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Baiyun Mountain (Luoyang)白云山
Baiyun Mountain rises in Song County south of Luoyang, anchoring the Funiu range with its highest summit, Yuhuangding, at 2,216 m — hailed as the premier peak of the Central Plains. Precipitous ridges, rolling seas of cloud and mile after mile of forest have earned it status as a national 5A scenic area and a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Luoyang · Visitor Guide2026-10-19
Quick Answer
Is Baiyun Mountain (Luoyang) worth visiting?
Yuhuangding, the highest summit of the Central Plains at 2,216 m, delivers spectacular seas of cloud, sunrise views and fiery autumn foliage — a celebrated summer escape.
Quick facts
| Ticket | Adults CNY 75; park shuttle CNY 70; cableway charged separately |
|---|---|
| Hours | 08:00-18:00 (may run longer in peak season) |
| Recommended duration | 1-2 days (two days recommended) |
| Best time to visit | April-October (summer heat escape, autumn foliage) |
| How to get there | Tourist direct bus from Luoyang; drive via the Zheng-Shao-Luo expressway to Song County |
| English signage | Partial |
| Wheelchair accessible | Partial |
| Highest summit | Yuhuangding, 2,216 m |
| Status | Main peak of the Funiu Mountains |
| Honors | National 5A scenic area, UNESCO Global Geopark |
| Known for | Seas of cloud, sunrise, autumn leaves |
| Forest coverage | 98.5% |
| Temperature | Summer highs no more than 25°C |
What to expect
Baiyun Mountain is where the Funiu range culminates: its highest summit, Yuhuangding, stands 2,216 m above sea level and is celebrated as the finest peak of the Central Plains. Seventeen summits within the scenic area top 2,000 m, a jumble of layered ridges wreathed in mist and cloud.
The mountain is famous for three spectacles: seas of cloud, sunrise and autumn foliage. Yuhuangding is the best sunrise vantage — climb up between 4 and 5 a.m. to watch the red sun burst from a boiling sea of cloud. In autumn the hillsides blaze with leaves as bright as flame.
Forest covers 98.5% of the mountain and the air carries an extremely high concentration of negative oxygen ions — a natural forest oxygen bar. With summer temperatures that never exceed 25°C, it is a renowned refuge from the heat and a wellness destination.
How to get there
A tourist direct bus runs from Luoyang to Baiyun Mountain, about 3 hours. By car, take the Zheng-Shao-Luo expressway to the Song County exit, then follow National Highway 311. Alternatively take the high-speed train to Luoyang Longmen station and transfer to a tourist bus.
Best photo spots
- Sunrise above a sea of cloud from Yuhuangding
- Rolling cloud seas over Baiyun Mountain
- Hillsides of autumn leaves
- Jiulong (Nine Dragons) Waterfall
- Boardwalks through the primeval forest
Tips
- For sunrise, set out between 3 and 4 a.m. — better to overnight at a summit or mid-mountain hotel
- Mountain roads are winding; drive only if you are an experienced driver
- The October red-leaf festival is the best time to visit — and the busiest
- Lodging on the mountain is basic; book ahead for holidays
Scams to avoid
- Vendors at the mountain's base sell overpriced goods passed off as wild mountain delicacies — choose carefully
- Parking may attract arbitrary charges from locals
Frequently asked questions
How does Baiyun Mountain relate to Mount Song (Songshan)?
Baiyun Mountain belongs to the Funiu range in Song County, Luoyang, while Mount Song belongs to the Taiyue range in Dengfeng. They are different mountains but not far apart, and can be combined in one trip.
Do I need two days?
If you want to summit Yuhuangding for sunrise, plan on two: tour the lower sights on the first afternoon and sleep on the mountain, then descend after the dawn climb.
Can I visit in winter?
Winter brings snow scenery, but some roads may close and summit temperatures can reach -20°C — not recommended except for experienced winter hikers.
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Other things to do in Luoyang
Longmen Grottoes
One of China's four great grotto sites, with some 100,000 Buddha figures carved into the cliffs on both banks of the Yi River, framed by Xiangshan Temple and Bai Garden.
Luoyang Museum
A National First-Grade museum holding 5,000 years of Heluo civilization — the evidence of 'the earliest China.
Luoyang Old Street
Night-market culture atop the Sui-Tang city of Luoyang — lantern-lit streets for tasting the water banquet and street snacks; best spent over 1-2 evening hours.
Shaolin Temple
The 'First Temple Under Heaven' — birthplace of Shaolin kung fu and the emblem of Chinese martial arts; admission CNY 80 and allow 4-6 hours.
Museums in Luoyang
Luoyang Ancient Tombs Museum
Walk through 25 reconstructed underground tombs spanning 1,500 years — from Han Dynasty brick chambers to Song Dynasty frescoed vaults — in the world's only museum dedicated to ancient burial.
Longmen Grottoes Museum
The museum documenting the Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟) — one of China's four great Buddhist cave temple sites with 100,000+ Buddhist images carved between 493 CE and the Tang Dynasty. ¥90.
Luoyang Museum
Luoyang's city museum covers capital-city archaeology across 13 dynasties — the nine-dynasties capital — plus context for the nearby Longmen Grottoes. Free.