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 20 for adults
Hours
1 Apr-31 Oct: 08:00-18:00, last entry 17:30; 1 Nov-31 Mar: 08:30-17:30, last entry 17:00
Transport
No metro. Navigate to the Yuquanguan Scenic Area gate from Tianshui's old-city area.
Duration
1.5-2 hours
Best Time
Year-round; allow for seasonal last-entry times
Visitors
All ages
How to Visit
1
Treat Yuquanguan as a separate uphill stop
From Fuxi Temple or Tianshui Ancient City, navigate to the Yuquanguan Scenic Area gate. If time is limited or someone in your party is not comfortable with a long walk, a short taxi ride gives better control over arrival time.
Tip:It is not inside the open ancient-city streets, so do not plan to reach it simply by wandering through the old city.
2
Allow for the seasonal entry window and buy a separate ticket
Adult admission is CNY 20. From 1 April to 31 October, hours are 08:00-18:00 with last entry at 17:30. From 1 November to 31 March, hours are 08:30-17:30 with last entry at 17:00.
Tip:Budget for an individual ticket. Treat any bundle only as an offer shown during purchase, not as a fixed option.
3
Follow the main uphill route through the principal halls
Follow the route from the mountain gate through Tongxian Bridge, the archways and principal halls, including the Jade Emperor Hall and Three Purities Hall. Allow 1.5-2 hours for a standard visit.
Tip:There are continuous stairs. Visitors with limited stamina should turn back from the middle section rather than starting the climb close to last entry.
4
Descend by the original route or an open exit route
After the upper viewpoints, leave at least 20-30 minutes for the downhill walk and exit.
Tip:Steps are more slippery after rain and harder to judge near dusk; footwear with good grip matters.
Highlights
- The Taoist complex rises with the hillside, making the visit a continuous uphill route.
- Tongxian Bridge, archways and halls create a clear central-axis sequence.
- Ancient cypresses, steles and Taoist architectural details offer worthwhile pauses.
- Upper viewpoints look toward Tianshui city when visibility is good.
Insider Tips
✦Stairs and gradient are the main physical demand, not long flat walking; wear non-slip flat shoes.
✦Winter last entry is 30 minutes earlier than summer, so shorten an afternoon route accordingly.
✦Complete the main halls first, then decide whether to continue uphill, so the descent is not rushed.
✦Some halls may restrict photography or access; follow on-site signs.
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
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
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