Maijishan Grottoes

天水市摩崖石窟文化旅游区

Gansu, Tianshui·36.0535°N, 103.9921°E

Ticket Price

CNY 80 (peak season), CNY 40 (off-season)

Duration

1.5 hours

About Maijishan Grottoes

Explore stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and cavernous chambers in this natural cave and grotto complex in Gansu.

Highlights

• One of China's four great Buddhist grotto complexes, with 194 caves carved into a cliff. • Over 7,000 clay sculptures and murals spanning 1,500 years. • Scenic forested mountain setting.

Suggested Route

Buy tickets, take the shuttle to the mountain base, ascend the cliff walkways to view caves, then descend via the east side; allow 3-4 h.

Food & Lodging

Snack area at the entrance; Tianshui city (about 45 km) has hotels and halal restaurants.

Facilities

Parking, shuttle bus, restrooms, audio guide, and a museum; steep walkways limit wheelchair access.

Travel Tips

Dress modestly. Be quiet inside temple halls. Do not point at Buddha statues. Incense is available on-site.

📅 Best Time & Crowds

Best season: May-October

🏮Golden Week alert: May 1-5 and Oct 1-7 are China's biggest travel peaks — top attractions sell out days ahead. Book tickets the moment they open.

⏰Many museums and palaces close on Mondays (e.g. Forbidden City, National Museum). Plan around it.

Location

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💱

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Tickets & experiences

Buying tickets as a foreign visitor

• Most 5A/4A sites require real-name registration — bring your passport.

• Tickets often must be booked in advance online — peak season & holidays sell out quickly.

• Some remote or border-area sites have entry restrictions for foreign visitors — check before you travel.

External booking links. Prices may vary.

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Opening Hours

06:00-18:00 (summer), 07:00-17:00 (winter)

Getting There

Maiji Town, Maiji District, Tianshui (~35 km SE of city). Nearest HSR: Tianshui South Railway Station (bus 60 ~1 hr, or taxi ~40 min/80 yuan); nearest airport: Tianshui Maijishan Airport (~30 km). Bus 34 from Tianshui Station.

Reservation

Advance timed reservation required in peak season via official WeChat 'Maijishan Tourism' (book 3–7 days ahead); real-name.

Ticket Price

CNY 80 (≈ $11) (peak season), CNY 40 (≈ $5.6) (off-season)

📍 中文地址 / Chinese Address

天水市摩崖石窟文化旅游区

36.0535, 103.9921

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Tip: Google Maps may be inaccurate in China — use Amap for navigation.