Luanchuan

Laojun Mountain, the main peak of the Funiu range, where a cluster of Taoist temples on the Golden Summit floats above the clouds like a fairyland, plus the caves, bamboo groves and gorges of Luanchuan.

Laojun Mountain & Luanchuan lies deep in the Funiu Mountains in southwestern Luoyang, Henan. It is centered on Luanchuan county town (Chengguan Town, elevation about 750 m), roughly 150 km from downtown Luoyang. The Funiu Mountains are an eastern extension of the Qinling range and mark China's north–south climate divide; with high peaks, dense forests and many streams and waterfalls, they are known as "Luoyang's back garden." The main attraction is Laojun Mountain, a national 5A-rated scenic area: the Taoist temples on the Golden Summit, the main peak of the Funiu range, look like a "palace in the sky" amid sea of clouds, after snowfall and at night, and have gone viral on social media in recent years. West of the county town, Jiguan Cave is a large karst cave, rare in northern China. To the northeast, Chongdugou is known for its bamboo groves, waterfalls and farmstay restaurants. Around Miaozi Town, Yangzigou and Longyuwan are known for primeval forest and summer coolness. Farther east are Baiyun Mountain in Song County (with Yuhuangding, the highest peak in the Funiu range) and Muzhaling, and to the south, over the mountains, Laojieling. Climate: summers are cool in the mountains, making this a popular escape from the heat on the Central Plains; in winter, after snow, rime ice and sea of clouds on the Golden Summit are at their most photogenic and the Funiu Mountain ski resort opens; autumn foliage peaks in mid-to-late October. Getting there: direct buses to Luanchuan run from Luoyang Longmen Station and Luoyang bus station in about 2.5–3 hours; by car, take the Luoyang–Luanchuan Expressway. Self-driving or a chartered car is the most convenient way to move between sights, and the county town has buses to Laojun Mountain and Jiguan Cave. Suggested stay: 2 days for Laojun Mountain and Jiguan Cave; 3–4 days if you add Chongdugou or Baiyun Mountain. Note: on holidays the cable car queues at Laojun Mountain are very long, so go up as soon as it opens in the morning or stay on the summit; in winter, mountain roads ice over and you will need snow chains; mountain weather changes quickly, and while a sea of clouds often appears after rain, be alert to lightning.

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