Must-see May Day holiday guide! One-day tour of Longtan Grand Canyon

Longtan Grand Canyon, a 1.2-billion-year-old geological wonder awaits you! The latest tips to avoid pitfalls and secret scenic spots are revealed, costing only RMB 150 per person for a whole day of fun!

Ticket Information

- Basic Ticket: RMB 80 (including scenic area insurance, easy entry with ID card)
- Discount Ticket: Students, teachers, and seniors over 60 years old can enjoy half-price discount with valid ID, only RMB 40.
- Shuttle Bus: RMB 20 one way. Highly recommended! It's a full 3 km from the entrance to the core area, and the shuttle bus will save you a lot of effort.
Note! Online ticket purchases require a 2-hour advance reservation. Also, children under 1.4m can enter for free!

Transportation

Starting from downtown Luoyang, the scenic area is quite far. After careful research, we chose a group tour, which is convenient and worry-free. Upon arrival, the tour guide helped us with the tickets, and then we were free to explore. The whole day was a fantastic experience, without having to worry about transfers or other hassles.

Essential Items

- Comfortable Gear: Sports shoes for easy walking; sun-protective sleeves and sunglasses for effective sun protection.
- Practical Items: Waterproof phone pouch to protect your phone from water; foldable trekking poles for climbing assistance; power bank to keep your phone charged.
- Documents: ID card is essential, students remember to bring your student ID for ticket discounts.

Photo Spots

- Wulongtan Bamboo Raft: Be sure to arrive before 9:00 am! Use a wide-angle lens to capture the stunning reflection of the red cliffs and turquoise water.
- Tianbei Wonder: Use a low-angle shot with a 0.5x wide-angle lens to capture the imposing presence of the giant rocks, creating a blockbuster feel.
- Qinglong Waterfall Rainbow: The rainbow appears magically when the sun shines directly from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
- Foguang Luohan Cliff: Find the naturally formed "Buddha's Palm" rock crevices and take atmospheric silhouette photos.

Efficient Itinerary

- 7:30 am - 10:00 am: Initial Canyon Exploration: Geological Museum → Wulongtan → Tianbei. Hidden photo spot: Shoot upwards from below Tianbei, remember to increase the contrast on your phone for amazing results.
- 10:30 am - 12:30 pm: Waterfall Hike: Core attractions include Qinglong Waterfall → Xianren Footprint → Yixiantian. Exclusive tip: Lower the color temperature in front of Qinglong Waterfall to capture the "jade-green" water flow; also use the footprints and Xianren Footprint stone grooves for creative photos.
- 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Mountain Energy Station: Replenish your energy at the canyon restaurant, and avoid the "wild honey" at the scenic area exit, which is mostly sugar water, don't waste your money.
- 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm: Secret Light Hike: Foguang Luohan Cliff → Heilongtan → Danxia Sky Road. Water fun tip: Take off your shoes and step into Heilongtan (water temperature is 18°C year-round, super comfortable); find the "Six Natural Mysteries" stone carvings, collect them all and exchange them for a cultural bookmark.

Tips to Avoid Pitfalls

- Don't fall for the "free photo" trap: They charge RMB 20 for the photo frame when you pick up the picture, it's a scam.
- Be mindful of the glass walkway visiting time: It gets hot in the afternoon, it's recommended to go in the morning or evening.
- Be wary of scenic area prices: Sausages at the shuttle bus drop-off point are RMB 10/each, it's more economical to bring your own snacks.
- Be cautious when traveling in rainy weather: Avoid Yixiantian on rainy days, as the moss is slippery and easy to fall.
- Wild monkey feeding time: The wild monkey feeding point closes at 4:00 pm, don't go there for nothing.

Cost Reference (1 person, basic)

- Tickets + Transportation: RMB 138
- Shuttle Bus: RMB 20/person/one way
- Food: RMB 30
Total: Approx. RMB 188

Longtan Grand Canyon is perfect for families, offering both hiking and water activities. I put a lot of effort into compiling this guide, hoping it will help you have a perfect trip!