A Travel Guide to Laojunshan Mountain: Exploring the Taoist Holy Land Amidst a Sea of Clouds

🌟 I. Origin of Laojunshan Mountain Laojunshan Mountain, originally named "Jingshi Mountain", is located in Luanchuan County, Luoyang City, Henan Province. It is the main peak of the 800-mile Funiu Mountain range, a branch of the Qinling Mountains, with an altitude of 2,217 meters. Legend has it that during the Spring and Autumn Period, Lao Tzu (Li Er), the founder of Taoism, lived in seclusion and practiced here, leaving behind the 5,000-word Tao Te Ching on the top of the mountain. During the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, the mountain was renamed "Laojunshan Mountain" in memory of Lao Tzu, and temples were built for worship, making it a Taoist holy site, known as "the unparalleled holy place in the world, the number one fairy mountain in the world". 🌟II. Ticket Information 💰Ticket Price: Adult ticket: CNY 100/person (peak season), CNY 80/person (off-season) 🌟Cable Car Fee (optional) Zhongling/Yunjing Cable Car (round trip): CNY 130/person Fenglin Cable Car (round trip): CNY 80/person 🕙Opening Hours Peak Season (April to October): 6:00–18:30 Off-Season (November to March of the following year): 7:00–17:30 ✅III. Recommended Itinerary (2 Days and 1 Night) Day 1: Mountain Climbing and Sightseeing, Experiencing Taoist Culture 🌟Morning: Arrive at Laojunshan Mountain Visitor Center and take the Zhongling/Yunjing Cable Car up the mountain to save energy. Hike to the Ten-Mile Gallery and admire the strange peaks and rocks and the sea of clouds along the way. 🌟Noon: Have lunch at a restaurant on the top or halfway up the mountain (it is recommended to bring your own dry food, as prices on the mountain are higher). 🌟Afternoon: Visit the Golden Summit Taoist Temple complex (Jade Emperor Peak, Laojun Temple, Liangbao Platform, etc.) to experience Taoist culture. If the weather is clear, you can wait for the sunset. The golden top shines brightly in the sunset, which is extremely spectacular. 🌟Evening: - Check in to a homestay or tent on the top of the mountain (reservations are required in advance). You can watch the stars at night and get up early the next day to watch the sunrise. Day 2: Sea of Clouds Sunrise, In-depth Hiking 🌟Early Morning: Get up around 5:30 and go to Jade Emperor Peak or Mazong Ridge to watch the sunrise. The sea of clouds is misty, like a fairyland. 🌟Morning: Hike down the mountain and explore the Dream Chasing Valley or Zhaigou Scenic Area to experience the tranquility of the original forest. 🌟Noon: Return to the foot of the mountain and taste local delicacies (such as Luanchuan tofu, mountain wild vegetables, etc.). ❤IV. Best Time to Travel 🌟Spring and Autumn (April to June, September to October): The climate is pleasant, the mountain flowers are blooming, and the sea of clouds appears frequently. It is the best season to visit. 🌟Winter (December to February): The snow scene is beautiful, and the golden top is covered in silver, like a heavenly palace, but pay attention to keeping warm and the slippery road. 🌟Summer (July to August): A summer resort, but there is more cloud and fog in the rainy season, which may affect the view. ❤V. Tips 1. What to wear: The temperature difference on the mountain is large. Even in summer, you should bring a windproof jacket, and in winter, you need to wear a down jacket and non-slip shoes. 2. Supplies: The food on the mountain is expensive, so it is recommended to bring your own snacks and water. 3. Safety: Some sections of the road are steep, so pay attention to safety when hiking, and be careful when walking on rainy days. 4. Photography: Sunrise, sunset, and sea of clouds are the best shooting opportunities. The Golden Summit architectural complex is very photogenic. 5. Transportation: There are direct buses from Luoyang to Luanchuan. It is more convenient to drive by yourself. The parking fee in the scenic area is about CNY 10–20/day. 📝VI. Travel Experience The beauty of Laojunshan Mountain lies in its fairy spirit and grandeur. When you reach the top, the clouds flow under your feet, and the Golden Hall shines golden in the sunlight, as if you are in a heavenly palace. Hiking through the Ten-Mile Gallery, the strange peaks and rocks unfold like a picture scroll, which is breathtaking. Staying overnight on the top of the mountain, the starry sky is bright, and watching the sunrise and the sea of clouds in the morning is even more soul-stirring. Whether it is natural scenery or Taoist culture, Laojunshan Mountain is worth a visit and deserves to be called a "fairyland on earth". ❤Recommendation Index: ★★★★★ 👍Suitable for: Mountain climbing enthusiasts, photography enthusiasts, cultural travelers, and family trips. If you also yearn for the fairyland above the sea of clouds, Laojunshan Mountain will not disappoint you! 🏔️✨