Luoyi Ancient City: An Investment of 12.7 Billion but Free Admission—Is It Worth Visiting?

As a native of Luoyang, Henan, I’ve seen almost every scenic spot in the city, large or small. But the only one I’m not familiar with is the “newcomer” Luoyi Ancient City. Recently, during the Spring Festival holiday, I specifically rode my bicycle to the “Central Plains Ferry” Luoyi Ancient City for a visit, and to my surprise, I discovered some delightful surprises.

Because of the route, I first passed through the snack street of the Old City and then arrived at Luoyi Ancient City along East Avenue. It was the evening of the first day of the Chinese New Year. Although it was already quite late, the snack street was still packed with people. I had to push my bicycle along the road, constantly saying “sorry” because even a slight squeeze would make the wheels run over someone’s shoes. At that moment, I was thinking to myself: “Oh no, if Luoyi Ancient City is also this crowded, I won’t be able to see any scenery. Being so short, I’ll only see a sea of heads.”

When I finally reached Luoyi Ancient City, because I didn’t enter through the main gate, what first caught my eye was a snack street with only a sparse number of people. The variety of snacks was nothing special either, and I felt a bit disappointed. I couldn’t help but wonder: the total investment is said to be over 12.7 billion yuan—is this all there is? Just as I was feeling let down, my attention was drawn to the exquisite architecture.

The slightly upturned eaves, the tasteful decorations, and the warm lighting in the cold winter night gave the place a sense of warmth, reducing its roughness and making it more like a graceful southern beauty described in poetry—delicate and gentle, evoking a sense of nostalgia in the hazy night.

Lost in such charm, I had no sense of direction. I saw young women dressed in Hanfu laughing and taking pictures of each other. After wandering a few more steps in this ancient-style “labyrinth,” I seemed to see the phrase “small bridge, flowing water, and cottages” slowly emerging from a book, transforming into the scene before my eyes.

Even the shops in the scenic area, wrapped in this atmosphere, took on a touch of literary grace, each with its own distinct character. While I was immersed, I happened to spot a performer in a long gown telling crosstalk. The lively atmosphere inside the hall made me feel somewhat lonely in comparison. I walked around the building to find the main door, but upon entering, I was told that the performance had already ended. With a heart full of regret, I was once again alone.

The originally bustling Lantern Lane had already gone dark. Friends on my phone urged me to go home, so I hurried through the rest of my visit. After crossing a small bridge, I saw a building illuminated by lights standing on the other side of the calm lake. Its reflection shimmered on the water, the building and its shadow accompanying each other, reducing the sense of solitude.

After crossing the small bridge, I saw the historic Wenfeng Pagoda, one of the few remaining ancient pagodas in the Luoyang area. It, too, stood alone, but it had endured a longer span of time and possessed richer cultural significance. I could only check the time, silently make my New Year’s wish, and then turn around to leave.

To be honest, this place brought me more surprises than I expected. For tourists from other places, it is certainly a viable option for travel. First, the scenery here is indeed beautiful. Second, you can visit Lijing Gate, the Cross Street of Luoyang’s Old City, and Luoyi Ancient City all in one trip. Although it may be a bit tiring, you can fully experience the flavor of old Luoyang. Moreover, Luoyi Ancient City does not charge an admission fee (but you need to bring your ID card). If you don’t go overboard buying specialty products and snacks, the overall trip won’t cost much. In summary, this place is well worth a visit. A friend of mine once joked, “After finishing the snack street, you can come here to walk off your meal. A place with such beautiful scenery for digestion is rare in the world.”