Things to do in Yichuan

Ms. Zhao Jing from Elephant Travel Agency gave a wonderful presentation. The Longmen Grottoes, situated on both banks of the Yi River in Luoyang, are a World Heritage Site. From the Northern Wei to the Sui and Tang dynasties, artisans spent centuries carving thousands of statues into the cliff face. The Vairocana Buddha, dignified and graceful, perfectly embodies the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty. The Yi River flows gently, the Buddha niches stand serenely, and the stone carvings are delicate and vivid. They represent the pinnacle of ancient stone carving art and are a thousand-year-old history book etched on the cliff face. A stroll through them is truly awe-inspiring.

There was a slight unpleasantness with the merchant's customer service when making the reservation, as I had booked a guided tour of the Longmen Grottoes, but the merchant's page description was incorrect and I requested a refund, which they refused. I only got a refund after contacting the platform's customer service. Because of this unpleasant experience, I didn't have high expectations for the tour. However, once inside the museum, Mr. Pei's explanation was truly dedicated, and he was a very kind person; it was clear he genuinely loved the experience. Special praise! 👍 He made up for the merchant's shortcomings! 👍

The Vairocana Buddha is one of the iconic Buddha statues in the Longmen Grottoes scenic area of ​​Luoyang. Located in Fengxian Temple, it is grand in scale and graceful in appearance. It has a history of more than 1,300 years. It is said that its appearance was sculpted based on the face of Empress Wu Zetian.

Yingtian Gate is magnificent at night. You can take an elevator to the 6th floor, where the view of Heaven and the Hall of Heaven is spectacular. However, there are too many people taking photos below, and the lighting is all white. There isn't much inside; if you just want to see the view, you don't need to go in.

I visited both day and night, and it was absolutely beautiful. Pavilions nestled by the water, green trees encircled the streets, and houses stretched out in a continuous line. There was no excessive hustle and bustle; it was as if the "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" scroll had come alive before my eyes, bringing to life the bustling city life, with its leisurely smoke rising from the streets and its ancient charm.

In April, as spring warmed and flowers bloomed, I had the privilege of accompanying my mother to the Peony Garden at the Luoyang Sui and Tang Dynasty City Ruins, fulfilling a springtime rendezvous with peonies. The ancient charm of the Sui and Tang dynasties permeated the garden with spring colors. A gentle breeze stirred, and peonies of all colors burst into bloom, vibrant and elegant, their petals unfurling and swaying, releasing a subtle fragrance that softened the entire spring day. Beneath our feet lay the ancient soil of the Sui and Tang dynasties, and before us, a breathtaking spectacle of peonies, where ancient and modern elegance gently blended. Strolling slowly through the garden with my mother, we admired the blossoms, chatted about everyday life, and quietly captured these tender and beautiful moments. Shedding the hustle and bustle of daily life, we didn't rush; we simply wanted to quietly accompany her, feeling the fragrance of flowers and the gentle passage of time. Flowers bloom in their season, but time is gentle; the most beautiful scenery is never limited to a garden full of spring colors. Before, I was always busy with life, neglecting time with my family. At this moment, I deeply understand that the most precious happiness in the world is the health and well-being of my parents, and their companionship year after year. May every year bring spring sunshine and blooming flowers, may I always be by my mother's side, cherishing every moment of warmth and companionship, living up to the beauty of the flowers and the warmth of her love.

The ruins of Luoyang City during the Sui and Tang Dynasties are located in the suburbs of Luoyang City. Construction began during the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, and its layout was modeled after the Sui Dynasty's Daxing City. At that time, it was known as the Eastern Capital or Tokyo. It served through the Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, and Northern Song Dynasties, lasting for over 500 years, acting as the Eastern Capital of the Sui and Tang Dynasties and the Western Capital of the Northern Song Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, the palace city, imperial city, and outer city were built successively. Five wards were established south of the outer city, and three more were opened to the northeast. In the second year of the Qianfeng era of Emperor Gaozong of Tang (667 AD), the Yang Palace was built southwest of the imperial city.

Luoyang peonies are the best in the world, and April is the best season to see them. The garden is full of peonies of all colors blooming in competition, elegant and luxurious. I was fortunate enough to see the rare varieties, the black peony and the green peony, making the trip worthwhile!

Many tourists write about the beautiful night view of Longfengshan Ancient Town. I stayed here for a night and felt the beauty of the morning. The greatest beauty of the morning is that there are no people. I am the only one wandering around the ancient town and taking beautiful photos. There are also some photos I like.

From Yuntaishan, we boarded a bus bound for Luoyang. The journey was long — more than four hours on the road. We left at 2:30 pm and only arrived close to 7:00 pm, which meant our first day in Luoyang was largely consumed by travel. That evening, drained from the ride, I managed only a brief visit to Yingtianmen, illuminated against the night sky.The following day was devoted entirely to two of Luoyang’s most iconic sites: the Longmen Grottoes and the White Horse Temple. After exploring the temple, we caught bus no. 58 directly to Luoyi Ancient City. By then, the hours of walking through grottoes and temple grounds had left us physically exhausted. Still, the ancient city welcomed us with free admission and a promise of cultural immersion.Dinner was taken at a basement food court along Minzhu Street. By the time we finished, night had fallen, and Luoyi Ancient City had transformed. The streets glittered with lanterns, music pulsed through the air, and the atmosphere was electric. Crowds gathered near the lake to watch 天女散花 — the “Fairy Scattering Flowers” dance performance — though we chose not to linger.Luoyi Ancient City (洛邑古城) remains one of China’s most authentic living historic districts. Here, 3,000 years of dynastic history — from the Zhou to the Ming — can still be felt in its preserved city walls, pagodas, canals, and performances. It is not simply a relic of the past, but a vibrant cultural stage where history and daily life coexist.