Last updated: November 3, 2026
Most first-time visitors to China see Xi’an’s Terracotta Army and stop there. A short hop east on the high-speed line, Luoyang holds something just as remarkable: about a kilometre of limestone cliff above the Yi River, carved with Buddhist caves and statues over several dynasties, beginning around AD 493 in the Northern Wei period. The centrepiece is the giant seated Vairocana Buddha at Fengxian Temple, carved in the Tang dynasty, and it earns the trip by itself.
This guide covers what to see, how to book the ticket as a foreign visitor, how to get there, and how to fit Luoyang into a wider route. Prices and hours are the official figures we found in November 2026. Scenic areas change seasonal hours and booking rules often, so check the official Longmen Grottoes site or WeChat account shortly before you go.
Why Longmen is worth your time
- Scale: tens of thousands of carved figures, from tiny niches to statues many metres tall, spread along both banks of the river.
- The Vairocana Buddha: the Fengxian Temple niche is the highlight, with a serene face carved high above the visitor platform.
- Easy logistics: a compact, mostly flat riverside route, with a high-speed station close by.
- Good pairing: combine with Xi’an (our Xi’an guide) or Pingyao (Pingyao guide) on a Central China loop.
Tickets, prices and booking as a foreigner
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime adult ticket | ¥90 (~US$12.50) | Covers West Hill, East Hill, Xiangshan Temple, Bai Garden |
| Half-price ticket | ¥45 (~US$6.25) | Eligibility rules apply; do not assume it is open to foreign visitors |
| Electric cart | ¥10 one way (~US$1.40) | Not included; saves a 20–25 minute walk from the service area |
| Night tour | Separate product | Check price and season on the official channel |
Exchange rate used: roughly ¥7.2 per US$1. Some third-party sources list a lower winter price, so confirm the figure for your date when you book.
How to book, step by step
- Open the official Longmen Grottoes website (en.lmsk.cn) or its official WeChat account and choose “Book Tickets”.
- Pick your date and a time slot. Slots are limited by daily capacity, so book early for weekends, the peony season in April and national holidays.
- Enter your passport details exactly as printed. Visitors without a mainland phone number may need to upload a passport photo through the official account and wait for review, so allow extra time and do not leave it to the morning of your visit.
- Save the confirmation. You enter with the original passport you booked with, and the route has several ticket checks.
- If online booking fails, you can ask about buying at the ticket office with your passport, though this can mean queues at busy times.
Payment setup helps everywhere in China; see our guide to paying in China and the essential apps list.
Opening hours
| Season | Opens | Last ticket sales | Last entry | Clearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer schedule (to Oct 31) | 08:00 | 17:30 | 18:00 | 19:00 |
| Winter schedule (from Nov 1) | 08:00 | 16:30 | 17:00 | 18:00 |
These are the times on the official site. In winter, daylight is short and the site closes early, so arrive in the morning rather than relying on the last-entry time.
Getting to Longmen Grottoes
| From | Option | Time | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luoyang Longmen HSR station | Taxi or ride-hailing | 10–30 min | ¥25–35 (US$3.50–5) |
| Luoyang Longmen HSR station | Bus 71 | ~40 min | ¥1–2 |
| Luoyang Railway Station | Bus 81 | 50–65 min | ¥1–2 |
| Luoyang Railway Station | Metro Line 2 then taxi or bus | ~40 min | Low |
| City centre | Taxi | ~30 min | ¥40–60 (est.) |
The metro does not reach the grottoes gate. Bus numbers and routes change, so confirm in Amap or Apple Maps on the day. For ride-hailing, see how to use DiDi as a foreigner.
Train from Xi’an or Zhengzhou
Luoyang sits on the Xi’an–Zhengzhou high-speed corridor, with fast trains taking roughly 90 minutes from Xi’an. Book on Trip.com or 12306 and carry your passport; the full method is in our China train booking guide. Choose a train to Luoyang Longmen if you are going straight to the grottoes, since it is the closest station.
What to see: a one-way route
The site runs a one-way flow, so finish each area before moving on:
- West Hill grottoes: the main event. Look for the Fengxian Temple Vairocana, the Guyang Cave, the Binyang caves and the Lotus Flower Cave. Give this area 1.5–2 hours.
- East Hill grottoes: reached by crossing the river. Quieter, with a few notable caves. Allow about an hour.
- Xiangshan Temple: a hillside temple with river views.
- Bai Garden: the tomb and garden of the Tang poet Bai Juyi, a calm place to end the visit.
Many visitors want the Vairocana photo. The best light on the West Hill face is usually in the morning, and the platform fills quickly late in the morning on weekends.
Sample half-day plan
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 08:00 | Arrive at the gate, passport ready, enter West Hill |
| 08:15–10:15 | West Hill caves, Fengxian Temple |
| 10:15–11:15 | Cross to East Hill |
| 11:15–12:30 | Xiangshan Temple and Bai Garden |
| 12:30–14:00 | Lunch in Luoyang, try the local water banquet or noodles |
| Afternoon | White Horse Temple or the old town, or a train onward |
When to go
- Spring (April): Luoyang’s peony festival, with city parks in bloom. Book hotels and tickets early.
- Autumn (September–November): clear skies and comfortable walking weather, our favourite window.
- Summer: hot, with longer hours and a night-lighting option.
- Winter: cold and quiet, with earlier closing. Dress warmly. See also our China winter travel guide if you are travelling in the colder months.
Avoid China’s national holidays (the first week of October, Lunar New Year) if you can; capacity limits and crowds make everything harder.
Where to stay in Luoyang
- Near the HSR station or Longmen: convenient for an early start at the grottoes.
- Old town (Laocheng): better food, night market and atmosphere, about 30 minutes from Longmen by taxi.
Hotels must register foreign guests with the police. If a hotel turns you away, read our guide to accommodation registration.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Spectacular UNESCO carvings at a modest price | Passport-based timed booking needs planning |
| Half-day visit, easy rail link from Xi’an | Crowded on weekends and holidays |
| Fewer foreign tourists than Xi’an or Beijing | Some statues are weathered or damaged |
Tips
- Bring your original passport every time; screenshots are not enough.
- Wear comfortable shoes. There are many steps and uneven surfaces.
- Download an offline translation app and set up mobile data first; our eSIM guide explains how.
- Food and drink inside the site are limited and pricier; carry water.
- Visa-free entry rules still apply to your trip; check our visa-free guide before you book.
FAQ
How long do I need at Longmen Grottoes?
Plan 3–5 hours for all four areas, or about 2.5 hours if you only see West Hill.
Can foreigners buy tickets online?
Yes. The official site or WeChat account accepts passport details for real-name booking. Allow time for possible identity review.
Is Longmen a day trip from Xi’an?
Yes. High-speed trains run in about 90 minutes, so an early start makes a long day trip, though an overnight stay is more relaxed.
Is the night tour worth it?
If you are staying overnight in the warmer months, many travellers like the lit cliff views. Check availability and price on the official channel.
Can I use cash?
Most things work through Alipay or WeChat Pay, but carrying a little cash is sensible.
Want help planning Luoyang?
If you would like a hand with timed ticket booking, train times, hotels or a Xi’an–Luoyang–Zhengzhou route, our concierge can put together a custom plan to suit your dates and budget, with a quote on request. Visit our Concierge page or message us on WhatsApp.