Explore Tianshui for Just 500 RMB per Person! Grottoes, Ancient Towns, and Spicy Hot Pot—Three Days Aren't Enough!

Tianshui Travel Guide | A Thousand-Year-Old City Set Ablaze by Spicy Hot Pot, Hiding Wonders More Understated Than Dunhuang!

📍 Where is Tianshui?
Tianshui, Gansu, anciently known as "Qinzhou," is a historic and cultural city in southeastern Gansu and a key stop on the Silk Road. Home to the Maijishan Grottoes (one of China's Four Great Grottoes), the birthplace of Fuxi, and ancient Three Kingdoms battlefields, it’s now famous nationwide for its mouth-numbing "Tianshui Spicy Hot Pot"!

🌟 **Must-Visit Attractions**
1️⃣ **Maijishan Grottoes** (UNESCO World Heritage)
- 🏔 **Buddhist Kingdom on a Cliff**: A 1,600-year-old treasure trove of clay sculptures, with thrilling cliffside walkways!
- 📸 **Photo Spots**: Sanhua Pavilion, East Cliff Giant Buddha—visit early to avoid crowds.

2️⃣ **Fuxi Temple** (China’s First Temple)
- 🧧 **Origin of Chinese Civilization**: Dedicated to Fuxi, the mythical ancestor, with rustic architecture perfect for culture lovers.
- 💡 **Don’t Miss**: The lively Fuxi Temple Fair on the 16th day of the lunar new year!

3️⃣ **Tianshui Ancient Town (Xiguanli)**
- 🏮 **Ming-Qing Era Streets**: Brick-and-tile lanes, time-honored snack shops, and enchanting lanterns at night!
- 🍢 **Must-Try**: Tianshui *guagua* (buckwheat jelly), *niangpi*, and almond tea.

4️⃣ **Nanguo Temple & Li Guang’s Tomb**
- 🌳 **A Millennium-Old Temple**: Poet Du Fu once wrote, "On the hill stands Nanguo Temple, where northward springs flow."
- 🏹 **Li Guang’s Tomb**: The resting place of the legendary "Flying General" from Tang poetry, steeped in history.

5️⃣ **Gangu Daxiang Mountain** (Hidden Gem)
- 🚗 **1-Hour Drive from Tianshui**: A 23-meter-tall Tang Dynasty Buddha atop the mountain, with breathtaking hiking views!

🍜 **Food Guide**
- 🌶 **Spicy Hot Pot**: Haiying Spicy Hot Pot, Yuannü Spicy Hot Pot (key ingredients: Gangu chili + hand-pulled noodles!).
- 🍜 **Breakfast Trio**: *Guagua*, *ranran* (cold skin noodles), almond tea.
- 🥘 **Hearty Dishes**: Sweet-and-sour pork tenderloin, Tianshui hotpot, *jiangshui* noodles.
- 🍡 **Snacks**: Crispy fried dough (*yousanzi*), lard pastries, sweet fermented rice.

**Itinerary Suggestions**
- **1-Day Highlights**: Maijishan Grottoes + Fuxi Temple + Tianshui Ancient Town by night.
- **2-3 Days In-Depth**:
- *Day 1*: Maijishan + Xianrenya/Rock Gate Mountain.
- *Day 2*: Fuxi Temple + Nanguo Temple + Li Guang’s Tomb + Ancient Town snacks.
- *Day 3*: Gangu Daxiang Mountain or Wushan Water Curtain Cave (self-drive option).

🚗 **Transport Tips**
- ✈️ **From Other Cities**: Fly to Lanzhou, then take a 1.5-hour high-speed train to Tianshui South Station, or direct trains from Xi’an/Chengdu.
- � **Local Travel**: Attractions are spread out—rent a car or hire a driver (Maijishan is 40 mins from downtown).

💡 **Notes**
- Maijishan’s walkways require sturdy shoes; avoid rainy days.
- Spicy hot pot’s heat is adjustable—start mild if you’re spice-sensitive!
- Best seasons: Spring (April-May for pear blossoms) and autumn (September-October). Summer is great for escaping heat.

✨ Tianshui’s charm lies in its grottoes’ grandeur, spicy hot pot’s fire, and the serene beauty of a "Jiangnan in the Northwest"!