Maijishan Grottoes, Tianshui, Gansu

🔔Overview:

Located in Maiji District, Tianshui City, the Maijishan Grottoes soar into the clouds and boast a rich Buddhist cave culture. Alongside the Mogao Caves, Longmen Grottoes, and Yungang Grottoes, it is known as one of China's four great grottoes, showcasing the brilliant achievements of Chinese stone carving art.

📷Tour Guide:

Upon entering the Maijishan Grottoes scenic area, you can choose to take a convenient sightseeing shuttle (round trip 15 yuan, only 5 minutes) or hike (about 20 minutes) to Maiji Mist and Rain. It is said that on rainy days, the grottoes here are surrounded by mist and rain, as if immersed in a dreamlike mirage.

Next, you can climb the steps to reach the first panoramic viewing spot of the Maijishan Grottoes. Continuing uphill, you will arrive at the historic Ruiying Temple, a thousand-year-old ancient temple and the second panoramic viewing spot of the Maijishan Grottoes.

After a second ticket check, begin your grotto exploration journey. The first stop is Cave 13, which houses the largest existing Buddha statue in Maijishan. In the center is Amitabha Buddha, flanked by Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva on the left and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva on the right, all vividly lifelike.

Next, you will see Cave 9, a well-preserved grotto also known as the "Middle Seven Buddha Pavilion," whose unique design of seven round-arched Buddha niches is breathtaking.

Climb up to Cave 4, the highest point of the Maijishan Grottoes, called the "Upper Seven Buddha Pavilion." Inside the large eaved cliff pavilion are 85 statues, with the main Buddhas in seven niches forming a magnificent scene of the Seven Buddhas.

After completing your visit, you can exit from the west entrance along the plank road, then take the sightseeing shuttle or walk back to the Maiji Mist and Rain exit.

🌈Besides the caves introduced above, the Maijishan Grottoes have many smaller caves waiting for your exploration. If you are particularly interested in stone carving art, you can also pay extra to visit special caves such as Cave 133, Cave 135, etc., with ticket prices varying for each special cave.

📍The specific address is No. 2, Quanhu Road, Maiji District, Tianshui City. You can take the bus: from Tianshui South Station, take Bus No. 9 to Wugongsi Jiyundui Station, then transfer to Bus No. 34 and get off at Maijishan Station to reach the site.

🕙The scenic area is open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. There are different ticket options: an 80 yuan ticket includes grotto visits; a 25 yuan ticket excludes grotto access. Additionally, the round-trip sightseeing shuttle costs 15 yuan.

🎉Moreover, the Maijishan Grottoes are not only a tourist attraction but also a great place to relax and experience culture. Whether for a weekend leisure time or a city cultural exploration trip, it is an excellent choice. If you are interested in Chinese culture and art, why not explore the Maijishan Grottoes? We believe you will have an unforgettable travel experience.