Female College Students Must-See: The Ultimate Travel Guide

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### **1. Tianshui: Grotto Art & Buddhist Paradise**
**Top Attractions**
1. **Maijishan Grottoes**
- **Highlights**: One of China's Four Great Grottoes, famous for clay sculptures. Must-sees include the "Oriental Smile" (Cave 133), Seven Buddha Pavilion (Northern Zhou Dynasty), and East Cliff Giant Buddha (Sui-Tang secret history).
- **Ticket**: ¥80 (peak season) + ¥100-200 per special cave (Cave 133 recommended).
- **Transport**: Take Bus 34 from Tianshui Station or drive to "Maijishan Grottoes".

2. **Jingtu Temple**
- **Highlights**: Features the "Natural Buddha" rock formation on its back mountain, golden autumn views, and proximity to Xianrenya.
- **Ticket**: Free.
- **Transport**: Take Bus 37 from downtown.

**Other Recommendations**
- **Xianrenya**: Combines Danxia landforms with Buddhist caves, near Jingtu Temple.
- **Fuxi Temple**: Sacred site honoring China’s cultural ancestor, ¥30 ticket.

**Food & Budget**
- **Must-Try**: Guagua (buckwheat snack), Jiangshui noodles, stews.
- **Daily Budget**:
- Tickets: ¥100-300 (including special caves)
- Food/Lodging: ¥150 (budget hotel) + ¥60 (meals)
- Transport: ¥10 (bus) or ¥50 (taxi)

**Stay Recommendation**
- **Maijishan Hot Spring Hotel**: Includes hot springs to relax after hiking, ~¥300/night.

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### **2. Qingyang: Embroidery Heritage & Ancient Ruins**
**Top Attractions**
1. **Qingyang Sachet Culture**
- **Highlights**: Intangible cultural heritage. Learn stitching at the Sachet Festival (May-June) and buy lucky "Crooked-Mouth Tiger" designs from local grannies.
- **Where**: Xifeng District Sachet Market (liveliest around Dragon Boat Festival).

2. **Nanzuo Ruins**
- **Highlights**: Neolithic central settlement with massive rammed-earth platforms.
- **Ticket**: Free; open 8:00-19:00.
- **Transport**: 10-minute taxi from Xifeng downtown.

3. **North Grottoes Temple**
- **Highlights**: Northern Wei’s Cave 165 "Seven Buddha Cave", contrasting Tang (plump) and Wei (slender) Buddha styles.
- **Ticket**: ¥60; open 9:20-17:30.

4. **Qingzhou Ancient Town**
- **Highlights**: "Little Potala Palace" night lights, Zhouzu Mausoleum, and Farming Museum.
- **Ticket**: Free (some sites charge).

**Food & Budget**
- **Must-Try**: Lamb huguo, hele noodles, braised lamb.
- **2-Day Budget**:
- Tickets: ¥120
- Food/Lodging: ¥250 (hostel ¥60/night + meals ¥30/meal)
- Transport: ~¥15/day (carpool).

**Stay Recommendation**
- **Qingcheng Yishunyuan Hotel**: Downtown, from ¥337 with breakfast.

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### **3. Lanzhou: Yellow River & Danxia Landscapes**
**Top Attractions**
1. **Yellow River Scenic Belt**
- **Activities**:
- Zhongshan Bridge night views (free)
- "Mother of the Yellow River" statue (best at dawn)
- Sheepskin rafting (¥100/person).

2. **Water-Ink Danxia**
- **Highlights**: Colorful hills. Visit Dan Summit (panoramic views) and Sand Charm Camel Bell (close-up trails).
- **Ticket**: ¥80 + ¥20 shuttle.

3. **Gansu Provincial Museum**
- **Must-See**: Flying Horse of Gansu (original), painted pottery; free with booking.

**Food & Budget**
- **Must-Try**: Beef noodles (Mogouyan/Mazilu), hand-grabbed lamb (Zhonghua), sweet fermented barley milk tea.
- **2-Day Budget**:
- Tickets: ¥200
- Food/Lodging: ¥300 (budget hotel ¥150/night + meals ¥30/meal)
- Transport: ~¥50 (metro/bus).

**Stay Recommendation**
- **SFEEL Design Hotel**: Near Zhongshan Bridge, smart rooms from ¥100+/night.

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### **4. Wuwei: Hidden Grottoes & Tibetan Temples**
**Top Attractions**
1. **Tiantishan Grottoes**
- **Highlights**: China’s earliest grottoes (Northern Liang Dynasty), giant Buddha by a reservoir.
- **Ticket**: ¥40; transport: ¥150 round-trip taxi from Wuwei.

2. **Binggou River Scenic Area**
- **Highlights**: Qilian Mountain glacial valley (best June-Sept.), hiking through meadows and forests.
- **Ticket**: ¥80 (includes shuttle).

3. **White Pagoda Temple (Liangzhou Meeting Site)**
- **Highlights**: Historic site of Tibet’s incorporation into China.
- **Ticket**: ¥30.

4. **Tiantang Temple (Tianzhu Tibetan County)**
- **Highlights**: Gansu’s largest Tibetan Buddhist temple, stunning thangka murals.

**Food & Budget**
- **Must-Try**: Santaoche (noodles + braised meat + tea), lamb with rolled dough.
- **2-Day Budget**:
- Tickets: ¥230
- Food/Lodging: ¥280 (budget hotel ¥120/night + meals ¥40/meal)
- Transport: ¥300/day (private car; attractions are spread out).

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### **5. Itinerary & Budget Overview**
| City | Days | Total Budget | Key Highlights |
|------|------|--------------|----------------|
| Tianshui | 1-2 | ¥300-600 | Maijishan + Jingtu Temple |
| Qingyang | 2 | ¥400-600 | Sachet Market + North Grottoes |
| Lanzhou | 2 | ¥550-900 | Water-Ink Danxia + Yellow River |
| Wuwei | 2 | ¥800-1200 | Tiantishan + Binggou River |

**Tips**:
- **Transport**: High-speed rail between cities (e.g., Lanzhou↔Tianshui: 1.5hrs). Buses/carpools save money locally.
- **Best Season**: May-Oct. (avoid winter). Danxia colors pop on sunny days.