Things to do in Jiyuan

Although it's only a 4A-level scenic spot, it's well worth a visit. The clear weather, blue sky and white clouds, combined with the rolling mountains, are truly breathtaking. If you have mobility issues, there are cable cars and ropeways to and from the site, but there's always a section you have to climb yourself. The view from the highest point is truly expansive. The scenic area is also very clean; the toilets have toilet paper and are clean.

The scenery is very good, and the items and entertainment projects in the scenic area are really not expensive. The only thing I want to complain about is the various package tickets. The first time I went there, I couldn’t tell which project was where. There were no clear signs, and the staff’s introduction was not clear. Because I took a few detours, the same entertainment facilities were in different places, and some of them might not be included in the package tickets. My personal suggestion is to buy a basic ticket, and then buy whatever you want to play separately when you get there. It doesn’t cost much more, and at least it saves you trouble. If there are things you don’t want to play, just skip it.

The mountain is covered with lush vegetation and rich primary and secondary forests, providing good habitats for wild animals. The scenic area is full of towering peaks, deep ravines, cascading waterfalls, and magnificent scenery. In spring, peach blossoms and green willows appear; in the rainy season, the sea of clouds rolls; in the golden autumn, the leaves are red and the cypresses are green; when the snow is white, the hot springs under the peaks bring people the warmth of spring.

It was a miracle we even got in; tickets were impossible to get during the holidays. We booked them since we were already there. Both halls inside were under maintenance, and the rest of the place was packed with people burning incense, billowing thick smoke. Remember to check out the nearby Han-Wei ruins, and plan your time carefully for each place.

The scenery in Jidu Temple is very beautiful. It is a typical northern ancient garden, an ancient Taoist sacrificial site, and one of the scenic spots in Jiyuan. It is the largest existing ancient building complex in Henan Province and is known as the "museum" of ancient architecture in the Central Plains.

I didn't have a small bus ticket, and I thought it wasn't far, so I decided to walk in. It was six kilometers, and I took my kids for two hours. It took ten minutes to get down the mountain by scenic bus. I advise everyone to buy a small bus. There are a lot of tadpoles. It's good for children to play in the water and catch tadpoles. The farmhouse is not expensive, and the handmade noodles are only ten yuan.

The Vairocana Buddha is truly breathtaking. History buffs can hire a guide, but regular tourists can explore on their own (I listened to a 2-hour guided tour but didn't remember much...). In short, seeing the Buddha is worth it. The night view is beautiful, the scenic area isn't large, and the layout is simple and logical—perfect for lazy people! ✌️

The night view of Yingtianmen is beautiful. Walking from Yingtianmen to the platform, you can see the Mingtang and Tiantang (Heavenly Hall) opposite, as if witnessing the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty. There are many places to take traditional Chinese style photos in the Yingtianmen scenic area square; those who want to capture a memorable moment can try it out.

On our last morning in Luoyang, we took advantage of some spare time to visit Jiuzhou Pond, which gave us a wonderful surprise! We were lucky enough to catch the first folk music performance of the National Day holiday, which went perfectly with Yaoguang Pavilion!

From Yuntaishan, we boarded a bus bound for Luoyang. The journey was long — more than four hours on the road. We left at 2:30 pm and only arrived close to 7:00 pm, which meant our first day in Luoyang was largely consumed by travel. That evening, drained from the ride, I managed only a brief visit to Yingtianmen, illuminated against the night sky.The following day was devoted entirely to two of Luoyang’s most iconic sites: the Longmen Grottoes and the White Horse Temple. After exploring the temple, we caught bus no. 58 directly to Luoyi Ancient City. By then, the hours of walking through grottoes and temple grounds had left us physically exhausted. Still, the ancient city welcomed us with free admission and a promise of cultural immersion.Dinner was taken at a basement food court along Minzhu Street. By the time we finished, night had fallen, and Luoyi Ancient City had transformed. The streets glittered with lanterns, music pulsed through the air, and the atmosphere was electric. Crowds gathered near the lake to watch 天女散花 — the “Fairy Scattering Flowers” dance performance — though we chose not to linger.Luoyi Ancient City (洛邑古城) remains one of China’s most authentic living historic districts. Here, 3,000 years of dynastic history — from the Zhou to the Ming — can still be felt in its preserved city walls, pagodas, canals, and performances. It is not simply a relic of the past, but a vibrant cultural stage where history and daily life coexist.