01City 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
Quick Facts
Ticket
Type A: CNY 80, includes the grottoes; Type B: CNY 25, excludes the grottoes.
Hours
Apr 1-Oct 31: 08:30-17:30. Nov 1-Mar 31: 09:00-17:00.
Transport
No direct metro. Use Maijishan Visitor Service Centre as the transport and ticketing anchor.
Duration
2.5-3 hours
Best Time
Apr-Oct for milder weather and the longer opening period
Visitors
Adults
How to Visit
1
Reserve your grotto visit with real-name details
Use “Maijishan Tourism” or “Tianshui Smart Tourism”; reservations open up to 15 days ahead and should be made at least one day before arrival. Arrive during your reserved time slot.
Tip:Missing the entry slot does not automatically invalidate an unused ticket.
2
Go to the Maijishan Visitor Service Centre
Drive or take transport to the visitor centre first. If you cannot complete an online booking, staff can assist with online purchase or issue a paper ticket at the staffed counter.
Tip:Identity documents are checked for entry, so carry your passport and usable identification.
3
Choose the correct ticket type
Type A costs CNY 80 and includes the grottoes; Type B costs CNY 25 and does not include the grottoes.
Tip:A Type B ticket does not allow entry to the grotto area, so do not treat it as a grotto ticket.
4
Follow the east-to-west grotto route
Visit the East Cliff Giant Buddha, Sanhua Pavilion, and the West Cliff caves in sequence; allow about 2.5-3 hours. Summer hours, from 1 April to 31 October, are 08:30-17:30; winter hours, from 1 November to 31 March, are 09:00-17:00.
Tip:The cliff walkways are narrow. Do not stop for long photos in the passageways, as this causes congestion.
5
Secure loose belongings before climbing
Put phones, water bottles, keys, and similar items inside a bag. Restrooms are at the West Cliff exit and below the plaza steps.
Tip:Flash photography and touching the heritage fabric are prohibited. In rain or snow, pass the West Cliff exit quickly while keeping close to the cliff side.
Highlights
- The East Cliff Giant Buddha can be viewed closely from the cliff walkways, showing the scale and placement of the carvings.
- Sanhua Pavilion preserves the spatial layers and painted-clay details of a large hall-style cave.
- The West Cliff caves place the visit directly on walkways cut along the cliff face.
- The grotto area has clear conservation rules, making a guided visit useful for understanding the sculpture themes.
- Exterior viewpoints show the overall outline of the isolated Maijishan peak and its cliffside caves.
Insider Tips
✦Visitors with acrophobia, low blood sugar, or high blood pressure should assess their condition before using the walkways; they are not suitable for fast walking or moving against the flow.
✦On weekends and public holidays, choose an early reservation slot to make queues and walkway stops easier to manage.
✦Chinese-language guides for groups of 1-10 cost CNY 120-160 by grade; foreign-language guiding costs CNY 160 and works best when shared among several travellers.
✦Small-car parking costs CNY 10 for up to three hours, then CNY 2 per additional hour. At busy times, parking may shift to the Xiagmen Visitor Centre for a shuttle transfer.
✦Drones may not be flown without permission within the Maijishan Scenic Area and should be stored at the visitor centre.
More Tianshui Attractions
02Historic Walk
Fuxi Temple
伏羲庙
All Ages
Admission
CNY 20 for adults
Typical Visit
60-90 minutes
03Historic Walk
Tianshui Ancient City
天水古城
All Ages
Admission
Free public streets; individual venues set their own entry rules
Typical Visit
1-2 hours
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