Shaolin Temple day trip
The Shaolin Temple (少林寺) on Songshan is ~1.5 hr away. Beyond the temple and Pagoda Forest, catch a live kung-fu demonstration (hourly at the performance hall). Combine with the Sanhuangzhai cliff walkways if you have energy.
Destination
Luoyang洛阳
Ancient capital of thirteen dynasties — the Longmen Grottoes, Shaolin Temple nearby, and April peony blooms.
Best time
Apr (peony season), Sep–Oct
Recommended
2 days
Tags
history · silk-road · culture
Updated
7/11/2026
Why visit Luoyang
Luoyang was the capital of thirteen dynasties and a terminus of the Silk Road. Its crown jewel is the Longmen Grottoes — over 100,000 Buddhist statues carved into limestone cliffs along the Yi River (UNESCO). The Shaolin Temple and Songshan mountain are an easy day trip, and every April the city erupts in peony festivals. It's on the main Xi'an–Zhengzhou bullet-train line.
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Useful Chinese address cards
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Longmen Grottoes
龙门石窟
河南省洛阳市洛龙区龙门中街13号
Cross to the west bank first, then the east bank at dusk when the cliffs are lit.
