Luoyang (洛阳)

1. Introduction

Luoyang City (Postal romanization: Loyang) is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Henan Province, People's Republic of China. It serves as a sub-central city for both Henan Province and the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration, and is a significant cradle of Heluo culture and Huaxia civilization. Thirteen orthodox dynasties and over twenty regimes established Luoyang as their cultural, economic, and administrative center. With a civilization history of more than 5,000 years, a city-building history of over 4,000 years, and a capital history exceeding 1,500 years, Luoyang is the city in Chinese history with the earliest establishment as a capital, the most dynasties that made it their capital, and the longest cumulative duration as a capital. Luoyang was also the central city of the Grand Canal during the Sui and Tang dynasties and the eastern starting point of the Silk Road.

Luoyang boasts three items comprising six World Cultural Heritage sites and four items comprising five 5A-level tourist attractions. It is one of the first 13 larger cities granted local legislative power by the State Council of China, an important industrial city, an outstanding tourist city, and one of the first pilot cities for innovation in China. It also serves as a sub-central city for the Central Plains Economic Zone and the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration. The total area of Luoyang is 15,230 square kilometers, with a permanent resident population of approximately 7.08 million. The majority of residents are Han Chinese, and their native language is the Luoyang dialect of the Luosong cluster within the Central Plains Mandarin. The People's Government of Luoyang City is located at 228 Kaiyuan Avenue, Luolong District.

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3. History

Luoyang is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Henan Province of the People's Republic of China. It serves as a sub-central city in Henan Province and the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration, and is a significant cradle of Heluo culture and Huaxia civilization. Thirteen orthodox dynasties and over twenty regimes established Luoyang as their cultural, economic, and administrative center. With a civilization history of over 5,000 years, a city-building history of over 4,000 years, and a capital-building history of over 1,500 years, Luoyang is the city in Chinese history with the earliest capital establishment, the most dynasties as capital, and the longest cumulative duration as a capital. Luoyang was also the central city of the Grand Canal during the Sui and Tang dynasties and the eastern starting point of the Silk Road.

Luoyang boasts three items comprising six World Cultural Heritage sites and four items comprising five 5A-level scenic areas. It is one of the first 13 larger cities granted local legislative power by the State Council of China, an important industrial city, an outstanding tourist city, one of the first pilot cities for innovation in China, and a sub-central city in the Central Plains Economic Zone and the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration.[8] The total area of Luoyang is 15,230 square kilometers, with a permanent population of approximately 7.08 million. The majority of residents are Han Chinese, and their native language is the Luoyang dialect of the Zhongyuan Mandarin Luosong subgroup. The Municipal People's Government is located at 228 Kaiyuan Avenue, Luolong District.

Luoyang is situated north of the Luo River. In ancient Chinese, the north side of a river is called "yang" (阳), hence the name Luoyang. Throughout the five-thousand-year history of Chinese civilization, it has been officially known by various names in different dynasties, such as Zhongguo (中国), Zhenxun (斟鄩), Xibo (西亳), Luoyi (洛邑), Chengzhou (成周), Wangcheng (王城), Jingshi (京师), Jingdu (京都), Luoyang (雒阳), Dongjing (东京), Dijing (帝京), Jingluo (京洛), Luocheng (洛城), Shenjing (神京), Nandu (南都), Dongdu (东都), Shendu (神都), Xijing (西京), Henan (河南), and Zhongjing (中京). Because the Yi and Luo rivers flow through its territory, it is also called Yiluo. Located in the Central Plains, Luoyang commands a strategic position. It is surrounded by eight passes with mountains and rivers crisscrossing the area. To the west, it leans against the Xiao Mountains, connecting to Guanlong via the Hangu Pass; to the east, it faces the Song Mountains; to the north, it relies on the natural barriers of the Taihang Mountains and the Yellow River; and to the south, it overlooks the Funiu and Xiong'er Mountains. It is said to have "rivers and mountains encircling it, forming a terrain unmatched under heaven." Due to its geographical advantage of being surrounded by mountains and its status as a capital with eight passes, Luoyang was favored by emperors throughout history. Its central location, connecting east and west, north and south, also made it a crucial hub for land and water transportation from ancient times to the present.

The Heluo region centered on Luoyang is a vital birthplace of Chinese civilization. Within a range of less than 30 kilometers on both banks of the Luo River, five major capital ruins are distributed: the Xia dynasty capital Zhenxun, the Shang dynasty capital Xibo, the Eastern Zhou dynasty capital Wangcheng, the Han dynasty Luoyang City, and the Sui-Tang dynasty Luoyang City. Additionally, there are ancient capital clusters in the Central Plains surrounding it, such as Zhengzhou, Kaifeng, Shangqiu, and Xuchang. The Mangshan Tombs north of Luoyang City are the burial sites of numerous ancient emperors and notable figures. Since the Xia dynasty, thirteen orthodox dynasties and over twenty regimes established Luoyang as their administrative center. The Heluo region centered on this city is the core birthplace of Huaxia civilization. Terms such as Huaxia (华夏), Zhonghua (中华), Zhongtu (中土), Zhongguo (中国), Zhongyuan (中原), and Zhongzhou (中州) all originate from the ancient city of Luoyang and Heluo civilization.

The world-renowned "Silk Road," formed during the Eastern Han dynasty and pioneered by figures like Ban Chao and Gan Ying, started from the capital Luoyang and extended directly to the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, with caravans of camels and horses traveling incessantly. The Book of the Later Han records: "Their king often wished to establish diplomatic relations with Han, but Parthia, desiring to trade Han silk with them, obstructed them so they could not reach Han directly." The Han-Wei Luoyang City maintained connections with the Western Regions through the Cao Wei, Western Jin, and until the Northern Wei dynasties. During the Sui and Tang dynasties, it was replaced by the Sui-Tang Luoyang City, and the Dingding Gate is also part of the Silk Road World Cultural Heritage. As the central hub of the Sui-Tang Grand Canal, after the Eastern Capital was built, Emperor Yang of Sui, Yang Guang, moved the capital to Luoyang, realizing the Huaxia dream of all nations paying tribute. Sima Guang, the famous Northern Song historian and author of Zizhi Tongjian, wrote in Passing by the Ancient Luoyang City: "Mist and rain mourn over the millet flowers growing, / Palaces and court robes of the old imperial capital. / If you ask about the rise and fall of ancient and modern times, / I beg you, just look at Luoyang City." The design of Luoyang City even influenced the layout of contemporary overseas cities. For example, Japanese cities like Kyoto and Nara were modeled after the capital layouts of Tang dynasty Luoyang and Northern Wei Luoyang. In medieval Japan, entering Kyoto was even referred to as "going up to Luo" (上洛).

Before the Yuan dynasty, Luoyang was long considered China's natural and legitimate capital. Unified dynasties often made Luoyang their capital or secondary capital, while separatist regimes also viewed capturing Luoyang as a goal in their struggle for power and a symbol of their own legitimacy. The history of Luoyang during this period carries the splendid and glorious ancient civilization of China. Due to long-standing sayings such as "establishing the tripods at Song and Luo" (定鼎嵩洛) and "residing here in the Central State" (宅兹中国), Luoyang has been widely recognized by many scholars, celebrities, archaeologists, and political figures as a symbol of the orthodox Huaxia civilization. After the Yuan dynasty, due to warfare and the shift of political and economic centers, Luoyang's status declined, regressing to the level of an ordinary county in the central region. The history of Luoyang during this period reflects the common conditions of various regions in China during the late agricultural society. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, Luoyang has seen significant leaps in population size, urban scale, and industrial and commercial development, becoming an important city renowned for heavy industry manufacturing and historical-cultural tourism. The history of Luoyang during this period reflects the modernization journey of an inland city.

3. Geography

3.1 Topography

Luoyang is surrounded by mountains on three sides and traversed by two major rivers. Located in the heart of the Nine Provinces, at the junction of China's second and third topographic steps and the eastern section of the Eurasian Land Bridge, Luoyang City lies between 111°8' - 112°59' east longitude and 33°35' - 35°05' north latitude. It stretches approximately 179 kilometers from east to west and 168 kilometers from north to south. Spanning both banks of the middle reaches of the Yellow River, it borders Zhengzhou to the east, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiaozuo across the Yellow River to the north, and Pingdingshan and Nanyang to the south. The terrain slopes from high in the west to low in the east, featuring a complex and diverse landscape of interwoven mountains, rivers, and hills. Mountainous areas account for 45.51% of the total area, hills for 40.73%, and plains for 13.8%.

The mountains in Luoyang are primarily composed of four major ranges: Funiu Mountain, Xiao Mountain, Xiong'er Mountain, and Waifang Mountain. Surrounding areas include Yu Mountain, Mang Mountain, Qingyao Mountain, Jingzi Mountain, Zhou Mountain, Ying Mountain, Longmen Mountain, Xiang Mountain, Wan'an Mountain, Shouyang Mountain, and Song Mountain. Most of these mountains are located within Luanchuan, Song County, Luoning, and Ruyang, with some distribution in Xin'an, Yiyang, Yanshi, Yichuan, and Mengjin. The area is densely crisscrossed with rivers and canals, belonging to the three major water systems of the Yellow River, Huai River, and Yangtze River. Over ten rivers, including the Yellow River, Luo River, Yi River, Qing River, Ci River, Tieluan River, Jian River, and Chan River, meander through the region. With its纵横的山脉 (zòng héng de shān mài)纵横的山脉 (mountains crisscrossing in all directions) and密布的河渠 (mì bù de hé qú) (dense network of rivers and canals), Luoyang was historically known as "a city surrounded by mountains on all sides with six rivers flowing concurrently, a capital guarded by eight passes, and a thoroughfare connecting ten provinces."

3.2 Natural Resources

Regarding biological resources, the forest flora of Luoyang City includes 173 families, 830 genera, 2308 species, 198 varieties, and 6 forms of higher plants. Precious tree species include Tetracentron sinense, Chinese hemlock, Cercidiphyllum japonicum, Ginkgo biloba, and Paeonia obovata, along with forest trees such as Huashan pine, fir, birch, and oil birch. Luoyang is rich in wildlife resources, with 342 species of terrestrial vertebrates in the city, including over 190 rare animal species, primarily river deer, marten, otter, giant salamander, and various precious birds. There are over 480 types of natural medicinal materials, including precious herbs like Codonopsis pilosula, Scutellaria baicalensis, Saposhnikovia divaricata, and Gastrodia elata. In terms of mineral resources, Luoyang possesses abundant mineral resources with broad development prospects. Twenty-six Category A mineral resources have been proven, including molybdenum, aluminum, gold, silver, tungsten, coal, iron, zinc, crystal, and lead. These deposits are characterized by large reserves, high grade, and ease of mining and utilization. Among them, the molybdenum reserves rank first in the nation, making it one of the world's three largest molybdenum mines. Regarding water resources, the Xiaolangdi Water Control Project, the largest hydro-junction on the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, is located on the main channel of the Yellow River at the border between Mengjin County in Luoyang City and Jiyuan City in Henan Province.

3.3 Climate

Luoyang is located in the transitional zone from the southern edge of the warm temperate zone to the northern subtropical zone. It enjoys ample sunlight and experiences a continental monsoon climate with four distinct seasons: dry springs, hot and rainy summers, mild autumns, and cold winters. The annual average temperature is 14.86°C. Heat distribution varies significantly across different areas due to topographic influences. The average annual temperature in the river valleys of the Yellow River, Luo River, Yi River, and nearby hills and gentle slopes ranges from 12.1°C to 14.5°C. The southwestern mountainous area is a low-value zone with an average annual temperature of 12.1°C to 16°C, while Yichuan and Yiyang are high-value zones with an average annual temperature of 14.5°C. The remaining counties have average annual temperatures above 13.8°C. The city's average annual precipitation ranges from 530 to 1100 mm, with mountainous areas being the rainy zones and river valleys and nearby hilly areas being the less rainy zones. Precipitation decreases from southeast to northwest. The annual sunshine duration in the Luoyang area is 2083 to 2246 hours, with a sunshine percentage of 47% to 53%. The period from May to August receives the most sunshine, with monthly sunshine generally exceeding 200 hours. This climate is very suitable for the growth of peonies, which is one of the reasons why Luoyang peonies are renowned worldwide. The best season to visit Luoyang is autumn, especially during the "Double Ninth Festival" for climbing heights, when the autumn sky is clear and the air crisp, perfect for mountain climbing and chrysanthemum viewing. April is also a good choice; although the weather is somewhat dry, one can enjoy the spectacular sight of countless peonies vying for beauty and fragrance. | Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-----------------|-------|--------|-------|-------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|-------|-------|-------|--------| |Record high °C | 22.2 | 24.3 | 31.2 | 35.5 | 40.6 | 44.2 | 41.9 | 41.7 | 38.2 | 34.8 | 27 | 23.5 | 44.2 | | Record high °F | 71.8 | 75.7 | 88.2 | 95.9 | 105.1 | 111.6 | 107.4 | 107.1 | 100.8 | 94.6 | 80.6 | 74.3 | 111.6 | | Daily mean °C | 0.8 | 2.9 | 8.6 | 15.9 | 21.3 | 26 | 27 | 25.9 | 21.1 | 15.4 | 8.6 | 2.6 | 14.7 | | Daily mean °F | 33.4 | 37.2 | 47.5 | 60.6 | 70.3 | 78.8 | 80.6 | 78.6 | 70 | 59.7 | 47.5 | 36.7 | 58.4 | | Record low °C | −17.4 | −18.2 | −9.1 | −3.6 | 4.4 | 12.2 | 16.5 | 13.5 | 6.9 | −2.3 | −8.6 | −14.9 | −18.2 | | Record low °F | 0.7 | (−0.8) | 15.6 | 25.5 | 39.9 | 54 | 61.7 | 56.3 | 44.4 | 27.9 | 16.5 | 5.2 | (−0.8) | | Average precipitation mm | 9 | 15.9 | 26.4 | 36.9 | 50.2 | 62.9 | 140.2 | 97.4 | 84.1 | 45.2 | 19.5 | 11.8 | 599.5 | | Average precipitation inches | 0.35 | 0.63 | 1.04 | 1.45 | 1.98 | 2.48 | 5.52 | 3.83 | 3.31 | 1.78 | 0.77 | 0.46 | 23.6 | | Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 3.5 | 5.1 | 6.2 | 7 | 6.9 | 8 | 12.2 | 10.7 | 9.4 | 7.8 | 5 | 3.4 | 85.2 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Luoyang City currently administers 7 municipal districts and 7 counties.

Municipal Districts: Laocheng District, Xigong District, Chanhe Hui District, Jianxi District, Yanshi District, Mengjin District, Luolong District. Counties: Xin'an County, Luanchuan County, Song County, Ruyang County, Yiyang County, Luoning County, Yichuan County.

Additionally, Luoyang City has established the following economic functional zones: China (Henan) Pilot Free Trade Zone Luoyang Area, National-level Luoyang High-tech Industrial Development Zone, Yibin District (formerly Yiluo Industrial Park), Longmen Cultural Tourism Zone, and Jili Huayang Industrial Cluster Zone.

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | Ethnic Townships | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 410300 | Luoyang City | Luòyáng Shì | 15,235.85 | 7,056,699 | Luolong District | 471000 | 58 | 106 | 24 | 1 | | 410302 | Laocheng District | Lǎochéng Qū | 57.58 | 252,165 | Xiguan Subdistrict | 471000 | 8 | | | | | 410303 | Xigong District | Xīgōng Qū | 47.55 | 369,165 | Wangchenglu Subdistrict | 471000 | 10 | | | | | 410304 | Chanhe Hui District | Chánhé Huízú Qū | 25.28 | 222,833 | Dongguan Subdistrict | 471000 | 7 | | 1 | 1 | | 410305 | Jianxi District | Jiànxī Qū | 81.96 | 718,807 | Hubeilu Subdistrict | 471000 | 13 | | | | | 410307 | Yanshi District | Yǎnshī Qū | 665.67 | 545,632 | Huaixin Subdistrict | 471900 | 4 | 9 | | | | 410308 | Mengjin District | Mèngjīn Qū | 811.61 | 485,987 | Chengguan Town | 471100 | 4 | 10 | | | | 410311 | Luolong District | Luòlóng Qū | 556.11 | 918,358 | Kaiyuanlu Subdistrict | 471000 | 10 | 9 | | | | 410323 | Xin'an County | Xīn'ān Xiàn | 1,164.24 | 483,375 | Chengguan Town | 471800 | | 11 | | | | 410324 | Luanchuan County | Luánchuān Xiàn | 2,476.98 | 327,121 | Chengguan Town | 471500 | | 12 | 2 | | | 410325 | Song County | Sōng Xiàn | 3,007.22 | 543,417 | Chengguan Town | 471400 | | 11 | 5 | | | 410326 | Ruyang County | Rǔyáng Xiàn | 1,328.08 | 434,770 | Chengguan Town | 471200 | | 8 | 5 | | | 410327 | Yiyang County | Yíyáng Xiàn | 1,650.42 | 576,104 | Chengguan Town | 471600 | | 12 | 4 | | | 410328 | Luoning County | Luòníng Xiàn | 2,303.70 | 386,124 | Chengguan Town | 471700 | | 12 | 6 | | | 410329 | Yichuan County | Yīchuān Xiàn | 1,059.45 | 792,841 | Chengguan Subdistrict | 471300 | 2 | 12 | 1 | |

5. Economy

5.1 Agriculture

Luoyang's agricultural structure is developed according to local conditions, with regionalization and scale, forming six pillar industries including high-quality specialized grains, forestry and fruits, Chinese medicinal herbs, tobacco, flowers, and seedlings. The livestock and dairy industries have also seen development. Luoyang is home to natural chemical raw material plants such as lacquer trees and tung oil trees, as well as economic plants like walnuts, hawthorns, chestnuts, apples, and persimmons. It is also an important production area for medicinal herbs, with over 1,480 varieties. Luoyang is a significant wheat-producing region in Henan, with Yanshi's wheat cultivation techniques renowned nationwide, achieving yields of over 500 kilograms per mu. Major cash crops include cotton, tobacco, and oilseeds. Local specialties include Yanshi's paulownia, Mengjin's pears and Yellow River carp, Xin'an's persimmons and cherries, Luoning's green bamboo and kiwifruit, among others. Mengjin's dairy goats and Yichuan's large-tailed cattle have been designated by the state as production base counties for goats and large-tailed cattle, respectively.

5.2 Industry

Luoyang is an emerging heavy industrial city established after the founding of the People's Republic of China. It was one of the key industrial centers prioritized during China's First Five-Year Plan, hosting 7 of the 156 key projects aided by the Soviet Union. Some heavy industries related to military production lead the nation. Luoyang boasts six pillar industries: machinery and electronics, petrochemicals, metallurgy, building materials, light textiles, and food. It is home to a large number of internationally and domestically renowned products, such as Dongfanghong Tractors (HKEX: 0038), Luoyang Float Glass (HKEX: 1108), Dayang Motorcycles, HJD04 Program-Controlled Switches, Baima Cotton Yarn, and Peony Copper Materials. The city has 6 national-level enterprise technology centers and 14 provincial-level ones. However, due to systemic issues exposed after the reform and opening-up, state-owned large heavy industrial enterprises faced significant challenges in the 1990s. In recent years, through policy adjustments, Luoyang's heavy industry has regained rapid development momentum, with machinery, metallurgy, building materials, petrochemicals, textiles, and food industries beginning to recover. Luoyang is pursuing a dual-path strategy as both an "industrial city" and a "tourism city," emphasizing the development of tourism resources and the tourism economy while advancing its industries. Its economic output ranks second in Henan Province, just behind the provincial capital, Zhengzhou. Urban construction in Luoyang has progressed rapidly. The Luoyang New District, launched in 2002, is a modern, landscaped urban area integrating office, cultural, commercial, financial, sports, recreational, and residential functions.

5.3 Service Industry

With the gradual implementation of China's Central Rise Strategy, Luoyang's geographical and comprehensive advantages have become increasingly evident. The financial sector in Luoyang is thriving, with numerous external banks establishing a presence in the city. Currently, Luoyang hosts national commercial banks such as Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of Communications, China CITIC Bank, Industrial Bank, China Minsheng Bank, China Everbright Bank, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, China Merchants Bank, China Zheshang Bank, and Hengfeng Bank. Regional commercial banks include Zhongyuan Bank.

Luoyang is an important tourist destination in China. Centered around its city brand image of "Millennium Capital, Peony City, Starting Point of the Silk Road, and Scenic Luoyang," the city has integrated its tourism offerings. As of 2016, Luoyang boasts five 5A-level scenic spots across four sites: Longmen Grottoes, Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area, Laojun Mountain-Jiguandong Tourist Area, and Longtan Grand Canyon Scenic Area. It also has 13 4A-level scenic spots, with the number of 3A-level and above scenic spots ranking first nationwide. The city is home to 89 travel agencies, and in 2010, its total tourism revenue reached 30.2 billion yuan.

6. Transportation

Historically, Luoyang boasted well-connected transportation networks. In the early Western Zhou Dynasty, the first major national highway network centered on Luoyang was established, featuring straight, arrow-like post roads that reached far and wide. During the Sui Dynasty, Emperor Yang established the Eastern Capital in Luoyang and ordered the excavation of the Grand Canal, forming a north-south water transport network radiating northeast and southeast from Luoyang, with a total length exceeding 2,000 kilometers. In modern times, Luoyang has developed a comprehensive three-dimensional transportation system primarily consisting of highways, railways, civil aviation, waterways, and pipelines, making it one of the key transportation hubs in the Central Plains region.

6.1 Aviation

Luoyang Beijiao Airport (IATA: LYA; ICAO: ZHLY) is the second-largest air transportation hub in Henan Province, second only to Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport. It covers a total area of over 2,600 mu, with a runway 2,500 meters long and 45 meters wide. Designed to meet first-class airport standards, it operates as a second-class airport. Luoyang Airport is one of the civil airports in China with the best airspace conditions, offering over 350 days of flyable weather per year, and serves as a fixed alternate airport for Zhengzhou Airport. The airport has successively opened domestic, international, and regional routes connecting Luoyang to cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, Dalian, Xiamen, Fuzhou, Xi'an, Urumqi, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Bangkok, Okayama (Japan), and Osaka (Japan).

6.2 Railway

Luoyang was one of the earlier locations in Henan Province to construct railways. In December 1908, the Bian-Luo Railway (the initially completed section of the Longhai Railway, connecting the then provincial capital Kaifeng to Luoyang) was extended to Luoyang. In 1910, construction began westward from Luoyang on the Luo-Tong Railway, which reached Tongguan by 1931. The Jiaozhi Railway (from Jiaozuo in Henan to Zhicheng in Hubei, the predecessor of the current Jiaoliu Railway) began construction in 1969 and opened in 1970, intersecting with the Longhai Railway in Luoyang. On February 6, 2010, the Zhengxi Passenger Dedicated Line opened, becoming the first high-speed railway passing through Luoyang. Furthermore, according to the "Medium and Long-term Railway Network Plan" approved by the State Council in 2016, the western Henan corridor of the Hohhot-Nanning High-Speed Railway will also pass through Luoyang.

Currently, the railway lines in operation and under planning within Luoyang include:

• Conventional Railways: Longhai Railway, Jiaoliu Railway (Luozhan Railway), Luoyi Railway.
• High-Speed Railways: Xuzhou-Lanzhou Passenger Dedicated Line, Western Henan Corridor of the Hohhot-Nanning High-Speed Railway (under preparation).
• Intercity Railways: Zhengzhou-Dengfeng-Luoyang Intercity Railway (under preparation), Jiaozuo-Jiyuan-Luoyang Intercity Railway (under preparation), Luoyang-Pingdingshan Intercity Railway (planned).

In terms of railway stations, Luoyang Station and Luoyang Longmen Station are the main passenger stations in Luoyang. Among them, Luoyang Station is the largest conventional railway station in Luoyang, while Luoyang Longmen Station is a high-speed railway station and also the largest intermediate station on the Zhengxi Passenger Dedicated Line. In addition, passenger stations within the urban area of Luoyang include Luoyang East Station and Guanlin Station. Passenger stations within the city's administrative region also include: Yanshi Station and Xin'an County Station on the Longhai Railway; and Mengjin Station, Baihe Station, and Wangzhuang Station on the Jiaoliu Railway.

6.3 Highway

National Highways: National Highway 310 runs from Lianyungang through Luoyang to Tianshui; National Highway 207 runs from Xilinhot through Luoyang to Hai'an; National Highway 311 runs from Xuzhou through Luanchuan, Luoyang to Xixia.

Expressways: G30 Lianhuo Expressway from Lianyungang through Luoyang to Khorgas; G55 Erguang Expressway from Erenhot through Luoyang to Guangzhou; G36 Ningluo Expressway from Luoyang to Nanjing; G1516 Yanluo Expressway to Xuchang, Bozhou, Suzhou, Yancheng. Additionally, provincial expressways such as S92 Luolu Expressway and S96 Luoluan Expressway make travel between Luoyang and surrounding counties and cities more convenient and offer more diverse options.

During the 12th Five-Year Plan period, Luoyang will renovate and construct five rapid corridor projects connecting Luoyang to six counties (cities) and districts: Yanshi, Mengjin, Jili, Yichuan, Yiyang, and Xin'an. This will improve the rapid backbone road network from the central urban area to surrounding counties (cities) and districts, build a half-hour economic circle, form a new urban pattern integrating county-industry and transportation, and thereby accelerate the development of surrounding counties and cities.

6.4 Urban Rail Transit

Luoyang Metro currently has two lines in operation. Line 1 was completed and opened in March 2021, and the first phase of Line 2 was completed and opened by the end of 2021. Extensions for Lines 1 and 2 have been submitted and are awaiting approval. After Yanshi and Mengjin were incorporated into the urban district in March 2021, the population of the main urban area exceeded 3 million, meeting the new national threshold for metro construction. Lines 3 and 4 are also expected to begin the submission and construction process. Luoyang is the first non-provincial capital city in China's inland provinces to receive approval for metro construction.

7. Education

Luoyang is home to more than 500 scientific research institutes and technology development institutions, including 14 national-level research institutes, 18 provincial and municipal key research institutes, and over 120,000 professional and technical personnel. Among them, more than 900 hold senior professional titles, and over 400 receive national or provincial technical allowances. Additionally, there is one academician each from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering. The city boasts over 1,400 professional and technical personnel per 10,000 employees, ranking among the highest densities nationwide. Luoyang has six national-level engineering and technology centers and six national-level testing centers. The talent density in Luoyang exceeds the national average, with renowned research institutions such as the China Airborne Missile Academy, the 613th Research Institute, the Liming Chemical Research Institute, and the Petrochemical Engineering Company. Many of these institutes lead the country in testing and research capabilities. In high-tech fields such as new materials, aerospace, electronic information, and mechatronics, new projects and products are launched annually. Among the numerous research achievements, high-tech outcomes account for over one-third, creating favorable conditions for Luoyang's future economic development.

Major higher education institutions include Henan University of Science and Technology, the Foreign Languages College of the Information Engineering University of the People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force, Luoyang Normal University, and Luoyang Institute of Science and Technology.

Full-time regular high schools include Luoyang No. 1 Senior High School, Henan University of Science and Technology Affiliated Senior High School, Luoyang Institute of Science and Technology Affiliated High School, Luoyang No. 3 High School, Luoyang No. 8 High School, Luoyang Foreign Languages School, Yanshi Senior High School, Mengjin County No. 1 Senior High School, among others.

8. Population

At the end of 2022, the permanent resident population was 7.079 million, an increase of 10,000 people compared to the end of the previous year. Among them, the urban permanent resident population of the city was 4.706 million.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 7,056,699. Compared with the 6,549,941 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was an increase of 506,758 people over the ten years, a growth of 7.74%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.75%. Among them, the male population was 3,549,442, accounting for 50.3% of the total population; the female population was 3,507,257, accounting for 49.7% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 101.2. The population aged 0–14 was 1,471,482, accounting for 20.85% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 4,293,284, accounting for 60.84% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 1,291,933, accounting for 18.31% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 915,231, accounting for 12.97% of the total population. The population living in urban areas was 4,585,335, accounting for 64.98% of the total population; the population living in rural areas was 2,471,364, accounting for 35.02% of the total population.

During the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, Luoyang was a region with a relatively concentrated population. In 770 BC, King Ping moved the capital to Luoyi, and the population gradually increased. By 650 BC, during the reign of King Xiang of Zhou, the population of the capital Luoyang reached 117,000, making it the second-largest city in the world.

The population of Luoyang continued to develop during the Qin and Han dynasties, reaching its first peak during the Eastern Han Dynasty with a population of 510,000. The population sharply declined by the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty but gradually recovered during the Cao Wei period, reaching a certain scale by the Western Jin Dynasty. By the end of the Jin Dynasty, continuous warfare led to a rapid decrease in population due to death or migration. The Northern Wei Dynasty's relocation of the capital to Luoyang caused a sharp increase in population, forming the second peak in Luoyang's historical population development.

In the late Northern Wei Dynasty, political instability led to a declining trend in population development. During the peak of the Sui and Tang dynasties, Luoyang's population exceeded one million, forming the third peak in population development. During the Northern Song Dynasty, population growth remained steady. The Jingkang Incident led to a large-scale migration of residents to Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, and other regions. By the Yuan Dynasty, Luoyang's population was less than 50,000. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Luoyang's population growth remained at the level of a medium-sized county.

Luoyang is an immigrant city, with residents coming from various parts of mainland China. During the early years of the Republic of China, a famine caused a significant decrease in Luoyang's population, with many people fleeing to neighboring provinces such as Shaanxi, Shandong, and Hubei. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the "Support National Construction Movement" was launched, leading to a large influx of intellectuals and workers from Northeast China, Shanghai, Jiangsu, and other regions into Luoyang. These individuals and their descendants constitute a high proportion of Luoyang's urban population, accounting for over 40%.

Jianxi District and Xigong District have the highest number of immigrants, primarily because these areas are Luoyang's new districts and the gathering areas for large state-owned enterprises. The use of Mandarin Chinese is most prevalent in these regions. In contrast, the Old City District and Chanhe Hui District are mostly inhabited by original residents, who primarily speak the Luoyang dialect.

8.1 Ethnic Groups

Luoyang is a place where multiple ethnic groups live together. The city comprises 46 ethnic groups, with the Han ethnic group accounting for approximately 98.8% of the total population, and other ethnic minorities accounting for about 1.2% of the total population. Ethnic minorities with over 1,000 people include the Hui, Manchu, and Mongolian ethnic groups. The Hui ethnic group is the largest minority, with nearly 60,000 people, accounting for over 80% of the minority population. As of November 2010, Luoyang's permanent resident population was 6,549,486, with males accounting for 50.48% and females accounting for 49.52%.

In 2020, among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group numbered 6,987,691, accounting for 99.02%, while ethnic minorities numbered 69,008, accounting for 0.98%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han population increased by 504,276, a growth of 7.78%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.04 percentage points. The ethnic minority population increased by 2,482, a growth of 3.73%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.04 percentage points.

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9. Culture

The earliest Chinese historical documents, the "Hetu" (River Chart) and "Luoshu" (Luo River Writings), originated in Luoyang. The Heluo culture is a vital source of Chinese civilization, with "He" referring to the Yellow River and "Luo" to the Luo River. Luoyang is also recognized by the United Nations as a World Cultural City. Modern Luoyang boasts historical sites like the Longmen Grottoes, the White Horse Temple, and Guanlin; traditional cultural elements such as Luoyang Peonies, the Water Banquet, and Dukang Wine; and ancient capital ruins including the Erlitou Site, the Eastern Zhou Royal City, the Han-Wei Luoyang City, and the Sui-Tang Luoyang City.

9.1 Literature

As a major capital city, Luoyang naturally became a hub where literati throughout the ages converged to showcase their talents. Its scenic spots and historical sites provided fertile ground for the development of Heluo literature. Over the dynasties, countless writers and poets left an immense legacy of brilliant literary works on this land. Heluo literature, marked by the Han, Wei, Tang, and Song dynasties, experienced unparalleled glory in the history of ancient Chinese literature. As the saying goes: "Since ancient times, Heluo has been rich in talent; half the prose of Han and Wei came from Luoyang."

During the pre-Qin period, most works in the "Shijing·Zhounan" (Book of Songs - Odes of Zhou and the South) were produced in the Heluo region. Among them, "Guanju" has, for millennia, conveyed the tender sentiments of the Heluo people. The great writer Jia Yi, a native talent of Luoyang, authored the "Guo Qin Lun" (On the Faults of Qin), hailed as a "magnificent work of the Western Han," grand in scale and rich in emotion. He also wrote "Diao Qu Yuan Fu" (Lament for Qu Yuan) and "Fu Niao Fu" (Owl Rhapsody), considered the pinnacle of Han-era sao-style fu poetry, intense in emotion and profound in philosophy. The compilation of the "Han Shu" (Book of Han) by Ban Biao, Ban Gu, and Ban Zhao became a celebrated tale through the ages. Ban Gu's "Liang Du Fu" (Rhapsody on the Two Capitals) first glorified the Eastern Capital (Luoyang). Zhang Heng, with meticulous thought and composition, created the "Er Jing Fu" (Rhapsody on the Two Metropolises), regarded as the "ultimate model of long fu." Wang Chong rectified literary style, criticizing hypocrisy and superficiality. Cai Yong excelled in prose, elegant and refined. Zhao Yi's "Ci Shi Ji Xie Fu" (Rhapsody Satirizing the World and Detesting Evil) expressed the poet's righteous fury. Cai Wenji's "Bei Fen Shi" (Poem of Lament and Indignation) and "Hu Jia Shi Ba Pai" (Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute) were works of profound sorrow and blood-tears.

During the Jian'an period, the three Cao lords (Cao Cao, Cao Pi, Cao Zhi) were all avid patrons of literature. A large group of ambitious and talented writers, represented by the "Seven Masters of Jian'an," gathered around them, forming a constellation around the moon. Although many of their works were not written in Luoyang, they themselves had deep connections with the city, and they produced numerous masterpieces closely related to it. For instance, Cao Cao's "Hao Li Xing" and "Xie Lu Xing" lamented the destruction of Luoyang. Kong Rong gained fame in Luoyang. Cao Zhi, hailed as the "Genius of Jian'an" and possessing exceptional talent, wrote the famous pieces "Song Ying Shi" (Seeing Off Master Ying) and "Zeng Baima Wang Biao" (To Prince Biao of Baima), both related to Luoyang, and his "Luo Shen Fu" (Rhapsody on the Goddess of the Luo) is utterly captivating. After the Zhengshi era, the "Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove" and the "Twenty-Four Friends of the Golden Valley" gathered in Luoyang. Each with their unique style, they vied in brilliance, making Luoyang a capital of literary and artistic convergence and leaving countless magnificent works on the Heluo land. Zuo Si, secluded in Yichunli for a decade, produced the masterpiece "San Du Fu" (Rhapsody on the Three Capitals), which caused "Luoyang's paper to become expensive" due to demand. Pan Yue, with his graceful and poignant style, described the sorrows of love, and his charm in Luoyang city was such that "fruit was thrown to fill his carriage." From "so happy as to forget home" to "Sima Zhao's heart is known to all," Heluo literature added timeless allusions and legends. From Lu Ji's "Luoyang Ji" (Records of Luoyang) to Yang Xuanzhi's "Luoyang Qielan Ji" (The Record of the Monasteries of Luoyang), they immortalized ancient Luoyang's splendor in history through literary artistry.

In the Tang Dynasty, the great poet Li Bai wrote "Chun Ye Luo Cheng Wen Di" (Hearing a Flute on a Spring Night in Luoyang). Du Fu lived in Luoyang until he was 20, and Heluo culture nurtured his character and temperament. On his final departure from Luoyang, he wrote the "Three Officials" and "Three Partings" along the way, reaching the peak of his poetic creation. Later, Bai Juyi lived in seclusion in Lüdao Li for as long as 18 years. His footprints were almost everywhere in Luoyang, and descriptions of the city abound in his poetry. Among the over 3,000 poems he left, more than 800 praise Luoyang, contributing numerous dazzling lines to Heluo literature. Han Yu taught in the Eastern Capital, gathering talents and nurturing younger scholars, calling Luoyang his hometown. Du Mu took the imperial examinations in the Eastern Capital; his overflowing talent and literary thoughts began his path to success from Luoyang. Li He, the "Poetry Ghost" and a unique flower among Tang poets, dedicated his heart and soul to poetry, deeply influenced by every mountain, river, plant, and tree of his hometown. Additionally, pioneers of the Ancient Prose Movement like Dugu Ji, the "Poetry Master" Liu Yuxi, the mid-Tang literary genius Yuan Zhen, and the poet Lu Tong all made significant contributions to the prosperity and development of Heluo literature.

During the Northern Song Dynasty, the Western Capital Luoyang was a place where literati lingered and many founding veterans retired after achieving merit, such as Ouyang Xiu, Sima Guang, the veteran official of four reigns Lü Mengzheng, Chancellor Fu Bi, and Western Capital Guardian Wen Yanbo. These highly talented individuals, befriending each other through poetry, composed numerous famous poems and verses in Luoyang, playing a crucial role in promoting the development of early Northern Song literature.

9.2 Peony

The peony has long been hailed as the "king of flowers," magnificent and heavenly fragrant, symbolizing wealth, auspiciousness, prosperity, and flourishing since ancient times.

Luoyang peonies took root in the Heluo land during the Sui Dynasty, flourished in the Tang, and became supreme under heaven in the Song. A poem says, "Luoyang's soil is most suitable for flowers, and peonies are especially extraordinary under heaven." Legend has it that Empress Wu Zetian of Tang held a feast in deep winter and ordered all flowers to bloom. Only the peony disobeyed, so she banished it to Luoyang. Unexpectedly, after moving to Luoyang, the peony burst into glorious bloom. Upon hearing this, Empress Wu ordered the peonies burned. Although the branches were charred, the next year they bloomed even more luxuriantly, with larger and more vibrant flowers. Thus, Luoyang peonies became renowned as the finest under heaven, and Luoyang people's cultivation and appreciation of peonies grew into a lasting custom. The great Tang poet Bai Juyi even wrote a poem describing Luoyang city during the blooming season. Bai Juyi's poem says:

" For twenty days the flowers bloom and fall, The entire city's people seem to go mad. "

Today, Luoyang cultivates peonies as one of its resources for developing tourism. There are several large peony cultivation bases in the city and suburbs, serving both tourism and research purposes, each accessible by direct bus from the train station. Since 1983, the Luoyang Peony Festival has been held annually in early to mid-April. It is one of China's four major festivals. Since 2011, the Henan Luoyang Peony Festival has been officially upgraded to the China Luoyang Peony Culture Festival, jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Henan Provincial People's Government, and hosted by the Henan Provincial Department of Culture and the Luoyang Municipal People's Government.

Famous Peony Gardens

Wangcheng Park: Built on the ruins of the ancient Eastern Zhou royal city, hence its name, it is the most important venue for viewing peonies in Luoyang. Established in 1956, it cultivates nearly 20,000 peony plants of 320 varieties. It features scenic spots like the Peony Pavilion and the Peony Fairy Flower Bed clusters. During the Peony Festival from April 15th to 25th each year, it is crowded with visitors.

Xiyuan Park: Located at the intersection of Nanchang Road and Jiudu Road in Jianxi District, Luoyang, it was originally named the Botanical Garden. As it was built on the site of the Sui Dynasty's Western Garden, it was renamed Xiyuan Park. Built in 1958, it plants nearly 200 varieties of peonies, totaling over 6,000 plants.

Luopu Park: Situated on both banks of the Luo River, it is the largest open urban linear park in Henan Province, stretching about 16 kilometers east-west with a total area of nearly 12 million square meters. It consists of five major areas: Shangyang Palace, Tongleyuan, Hualin Garden, Luoshen Pu, and the Riverside Pleasure Garden.

Peony Park: A park famous for peonies. Located in the middle section of Xiyuan Middle Road in Jianxi District. Built in 1956, peonies are its main feature, with 10 peony flower beds planting 3,960 peony plants of over 200 varieties.

China National Peony Garden: Built in 1985, it cultivates nearly 400 varieties of peonies, totaling 200,000 plants. In 1992, it was designated by the Chinese Ministry of Forestry as the National Peony Gene Bank. As it is located on Mangshan Mountain, its blooming period is later than in the city proper.

China National Flower Garden: Located on the ruins of the Sui-Tang ancient city, it stretches from Luoyang Bridge in the east to Peony Bridge in the west, bordering Luoyi Road to the south and the southern embankment of Luopu Park to the north. Based on Sui-Tang historical culture and centered on peony culture, it integrates historical culture, peony culture, and garden landscapes,堪称 a classic of Luoyang gardens.

9.3 Famous Allusions

Not Eating the Grain of Zhou: At the end of the Shang Dynasty, King Wu of Zhou, while attacking King Zhou of Shang, assembled 800 feudal lords at Mengjin, Luoyang. After crossing the river, he fought King Zhou's army at Muye. King Zhou was defeated due to his slaves turning their weapons against him, then burned himself to death on Lutai. The Shang Dynasty fell, and the Zhou Dynasty was established. To express their loyalty to the Shang, Bo Yi and Shu Qi decided not to eat the grain of Zhou and retired to Shouyang Mountain to gather ferns for food. A woman said, "You righteously refuse to eat Zhou's grain, but these are also Zhou's plants." Ashamed and indignant, they starved themselves to death and were buried on Shouyang Mountain. Later generations used the phrase "not eating the grain of Zhou" to denote unwavering loyalty.

Piling Up Debts (Debt Platform): Originating from the "Han Shu · Zhuhou Wang Biao Xu" (Book of Han · Preface to the Table of Feudal Lords). In the 56th year of King Nan of Zhou (259 BC), to ally with Chu and Wei to attack Handan, the capital of Zhao which was besieged by Qin, King Nan of Zhou borrowed money from local wealthy merchants. Only the armies of Chu and Yan arrived, and the alliance ultimately failed. Afterwards, the local rich men demanded repayment. King Nan had to hide in a high tower within the palace, later called the "Debt-Avoiding Tower." The phrase "debt platform piled high" came to mean being heavily in debt.

Tying Hair to the Beam and Stabbing Thigh with an Awl: Legend has it that during the Eastern Zhou period, Su Qin from Luoyang studied under the hermit Guiguzi. Years later, he sold his property to travel among various states, expounding his political ideas to their rulers, hoping to realize his political ambitions but failing to gain recognition. At this point, Su Qin returned to Luoyang impoverished, but his family looked down on him. So, Su Qin resumed intense study. He tied his hair to a roof beam to stay awake while reading, and later achieved success in forming the vertical alliance of six states. This is the origin of the "tying hair to the beam" part of "suspending from the beam and prodding the thigh." Later, the "Three Character Classic" famously included the line: "Head suspended from the beam, awl stabs the thigh."From Arrogance to Humility: During the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, Su Qin traveled among the various states for the first time but failed to achieve his political goals. After returning to his hometown of Luoyang and studying diligently, he embarked on a second journey through the states. Eventually, he persuaded the six states of Qi, Chu, Yan, Han, Zhao, and Wei to form an alliance against Qin. He was appointed as the "Alliance Leader" and held the seals of the prime ministers of all six states. When Su Qin returned to his hometown again, his family members completely changed their previous attitudes, all "bowing four times and kneeling in apology." His wife’s change in attitude was particularly notable, shifting "from arrogance to humility." Su Qin could not help but sigh: "In life, status and wealth truly cannot be overlooked."

Luoyang Paper Becomes Precious: During the Western Jin Dynasty, after the famous literary work "Ode to the Three Capitals" by Zuo Si was published, it became immensely popular in Luoyang. Noble families and influential households competed to copy it, causing the price of paper in the market to rise rapidly. This gave rise to the phrase "Luoyang paper becomes precious."

Picking the Fat and Choosing the Lean: Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, established the first aristocratic university, the Imperial Academy, in Luoyang. A teacher named Zhen Yu served at the academy. One year, on the thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month, Liu Xiu issued an edict granting each teacher at the academy a sheep as a reward. After the sheep were herded into the academy’s courtyard, they varied in size and fatness, and after much discussion, no distribution plan acceptable to all could be reached. At this point, Zhen Yu said, "As educators, we should not be overly calculating or pick the fat and choose the lean." With that, he selected the smallest and leanest sheep from the flock and led it away. Zhen Yu’s action ended the debate, and the sheep were quickly distributed among the others. The story of the sheep distribution spread far and wide, and everyone in Luoyang praised Zhen Yu, even giving him the nickname "Doctor of Lean Sheep."

9.4 Cultural Influence

9.4.1 Influence on Chinese Place Names

"Records of the Grand Historian: Annals of Zhou" states that the Luoyang Basin is "the center of the world, equidistant for tributes from all directions." Additionally, many places in China have towns or villages named after Luoyang. Tracing their origins, the naming of these places is directly related to Luoyang City. Most of them were established during ancient times when wars in the Central Plains forced residents from the Luoyang area to migrate. To express their longing for their homeland, they named their new settlements Luoyang. These include Luoyang Town in Quanzhou City, Fujian; Luoyang Town in Shaoguan City; Luoyang Town in Suizhou City; Luoyang Town in Hechi City; Luoyang Village in Ji'an City, Jiangxi; Luoyang Village in Renhe Town, Yuhang, Zhejiang; Luoyang Village in Zhangshan Town; Luoyang Village in Lianzhou City, Guangdong; Luoyang Bay Village in Loudi City, Hunan; Luoyang Village in Yanpu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan; as well as former Luoyang towns that have since been abolished, including Luoyang Township in Fu County, Yan'an, Shaanxi; Luoyang Town in Guiyang City, Guizhou; and Luoyang Township in Wushan County, Chongqing. Luoyang Town in Changzhou City, Jiangsu, is also directly related to Luoyang City. According to a stele inscription from the 31st year of the Qianlong era (1766) in the Qin Guan Temple on Luoyang West Street and the "Qin Family Genealogy," a man named Qin Yufu served as the county lieutenant of Luoyang County in Henan and died in office. His son, grieving his father’s death in office, renamed the local area Luoyang.

9.4.2 Influence on Japanese Cities

Kyoto in Japan is also known as Luoyang. Kyoto’s history began with Heian-kyō during the Heian period and remained the capital of Japan for over a thousand years until the Meiji Restoration moved the capital. Heian-kyō was designed entirely based on the Tang Dynasty capital Chang'an and the eastern capital Luoyang, not only in layout but also in site selection according to Chinese feng shui. Heian-kyō was initially divided into eastern and western parts: the eastern side, called "Left Capital," was referred to as "Luoyang," while the western side, called "Right Capital," was referred to as "Chang'an." Although the site was chosen based on feng shui principles of the time, the feng shui of the Right Capital (Chang'an) was poor, as it was located in a swampy area. It was abandoned before development could succeed, leaving only the Left Capital, "Luoyang." Thus, for over a thousand years, Kyoto has been called Luoyang. Because the capital was known as Luoyang, before the Meiji Restoration in Japan, the act of a daimyo leading troops into Kyoto was referred to as "going to Luoyang" (上洛). "Going to Luoyang" was a goal pursued by daimyo like Takeda Shingen, similar to the "quest for the Central Plains" (问鼎中原) during China’s Spring and Autumn period (seeking hegemony among the states). Similarly, the Kinki region near Kyoto is called "Rakuchū" (洛中). To this day, place names such as "Rakutō" (洛东), "Rakusai" (洛西), "Rakunan" (洛南), "Rakuhoku" (洛北), "Rakuchū" (洛中), and "Rakuyō" (洛阳) can be seen throughout Kyoto Prefecture. Besides Kyoto, another Japanese city, Nara, was historically known as "Heijō-kyō." Initially, it was intended to be modeled after the "Pingcheng Capital" of the Northern Wei Dynasty in Datong. However, the Northern Wei soon moved its capital to Luoyang, so Nara’s "Heijō-kyō" was built based on the Han and Wei Luoyang City. In recent years, Japan has also developed "Luoyang Studies," a discipline dedicated to researching the ancient capital of Luoyang.

9.5 Festivals

The Luoyang Peony Festival was first held on April 15, 1983, and has since been held annually in spring from April to May. In 2011, the Luoyang Peony Festival was upgraded to a national-level festival. The festival has evolved from "using flowers as a medium to make friends, promote Luoyang, and develop the economy" to "using the festival as a stage for economic, trade, and tourism activities, with the government setting the stage and businesses performing." The Peony Festival has become a platform for Luoyang’s economic development, investment attraction, talent recruitment, exhibition promotion, and tourism, as well as a window to showcase the city’s image. It has built a bridge for Luoyang to connect with the world and has become a calling card for the world to learn about Luoyang.

The Yellow River Xiaolangdi Waterfall Viewing Festival is jointly organized by the Henan Provincial Tourism Bureau and the Xiaolangdi Water Control Project Management Bureau, in collaboration with the Luoyang Municipal Government and the Jiyuan Municipal Government. Held annually at the end of June in summer, the festival began in 2006. Leveraging the tourism resources of the Xiaolangdi Scenic Area, the festival has played a positive role in stimulating consumption, driving related industries, and promoting regional economic development.

The Heluo Cultural Tourism Festival was first held from September 27 to October 27, 2004, and is held annually in autumn. The festival aims to promote Heluo culture, boost Luoyang’s tourism development, and strengthen ties with Fujian and Taiwan. As part of Luoyang’s "tourism powerhouse" strategy, it has become an important platform for showcasing Heluo culture and the charm of the Central Plains.

The Funiu Mountain Ski Tourism Festival is organized by the Chinese Ski Association and the Henan Provincial Sports Bureau in collaboration with the Luoyang Municipal People’s Government. Held annually in January in winter in Luanchuan, the Funiu Mountain Ski Resort is one of Luanchuan County’s six 4A-level tourist attractions and the largest, most well-equipped, and most renowned comprehensive alpine ski resort in the Central Plains region.

9.6 Opera

As a comprehensive art form combining literature, music, dance, fine arts, acrobatics, and martial arts, opera can be traced back to the music, dance, and variety performances of the Han and Tang dynasties. The ancient capital Luoyang was one of the political and cultural centers of the country during this period. According to historical records, the development of China’s music and dance performance arts, from their inception to maturity, is almost all related to Luoyang. Luoyang’s music and dance activities likely began with sacrificial rituals before the Xia Dynasty. Emperor Ku, one of the Five Emperors, established his capital in Xibo, and his musical piece "Liu Ying" mentions the coordination of song, music, and dance, accompanied by "string and bamboo instruments." From the Western Zhou to the Eastern Zhou, Luoyang was the most concentrated hub for music and dance activities, with the grand and magnificent "Zhou Rites" composed of many music and dance performances.

In addition to Yu Opera and Henan Qu Opera, Luoyang’s local opera genres once included Yue Diao, Hebei Bangzi, Peking Opera, Er Jia Xian, Huai Bang, Luo Opera, and Pu Opera. Apart from Yu Opera, Henan Qu Opera, Yue Diao, and Peking Opera, other minor opera genres have long declined. Before the 1930s, the operas performed on Luoyang’s stages mostly featured male and painted-face roles as the protagonists. In the 1930s, with the emergence of female actors (坤角), operas featuring female roles as the protagonists gradually increased. Notable Yu Opera performers in Luoyang at the time included Ma Shuangzhi, Ma Jinfeng, Chen Suzhen, Chang Xiangyu, Cui Lantian, and Tang Lanxiang. Most of their performances had no written scripts and were passed down orally among artists. Luoyang Qu Opera was officially performed on stage in 1926, with most of its repertoire adapted from other opera genres.

9.7 Cuisine

The staple foods of Luoyang’s folk cuisine are the five grains, supplemented by vegetables, a tradition that has continued from ancient times to the present. Among these, noodles are particularly favored. At the same time, Luoyang is close to the Yellow River, with fertile land and abundant local products. As an ancient imperial capital, Luoyang’s diverse cuisine includes delicacies from the ancient imperial court as well as delicious dishes from the common people. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, Luoyang receives relatively little rainfall, so soups are commonly used in folk cuisine to combat the dry and cold weather in winter. Thus, the most distinctive feature of Luoyang cuisine is the "Water Banquet," with various soups being the most common dishes on Luoyang dining tables. Luoyang’s food culture can be summarized in one word: "soup." Luoyang people’s preference for spiciness differs from other regions, as they particularly favor white pepper, which appears in various soups.

Luoyang is the birthplace of the historically famous Dukang wine. From ancient times to the present, wine has been a companion at Luoyang’s folk ceremonies, festivals, and casual gatherings. Like wine customs, Luoyang’s traditional snacks have a long history. Coarse grains are finely prepared, and fine grains are cleverly used, resulting in distinctive Luoyang traditional snacks.

10. Sister Cities

| Country | Japan | France | Japan | Bulgaria | United States | Russia | Japan | Spain | South Korea | |------|--------|---------|--------|--------|----------|---------|---------|---------|---------| | City | Okayama | Tours | Sukagawa | Plovdiv | La Crosse | Tolyatti | Kashihara | Alcalá de Henares | Gwangju | | Date Established | 4/6/81 | 12/2/82 | 8/1/93 | 8/1/94 | 10/27/97 | 4/25/00 | 2/12/06 | 4/10/10 | 8/23/12 |

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Luolong District

Luolong District

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Peony