Laojun Mountain Scenic Area is located in Luanchuan County, Luoyang City, Henan Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, a UNESCO Global Geopark, and a national nature reserve. The scenic area covers a total area of 26 square kilometers, with the main peak at an altitude of 2,217 meters, making it one of the three main peaks of the Funiu Mountains. Laojun Mountain is named after Laozi, the founder of Taoism, who retreated here for cultivation. It has a Taoist cultural history of more than 2,000 years and is praised as "a matchless sacred realm under heaven and the number one immortal mountain in the world." The scenic area is famous for its four great natural wonders: "peculiar peaks, grotesque rocks, sea of clouds, and sunrise." Its scenery differs in each of the four seasons, combining the grandeur of northern mountains with the elegance of southern waterscapes.
History and Culture
Laojun Mountain was called "Jingshi Mountain" in ancient times. It was named "Laojun Mountain" because Li Er (Laozi), the "Keeper of the Archives" during the Western Zhou Dynasty, retreated here for cultivation. During the Northern Wei Dynasty, temples began to be built here in his memory. During the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty, the Iron-Top Laojun Temple was built by imperial order. In the 19th year of the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, the Taoist classic Daozang was bestowed upon the mountain, making it a holy site of the Quanzhen Taoist school.
Literati and poets of past dynasties, such as Li Bai, Du Fu, and Bai Juyi, all visited here and left poems behind. More than 100 inscriptions from various dynasties still survive, among which the Ming Dynasty stele "Record of the Imperially Built Golden Summit Taiqing Palace on Laojun Mountain" is the most precious.
In 2010, the Laojun Mountain-Jiguan Cave Tourism Area was designated a UNESCO Global Geopark. Its unique "detachment peak forest" landform is called the "Northern Stone Forest" by geologists.
Main Attractions
Golden Summit Taoist Temple Complex
The Golden Summit Taoist Temple Complex is located on the main peak of Laojun Mountain and consists of the Wumu Golden Hall, Laojun Temple, Daode Mansion, Yuhuang Summit, and others. All are built in the style of imperial palaces of the Ming and Qing dynasties, with copper tiles and golden roofs, presenting a magnificent momentum. Among them, Laojun Temple was first built in the Northern Wei Dynasty, and the existing buildings were rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty. A bronze statue of Laozi is enshrined in the temple.
Ten-Mile Picture Screen
Ten-Mile Picture Screen is the core landscape area of Laojun Mountain, with a total length of 5 kilometers. Along the way, peculiar peaks stand in great numbers and grotesque rocks are jagged, with a different scene at every step. The main attractions include Immortal Bridge, South Heavenly Gate, and Gathering Immortals Palace. In particular, the "Horse Mane Ridge" section has a mountain ridge as narrow as a knife edge, with cliffs tens of thousands of feet deep on both sides, making it thrilling and exciting.
Sea of Clouds
Laojun Mountain has more than 200 days of sea of clouds on average each year, with autumn being the best season. When the sea of clouds appears, the peaks loom indistinctly within it, just like a fairyland. The best places to view the sea of clouds are Yuhuang Summit, Liangbao Platform, and Sheshen Cliff.
Zhumeng Valley
Zhumeng Valley is a canyon with a total length of 7.5 kilometers. Inside the valley, streams murmur and waterfalls form groups, and the forest coverage rate reaches 98%. The average summer temperature is 21°C, making it a summer resort. The main attractions include Laolongwo Waterfall, Butterfly Valley, and primitive forest.
Laozi Culture Garden
Laozi Culture Garden is a themed park displaying Laozi's life and philosophical thoughts. Its core landscape is a 38-meter-high bronze statue of Laozi, weighing 258 tons, making it the largest statue of Laozi in the world at present. The garden also includes cultural landscapes such as the Daodejing Wall and Bagua Square.
Tour Routes：
Classic one-day tour route: Scenic area entrance → take the first-level cableway to Zhongtian Gate → walk or take the second-level cableway to the Golden Summit → visit the Golden Summit Taoist Temple Complex → hike the Ten-Mile Picture Screen → return to Zhongtian Gate → descend the mountain. Visitors with good physical strength can choose to hike the entire way, which takes about 6-8 hours.
Travel Suggestions：
It is recommended to arrange 2 days: visit the attractions at the foot of the mountain on the first day, and climb the mountain to watch the sunrise on the second day.
Wear slip-resistant sports shoes for hiking and bring trekking poles.
Mountain weather is changeable, so bring rain gear and warm clothing.
Photography enthusiasts are advised to bring wide-angle lenses and tripods.
Respect Taoist etiquette and keep quiet inside Taoist temples.
In peak season, book mountaintop accommodation in advance (beds are limited).
Notes：
Some sections are steep, so pay attention to safety and do not approach cliffs.
Protect the ecological environment; do not pick plants or capture wild animals.
These are Taoist sites, so please do not make loud noises.
The temperature at the summit is about 10°C lower than at the foot of the mountain, so pay attention to keeping warm.
In peak seasons, weekends, and holidays, there are many visitors, so it is recommended to travel at off-peak times.
In case of severe weather, some attractions may be temporarily closed.
Transportation：
Self-driving: From the direction of Zhengzhou, take the Zheng-Luan Expressway and get off at Luanchuan Station; about a 3-hour drive.
Bus: There are direct tourist shuttle buses to Laojun Mountain from Luoyang Bus Station.
High-speed rail: Take the high-speed rail to Luoyang Longmen Station, then transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus, which takes about 2 hours.
Airplane: The nearest airport is Luoyang Beijiao Airport, about a 2.5-hour drive from the scenic area.
Opening Hours：
The scenic area is open all year round. Opening hours are 7:00-18:00 (peak season) and 8:00-17:00 (off-season). The cableway operating hours are synchronized with the scenic area. The Golden Summit Taoist Temple Complex stops admitting visitors at 16:30. The suggested visiting time is 1-2 days.
Tickets：
Admission is 100 yuan per person.