to visit for about 1 hour
free
Closed on Mondays, Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00-17:00 in summer, 9:00-16:30 in winter
The Luoyang Museum was founded in 1958 and is one of China’s major first-class museums, located in a city that served as the capital of thirteen dynasties over more than 1,500 years.
Its significance lies in its rich collection—over 400,000 cultural relics—with more than 11,000 exhibited, showcasing the art, archaeology and history of the Yellow River valley and the Heluo civilisation.
Location: 6 Nietai Road, Luolong District, Luoyang City, Henan Province, China.
Getting there:
Opening hours: Generally 09:00–17:00 (final entry around 16:30).
Best times to visit: Morning or early afternoon on a weekday to avoid heavier crowds; spring and autumn offer comfortable weather for getting into and out of the museum.
Entrance fee: Free admission for standard entry to the museum in recent years.
Tickets: Obtain a free voucher at the ticket office or via the museum’s official WeChat/Museum account if required. No paid ticket needed for main exhibits.
Booking in advance: On normal days, reservation not mandatory. However during special exhibitions or busy holiday periods, a same-day online reservation (via WeChat) is recommended.
Allow around 2-3 hours to visit the main exhibition halls at a comfortable pace. Some sources suggest 1-2 hours for a quick tour.
If you are very interested in archaeology and want to linger, you might spend half a day including breaks.
Yes – free guided tours provided at fixed times in Chinese; audio guides may also be rentable. For English guides, you may need to request at the front desk or hire a private guide.
• The museum’s exterior tripod-like architectural form — great for photo in daylight.
• Inside, the large bronze ding, or the Tang tri-colour horse statue provide strong visual subjects.
• The main hall entrance lobby (often with large artifacts and lighting) offers good compositions.
Suggested route: Start at the ground floor “Heluo Civilization” gallery → proceed to the second floor “Treasures” and “Palace Artifacts” galleries → visit temporary exhibition if available → end at the museum shop/lounge. This gives a chronological flow.
No widely advertised night visits or light shows; the museum is primarily daytime. Special exhibitions may run after hours on event nights—check the museum’s website for current programs.
The museum is popular, but crowds are moderate compared to major outdoor tourist sites. Least crowded: weekday mornings, non-holiday periods. Booking ahead helps during peak travel seasons.
Facilities: Visitor centre with toilets, cloak/luggage area, museum shop for souvenirs, some cafés/refreshments in the museum complex or nearby. Free lockers may be available for small bags.
Yes – museum is indoor, mostly level floors, elevators/stairs for access to upper floors. Suitable for children and elderly. For disabled access, confirm ramp/elevator availability at reception.
Card and mobile payments (WeChat Pay, Alipay) are widely accepted for museum shop purchases. Since standard entry is free, no cash needed for ticketing. However carry some small cash for snacks or nearby vendors.
Near the museum you’ll find cafés and restaurants in the Luolong District of Luoyang offering local Henan cuisine, snacks, teahouses. The museum shop area may include a refreshment kiosk.
Yes – in Luoyang city centre there are vegetarian-friendly restaurants; for halal options look for “清真” signage, especially near hotels and older district eateries.
Several mid-range and budget hotels in Luoyang City’s Luolong District provide access to the museum. Staying nearby allows morning visits and convenient access.
Yes – the museum shop offers postcards of relics, replica bronzes/jades, books about Luoyang history, small handicrafts themed on Tang tri-colour pottery, local peony motif items.
After your museum visit you can take taxi/bus back to your hotel or onward to other Luoyang attractions (e.g., Longmen Grottoes). Luoyang also has high-speed rail and bus links to Zhengzhou, Xi’an and other cities.
