Tianshui Travel Guide
Tianshui is a renowned National Historic and Cultural City in China, often referred to as the “City of Yi Studies” due to its association with Fuxi, the legendary creator of the Bagua (Eight Trigrams). The city enjoys a pleasant, temperate climate with distinct seasons and is rich in natural resources, earning it the nickname “Little Jiangnan of the Northwest.”
Tianshui is home to numerous historical sites, with 169 national and provincial-level protected cultural relics. Among these is the Dadiwan Ruins, preserving artifacts from the early Neolithic period and the Yangshao culture. The Fuxi Temple, the only temple in China with a statue of Fuxi, features intricate architecture surrounded by ancient cypress trees.
One of Tianshui’s highlights is the Maijishan Grottoes, one of China’s four major grottoes, known as the “Oriental Sculpture Museum” with over 7,730 ancient Buddha statues from various eras. Along with other sites such as Dashan Mountain, Water Curtain Cave, Lashao Temple, and Mutisi Temple, they form the “Grotto Art Corridor” along the eastern section of the ancient Silk Road.
Yesterday, I first visited the Fuxi Temple, where I bought a combined ticket for 20 RMB that allowed me access to multiple attractions. I didn’t have to pay for the entrance to the Maiji Mountain Grottoes as I only spent 15 RMB on the sightseeing bus. I purchased the special cave ticket for 133 RMB, which included a detailed guided tour for 180 RMB. The special cave experience was definitely worth it! The commentary was very thorough. After exploring, I… Read more »
1. On October 27th, it was the off-peak season at the Maijishan Grottoes. We arrived at Maijishan at noon, around 12:00 PM, and visited Special Caves 133 and 44. The whole trip took about 2 hours and was definitely worth it! (Take the high-speed train to Tianshui South Station, then take bus 60 straight to the end for a 50-minute ride.) 2. We arrived at Xianrenya at 3 PM. The scenic area is not very large, and our visit took… Read more »