Exploring Maijishan Grottoes: A Millennium Treasure of Buddhist Art

Shrouded in greenery, the Maijishan Grottoes are like a hidden pearl in Tianshui, Gansu!✨ This is a treasure trove of Buddhist art and one of the four great grottoes. The Buddha statues hanging on the cliffs have compassionately watched over all beings through a thousand years of wind and rain. Come check it out while the weather is good~

🎯 Highlights of the trip:
📍 Maijishan Grottoes
For just 78 yuan, you can get up close to the wisdom of people from 1,500 years ago! It’s recommended to visit right when it opens at 8:30 AM to avoid crowds and the midday heat. Remember to wear non-slip shoes; walking on those cliffside plank roads is quite thrilling!

The best-preserved Buddha statues are on the east cliff of the grottoes, be sure to focus on:
✔️ Cave 133 "Ten Thousand Buddhas Cave": Thousands of tiny Buddha statues densely packed
✔️ Cave 44: Home to the most beautiful smiling Bodhisattva
✔️ Cave 98: The stunning 15-meter tall Maitreya Buddha

Here’s a little insider tip: walk 200 meters downhill to the "Maijishan Grottoes Art Research Institute," where you can see 1:1 replicas of exquisite grottoes and clearly observe details of the weathered originals.

💡 Practical tips:
⚠️ The wind on the mountain is very strong! It’s recommended to bring a light jacket
⚠️ Remember to bring cash; some guides only accept cash (Guided tour 100 yuan/session)
⚠️ There are small shops inside the scenic area but items are expensive, so you can bring your own snacks and water

🚌 Transportation guide:
About a 40-minute taxi ride from Tianshui city center (around 60 yuan)
You can also take bus No. 34 to the last stop (5 yuan per person)

😋 Food recommendations:
After descending, be sure to try Tianshui’s "Eight Big Bowls"! Especially the cold noodles topped with spicy sauce, paired with freshly baked Guokui bread—absolutely amazing! Recommended is the "Lao Zhang’s Farmhouse" at the scenic area entrance; their native chicken soup is super delicious~