Live Your Best Lives
You'll definitely regret not visiting Luoyang in April, as it's truly a delightful place! How could you not visit Luoyang in April to see the peonies? I've been seeing Luoyang every day and couldn't resist the urge to go, so I decided to take my parents on a trip.
Travel through thousands of years, explore the footprints of history, appreciate the beauty of mountains and rivers, and feel the gift of nature. Come to Luoyang to see the historical deposits of thirteen dynasties and savor the thousand-year stories flowing between mountains and rivers.
We departed Taiyuan at 7:30 AM and the journey took five hours. We stopped at a service area along the way, so we only rested for half an hour at the Gaoping service area. We arrived at the hotel around 1:30 AM. We booked our accommodations online in advance at the Dahehui Huamao Chunsong Hotel. It's very close to the high-speed rail station, and buses to various destinations run from there, all at the terminal, making it very convenient.
Day 1: White Horse Temple - Longmen Grottoes - Yingtianmen
Day 2: Luoyang National Flower Garden - Wangcheng Park - Sui and Tang Dynasty Ruins Botanical Garden - Tracing the Footsteps of the Goddess of Luo River
Day 3: Laojun Mountain
🔺White Horse Temple: Highly recommended! The melodious sound of the White Horse Temple bells seems to tell the vicissitudes of the ancient capital. As "China's First Ancient Temple," White Horse Temple is not only the first official temple after the introduction of Buddhism into China, but also a palace of cultural integration.
🔺Longmen Grottoes: When visiting Luoyang, how can you miss the magnificent Longmen Grottoes? Located in the southern suburbs of Luoyang, this scenic spot is a World Cultural Heritage site and a pinnacle of Chinese stone carving art.
Laojun Mountain: Legend has it that this is the retreat of Laozi Li Er, a renowned Taoist mountain. Its towering peaks, shrouded in mist, create a fairyland-like atmosphere. Climb to the summit for breathtaking views of the entire mountain range, and experience the grandeur and mystery of nature.
🔺Yingtian Gate: This city gate was built in the first year of the Sui Dynasty. It has gone through four periods: Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties and Northern Song. It was the south gate of the palace city of Luoyang City in the Sui and Tang Dynasties and an important place for political, economic and cultural activities at that time.
🔺Admire the Peonies: There are three main flower viewing venues: Wangcheng Park, Luoyang National Flower Garden, and Sui and Tang City Ruins Botanical Garden, where you can enjoy the peonies in the gardens and watch wonderful performances.
🔺Tracing the Goddess of Luo River: A must-see! ❗ This immersive, moving performance features three performance areas and six stories, telling the story of Luoyang's cultural heritage. The performance lasts an hour and a half, with actors performing face-to-face and an Easter egg at the end. You can also take photos with NPCs, a feast for the eyes!
🔸Dahehui Huamao Chunsong Hotel
This time, we stayed at the Huamao Chunsong Hotel, right next to the high-speed rail station. My parents loved it, not only because of its beautiful appearance but also because of the attentive service, which made us feel so warm. Walking into the hotel lobby, overhead was a dazzling light-woven River Map, and the ground was illuminated by the Luoshu, a scripture reflected in the sky. "From the River came the map, from the Luo came the book, and the sages followed it." Standing in the center, it was as if you could feel the passage of time.
Overall: The hotel is divided into five floors. The first floor is the front desk, lobby bar and dining area, the second, third and fourth floors are guest rooms, and the fifth floor is the aerial courtyard-style hot spring rooms. How to describe it well? Each floor has its own charm, each floor has its own taste, and each floor has its own flavor.
Room Types: The entire hotel is designed with a Sui and Tang Dynasty theme, showcasing elegant oriental aesthetics. With hot spring suites, a stargazing terrace, king-size rooms, and children's rooms, it caters to every need. Deep within, it feels like a dream back to the Sui and Tang dynasties, with a rich atmosphere. My parents stayed in a superior king-size room, which was quiet, spacious, and even had an oversized bathtub.
Entertainment: Here, there's the stunning Returning Goose, a Chinese aesthetic lifestyle museum. It's a relaxing place to read and take beautiful photos. If you're hungry, head to the fourth-floor Heluoli Tianjie, an immersive themed street that showcases Luoyang and Heluo's culinary culture, intangible cultural heritage, folk customs, and handmade creative products. It features Luoyang Funiu Mountain hot pot, autumn pear paste, Luoyang palace lanterns, Tang Dynasty tri-colored glazed pottery, puppet shows, and Mengjin paper-cutting, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
(Art exhibition at Dahehuili)
(Lighting Ceremony)
(Returning to Yanluo Waterside Library)
"If you want to know about the rise and fall of history, look no further than Luoyang." This ancient capital of 13 dynasties boasts not only the world-renowned Longmen Grottoes, but also many more treasures to discover, making it a truly worthwhile trip. Enjoy the most beautiful April on earth, so come and visit Luoyang!
