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
Adult ticket: CNY 40. The CNY 10 round-trip shuttle may be a separate line item or included.
Hours
Summer: 08:00-17:30. Winter: 09:00-17:00. Listed last entry: 17:00.
Transport
No direct metro. Bus 37 serves the Immortal Cliff stop; use Immortal Cliff Visitor Centre as the entry anchor.
Duration
2.5-3 hours
Best Time
Apr-Oct; choose a dry day for the cliff paths
Visitors
Adults
How to Visit
1
Travel to the Immortal Cliff Visitor Centre
Take bus 37 to the Immortal Cliff stop, a journey of about 1.5 hours; alternatively, take bus 34 to the Maijishan parking area and transfer, or drive to “Immortal Cliff Scenic Area.”
Tip:Mountain buses and transfers are limited, so do not plan to arrive near the end of the afternoon.
2
Budget for the adult entry ticket at the main gate
Budget CNY 40 for the adult ticket. The internal shuttle may appear separately as a CNY 10 round trip on the booking order, or may be included in the adult ticket; read the line items before paying.
Tip:Do not assume that Maijishan Grottoes tickets, shuttles, or Immortal Cliff shuttle rides are interchangeable.
3
Follow the route from Immortal Lake toward the West Cliff
Take the sightseeing vehicle to Immortal Lake, then continue through South Cliff Thousand-Buddha Cliff, East Cliff Ladder Cave, Jade Emperor Peak, and West Cliff, allowing about 2.5-3 hours.
Tip:There are several junctions and temple entrances, so do not turn back too early before reaching the West Cliff.
4
Reach the West Cliff while you still have energy
The West Cliff concentrates the cliffside temple buildings, while Jade Emperor Peak overlooks the West and East Cliffs. If time is short, use the 1.5-2 hour Immortal Lake-West Cliff-exit route.
Tip:When steps are damp, non-slip shoes matter more than light sandals; do not rush after rain.
5
Connect to return transport after the West Cliff
The listed final Immortal Cliff-to-Maijishan shuttle is about 17:30; aim to finish the West Cliff by 16:30 and return to the pickup point.
Tip:Missing the bus may leave taxi or shared-car travel as the only options, increasing the return cost.
Highlights
- The West Cliff sets temple buildings into a crescent-shaped cliff cavity, combining architecture, red sandstone, and cliff faces.
- South Cliff Thousand-Buddha Cliff preserves small Buddhist niches at a different scale from Maijishan Grottoes.
- East Cliff includes the Arhat Hall and Ladder Cave, adding a short ascending section to the visit.
- Jade Emperor Peak gives an elevated view of the West Cliff and temples among the trees.
- Immortal Lake provides a flatter rest section before the cliffside paths.
Insider Tips
✦Plan around 08:00-17:30 in summer and 09:00-17:00 in winter. The listed final entry time is 17:00, so late arrivals should first judge whether the core route remains feasible.
✦Immortal Cliff is about 15 km from Maijishan Grottoes, so it can follow a morning grotto visit, but transport time must be allowed for.
✦Shops are limited on the mountain; bring water and simple food before entry. Damp steps are more tiring than the total climb suggests.
✦West Cliff barriers may close in the evening. Do not leave the cliffside temples until the final part of the day.
✦The lake and red sandstone are clearer in sunny weather. The mountain area often feels cooler than the city, so bring a light layer.
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02City Guide
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