Luòyáng is a historic city in central China’s Henan Province, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and a former capital of thirteen dynasties. Its name combines two characters: 洛 (Luò), referring to the Luo River that flows through the area, and 阳 (yáng), meaning 'south side of a river' — a common naming convention in Chinese geography, since ancient settlements favored sunny, south-facing riverbanks for agriculture and defense.

Luoyang is renowned for its cultural heritage, including the Longmen Grottoes (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the White Horse Temple (China’s first Buddhist temple), and peony festivals held each spring. It is often mentioned in historical texts, poetry, and modern tourism contexts. While it functions as a modern industrial and educational center today, its identity remains deeply tied to imperial history, Buddhism, and classical Chinese civilization.