Water Curtain Cave Grottoes (水帘洞石窟), located in Wushan County, Tianshui City, Gansu Province, China, are ancient caves dating back to the Later Qin period of the Sixteen Kingdoms era. Over the centuries, they were expanded and renovated during the Northern Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, and Yuan Dynasties. This site preserves over a hundred statues from various periods, more than 2,000 square meters of murals, over ten buildings, eight stupas, ten inscribed steles, and even one headless mummified body. It ranks as one of the most significant cave complexes in Gansu Province, second only to the Maijishan Grottoes in Tianshui.
The Water Curtain Cave Grottoes encompass seven temples (Xiansheng Temple, Lashao Temple, Fentuan Temple, Zuanwa Temple, Yingshan Temple, Guantai Temple, Qianfo Temple) and five pagodas (Lianhua Pagoda, Qingjing Pagoda, Shuofa Pagoda, Zhonglou Pagoda, Minggu Pagoda), distributed within a few kilometers. Integrated with the natural landscape of rugged beauty, these grottoes are celebrated as a cultural gem and scenic wonder in Longyou (northwestern Gansu).
Among the notable sites, Lashao Temple, Water Curtain Cave, and Qianfo Cave are particularly well-preserved. Water Curtain Cave, located at the heart of the grotto complex, boasts a unique terrain and grandeur that have left a profound impact on local folklore, lending its name to the entire cave complex.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Water Curtain Cave Grottoes
- Other Attractions in Tianshui Suburbs
Basic Information
Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
Ticket Price | Admission: 30 RMB Shuttle Bus: 10 RMB |
Opening Hours | 8.00 – 18.00 |
Telephone Number | 0086-0938-8884639 |
Location and Transportation
The Water Curtain Cave Grottoes are located in the Zhonglou Mountain Gorge, approximately 25 kilometers northeast of Wushan County, Tianshui City, Gansu Province, China. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
From Tianshui City: Take a bus from the Nanhu Bus Station (南湖汽车站) in Qinzhou District, Tianshui City, to Wushan. Buses run every 30 minutes. Inform the driver you need to get off at Luoyangmen Bus Station (洛阳门汽车站). From there, take a private car to the Water Curtain Cave Grottoes, which costs around 30 CNY per car.
From Wushan County: You can also take a minibus from Wushan County or Luomen Town in Wushan to Zhonglou Mountain (钟楼山) or Dangkou (党口). The ticket price is generally around 5-10 CNY.
Highlights of Water Curtain Cave Grottoes
Water Curtain Cave
Water Curtain Cave (水帘洞) is a natural arched cave located on the east side of Shishou Mountain, which resembles a giant axe. Spanning approximately 50 meters in length, 30 meters in height, and 20 meters in depth, this cave is renowned for its stunning natural and architectural features. The cave’s name comes from the beautiful water curtain effect created during the rainy season, when water flows from the cave’s roof and walls, cascading down like a curtain of beads. This picturesque scene is reminiscent of a “waterfall curtain” draped over the entrance, creating a dramatic and serene atmosphere.
Inside Water Curtain Cave, visitors can explore several notable structures, including the Four Saints Palace, Guanyin Temple, Southern Hall, and Bodhisattva Hall. These buildings are intricately integrated into the natural rock formations of the cave, with a layout that features both open and enclosed spaces, skillfully blending the architectural design with the natural environment. The Bodhisattva Hall is the most magnificent of these structures. It consists of two levels: the lower level houses a clear pool of water with a pristine reflection, while the upper level features a large plaque inscribed with “Xishan Muyu” (西山暮雨), meaning “Evening Rain on the Western Mountains.” The upper level also houses a statue of Ma Xian Niang Niang, a deity from local folklore. The walls of the cave are adorned with large-scale Buddhist murals from the Northern Wei, Sui, Tang, and Yuan Dynasties, covering over 2,000 square meters. These murals depict various Buddhist themes and are considered important examples of historical Buddhist art.
Lashao Temple
Lashao Temple (拉稍寺), also known as Great Buddha Cliff, is located directly opposite Water Curtain Cave across the mountain. Established during the Northern Zhou Dynasty, this temple is famous for its impressive stone carvings and is one of the most significant examples of Buddhist art from the Northern Zhou to Yuan Dynasties. The temple is renowned for its grand and ancient architecture, with its highlight being the 40-meter-high high-relief Buddha sculpture, the largest of its kind in China and Asia.
The temple’s main feature is a towering relief of a seated Buddha on a lotus throne, flanked by two Bodhisattvas holding lotus flowers. The lotus petals are intricately carved with patterns of lions, deer, and elephants, demonstrating a high level of artistic craftsmanship. Surrounding the main Buddha are smaller Buddhist statues from the Song Dynasty. The cliff face has been carefully carved and adorned with wind eaves and decorative elements like flying clouds and beasts, with bronze bells hanging from the eaves. The gentle ringing of these bells in the breeze adds a touch of tranquility to the site. Lashao Temple is unique for its preservation of Theravada Buddhist features and stands as a rare example of early Buddhist art in China’s grottoes.
Qianfo Cave (Thousand Buddhas Cave)
Located 500 meters along the valley from Lashao Temple, Qianfo Cave, or the Thousand Buddhas Cave, gets its name from the thousands of Buddha statues and frescoes that adorn its walls. The cave features over 500 square meters of cliff surface covered in intricate murals. The murals in Qianfo Cave primarily date from the Mid-Tang period and the Five Dynasties, with some typical Northern Zhou flying apsaras frescoes. These paintings, executed in shaded light, display vivid colors and smooth lines, creating a dynamic sense of movement across the walls.
Originally consisting of seven caves, Qianfo Cave now retains remnants of statues and murals. The statues are characterized by their full and varied expressions, with the Bodhisattva statues particularly reflecting the beauty and characteristics of the Northern Zhou period. Some of the artworks also show influences from the Western Wei Dynasty, making this site a valuable resource for the study of early Chinese grotto art.
The cave is divided into two sections by a wooden walkway. The upper section features fewer Buddha niches with high-relief and shadow sculptures, while the lower section contains over a hundred Northern Zhou statues, displayed in both high-relief and niche-form mud sculptures. The styles and techniques in the lower section are distinct from those above.