Henan Highlights: Luoyang, Mount Laojun, Longmen Grottoes & Shaolin Temple – 2-Day Private Tour

DAY 1 Private transfer from the airport/station — Check-in at the hotel, (To avoid affecting afternoon activities, please try to arrive in Luoyang before noon)【Laojun Mountain】Watch the sunset + View the Golden Peak lighting + Convenient cable car ride for an easy hike | Undisturbed Sacred Land to witness earthly splendor

The Laojun Mountain Scenic Area is said to be the place where the founder of Taoism, Laozi (Li Er), retreated and practiced. During the Northern Wei dynasty, a temple was built in the mountains to commemorate him, and it was later designated as a "famous mountain in the world," with a long history of worship and offerings. The mountain is lush with trees and picturesque scenery, and mountain springs can be seen everywhere. In the golden autumn, it is the top choice for viewing red leaves in the surrounding area. After the rain, Laojun Mountain is enveloped in clouds and mist among its peaks, resembling a celestial paradise.

The scenic area is vast and is mainly divided into the central Laojun Mountain main scenic area, the western Dream-chasing Valley scenic area, and the eastern Zhaigou scenic area. Generally, visitors spend a day exploring the Laojun Mountain main scenic area, which is also the most developed area of the entire scenic area. If you reach the mountain top, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy beautiful sea of clouds, sunrises, and sunsets.

Special car returns to the hotel in Luoyang for check-in

DAY2 [Tang Style and Wei Bones] Longmen Grottoes: Includes small transportation within the scenic area + boat experience ﾷ Boat tour of the Yi River ﾷ [Shaolin Kung Fu] Zen Buddhism's Ancestral Ground ﾷ Shaolin Temple (includes internal transportation in the scenic area + martial arts performance)

The Longmen Grottoes are listed as a World Cultural Heritage site and are located in Luoyang, Henan. Divided by the Yi River, the grottos are split into two parts: the West Mountain and the East Mountain. The East Mountain grottoes are predominantly works from the Tang Dynasty, while the West Mountain grottoes were carved during the Northern Dynasties and the Sui and Tang periods, featuring the essence of Longmen, including the statue of the Buddha Vairocana in Fengxian Temple and the "Twenty Statues of Longmen" in Guayang Cave.

It is often said, "All martial arts come from Shaolin." Not only do many Chinese people who have been influenced by Shaolin Kung Fu since childhood feel this way, but many international friends also visit the Shaolin Temple when they come to Henan. This place is not only a sacred ground for martial arts, but also the ancestral home of Zen Buddhism. Taking a few classic martial arts poses at Shaolin Temple, it feels like the flashes of blades and swords from the martial world are just in front of you.

Shaolin Kung Fu is a large system among Han Chinese martial arts, with over seven hundred types of martial arts routines. It is also known as "Martial Arts Zen" because it integrates Zen Buddhism into martial practice. Shaolin Temple is renowned for its exceptional martial arts skills, gaining fame both at home and abroad. The term "Shaolin" has become one of the symbols of traditional Han Chinese martial arts.

The performance interprets the essence of Shaolin Kung Fu through Zen Buddhist philosophy, leading to an enhancement of spiritual qualities. It reveals the importance of confronting the essence of life and awakening to human nature. Additionally, the spirit of inclusiveness, compassion, and peace embodied in the performance transcends national and ethnic boundaries, serving as a call from Chinese culture to the world from its place of origin.

Depending on your train/flight schedule, a private car will take you to Luoyang Station/Luoyang Longmen Station/Luoyang Airport, concluding your journey.