The Millennial Flourishing Tang Dynasty, Spring Breeze Fills Luoyang – What Kind of City Is Luoyang, Really?

Some say Luoyang is a historic and cultural ancient city, standing between the Luo and Yi rivers, located at the center of the world, embodying a robust and majestic aura while also possessing a charming elegance. Thirteen dynasties once fought here, waxing and waning. Behind every building there is a tale of romance, and on every street and alley there have been thrilling contests and deep, resonant calls.

It is Luoyang.

A spring weekend spent exploring Luoyang feels like stepping into a long-dormant history. Old buildings with carved beams, painted rafters, and upturned eaves exude an ancient charm. Ornate memorial archways and overlapping shops and inns are all cloaked in a luxurious golden coat as the sun sets and night falls.

And I am here to show you how to unlock this thousand-year-old Tang dynasty capital in just two days over the weekend:

D1: Beijing 07:00 – Luoyang Longmen 10:00. There are many high-speed trains. Arriving in the morning, you can start exploring Luoyang right away. I booked the Huamao Qingsong Hotel, 1.5 kilometers from Luoyang Longmen High-Speed Railway Station, which was very convenient. After dropping off my luggage, I went to the Luohe Li area in Dahe Hui nearby to taste Luoyang’s signature cuisine. Fully fed and refreshed, I headed to the Longmen Grottoes. In the afternoon, after leaving the Longmen Grottoes, I returned to the Dahe Hui Hotel to rest for a while, then bought a ticket there to watch “In Search of the Ode to the Luo River Goddess.” After that, I visited the library to soak up some artistic atmosphere. By the way, at around 7 p.m. every evening, an outdoor light show themed around Heluo culture and the 24 solar terms of China, titled “He Luo Lights Up,” takes place in the central square of Dahe Hui.

D2: I woke up naturally at Huamao Qingsong, enjoyed a hearty buffet breakfast with very tasty beef soup, and then went to the Nine Pools of the Sui-Tang Imperial Garden. Nearby are the Hall of Brightness, the Hall of Heaven, and the Gate of Manifest Destiny – all very close to each other. After touring them, I found a local Luoyang restaurant for lunch. After eating, I returned to the hotel, bought some local specialties at Dahe Hui, and then took the high-speed train back to Beijing. Luoyang 16:25 – Beijing 19:25.

The winds of time have carved wrinkles on her face, and plunderers have left chisel marks on her body, yet her unique charm remains outstanding. The magnificent carvings, the exquisite craftsmanship, and the profound cultural heritage all conquer every visitor’s heart, showcasing the great beauty of Chinese culture.

Walking through the Longmen Grottoes, the scenery changes with every step. Some Buddha statues are powerful and imposing, reflecting the wisdom of ancient peoples and the economic prosperity of the Northern Wei and Tang dynasties.

Some say that visiting Luoyang without seeing the Nine Pools is like going to Beijing without visiting the Summer Palace.

Located within the Sui-Tang Luoyang City palace complex, the Nine Pools were an important royal garden in the Ziwei Palace. They epitomize the essence of Tang and Song dynasty garden architecture and are a model of ancient Chinese imperial gardens.

Now carefully restored on the original site, the area exudes an antique charm with beautiful scenery. Spring flowers are blooming, and the landscape and lake views are intoxicating.

The Gate of Manifest Destiny, known as the “First Gate Under Heaven,” was the venue for imperial ceremonies such as enthronements, changes of era names, amnesties, and banquets. It was the highest-standard gate in ancient China and the place where Empress Wu Zetian ascended the throne, changed the Tang dynasty to Zhou, and established the Wu Zhou regime.

In Luoyang, the Hall of Brightness and the Hall of Heaven have watched over each other for a millennium. The Hall of Brightness is grand, magnificent, and towering, with an aura that seems to embrace heaven and earth and encompass all things.

Right next to the Luoyang Longmen High-Speed Railway Station, I had checked out Dahe Hui before coming. It is Luoyang’s first immersive urban cultural, commercial, and tourism complex, offering a one-stop experience for food, drink, and entertainment. It features both natural and human landscapes, showcasing Luoyang’s unique charm.

There are immersive theater designs and performances, a “museum+” commercial exhibition model, various cuisines on the Heluo Sky Street, and the grand He Luo Lights Up ceremony. I felt that a whole day here wouldn’t be enough.

From the basement level to the fourth floor, Heluo Li has supermarkets, entertainment, food, handicraft shops, and everything else. It is an immersive themed block that gathers Luoyang and Heluo food culture, intangible cultural heritage, folk customs, and handmade cultural creations.

Many people love to eat Luoyang’s small-street potstickers, Yuanwei beef tripe king, Gu County meat pies, Luoyang non-turnover soup, peony flower cakes, Puyang Zhuang mo, Kaifeng soup dumplings, and so on – all available here, depending on your appetite.

Heluo Li is not just a food street; it is a microcosm of Luoyang, perfectly blending the city’s history, culture, and folk customs.

After eating, we went to the second floor of Dahe Hui Heluo Li. The “Digital Rebirth” exhibition on the protection of scattered artifacts from Longmen Grottoes, along with the special exhibition on the first royal capital of China – the Erlitou site – will run for three months as a museum tour.

Through artistic displays and performance art, combined with props and sets, the confidence of the thirteen-dynasty ancient capital and the vibrant energy of youth are integrated. Each floor has its own character, and every step reveals a different culture – an immersive experience for young trendsetters, gathering the essence of Dahe Hui.

The 24-hour Aesthetic Library – “Returning Geese by the Luo River”

Many cities now have beautiful internet-famous bookstores, and Dahe Hui has one too. Inside, there are huge pillars made of book models, perfect for taking photos.

The bookstore truly brings you a moment of peace and freedom in the midst of busy urban life.

“In Search of the Ode to the Luo River Goddess”

This is something I strongly recommend to everyone: China’s first digital immersive walking performance, “In Search of the Ode to the Luo River Goddess.” It takes the charm of Luoyang as its spiritual symbol and Heluo culture as its creative background, using technology and art to tell the story of Luoyang. It encapsulates the essence of the ancient divine capital and pioneers a new performance form that combines exhibition, performance, and show in China. Using digital technology to empower cultural performances, it takes you on a thousand-year journey of discovery in Luoyang.

Once inside, we explore step by step, and a journey to discover the charm of Luoyang unfolds. On the first floor, young ladies dressed in Han and Tang costumes take you to experience the opulence of the capital during the blooming season.

Here, you can experience 360-degree holographic projections and feel the ancient Luoyang.

We follow the actors through different times and spaces, experiencing the charm of Luoyang’s history and culture. It perfectly blends technology and history, virtual reality, and holographic images, combining a digital museum with immersive live performances – truly a cultural and visual feast.

“In Search of the Ode to the Luo River Goddess” includes five chapters: “Origin – River Map and Luo Writing,” “Ode – Ode to the Luo River Goddess,” “Heritage – Longmen World Heritage,” “Revival – Flourishing Culture and Martial Arts,” and “Convergence – Wealth of Luo Water.”

It turns Heluo culture into a series of scrolls, allowing you to touch the living history of Luoyang, interact with artifacts and NPCs, take photos, and get up close.

A curtain of water cascades down, and the Luo River Goddess in splendid robes flutters gracefully.

In front of the Buddha statues at Longmen Grottoes, you can see the craftsmen from a thousand years ago carving timeless legends into the cliffs.

Here, you can see the Eight Great Scenes of Luoyang you’ve never witnessed before, the graceful posture of the Luo River Goddess, the starry patterns of the River Map and Luo Writing, the complete story of Longmen Grottoes and the cave carvers, and a gathering of sages like Du Fu, Li Bai, Confucius, Laozi, Li Qingzhao, Sima Guang, and many others in Luoyang, sharing a grand event. The charm of Luoyang is unfolded in detail, and the poetic capital is narrated through ancient poems.

After watching “In Search of the Ode to the Luo River Goddess,” I felt that it represents not only the timeless masterpiece “Ode to the Luo River Goddess” but also the very essence of Luoyang.

It is integrating Luoyang’s thousand-year culture into our lives.

“He Luo Lights Up”

Every evening around 7 p.m., in the central square of Dahe Hui, an outdoor light show themed on Heluo culture and China’s 24 solar terms, titled “He Luo Lights Up,” takes place.

It is a stunning light show with performances by actors. “He Luo Lights Up” illuminates the city with light and shadow, like a sincere gift to this city.

At night, we witness the wisdom and romance of ancient Chinese people in the light show. The lights brighten the night sky from a thousand years ago, presenting a timeless beauty. From now on, in the ancient capital of Luoyang, our expectations for the night include not only stars and the full moon but also the He Luo Lights Up.

Huamao Qingsong Hotel

This hotel was the most impressive one I booked. Not only is it right next to the high-speed railway station, but the hotel’s environment is also very culturally rich – it is a Sui-Tang culture-themed hotel.

From the moment I entered, I felt the transition from a noisy city to a private, tranquil space, with the first delightful surprise of a beautiful world of light and shadow.

Stepping into the magnificent lobby, we were greeted with warm welcomes and hospitality. The lobby offers complimentary tea and snacks for guests.

The lobby bar has a fresh and elegant atmosphere. Spending some time there, enjoying a cup of tea or a fragrant coffee, allows you to savor leisure and comfort away from busyness.

I think this is a near-perfect hotel. Every corner, whether in the architecture or the interior, is very beautiful, especially the artwork, which deeply moved me.

Exquisite decorations, luxurious furnishings, and unparalleled service are everywhere, truly attentive.

Here, cultural creativity, quality commerce, and high-end hotels are connected, allowing me to start a new chapter of living and traveling in Luoyang.

The restaurant here feels like being taken care of by family – warm, friendly, and making you feel at home.

I once heard a saying: Food is the most efficient way to understand a city or a nation. So wherever I travel, my favorite and first thing to do is to seek out authentic local cuisine.

Here, you can truly dance with your taste buds amidst the spicy flavors. I’ve traveled to many places and tasted many local specialties, but this time at Huamao Qingsong, I developed a special fondness for the flavors of Luoyang.

There is also a children’s dining area, so families with babies are truly happy.

The private dining rooms are also very spacious. The color scheme throughout the hotel is so sophisticated, creating a space full of ceremonial sense that makes you feel happy.

There is also a tea room. Those who love tea can enjoy a cup of fragrant tea.

Sometimes I feel that we are not just drinking tea, but the whole spring. Here, I quietly brew a pot of tea and feel its aroma.

Tea is like art, and with an environment like Huamao Qingsong, it allows us to relax and enjoy this moment of tea time amidst the busyness.

The services at Huamao Qingsong Hotel are meticulous and refined. Fitness service is an important aspect.

With many fitness equipment and clean, tidy machines, it is a popular choice for many people.

In fact, during our travels, a hotel is not just a place to stay, but a destination that carries our expectations for life. Extending travel into life, it opens a new world through spiritual elevation.

The guest rooms at Huamao Qingsong immediately struck a chord in my heart as soon as I entered. They create warm dreams, making dreams beautiful and enchanting, filling them with infinite tenderness and romance, turning romance into reality between half-asleep and half-awake moments.

The room design, layout, and service are thoughtful and very humanized. I feel that the hotel focuses more on making guests feel distinguished and unique. The decorations in the rooms are all exquisite, making you feel like you have found the original state of life.

Here, I can break free from the pressures of work and life in the city, providing precious comfort to a tired soul. More importantly, I can find a long-lost sense of belonging and rediscover the most beautiful version of myself in memory.

The hotel’s operation and service center around the guest rooms. During our stay, we spend most of our time in the room, so the level of room facilities can representatively reflect the hotel’s grade.

A journey, a touch of emotion. What was I doing this time? I stayed at Huamao Qingsong Hotel, staring blankly, admiring the scenery, and reflecting on life. Some say I love traveling alone, enjoying the silence of solitude and experiencing loneliness.

At certain times, a hotel represents the spiritual depths we may not even know ourselves. Hotels are also symbols of people who are unwilling to settle for the status quo, who have their hearts set on distant places. Because of their restlessness, the world becomes turbulent, but who can deny the brilliance and charm contained in this restlessness?

Luoyang Dahe Hui brings traditional culture and innovative ideas together, promoting the stylish expression of traditional culture and the modern transformation of heavy culture, forming a unique cultural, commercial, and tourism landmark with Luoyang’s characteristics and charm. It not only creates Luoyang’s first integrated art space for living and vacation but will also become a new cultural tourism business card for Henan, helping people “Walk in Henan, Understand China.”