3 Days Luoyang Tour with Peony Festival
Encounter with Beautiful Peonies
In China, peony has long been highly appreciated since Tang Dynasty (618 ~ 907 AD), when the flowers were cultivated in the imperial gardens and gradually spread across the whole country. Luoyang, once served as the capital city in Tang Dynasty, becomes the city of peonies and also the best place to see peony flowers.
This tour is specially made for peony enthusiasts. You will visit Luoyang in its most beautiful time - Peony Culture Festival which usually starts from early April to early May. You are able to be immersed in the beauty of various kinds of Peony flowers as well as visit historical and cultural sites of Luoyang in one go.
Highlights of this tour
- Take part in the annual Peony Culture Festival to appreciate the beauty of thousands of peony flowers in the city of peonies;
- Witness splendid Buddha statues and inscriptions in Longmen Grottoes, the man-made wonder of ancient Chinese people;
- Visit two of China's most important Buddhist temples - Shaolin Temple and White Horse Temple to explore Shaolin Kung Fu and the origin of Chinese Buddhism.
Basic Trip Information
- Price:
- from
Request
- 1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one double-bed room in a 4-star hotel and traveling in low seasons;
- 2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate.
- Travel Route:
- Luoyang / Shaolin Temple / Luoyang
- Travel Length:
- 3 Days and 2 Nights
- Tour Code:
- CD-LPCT-03
- Group Size:
- You, your family, friends or group
- Experience:
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- Departure:
- Any day you want
Full Itinerary Day by day
- Day 1 Luoyang (B, L)
Welcome to Luoyang, one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China! Your local guide and driver will meet you at the train station or the airport and take you to visit Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site boasting the largest and most impressive collection of Chinese art from the late Northern Wei and Tang Dynasties (316-907). Take an electric car to the West Tourist Center to begin your exploration from there. You'll marvel at the remarkable Buddhist caves scattered across the West Hill from north to south. The Bingyang Middle Cave, the first royal cave, was excavated to immortalize Emperor Xiaowen's historical achievements in moving the capital to Luoyang and initiating Chineseization reforms. In the Wanfo Cave, adorned with 15,000 small seated Buddhas, you'll witness a harmonious depiction of the Western Pure Land. Undoubtedly, the highlight of the Longmen Grottoes awaits you at the Fengxian Temple, where the majestic Vairocana Buddha stands 17.14-meter tall, showcasing unparalleled carving skills through its diverse statues. After immersing yourself in the beauty of the grottoes, take a leisurely stroll to the opposite side of the river for a panoramic view, particularly of the magnificent Vairocana Buddha. Conclude your visit by exiting the scenic area aboard an electric car.
Lastly, go to take a stroll through the ancient streets of Luoyang Old City (Lijing Gate & Shizi Street). Teeming with old residential buildings, food streets, and quaint shops, it offers a vibrant glimpse into the splendor of old Luoyang. Indulge in local snacks or shop for unique souvenirs at your leisure. After the trip, drive back to your hotel.
After sightseeing, transfer to check in your hotel in Luoyang.
Tips for Today: Comfortable footwear is essential for your visit to the Longmen Grottoes, as exploring the scattered grottoes across the hill involves walking several steps up and down.
How to Get to Luoyang? It is available to take a flight to Luoyang from Beijing (2 hrs), Shanghai (2 hrs), Chengdu (2 hrs), Chongqing (2 hrs), Guangzhou (2.5 hrs), etc., or take a high speed train to Luoyang from Xian (1.5 hrs), Zhengzhou (40 mins), Beijing (3.5 hrs), Shanghai (5.5 hrs), Nanjing (3.5 ~ 4 hrs), Hangzhou (about 5.5 hrs), Chengdu (5.5 ~ 6.5 hrs)
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- Day 2 Luoyang Peony Festival Tour (B, L)
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You will start today's trip with a visit to Luoyang Museum, which offers a comprehensive insight into ancient Luoyang from various perspectives. With over 1,000 exhibits spanning different dynasties that once established their capitals in Luoyang, a stroll through the exhibition halls on the first floor will transport you through 13 dynasties of history. The Ancient Treasures of Luoyang exhibition on the second floor features prized artifacts, including the Black Glazed Pottery Horse (AD 618-907), Facial Part of the Clay Buddha Figurine (AD 386-557), White Jade Cup (AD 220-225), Gilt Bronze Figurine of A Winged Man (AD 25-220), Bronze Ding Intertwined with Gold and Silver Patterns (BC 475-221), and more. For enthusiasts of peony flowers, the Wangxiu Peony Art Hall houses exquisite paintings and embroideries depicting these beautiful blooms.
Then, pay a visit to Luoyang National Peony Garden, which is grown with more than 600 varieties of domestic peony and 100 varieties of foreign varieties. Strolling in the garden provides you with a visual feast of a sea of flowers. You must be surprised to witness so many stunning peonies in so many colors. Apart from red and pink peonies, you are also able to see some rare colors, like white, yellow, orange, lilac and purple.
Please Note: There are various peony gardens in Luoyang. Every peony garden has different peony flowers with different flowering phase. Usually, the full-blossom period of peony flowers in Luoyang National Peony Garden is April 10th ~ 25th and in Luoyang International Peony Garden is April 20th ~ May 5th. In order to offer you the best sightseeing of peony flowers, the itinerary may be changed according to your travel time.
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- Day 3 Luoyang - Dengfeng (B)
After breakfast, start today's trip with a visit to White Horse Temple, located approximately 50 minutes' drive from downtown. Established in AD 68 during the Eastern Han dynasty, White Horse Temple holds the distinction of being China's first Buddhist temple, boasting a history spanning over 1900 years. Since its establishment, it has played a pivotal role in spreading Buddhism throughout China and is revered as the cradle of Chinese Buddhism. A visit to White Horse Temple offers the opportunity to admire the ancient architecture of the main temple and explore other temples in the International Zone, each featuring distinct exotic styles such as the Indian Temple, Burmese Temple, and Thai Temple.
After sightseeing in White Horse Temple, drive about 1.5 hrs to Shaolin Temple, renowned as the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and the birthplace of Kung Fu. Here, you'll have the chance to tour grand temples and halls, marvel at stone carving art, immerse yourself in Buddhist culture, and perhaps witness the daily lives and meditation practices of the temple's monks. Be sure not to overlook the famous Pagoda Forest, the largest of its kind in China. When a revered monk passes away, their remains or skeleton are interred in an underground palace, and a pagoda is erected atop it. The pagoda's height, size, and number of layers are determined by the monk's knowledge of Buddhism, reputation, and merits and virtues accumulated during their lifetime.
Later, you'll be treated to a spectacular Kung Fu Show at the Shaolin Wushu Hall, typically lasting around half an hour. On occasion, several audience members may even be invited to learn a few Shaolin Kungfu techniques.
Optional Activities: For an additional fee of CNY 30, you can also opt to witness a Kung Fu Show performed by martial monks of the Shaolin Temple within the temple grounds. This performance showcases some of the "72 Arts of Shaolin," including Diamond Finger, Iron Head, and Golden Bell techniques. Let your tour guide know in advance if you are interested in it.
After the Kung Fu show, drive back to Luoyang or Zhengzhou to catch your train or flight to your next destination.
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