Night Tour of Luoyang's New Landmark: Luoyi Ancient City

In April 2017, just before the opening of the Luoyang Peony Culture Festival, the ancient capital Luoyang unveiled a new cultural tourism attraction—Luoyi Ancient City. Since the first phase of the Luoyi Ancient City scenic area is centered around the Wenfeng Pagoda, it is also known as the Wenfeng Pagoda Scenic Area. The Luoyang Wenfeng Pagoda was originally built in the Song Dynasty, destroyed by war at the end of the Ming Dynasty, and rebuilt in the early Qing Dynasty. The pagoda has nine stories, is built entirely of blue bricks, and is a dense-eave brick-and-stone pagoda about 30 meters tall.

"Luoyi" is the ancient name for Luoyang, representing Chinese civilization from ancient times to the present. Having served as the capital for thirteen dynasties, it is hailed as the "Holy City of Culture." Known as the "Central Plains Ferry," the Luoyi Ancient City scenic area is located in the old city district of Luoyang. The first phase of the project is situated in the southeast corner of Luoyi Ancient City. The project borders Xin Street to the east, Jinye Road to the west, the Southern Moat to the south, and Zhongzhou East Road to the north. The total planned area is 1,360 mu (about 90.7 hectares), with a development cycle of approximately 10 years. The project is divided into four phases, with the just-opened first phase covering an area of 280 mu (about 18.7 hectares).

The scenic area mainly features tourist dining, tourism products, cultural exhibitions, and historical reenactments. Famous cultural products such as Tang Sancai, peony porcelain, Jun porcelain, Ru porcelain, silk embroidery, paper-cutting, and the Luoyang Water Banquet—a variety of cultural products from the Central Plains and Luoyang, both ancient and modern—are all available.

When the scenic area opened on April 10, the crowds were overwhelming, with visitors jostling shoulder to shoulder, exceeding the maximum daily capacity. Therefore, it had to suspend visitor admissions on April 15 and close its doors. After careful adjustments and improvements, it reopened to the public. As of now, the temporary daily visitor limit is set at 30,000, with the maximum instantaneous capacity temporarily set at 7,500 people.

The most beautiful view of Luoyi Ancient City is under dusk. Every night, the shops and buildings in the area are all lit up. Below the Wenfeng Pagoda, a dazzling light show unfolds. On the waterfront stage, performers in splendid costumes sing and dance, leaving visitors dazzled and reluctant to leave.

After a day of sightseeing, coming here at night to stroll leisurely, sip tea and rest, drink to relieve fatigue, shop for specialty goods, experience the charm of Tang and Han dynasties, or enjoy beautiful music—it is all delightful and immersive.