Unlock Luoyang with kids! Explore ancient sites and delicious food in 3 days with ease

This thousand-year-old ancient capital hides many family surprises. Touring with kids is not tiring and is educational. Save this guide!

🔹 Itinerary
Day 1: Longmen Grottoes ➡ Luoyang Museum ➡ Luoyi Ancient City
Longmen Grottoes (8:00-17:30): Take the kids to see this World Cultural Heritage site—super impressive! The Vairocana Buddha is more magnificent than expected. Teach the kids some Buddha statue facts in advance, and they’ll be more engaged. Tickets are 90 RMB. Go early to avoid crowds and get better photos. Two hours is just right, so the kids won’t get tired.
Luoyang Museum (9:00-17:00): Free but must book 3 days in advance! The Tang Sancai pottery is stunning with bright colors. Kids will be fascinated by the little horse and camel figurines. There are also ancient bronze artifacts that let kids experience history firsthand. The museum has a rest area to sit if tired.
Luoyi Ancient City (beautiful night view): This free ancient-style little world is perfect for kids! Rent parent-child Hanfu costumes for photos, 30-50 RMB/hour. Kids love spinning around in their little Hanfu! There are snack stalls inside—buy sugar paintings and cotton candy to enjoy while strolling. When the lights come on at night, it feels like time travel, and kids will keep saying “So beautiful!”
Day 2: White Horse Temple ➡ Laojun Mountain (optional night tour)
White Horse Temple (7:40-18:40): China’s first ancient temple is very zen! Tickets 35 RMB. Walk slowly with the kids, admire the simple temple architecture, and listen to the healing bell sounds. The four Buddha halls have different styles; the Thai and Burmese halls feel exotic. Kids will be curious and ask questions—take the chance to share some Buddhist knowledge.
Laojun Mountain (7:30-18:00): It’s recommended to take the cable car up with kids! Tickets plus cable car about 200 RMB. Save the climb and enjoy the stunning sea of clouds and golden summit. The top has flat trails—hold the kids’ hands and stroll slowly, watching the golden palace under blue skies and white clouds. Kids will excitedly run and jump. Make sure kids wear sneakers for easy movement.
Day 3: Yingtian Gate ➡ Jiuzhou Pool ➡ Shizi Street Night Market
Yingtian Gate (9:00-22:00): The Sui and Tang dynasty palace ruins are grand! Ticket 60 RMB to climb the city tower. From the top, overlook Luoyang city and point out distant buildings to the kids—they’ll find it fascinating. The night lights are even more stunning, like stepping into a costume drama. Kids will keep taking photos.
Jiuzhou Pool: This royal garden with a 28 RMB ticket is exquisite! Pavilions, towers, and lake reflections. Feed fish by the lake with kids and see lotus flowers (if in season)—very relaxing. During the light show, the lights cast on ancient buildings will captivate the kids.
Shizi Street Night Market: A snack paradise for kids! Choose mildly spicy Hu La Tang soup that kids can handle; order small portions of the water banquet so kids can try specialties; the peony cake is sweet but not greasy, kids love it. Stroll slowly, buy a little of each, so kids can taste many flavors.

🔹 Accommodation Tips
Recommended: Luoyang Baiyunshan Forest Resort Hotel, top wild luxury style perfect for families! The hotel is near scenic spots with a quiet environment. Open the window to mountain forest views. Family rooms are spacious and come with toys and kids’ toiletries. Wake up to birdsong and watch stars on the terrace at night—kids will love it. The hotel has a shuttle to nearby attractions and offers family hiking guides to explore nature with kids for a full experience!

🔹 Transportation Guide
High-speed rail: Prefer Luoyang Station, close to downtown and convenient taxi rides to hotels. If Longmen Grottoes is your first stop, choose Longmen Station; from there, you can take a direct bus without detours.
In the city: Metro lines 1 and 2 reach many attractions. Taking the metro with kids avoids traffic jams, and stations have mother-and-baby rooms—very thoughtful! There are many bus stops, and taxis are affordable. Download the “Luoyang Easy Travel” app in advance for convenient QR code rides without needing change.

🔹 Avoid Pitfalls
Ticket booking: Book popular attractions in advance! You can’t enter Luoyang Museum or Longmen Grottoes without a reservation. Don’t wait until arrival to book, or you’ll waste a trip and delay the kids’ schedule.
Season choice: Spring and autumn are best for kids—comfortable temperatures and pleasant sightseeing. Summer is very hot and kids can get heatstroke. Winter offers snowy views on Laojun Mountain but dress kids warmly to avoid cold.
Clothing advice: Kids must wear comfortable sneakers! Longmen Grottoes and Laojun Mountain require lots of walking. Hard-soled shoes or sandals will hurt kids’ feet and spoil the fun.
Food tips: The water banquet is mild and some kids may not like it. Don’t force it. Instead, take kids to “Longlin Road No.1” for beef soup with bread—fresh and tasty, most kids accept it.

📌 Practical Tips
Student ID gets half-price tickets! If kids have student IDs, bring them to save money. If not, a household registration book can prove age. Some attractions offer free entry for kids under 1.2 meters.
Laojun Mountain night light show starts around 17:50. It’s best to leave around 3 PM, take the cable car up, and stroll a bit before the show. No long wait, so kids won’t get impatient.
Luoyang peony season is April-May. If visiting then, don’t miss the International Peony Garden. Various peony colors are stunning. Kids can learn about different flower varieties and take beautiful family photos.
Budget reference: About 800-1000 RMB per person (including transport, accommodation, tickets, and meals). Traveling with kids doesn’t have to be expensive. Plan ahead for a great and cost-effective trip.

✨ Bringing kids to Luoyang lets you explore ancient sites, learn history, enjoy delicious food, and admire beautiful scenery—making family time super happy~

Post by Patterson Melissa Missy | Oct 26, 2025