The first time I visited Luoyang, I walked into this ancient capital with great anticipation. Due to my love for history, I had planned my trip well in advance and decided to first visit the Longmen Grottoes. In the early morning, I took a car along the Luo River, with the soft morning light surrounding me, and my heart filled with excitement to explore the historical sites.

Standing in front of the Longmen Grottoes, I was deeply moved. The grottoes were filled with masterpieces carved by craftsmen of different dynasties. The statues of Buddha and the reliefs seemed to tell ancient stories. My father had reminded me over the phone to take lots of photos to bring back, saying these Buddha statues were the “treasures” of Luoyang. As I stood before those silent grottoes, I couldn’t help but imagine: a thousand years ago, this place was filled with incense and a continuous stream of worshippers, and now, I was able to connect with the past in this way, feeling a resonance that transcended time and space.

After visiting the Longmen Grottoes, I took a leisurely stroll along the Luo River, suddenly thinking of finding the flavors of Luoyang's old streets. The old street wasn’t far away, and the air was filled with the aroma of street food, with a lively, bustling atmosphere. At the roadside stalls, there were all kinds of local snacks—spicy soup, baked pancakes, lamb soup… I ordered a steaming bowl of spicy soup and savored its rich and spicy flavor, with the warm fragrance filling the air, as though Luoyang was welcoming me with its delicious food.

After finishing the spicy soup, I met an elderly man. In our conversation, I learned that he was a native of Luoyang, and had witnessed the city’s changes through the years. He eagerly shared his memories of the Luo River when he was a child: "Back then, the rice fields on both sides of the Luo River were a paradise for children. In the summer, we’d go to the river to catch fish, and in the winter, when it froze, we’d skate on the ice." As he spoke, his eyes showed a sense of nostalgia and a smile. Listening to his story, I seemed to see another picture of Luoyang—a place without towering buildings, without the crowds of tourists, but one filled with simple and humble daily life.

In that moment, I realized that Luoyang is not just about grottoes, ancient temples, and ruins. It is also a city full of warmth, with the everyday lives of ordinary people. Here, history spans thousands of years, while the stories of countless families also gather in the fabric of the city.

On my way out of Luoyang, the dusk turned the surface of the Luo River into an orange-red hue, with the setting sun casting a gentle glow on the water. In that moment, the ancient and modern sides of Luoyang met, and I found an inner peace during my journey. Luoyang's story continues, and I also carried back my own memories of the city, now a precious part of my travels.