Luoyang Archaeology and Museums

From the Erlitou Xia capital and the Han-Wei city ruins to the Sui-Tang Palace City, four days tracing Luoyang's history through its museums and sites.

Built around archaeology: the Luoyang Museum and Dingding Gate lay the foundation; the Ancient Tombs Museum in the northern suburbs and the Mausoleum of Emperor Guangwu of Han show tomb customs; Erlitou, the Han-Wei city ruins and White Horse Temple cover the early capitals in the east; and the Sui-Tang City completes the picture with chariot and horse pits and palace remains. You stay in Xigong, which is central for transport. Suited to repeat visitors or those interested in history and archaeology. The Longmen Grottoes are not included.

Most museums are closed on Mondays, so avoid Mondays or switch the order of your visits.

Day by day

Day 1 · Luoyang Museum and Dingding Gate

Luoyang City（Luoyang Museum、Dingding Gate Site Museum）

Take a taxi of about 20 minutes from Longmen Station to Luoyang Museum. In the afternoon, take a taxi of about 10 minutes to the Dingding Gate Site Museum, then take the metro to Xigong in the evening.

Luoyang Museum requires advance booking; allow at least half a day.

Stay: Xigong District

Day 2 · Northern Suburb Tombs and Emperor Guangwu's Mausoleum

Luoyang City（Luoyang Museum of Ancient Tombs、Mausoleum of Emperor Guangwu of Han）

Take a taxi of about 20 minutes to the Ancient Tombs Museum. In the afternoon, take a taxi of about 30 minutes to the Mausoleum of Emperor Guangwu of Han in Mengjin, then return to Xigong in the evening.

Allow about 2.5 hours at the Ancient Tombs Museum; the underground galleries are cool.

Stay: Xigong District

Day 3 · Erlitou, Han-Wei Ruins and White Horse Temple

Luoyang City（Erlitou Site Museum of the Xia Capital、Han-Wei Luoyang Ancient City Site、White Horse Temple）

Take a taxi of about 50 minutes to the Erlitou Xia Dynasty Capital Site Museum, then about 20 minutes north to the Han-Wei Luoyang City Ruins. In the evening, go to White Horse Temple, then return to the city in about 40 minutes.

Erlitou is free; exchange your ID for a ticket. It is closed on Mondays.

Stay: Xigong District

Day 4 · Sui-Tang Palace City Ruins

Luoyang City（Tianzi Jialiu Museum、Jiuzhou Pond、Yingtian Gate）

Walk or take a taxi of about 10 minutes from Xigong to Tianzi Jialiu, then walk to Jiuzhou Pool and Yingtian Gate. In the afternoon, take a taxi of about 10 minutes to Luoyang Station.

The site displays inside Yingtian Gate require a ticket, which can be combined with Jiuzhou Pool.

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