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
CNY 30 adult admission; CNY 10 round-trip scenic shuttle
Hours
08:00-18:00; entry stops around 17:00
Transport
No direct metro; Water Curtain Cave visitor centre, about 25 km northeast of Wushan County
Duration
2.5-3 hours for the full route
Best Time
Rainy days for the Water Curtain Cave effect
How to Visit
1
Drive or hire a car from Tianshui to the Water Curtain Cave visitor centre.
The site is about 25 km northeast of Wushan County, usually a 1-1.5-hour drive. If changing to a local shuttle, do not make the final service your only return plan.
Tip:Local transport connections can be unreliable; if hiring a car, agree on the pickup time for the return journey.
2
Buy admission and the scenic shuttle at the visitor centre before entering.
Adult admission is CNY 30 and the round-trip shuttle is CNY 10. The listed hours are 08:00-18:00, with entry stopping around 17:00; no advance reservation is required.
Tip:Do not skip the shuttle to walk in—the approach to the core area is about 2 km and can cut heavily into visiting time.
3
Visit the Lashao Temple cliff Buddha first, then continue along the scenic path to Water Curtain Cave.
After leaving the shuttle, view the 42.3-metre cliff relief Buddha from the viewing platform, then enter the Water Curtain Cave section. Allow about 1-1.5 hours if time is limited.
Tip:Afternoon light is better for photographing the Buddha, but leave enough time for the return shuttle and exit.
4
Continue to Water Curtain Cave, Thousand Buddha Cave and Xiansheng Pool if your fitness allows.
A full route is Lashao Temple—Water Curtain Cave—Thousand Buddha Cave—shuttle stop—Xiansheng Pool, taking about 2.5-3 hours. Water Curtain Cave has more than 300 steps, and Thousand Buddha Cave may require walking along the riverbed and climbing further steps.
Tip:Rain makes the water curtain more likely, but also makes steps, riverbed paths and boardwalks slippery. Do not use a closed route if the Thousand Buddha Cave walkway is under repair.
Highlights
- The 42.3-metre Lashao Temple Buddha is the clearest priority for most visitors.
- Water Curtain Cave is a large natural cavern with temple buildings and surviving murals from different periods.
- Thousand Buddha Cave preserves grottoes, sculptures and murals, and works well as part of the same route.
- Lashao Temple, Water Curtain Cave and Thousand Buddha Cave sit within a red-rock gorge, so the walking route includes cliff and valley scenery.
- Xiansheng Pool is a worthwhile shuttle-route add-on, but should not displace time at the core grottoes.
Insider Tips
✦Turn off flash when visiting the grottoes. In low light, stabilize your camera rather than using flash on murals.
✦Wear non-slip trainers; sandals and smooth-soled casual shoes are unsuitable for the steps and riverbed.
✦Mobile signal can be weak in parts of the site, so save your driver's contact details in advance.
✦In wet weather, slow down between Water Curtain Cave and Thousand Buddha Cave. Shortening the route is better than rushing across slippery steps or riverbed sections.
✦The full route requires noticeable physical effort. If knees are sensitive or companions walk slowly, focus on the Lashao Temple Buddha and Water Curtain Cave.
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
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天水古城
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玉泉观景区
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CNY 20 for adults
Typical Visit
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06Historic Walk
Tianshui Museum
天水市博物馆
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Admission
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Typical Visit
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