Luoyang - City of Peony |
Travel in Henan | |||
Today it's hard to imagine that Luoyang was once the centre of the Chinese universe, the Eastern Capital of the great Tang dynasty and home to over 1300 Buddhist temples. The city endured a sacking in the 12th century by Juchen invaders from which it never quite recovered. For centuries the city languished with only memories of greatness, its population dwindling to a mere 20, 000 inhabitants by the 1920s. Now Luoyang resembles other fume-laden modern towns in China, with choking air pollution, roaring streets, ample concrete and scant evidence of a once-great citadel.
In 1136 BC a settlement named Chengzhou (chéng zhōu 成周) was constructed by the Duke of Zhou for the remnants of the captured Shang nobility. The Duke also moved the Nine Tripod Cauldrons (jiǔ dǐng 九鼎) to Chengzhou from the Zhou Dynasty capital at Haojing. A The late second century saw China decline into anarchy. The decline was accelerated by the rebellion by the Yellow Turbans (huáng jīn 黄巾). This was followed by a state of continual unrest and wars in China until a modicum of stability returned in the 220s, but with the establishment of three separate kingdoms, rather than a unified empire. In AD 190, Chancellor Dong Zhuo (dǒng zhuó 董卓) ordered his soldiers to ransack, pillage and raze the city as he retreated from the coalition set up against him by regional lords from across China. The court was subsequently moved to the more defensible western city of Chang'an. Following a period of disorder, Luoyang was restored to prominence when Emperor Wen of the Wei Dynasty declared it his capital in AD 220. The Jin Dynasty, successor to Wei, was also established in Luoyang. When Jin was overrun by invaders and forced to move its capital to Jiankang (jiàn kāng 建康; modern day Nanjing), Luoyang was nearly totally destroyed. In AD 493 the Northern Wei Dynasty moved its capital from Datong to Luoyang and started the construction of the rock-cut Longmen During the Tang Dynasty, Luoyang was the 'Eastern Capital' and at its height had a population of around one million, second only to Chang'an, the 'Western Capital', and the largest city in the world. During the short-lived Five Dynasties, Luoyang was the capital of the Later Tang. After that period, Luoyang no longer served as capital of any subsequent dynasties. Luoyang lies in the west part of Henan. It belongs to the north temperate continental climate zone and has four distinct seasons. The average temperature is about 15 ℃ (59 ℉) and the yearly rainfall is 578 millimeters.
Summer in Luoyang is hot and rainy, with 30 days of temperature above 35 ℃ (95 ℉). Summer dress is appropriate until late September. The real autumn starts in October. It is very short; however, it is the perfect time for traveling for its humid and pleasant climate. Winter is cold and dry. Visitors in this season need warm clothes. The city of Luoyang enjoys a pre-eminent reputation as a cradle of Chinese civilization. For over 4,000 years, it served as the capital city of thirteen different Chinese kingdoms including the first, the Xia Dynasty (21st-16th century BC). Luoyang is endowed with countless historical sites and cultural treasures. Longmen Grottoes (Dragon Gate Grottoes)
Admission Fee: CNY120 White Horse Temple (bái mǎ sì 白马寺) is a Buddhist temple in the eastern portion of the city. This temple, which is over 2,000 years old, is honored as the 'Founder's Home' and the 'Cradle of Buddhism'.
Location: 12 kilometers (7 miles) east of Luoyang City Guanlin Temple (guān lín miào 关林庙), about 7 kilometers (about 4.5 miles) south of Luoyang City, was built in 1596, during the reign of Emperor Wanli in the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368-1644) and was expanded in the Qing Dynasty (AD 1644-1911). It is called General Guan's Tomb as well.
The temple covers an area of 100 mu (about 16.5 acres). Inside the temple are halls, tablets, small stone lions andcypress. The layout of the temple highly embodies the traditional style of Chinese architecture. It is designed and built symmetrically. Moving north from the Opera tower, there is the Main Gate, the Courtesy Gate, the First Hall, the Second Hall, the Third Gate, and the Tomb of Guan Yu. The First Hall is most magnificent. On its main gate are a series of reliefs telling the well-known stories of Guang Yu. The views from other halls and places inside the temple are also beautiful. Address: 75 East Guanlin Road, Guanlin Town, Luolong District, Luoyang City
The Luoyang Peony Festival is very popular among Chinese tourists and among peony enthusiasts the world over, but do stay away from Luoyang during the festival unless the aim of your visit to the city is expressly to see the peonies, for with hotel rooms filling up fast, the prices rise accordingly. Location: Ji Chang Road, Luoyang City Luoyang is famous for its 24-course Water Banquet and Carp Dishes. Other delicious local dishes and snacks include Tangmian Jiao (Steamed Dumplings), Zhangji Wonton, Zhangji Roast Chicken and Peony Soup.
Although dishes in these banquets vary from one restaurant to another, you may be assured that carp is included nine times out of ten. The food is noted for its various soups with sour and spicy flavors. There are 24 courses in the banquet. Carp
The ideal carp dish is designed with subtle skill. The carp, with its head held high above the plate, is masterfully placed, seeming to be leaping over the cabbage "gorge" at the side of the plate, a symbol of competitive spirit. The dish also is known in these parts as "Carp Leaping over the Gorge (yú yuè lóng mén 鱼跃龙门)". Zhangji Roast Chicken Although Zhangji Roast Chicken (zhāng jì kǎo jī 张记烤鸡) is not as famous as its rival Water-Banquet, is still worth a try. The dish was said to be created by a man surnamed Zhang in ancient times. It is popular dishes among the locals and tourists. Tangmian Jiao (Steamed dumplings) The dumpling are made in the shape of crescent moon. This dish originated in this area and is now customary all over China. Tangmian Jiao (tāng miàn jiǎo 汤面饺) are famous for their thin wrappings and jade-like color. Changshou Yu (Long-live Fish) This is a traditional dish originated almost 2,000 years ago. Legend has it that the East Han Dynasty (AD 25-220) Emperor Guang Wu (Liu Xiu) once visited the Yellow River. On seeing a red carp jumping out of the river, he ordered it to be caught and cooked for him. After he eaten the carp, he felt vigorous and became healthier and healthier. Therefore, the dish was named Long-live Fish (cháng shòu yú 长寿鱼) when the cooking method was duly adopted by the local populace. Boiled with medlar and many other seasonings, the carp has a glaring red color with a sweet and sour flavor.
Luoyang has many local specialties ranging from fruits to handicrafts to replicas. Apples from Luoning County and pears from Mengjin County are sold throughout the country. The Palace Lantern is a special handicraft in Luoyang. It was once used to celebrate the founding of the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25-220) in the imperial palace, hence its name. Craftsmen make the lanterns in various shapes including dragon head, butterfly and running horse. The lanterns are beautiful and easy to store, making excellent gifts.
There are many shopping venues in the city. Shanghai Market Pedestrian Street in Jian Xi District is the place where fashionable clothes are sold. Wangcheng Park located on the middle Zhong Zhou Road is the best place to buy tourist souvenirs such as Tang Tri-colors, peony paintings and bronze wares. Nan Chang Road in Jian Xi District is the most beautiful avenue in Luoyang, offering a variety of things you may need. Tourist Souvenir Stores Department Stores Supermarkets As a tourist city, Luoyang offers various means of transportation. Public buses offer service at a very low price. Convenient tourist buses pass many famous sites in the city. Near the railway station regularly scheduled buses to tourist spots outside the city. In addition, taxis are readily available. You can bargain with drivers when you want to go to interesting sites in suburban areas. Air Located about 10 kilometers (about 6 miles) north of Luoyang City, Luoyang Beijiao Airport (LYA) is one of the most important transportation facilities of the province. It was built in 1986 and now has China's most favorable clearance rating, which enables flights to be operated successfully on more than 350 days per year. It also offers special services for the disabled, seniors and children. Because of its advanced facilities and excellent services, the airport attracts many airline agencies to operate more than 20 flights to other large cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chongqing and Urumqi. Charter flights to Hong Kong and Okayama connect the city with more international cities. Our China Flights offers more information about specific flights including departure and arrival cities, schedules and ticket prices. On arrival at the airport, you can take a taxi to the city for about CNY100. Alternatively, you can take an airport shuttle bus that leaves from the airport every 45 minutes to one hour. Price is approximately CNY15 for an ordinary bus and CNY20 for an air-conditioned one. No.83 city bus stops at the airport and returns to the city for only CNY1. Railway Two main national railways, the Longhai and the Jiaozhi, meet in Luoyang, providing easy access to the city. Longhai Railway winds across the whole nation from east to west, and Jiaozhi Railway connects most cities of Henan Province and Hubei Province. Meanwhile, Luoyang is an important stop station of the Eurasia Land Bridge from Lianyungang, China to Rotterdam, Holland, making goods transit more convenient from Middle Asia and from Eastern and Middle Europe to China. Luoyang has two main railway stations. Luoyang Railway Station is located on Dao Nan Road in the northern part of the city. Luoyang East Railway Station is situated on the Da Tong Road in Chanhe District. Trains operating along the Longhai and Jiaozhi Railways pass these two stations, extending to many other cities in China including Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Zhengzhou, Yinchuan, Lanzhou and Urumqi. Bus Luoyang is a junction point of many national and provincial highways. Two long-distance transit corporations operate luxury and standard buses to nearby cities in Henan Province as well as to cities in other inland provinces. Both corporations have affiliated bus stations. Luoyang Long-distance Bus Station is situated opposite the Luoyang Railway Station on Jin Gu Yuan Road. It is operated by the First Bus Transit Corporation and plays an important role in the city's long distance transportation. Also, Luoyang has many public buses running across the city everyday. The buses usually start as early as 5:30 a.m. and stop at 9:00 p.m.. Remember to check out the specific time of the bus you will take before you begin your travel in Luoyang. Tickets for most buses range from CNY1 to CNY1.5. In Luoyang Long-distance Bus Station opposite the Luoyang Railway Station, there are regular buses carrying tourists to spots in the suburban areas. First go to the railway station by public city bus then take a bus listed below to your destination. * To White Clouds Mountain (Mount Baiyun): Leave every 30 minutes from 6:00-9:00 a.m. and the ticket price costs CNY26.5. Taxi Luoyang has a large number of taxis which are more convenient and comfortable than buses. Taxis charge CNY5 for the first 2 kilometers (about 1 mile), then CNY1 to CNY1.5 per kilometer afterwards. Waiting for five minutes costs an extra fee equal to the distance surcharge of 1 kilometer (about 0.6 mile). If you want to take a taxi to suburban areas of the city, you can bargain with the driver before you get in the taxi. Tips: 1. Luoyang Culture Tourism Festival is celebrated between Sep.27 and Oct.27. It is a Tourism Festival held with other local festivals. 2. The annual Luoyang Peony in full bloom in April for the season. If you are at this time to Luoyang, must go take a look. Recommendations to the western suburbs of Luoyang Peony Garden State Color (National Peony gene pool), the garden peony long flowering period, varieties (CNY15). 3. Most of the tour sites in Luoyang can be finished within an hour. Pay attention to the time, because the time schedule of bus is variable. Luoyang in brief Post Offices Banks Hospitals Other Useful Numbers:
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