01City Guide
Maijishan Grottoes
麦积山石窟
Adults Focused
Admission
Type A: CNY 80, includes the grottoes; Type B: CNY 25, excludes the grottoes.
Typical Visit
2.5-3 hours
Quick Facts
Ticket
Free public streets; individual venues set their own entry rules
Hours
Public streets have no unified closing time; individual businesses and venues keep their own hours
Transport
No metro. Use a map to navigate to Tianshui Ancient City from the surrounding city-center attractions.
Duration
1-2 hours
Best Time
Year-round; arrive around dusk for an evening walk
Visitors
All ages
How to Visit
1
Navigate to an open street entrance
Tianshui Ancient City is a public historic district, not one enclosed attraction. After leaving Fuxi Temple, use a map to navigate to the section of streets you want to explore.
Tip:Do not treat the temple's archway, ticket office or exit as the ancient city's main entrance; the two places use different management and ticketing systems.
2
Walk the main street, then one or two side lanes
Use the main street as your orientation point and remember the nearest junction before entering a side lane. Allow around 1-2 hours for the lanes and courtyard exteriors.
Tip:Some courtyards, small museums and shops are not part of the public street; their access and charges are set independently.
3
Arrive around dusk and finish with food or shopping
See the lanes and building exteriors in daylight first, then choose restaurants or shops that are still open after dark. The district itself has no single closing time.
Tip:Do not use one shop's business hours as the ancient city's opening hours; fewer indoor spaces will be available later in the evening.
Highlights
- Ming- and Qing-style lanes and courtyard exteriors make this a useful city walking stop.
- Main streets and narrower lanes show different scales of the old urban fabric.
- An evening visit can combine architecture, food and a relaxed walk.
- It links naturally with Fuxi Temple and the museum, while each place has its own entry rules.
Insider Tips
✦Free access to the district does not mean every courtyard, museum or activity is free; read entry information before going inside.
✦With only one hour, focus on the main street and one side lane rather than trying to cover the whole area.
✦Fuxi Temple and the museum have fixed final-entry times, so the ancient city works well afterwards.
✦Save your return pick-up point in your map app; similar-looking lanes are easier to confuse after dark.
More Tianshui Attractions
02City Guide
Tianshui Maijishan Scenic Area
天水麦积山风景名胜区
Adults Focused
Admission
Type A: CNY 80, includes the grottoes; Type B: CNY 25, excludes the grottoes.
Typical Visit
1-2 days
03Historic Walk
Fuxi Temple
伏羲庙
All Ages
Admission
CNY 20 for adults
Typical Visit
60-90 minutes
04Historic Walk
Yuquanguan Scenic Area
玉泉观景区
All Ages
Admission
CNY 20 for adults
Typical Visit
1.5-2 hours
05Historic Walk
Tianshui Museum
天水市博物馆
All Ages
Admission
Free with a timed reservation
Typical Visit
1.5-2 hours
06City Guide
Immortal Cliff
仙人崖
Adults Focused
Admission
Adult ticket: CNY 40. The CNY 10 round-trip shuttle may be a separate line item or included.
Typical Visit
2.5-3 hours