Must-See Millennium Stone Cave Highlights in Luoyang

Top night tour in Luoyang! Encounter a thousand-year-old Buddha light under the Longmen Grottoes statues✨

The shock factor is off the charts! Only by exploring the Longmen Grottoes at night will you understand what a once-in-a-lifetime must-see is! When the light shines on the face of the Vairocana Buddha, you really get goosebumps😱

📍Address: No. 13, Longmen Middle Street, Luolong District, Luoyang City🚌Transportation tips: Bus No. 81 goes directly to the East Gate of the scenic area; for taxis, it’s recommended to set the destination to the West Hill Grottoes entrance!

🌙 Night tour route:
1️⃣ West Hill Grottoes entrance ➡️ Binyang Three Caves
The Northern Wei statues in Binyang Cave are exquisitely crafted! Be sure to look for the "most beautiful flying apsara" relief on the side of the cave
📸Tips: Take portraits while it’s still daylight; after the Vairocana Buddha lights up, the background is stunning

2️⃣ Vairocana Buddha cluster
Lights turn on promptly at 7:30 PM! The main Buddha is 17.14 meters tall; standing under the lotus pedestal and shooting upward is incredibly impressive
🎯Hidden route: Climb the stairs on the right side of the Buddha niche to take photos at eye level with the statue

🍜 Food recommendations
Bu Fan Tang: Intangible cultural heritage! Sour and spicy appetizer served with crispy pancake strips
Peony Swallow’s Nest Water Banquet: Radish carved into peony flowers, the soup base is incredibly fresh
Tang Mian Jiao (Boiled Dough Dumplings): A must-eat at Old Town Cross Street, thin skin and juicy filling that bursts in your mouth

💡Must-check-in experiences
- East Hill viewing platform for a panoramic view of West Hill; when the lights come on, it looks like a floating Buddha kingdom
- Ring the bell and pray at Xiangshan Temple, where Bai Juyi once lived in seclusion
- Collect Longmen’s twenty famous rubbings fridge magnets, a delight for calligraphy lovers

‼️Avoid pitfalls guide
- Night tours are only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays! Book 3 days in advance
- No snack stalls inside the scenic area, bring your own snacks and water
- Stone steps are slippery; wear non-slip shoes and bring a telephoto lens for better shots