Take You to Luoyang Baiyun Mountain, Encounter the Most Beautiful Autumn
For those who love to travel, October is a wonderful season. It can be dazzlingly golden, lushly green, or covered in white snow. It brings breathtaking beauty that lingers in memory. For those who have not yet set off, November is a special season—the encounter of migratory birds, the clash of colors, or the quiet waiting of ancient villages all shine with infinite brilliance at this moment. Netizens often ask me: 'You travel often, is it because of a hobby?' I say: 'Travel is not a hobby, it is life.' Whether heading left or right, carefully planning the itinerary, or just leaving on a whim, it's all an attitude towards life. So, three years later, I set off again—the fairyland on earth, Baiyun Mountain.
【About Baiyun Mountain】
As usual, here are a few beautiful preview photos! Luoyang Baiyun Mountain is located in the primeval forest area in the hinterland of Funiu Mountain, southern Song County, Luoyang City, Henan Province. It covers a total area of 168 square kilometers, with 204 animal species and 1,991 plant species, and a forest coverage rate of over 98.5%. Experts and scholars call it a 'Natural Museum.'
It is a UNESCO Global Geopark, a national 5A-level tourist attraction, a national forest park, a national nature reserve, one of China's top ten leisure resorts, one of the most beautiful places in China, and the third-best scenic spot in Henan Province. It is known as a 'fairyland on earth.' In 2010, it was upgraded to a UNESCO Global Geopark. The average altitude is 1,800 meters, with 37 peaks above 1,500 meters. Among them, Yuhuang Summit, at 2,216 meters, is the highest peak of Baiyun Mountain and one of the best places to watch sunrise and sea of clouds.
The maximum summer temperature at Baiyun Mountain does not exceed 26°C, making it a top summer resort in the country. The main scenic areas of Baiyun Mountain include: Baiyun Peak, Yuhuang Summit, Jijiaoman, Jiulong Waterfall, and Primeval Forest as the five major sightseeing areas, as well as leisure areas such as Baiyun Lake, Alpine Forest Oxygen Bar, Liuhou Temple, and Luhua Valley. Suggested visit duration: 2-3 days.
【Our Itinerary】
Day 1: Arrive at Baiyun Mountain, check in at Baiyun Renjia Hotel. Day 2: The stunning landscape gallery—the autumn vibe in Luhua Valley; challenge yourself on the glass suspension bridge and glass plank road; Jiulong Waterfall cluster—the face of Baiyun Mountain. Day 3: Infinite scenery at perilous peaks—summit Yuhuang Summit; visit Baiyun Lake and Liuhou Temple; return trip.
【Travel Tips】
Prepare well before the trip for a more comfortable travel experience! 1. Buy tickets—Luoyang has convenient transportation with regular trains, bullet trains, high-speed rail, and air travel. 2. Book a hotel—hotels on Baiyun Mountain are well-developed with various options. 3. Book tickets—you can book on the official scenic area website or travel websites. 4. Bring a tripod, shutter release cable, etc.—the sunrise and starry sky at Baiyun Mountain are beautiful and worth capturing. 5. Bring lightweight sports shoes for hiking; it’s cool in the morning and evening on the mountain, so bring a jacket, windbreaker, etc. 6. Snacks—bring some of your usual snacks to add a little flavor during the hike. 7. Download a guide map on your phone to familiarize yourself with the route. Notes: 1. Warm up before hiking with 10 minutes of stretching. 2. Wear comfortable hiking shoes; bring enough clothes as it gets cool in the morning and evening; bring enough snacks and water for energy during the hike. 3. Pace yourself—don’t keep walking without rest; adjust climbing and resting time properly. 4. Follow normal routes; don’t take undeveloped mountain paths for safety. 5. At night, you can see the Milky Way and stars, and the sunrise is said to be the best in Central China, so photography enthusiasts should bring a tripod and shutter release cable.
【Ticket Information】
Adult ticket: Market price 75 yuan. Transportation fee: From the ticket hall to the scenic area, an additional 70 yuan is required, including 60 yuan for up and down the mountain, and 10 yuan for the shuttle bus and sightseeing car in the scenic area. Free admission: Children under 1.4 meters tall, seniors over 70 with ID or senior card, military personnel with military ID, journalists with press ID. Yuhuang Summit Cable Car: Up 60 yuan/person, down 50 yuan/person, round-trip package 100 yuan/person. Free for children under 1.4 meters.
【Transportation】
Baiyun Mountain is located in the hinterland of Funiu Mountain, southern Song County, Luoyang. You can get there by public transport or self-driving. Since it is far from the city center, it takes about two and a half hours from Luoyang Station to the scenic area. It is recommended to start early to avoid driving on mountain roads in the dark. 1. Public transport: (1) Luoyang Bus Station: 7:30 AM and 1:30 PM every day; Luoyang Longmen Passenger Transport Center Station: 7:50 AM and 1:30 PM every day. There is a direct bus to Baiyun Mountain. Return times from Baiyun Mountain are 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM. One-way fare 45 yuan, about 4 hours. (2) Take a bus to Checun and get off at the Baiyun Mountain scenic area intersection, fare 31 yuan, then transfer to other transport to the entrance. (3) Cities around Luoyang such as Pingdingshan, Luoyang, Kaifeng also have direct buses to Baiyun Mountain. Please check tickets and fares at local bus stations. 2. Self-driving: East Henan: Ningluo Expressway—Zhengyao Expressway—Yaoshan—311 National Highway—Checun—Tianqiaogou—Baiyun Mountain. West Henan: Hushan Expressway—311 National Highway—Hesyu—Tianqiaogou—Baiyun Mountain. South Henan: Erguang Expressway—Zhengyao Expressway—Yaoshan—311 National Highway—Checun—Tianqiaogou—Baiyun Mountain. North Henan: Erguang Expressway, Lianhuo Expressway—Luoyang—Luoluan Expressway—Jiuxian—Hesyu—Tianqiaogou—Baiyun Mountain. 3. Out-of-town tourists: First understand Luoyang’s external transportation. Luoyang has 3 train stations: Luoyang Station (Luoyang Railway Station), Luoyang East Station, and Guanlin Station. Out-of-town visitors usually choose Luoyang Station. There is also 1 high-speed rail station: Luoyang Longmen Station (Longmen Station for short), and 1 airport: Beijiao Airport. ① Luoyang Station: It is recommended for out-of-town visitors to take the train to Luoyang Station, then go to the opposite Luoyang Bus Station (Luoyang First Long-distance Bus Station) to take the direct bus. ② Longmen Station: After exiting the station, go to Longmen Passenger Transport Center to catch the bus at 7:50 AM and 1:30 PM daily for Baiyun Mountain. ③ Beijiao Airport: Same as the high-speed rail station, you need to go to Luoyang Station first and then transfer to the direct bus. The airport is about 10 km from Luoyang Station; you can take bus 83, about 50 minutes.
【Where to Stay at Baiyun Mountain】
Choosing accommodation when traveling is like choosing a sense of security. I advocate 'thrift at home, comfort on the road'—be frugal at home but treat yourself well when traveling. Since a visit to Baiyun Mountain is recommended for 2-3 days, you can choose to stay on the mountain or at the foot. Accommodations at the foot are near the ticket hall, and these hotels can be booked on various travel apps. Most are private inns or regular hotels, affordable but with average environment. You need to take a 40-minute scenic shuttle bus up the mountain; not recommended for watching sunrise if staying at the foot. Better hotels on the mountain include 'Baiyun International Resort Hotel,' 'Baiyun Renjia Resort Hotel,' 'Yunzhan Hotel,' etc. 'Baiyun Renjia' is very close to the central station, making travel convenient. 'International Hotel' is opposite the forest oxygen bar, with restaurants nearby, and close to the hiking entrance. I stayed at Baiyun Renjia Resort Hotel, located in Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area, with a beautiful surroundings, pleasant scenery, and fresh air. Room rates range from 600-800 yuan; during peak season, you need to book a week in advance, and rates are around 1,000 yuan.
'Baiyun Renjia Resort Hotel' is one of the hotels managed by Luoyang Ruibeiqa Hotel Management Co., Ltd. The hotel faces water and backs onto mountains, with streams nearby and majestic mountains in the distance, fully showcasing the nature-returning characteristics of a mountain resort hotel. The hotel’s main design incorporates mountain resort elements, introducing natural harmonious notes such as wood effects, mountain stone, and forest animals.
The interior of the hotel is very elegantly and spaciously decorated, with an extreme sense of space, quality, and high comfort. The soft furnishings are particularly design-oriented, offering a very comfortable feel.
The hotel has 112 rooms including luxury suites, luxury standard rooms, and standard twin rooms, accommodating up to 200 guests. The restaurant can serve 300 people at a time, and features SPA, chess and card rooms, and other entertainment facilities. My favorite is the oversized bathtub on the balcony. Imagine filling the large wooden tub with hot water, soaking in it, and looking up at the starry sky—how comfortable!
In the morning, a ray of sunlight shines directly into my room. Opening the curtains, I see the beautiful scenery of Baiyun Peak. I can't help but pick up the camera on the table to capture the view outside. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, invite your closest companion in your free time to Baiyun Renjia Resort Hotel and enjoy the purification of the soul brought by its beauty.
【Local Cuisine】
Regarding food, in Luoyang you must try Luoyang Water Banquet. Recommended dishes from the Water Banquet include Lotus Leaf Meat Slices, Peony Swallow Dish, and fried meatballs. Soups include Tofu Soup, Meatball Soup, and Donkey Meat Soup, all quite famous. Snacks in Luoyang are not expensive; you can eat a lot at street stalls, such as lamb skewers, grilled gluten, grilled squid, shitty beef balls, and fried rice cakes.
Additionally, Baiyun Renjia Hotel also has a restaurant for meals. I recommend the Luhun Reservoir Fish Hotpot, which is very tasty. The hotpot base is a specially prepared premium base, and the fish slices are firm and flavorful—very delicious!
【The Stunning Landscape Gallery: The Rich Autumn Vibe in Luhua Valley】
The first choice for autumn scenery in Baiyun Mountain is undoubtedly Luhua Valley. Luhua Valley is the valley with the most concentrated scenery, the densest vegetation, and the most plant species in Baiyun Mountain. Our first stop was Luhua Valley.
After breakfast, we took a sightseeing car to Luhua Valley. Luhua Valley is a leisure trail built by Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area in 2005 with an investment of one million yuan. The trail is about 1 meter wide and 5 kilometers long. Built along the river, the trail is nestled against mountains and rivers, with towering ancient trees.
Several of us walked along the leisure plank road, admiring the scenery on both sides. The area is based on golden yellow, with light yellow, brown, red, and other colors, rendering Luhua Valley and even all of Baiyun Mountain colorful. Looking at the extreme autumn scenery here is a comfortable enjoyment.
Strolling in Luhua Valley is truly a leisurely walk. Walking along, all worries vanish into the air. As we walked along the plank road beside Luhua Valley, we occasionally encountered various small waterfalls, and the colorful trees excited us endlessly!
In autumn, Luhua Valley seems as if God has spilled a palette. The valley presents a gradient of red, yellow, blue, and green. If you hadn't seen it with your own eyes, you would never imagine that such a small valley could be so charming in autumn.
Everywhere you look in autumn Baiyun Mountain is dazzling colors. Walking in such a place is refreshing to the mind and lungs. If you missed the green summer, don't miss the colorful autumn! Strolling through Luhua Valley, you can not only enjoy the high-altitude reeds, crocodile playing in water, Huanglong Well, Black Dragon Pool, etc., but also enjoy the fresh and cool mountain breeze and listen to the birds singing.
In Luhua Valley, you can see the most beautiful autumn scenery, waterfalls and streams, and fruity branches. It's a leisure trail—stop and go without getting tired. Black Dragon Pool is located in the middle of the plank road, not large but very clear. Baiyun Mountain has many similar pools. As they say, where there is water, there is spirit. These mountain springs flow down through the streams, making the mountain scenery of Baiyun Mountain more vivid.
Luhua Valley is about 5 kilometers long, about 2 hours to finish, but it's worth the walk. This kind of valley with streams as the main scenery has a unique charm. Autumn is a season of harvest. There are various fruits in the mountains, blue, red, and yellow. I don't know their names and dare not taste them.
We walked, rested, and took photos for almost three hours, then returned to the hotel for lunch, and continued to the Jiulong Waterfall sightseeing area in the afternoon.
【Jiulong Waterfall Sightseeing Area: The Face of Baiyun Mountain】
Jiulong Grand Canyon connects to Baiyun Mountain’s Luhua Valley and is one of the most beautiful fault canyons in the scenic area. Inside the canyon, there are numerous strange peaks and rocks, and many large and small waterfalls. After rain, when mist swirls, it looks like a fairyland on earth. In late autumn, the different colored vegetation spreads layer by layer along the canyon ridges, evoking heartfelt admiration! This is a place that attracts the eye and a place that exhausts your camera shutter.
We took the scenic area electric car to the Jiulong Waterfall parking lot. First, we visited the Jiulong Sky Bridge and the suspended glass plank road. When I came in 2017, the Jiulong Sky Bridge had not been built yet; at that time, you walked directly up the stairway to the glass plank road. Now with the Jiulong Sky Bridge, if you want to experience it, you can walk across it to the opposite mountain.
The Jiulong Sky Bridge flies high above the Jiulong Grand Canyon. Walking on the glass sky bridge and looking around, the entire Jiulong Grand Canyon unfolds before your eyes—a magnificent landscape painting. Looking down from the highest point, you see cliffs and precipices below.
You feel as if you are floating in the air. Walking on it feels a bit wobbly, very thrilling and dangerous. Stepping on the glass sky bridge is like standing on the clouds. Gazing into the distance from the Jiulong Sky Bridge, the view is unobstructed. Friends with acrophobia would probably feel dizzy at a glance. One of my travel companions, due to fear of heights, took the lower plank road to the opposite mountain.
This truly validates the saying, 'Infinite scenery at perilous peaks.' Flying a drone to overlook the entire Jiulong Grand Canyon and the sky bridge, below is all colorful hues as if God spilled a palette. You would never imagine such a small valley could be so charming in autumn.
After crossing the Jiulong Sky Bridge and walking a bit further, we went to another highly challenging attraction: the glass plank road hanging on the cliff.
Walking along the canyon plank road, we saw in the distance a glass plank road hanging on the cliff. This plank road is suspended at an altitude of over 1,900 meters, with a bottomless abyss below, located beside the Wufu Tianlu in the Jiulong Grand Canyon Scenic Area. The glass plank road is 100 meters long, paved with transparent glass. Viewed from afar, it looks like a giant dragon coiled on the cliff.
Walking on the glass plank road and looking down at the abyss, timid hearts would feel a vague dread! Indeed, that companion of mine did not dare to come up, and could only watch from afar as we gracefully walked the glass plank road.
After the experience, we descended along the steps to explore the Jiulong Grand Canyon.
The waterfall plunges down like a white dragon descending to the valley. The mist rising from the water hitting the rocks adds a celestial aura to the mountains!
Walking on the swaying suspension bridge, looking up you see the enchanting waterfall, looking down you see the deep canyon. The posture of the Qinglong Waterfall is not so curvaceous—it's simple and straight. The waterfalls in Baiyun Mountain each have their own posture and characteristics. Along the steep stairs, we reached the bottom of the canyon. On the steep cliff of the Jiulong Waterfall, nine obvious quartz vein belts are naturally embedded, shaped like nine dragons playing in the waterfall, hence the name Jiulong Waterfall. The Jiulong River water, converging here, rushes down along the steep fault cliff, forming the Jiulong Waterfall with a drop of 123 meters.
Under the 'Thousand Feet Cliff' with a drop of over 300 meters, the Jiulong Waterfall connects with the blue sky and white clouds above and the deep pool below. Its surging momentum resembles the Milky Way pouring down.
After visiting the Jiulong Waterfall, we took the Jiulong Cable Car back to the Jiulong Parking Lot. The Jiulong Cable Car is the first high-altitude sightseeing cable car in Luoyang. During the cable car ride, we enjoyed the geographical features of the Jiulong Canyon once again.
【Infinite Scenery at Perilous Peaks: Summit Yuhuang Summit】
Stepping out of the hotel in the morning, the beautiful scenery greeted us. An autumn breeze blew, revealing a riot of colors: red leaves like fire, yellow leaves shining, green leaves fresh, intertwining and playing with each other, creating a fairy tale autumn scene, beautiful and mysterious.
Our destination today was Xiaohuangshan, Yuhuang Pavilion, and Yuhuang Summit. We took the scenic area sightseeing car to the Yuhuang Summit Cable Car station. The roadside scenery was incredibly beautiful, but because the sightseeing car was fast and the wind was cool, we didn't capture the roadside beauty.
On the way to the cable car station, we passed by Baiyun Lake. Baiyun Lake on Baiyun Mountain, if I may say, is more like a pond. It is not particularly large, but the lake and mountain scenery are clear and beautiful. Sunlight shines on the green lake surface, and the light ripples with the waves. Around Baiyun Lake is a corridor. Strolling along the corridor and circling Baiyun Lake, you experience an extra touch of the comfortable life of someone living deep in the clouds.
Baiyun Lake is suitable for relaxation. You can come during the day to watch boating, and at night to take a walk and admire the 'moonlight.'
To save time and reduce physical exertion, we chose a faster way up the mountain—taking the Yuhuang Summit Cable Car. Riding up in the cable car, we had a very broad view. At this time, the stunning scene of layers of forests dyed in colors and flowing gold on Baiyun Mountain became even more apparent.
Many people come here to play. Some choose the cable car, others choose to walk. On the road, we saw an elderly person who was physically exhausted and chose a sedan chair. After getting off the cable car, we walked 500 meters to Xiaohuangshan. The main peak here is at an altitude of 1,845 meters. You can see attractions such as Feilai Stone, Guangming Peak, and Yutu Bowing to the Moon. The continuous mountain ranges ahead look like layered waves. This scenery indeed has the shadow of the Yellow Mountain, but it is more reserved. Strange rocks, upright pines, and elegant pine postures carry the charm, beauty, and uniqueness of the Yellow Mountain, hence the name 'Xiaohuangshan' (Little Yellow Mountain).
Since the Yuhuang Summit Cable Car was built, there is no longer any fear of not reaching the top. The mountain-top scenery that used to take three hours to see can now be reached in just a few minutes by cable car, and then it takes less than an hour to summit Yuhuang Summit. This not only brings convenience to travelers with limited time but also satisfies those who are not suitable for long hikes. So, no matter who wants to climb Yuhuang Summit, there is no longer any worry!
From Guangming Peak back to Yuhuang Summit takes about one hour, passing Feilai Stone and Yuhuang Pavilion to reach Yuhuang Summit!
'No mountain is higher than a man, no road longer than the foot.' This poem by Wang Guozhen has inspired countless climbers. The mountain is high, but man is the peak; the road is long, but the man walks it. Only oneself can control oneself, and hope lies ahead.
The 'Ultimate Peak of Central China,' Yuhuang Summit, indeed lives up to its reputation. At an altitude of 2,216 meters, it is one of the highest peaks in Central China and the highest peak of Baiyun Mountain. It is considered the place closest to the Jade Emperor, hence the name 'Yuhuang Summit.' If you haven't been to Yuhuang Summit, your visit to Baiyun Mountain is incomplete!
This steep peak has the charm, beauty, and uniqueness of the Yellow Mountain. Many natural landscapes are like a re-creation of the Yellow Mountain, sharing the same lineage. Standing here, looking around, thousands of peaks compete in beauty, each peak unique, with cliffs standing thousands of meters high, each with its own character.
Baiyun Mountain has many beautiful spots, and it is also a great place to watch sunrise, sea of clouds, starry sky, and mountains. If the sea of clouds is only full of golden yellow and white clouds, a bit monotonous, then the sunrise will surely surprise you. This autumn, don't miss Baiyun Mountain!
At the central square of the scenic area, there are dense ginkgo trees. Although not as thick as those at Wumasi, they are still very beautiful. The ginkgo leaves cover the entire ground like a golden carpet. From any angle, it is a stunning landscape.
Watching the ginkgo leaves twirl down like skilled dancers dancing with the wind.
Not far from Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area, in Wumasi Township, there are over a dozen century-old ginkgo trees. Because of the cold weather this year, they are expected to turn yellow around the end of October. If you have time, go see them—it's truly stunning!
I felt a thousand reluctance! Although I consider myself a travel expert and a native Henan person, I haven't visited many scenic spots in Henan. This was only my second visit to Baiyun Mountain. After this 'scouting,' I will bring my parents or partner to Baiyun Mountain again in spring, autumn, or winter, wandering in the quiet time. I hope we can meet by chance on the next journey!
