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
Type A: CNY 80, includes the grottoes; Type B: CNY 25, excludes the grottoes.
Hours
Area service hours: 08:00-18:00. Grotto access follows separate seasonal hours.
Transport
No direct metro. Start at Maijishan Visitor Service Centre.
Duration
1-2 days
Best Time
Apr-Oct for milder mountain weather
Visitors
Adults
How to Visit
1
Choose specific visit targets before you go
For Maijishan Grottoes, buy the CNY 80 Type A ticket, which includes the grottoes; the CNY 25 Type B ticket does not.
Tip:Do not assume that the area name refers to one ticket covering every attraction.
2
Use the visitor service centre as the starting point
The wider scenic area lists service hours of 08:00-18:00. If visiting the grottoes, follow their separate seasonal hours: 08:30-17:30 in summer and 09:00-17:00 in winter.
Tip:Area-wide service hours do not mean that every attraction is open for entry throughout that period.
3
Plan the grottoes first and arrange other attractions separately
Allow about 2.5-3 hours for the grottoes themselves, then schedule transport, walking time, and return travel for Immortal Cliff and Jingtu Temple independently.
Tip:Do not combine the shuttle rules, tickets, or closing times of different attractions into one budget.
4
Arrive for your reservation with time left for the return journey
Reservations can be made 1-15 days ahead through “Maijishan Tourism” or “Tianshui Smart Tourism.” During parking overflow, drivers may be diverted to the Xiagmen Visitor Centre for a transfer.
Tip:Arriving near the end of a reservation window can cut into grotto time because of parking diversion or queues.
Highlights
- The area combines grottoes, mountain cliffs, old temples, and the Houchuan landscape, making it suitable for a one- or two-day visit.
- Maijishan Grottoes are the core attraction with the clearest access rules and strictest time requirements.
- The visitor service centre handles real-name ticketing, parking diversion, and pre-visit enquiries.
- Walking effort differs substantially between grotto walkways, cliffside temples, and temple courtyards.
- Mountain roads and return transport affect how efficiently attractions can be combined.
Insider Tips
✦The key difference between Type A and Type B tickets is whether they include the grottoes; do not choose solely by the lower price.
✦The grotto walkways, Immortal Cliff steps, and Jingtu Temple’s rear mountain paths require different amounts of time and different footwear.
✦When combining several attractions in one day, secure return transport or a pickup time before choosing the final stop.
✦In rain or snow, shorten cliff walkways and rear mountain paths rather than leaving them until late afternoon.
✦Parking, shuttles, and tickets follow the rules of each attraction and should not be applied interchangeably.
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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