Henan
Any Chinese city worth its rice has an Old Town. Within Luoyang’s is this scenic area comprising a plethora of water-banquet restaurants, costume shops and the occasional creaking monument, namely the lovely brick Wenfeng Pagoda (文峰塔, Wénfēng Tǎ), originally built in the Song dynasty.
Bring your passport for access or skip the theme-park area entirely and make your way to the more atmospheric Drum Tower rising up on Dong Dajie (东大街).
28.92 MILES
The largely rebuilt Shaolin Temple is a commercialised victim of its own incredible success. A frequent target of war, the ancestral home of wǔshù was…
7.73 MILES
The ravaged grottoes at Longmen constitute one of China’s handful of surviving masterpieces of Buddhist rock carving. A sutra in stone, the epic…
5.38 MILES
This superb but little-visited museum has three main exhibits: 20 reconstructed tombs (spanning five main dynasties, or over 1000 years), re-created using…
7.35 MILES
Although its original structures have all been replaced and older Buddhist shrines may have vanished, this vast, active monastery outside Luoyang is…
28.64 MILES
The largely rebuilt Shaolin Temple is a commercialised victim of its own incredible success. A frequent target of war, the ancestral home of wǔshù was…
3.22 MILES
This huge museum, situated out of the action south of the river, has fascinating displays across two huge floors and is one of the few places where you…
2.43 MILES
This square is the cacophonous meeting place for locals who come to play chess and cards, practise calligraphy, stroll with grandchildren, play…
Eastern Zhou Royal Horse & Chariot Pits
2.46 MILES
A huge statue of six rearing horses marks this two-hall underground museum, where the principal draw is the in-situ remains of a Zhou emperor’s royal…
0.25 MILES
This weathered old tower marks the more authentic (although still heavily touristed) Old Town area.
0.82 MILES
Originally built in the Sui dynasty, this gate separated the palace area from the city's residential quarters. It was reconstructed in 2002 and renovated…
3. Mingtang Tiantang Scenic Area
1.48 MILES
It's difficult to miss this enormous pagoda and hall, recreated on the original site of the Ming and Tang palace complex. The most impressive element of…
2.43 MILES
This square is the cacophonous meeting place for locals who come to play chess and cards, practise calligraphy, stroll with grandchildren, play…
5. Eastern Zhou Royal Horse & Chariot Pits
2.46 MILES
A huge statue of six rearing horses marks this two-hall underground museum, where the principal draw is the in-situ remains of a Zhou emperor’s royal…
3.22 MILES
This huge museum, situated out of the action south of the river, has fascinating displays across two huge floors and is one of the few places where you…
3.6 MILES
One of Luoyang’s indispensable green lungs, this park is the site of the annual Peony Festival. Unfortunately, the park is also home to a decrepit zoo…
5.38 MILES
This superb but little-visited museum has three main exhibits: 20 reconstructed tombs (spanning five main dynasties, or over 1000 years), re-created using…