Luoyang Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area is located in the hinterland of Funiu Mountain, southwest of Song County, Luoyang City, Henan Province, 165 kilometers east of Luoyang urban area and west of Sanmenxia City. The scenic area is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, a national forest park, a national geopark, and one of China's top ten leisure resorts, covering a total area of 168 square kilometers with an average altitude of 1,800 meters. Yuhuangding, the main peak, stands at 2,216 meters above sea level, one of the main peaks of Funiu Mountain. Featuring primeval forests, alpine waterfalls, sea of clouds wonders, and Tang Dynasty temples, the scenic area has a forest coverage rate of 98.5%, with the negative ion concentration reaching up to 87,000 per cubic centimeter, making it a well-known summer resort and natural oxygen bar in the Central Plains region.
History and Culture
Baiyun Mountain boasts a profound historical and cultural heritage. According to textual research, it was once the cultivation place of Monk Baiyun, a high monk of the Tang Dynasty, from which the scenic area derived its name. During the Tang Dynasty, temples such as Baiyun Guan and Yuhuang Ge were built on the mountain, with flourishing incense, and poets like Li Bai and Du Fu left poems here.
During the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, Taoist culture thrived in Baiyun Mountain, and temple buildings reached their peak. Cultural relics such as the "Yuhuang Ge" stone tablet from the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty are still preserved. In modern times, although the religious buildings in the scenic area have gone through vicissitudes, some ruins and cultural relics have been preserved, becoming important physical materials for studying religious culture in the Central Plains.
In the 1980s, Baiyun Mountain began to develop tourism. It was approved as a national forest park in 1993 and promoted to a national 5A-level tourist attraction in 2011, gradually becoming a comprehensive tourist area integrating natural sightseeing, leisure vacation, and scientific research.
Main Attractions
Yuhuangding (Jade Emperor Peak)
Yuhuangding, the main peak of Baiyun Mountain, is 2,216 meters above sea level, named after Yuhuang Ge (Jade Emperor Pavilion) built on the peak. Climbing to Yuhuangding allows a 360-degree overlook of the Funiu Mountain peaks. In spring, there are azalea seas; in summer, the sea of clouds churns; in autumn, the forests are dyed with rich colors; in winter, it is wrapped in silver, making it an excellent spot for watching sunrise and sea of clouds. Yuhuang Ge was first built in the Tang Dynasty, and the existing building is in the Ming and Qing styles, enshrining the statue of the Jade Emperor.
Jiulong Grand Canyon
Jiulong Grand Canyon is about 3,000 meters long with a drop of 1,300 meters, named after the nine waterfalls in the valley. Main attractions include Jiulong Waterfall, Huanglong Well, and Wulong Pool. Among them, Jiulong Waterfall is 123 meters high and 10 meters wide, with water pouring down from the cliff, showing great momentum. It is one of the waterfalls with the largest drop in the Central Plains. The canyon is dense in vegetation, with numerous strange stones and extremely high negative ion concentration.
Baiyun Lake
Located in the central area of the scenic area, Baiyun Lake is at an altitude of 1,500 meters, covering a water area of 16,000 square meters with an average water depth of 6 meters. The lake water is crystal clear, surrounded by mountains, and equipped with entertainment facilities such as cruise ships and speedboats. A hydrophilic boardwalk is built by the lake, an ideal place for leisure fishing and photography. In summer, the lake is often shrouded in mist, like a fairyland.
Primeval Forest
The primeval forest of Baiyun Mountain covers an area of 100,000 mu, one of the best-preserved primeval forests in Henan Province. The forest is full of towering ancient trees and winding vines, inhabited by rare animals such as the clouded leopard, forest musk deer, and golden pheasant, and growing rare plants such as ginkgo, ash, and Chinese yew. The scenic area has an 800-meter-long wooden boardwalk, allowing visitors to hike through the forest and feel the beauty of the original ecology.
Luhua Valley
Luhua Valley is 2,000 meters long, named after the dense reeds in the valley. The valley has attractions such as alpine reeds, Chinese herbal medicine plantations, and stone waterfalls. The stone waterfall is 200 meters wide and 150 meters high, formed by calcium carbonate deposition, resembling a waterfall, a rare geological wonder. When the reeds bloom in autumn, white catkins flutter in the wind, presenting a charming scene.
Liuhou Temple
Liuhou Temple was built to commemorate Zhang Liang, a famous minister of the Han Dynasty, located at the foot of Baiyun Mountain, covering an area of 10,000 square meters with a building area of 3,000 square meters. The temple has buildings such as the main hall, side halls, and corridor rooms, enshrining the statue of Zhang Liang and displaying his life stories. The architectural style is a Ming and Qing courtyard, with green cypresses in the courtyard and a quiet environment.
Food
Song County Mutton Soup
A special food in Song County, made from local mountain mutton, with high soup boiled from sheep bones, added with vermicelli, coriander, and other ingredients. The soup is rich in flavor, the meat is tender, and it has the effect of dispelling cold and warming the body. It is the first choice for locals' breakfast, priced at about 15-25 yuan per bowl, which can be tasted in restaurants around the scenic area.
Acorn Jelly
A traditional snack in the Baiyun Mountain area, made from acorn starch. The jelly is grayish-brown, with a smooth taste, paired with seasonings such as garlic sauce, chili, and sesame oil. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, and lowering blood pressure, especially suitable for summer consumption, priced at about 8-12 yuan per bowl.
Luanchuan Tofu
A special product of Luanchuan, Luoyang. As it is made from local mountain spring water, the tofu is delicate in texture and delicious in taste. It can be made into various dishes such as Mapo Tofu and Stewed Tofu, commonly seen in restaurants in the scenic area, with an average per capita consumption of about 20-30 yuan, an excellent product for protein supplementation.
Song County Eight Bowls
A traditional banquet in Song County, composed of eight steamed dishes such as braised pork, streaky pork, meatballs, and kelp. The dishes are salty and delicious, fat but not greasy, with a strong local flavor, suitable for group dining, with an average per capita consumption of about 40-60 yuan, which needs to be reserved in advance.
Wild Vegetables
Baiyun Mountain is rich in wild vegetables such as dandelion, purslane, and mountain chives. Restaurants in the scenic area often make them by stir-frying or cold dressing. Wild vegetables are pollution-free, rich in vitamins and minerals, and a healthy choice, priced at about 15-25 yuan per plate.
Tickets
The ticket price is 75 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "洛阳白云山" on WeChat to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open throughout the year, from 7:00 to 19:00 (April 1 - October 31); from 8:00 to 18:00 (November 1 - March 31 of the following year). Ticket sales and entry stop 2 hours before the scenic area closes. Some attractions such as Yuhuangding may close in advance in winter due to high altitude, subject to the scenic area's announcement.
Tour Routes
Recommended one-day tour route: Depart from Luoyang at 7 am, arrive at the scenic area in about 2.5 hours, take a sightseeing bus to Jiulong Grand Canyon, hike to visit Jiulong Waterfall, Huanglong Well, and other attractions for about 3 hours; have lunch at the scenic area restaurant and taste Song County mutton soup; in the afternoon, take a sightseeing bus to Baiyun Lake, take a boat tour, then go to Yuhuangding, climb to the top to enjoy the sea of clouds and sunset for about 4 hours; return to the scenic area gate in the evening to end the trip.
Recommended two-day tour route: Visit Jiulong Grand Canyon in the morning of the first day, go to the primeval forest for hiking in the afternoon, and stay at Baiyun International Resort Hotel in the scenic area at night; take a sightseeing bus to Yuhuangding to watch the sunrise in the morning of the second day, then go to Luhua Valley and Liuhou Temple, and return to Luoyang in the afternoon.
Transportation
- Public transportation: Take the tourist special line direct to Baiyun Mountain at Luoyang Railway Station or Longmen High-speed Railway Station, with one shift at 8:00 and 9:00 every day, the fare is about 60 yuan, and the journey is about 3 hours; you can also take a bus from Luoyang Bus Station to Song County, and then transfer to a bus from Song County to Baiyun Mountain, with the whole journey about 4 hours.
- Self-driving: Depart from Luoyang, pass through Luoluan Expressway and Songluan Expressway, get off the expressway at Jiuxian Exit, and drive about 20 kilometers along National Highway 344 to reach the scenic area, with the whole journey about 165 kilometers and the driving time about 2.5 hours; the scenic area has a large parking lot, and the parking fee is 20 yuan per day.
- High-speed rail: Take the Zhengxi High-speed Railway to Luoyang Longmen Station, and transfer to a tourist special line or taxi to the scenic area, with the taxi fare about 300-400 yuan.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Yuhuangding: 2,216 meters above sea level, the main peak of Funiu Mountain, the best spot for watching sunrise and sea of clouds, recommended play time 2-3 hours.
- Jiulong Grand Canyon: 3,000 meters long, 1,300 meters drop, the waterfall with the largest drop in the Central Plains, recommended play time 3-4 hours.
- Baiyun Lake: 16,000 square meters of water area, a resort for leisure fishing and photography, recommended play time 1-2 hours.
- Primeval Forest: 100,000 mu of original ecology, wooden boardwalk hiking, recommended play time 2-3 hours.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to play for 2 days to fully experience the landscape and forest ecology. Summer (June-August) is the peak season for summer vacation, and accommodation needs to be booked in advance.
- The sightseeing bus in the scenic area is a must-purchase item. It is recommended to buy a package ticket to save time and cost. The last bus time of the sightseeing bus needs to be confirmed in advance.
- Yuhuangding has a high altitude, and the temperature is 8-10℃ lower than that at the foot of the mountain. Even in summer, a coat should be carried, and down jackets and non-slip shoes should be worn in winter.
- Jiulong Grand Canyon has many steps. It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes and carry drinking water and snacks. The elderly and children need to pay attention to safety.
- To shoot the sea of clouds and sunrise, you need to stay at Yuhuangding or take a sightseeing bus to the top before 4 am. Yuhuangding Hotel is available in the scenic area for selection.
Notes
- Some sections in the scenic area are at high altitude and large slope. Tourists with hypertension, heart disease, and other diseases need to carefully choose hiking routes.
- Mobile phone signals are weak in the primeval forest. It is recommended to travel in groups and do not deviate from the wooden boardwalk to avoid getting lost.
- Smoking, picnicking, and littering are prohibited in the scenic area. Protect the ecological environment. There are multiple trash cans and toilets in the scenic area.
- Fasten the seat belt when taking the sightseeing bus, pay attention to the oncoming vehicles when getting off, and keep personal belongings properly.
- During the rainy season (July-August), pay attention to the weather forecast, avoid staying in the canyon, and prevent flash floods; some attractions may be closed due to snow in winter.