Self-driving from Guangzhou to Maijishan, Gansu

🚗 The first stop of the Qinghai-Gansu self-driving tour｜Tianshui Maijishan Grottoes, encounter the thousand-year-old smiling Buddha The self-driving trip starting from Tianshui in Qinghai and Gansu is absolutely amazing! The first stop is straight to the Maijishan Grottoes, this thousand-year-old Buddha kingdom hidden among the green mountains instantly healed my fatigue from the long drive～ 🌟 Highlights: The Maijishan Grottoes (open 8:30-17:30) are built on steep cliffs, with a spectacular 152-meter hanging plank road! Among the 194 existing caves, there are over 7,800 Buddha statues preserved from the Later Qin to the Qing Dynasty. Especially the "Eastern Smile" little novice monk statue—standing on the plank road, you can lock eyes with this smiling Buddha from a thousand years ago, an incredibly magical feeling! 📸 Photo spots: 1️⃣ Shoot the full panorama from the foot of the mountain, framing the grottoes and the green mountains together 2️⃣ The viewing platform at the plank road’s curve, where you can capture the most classic grotto group view 3️⃣ Close-up of the most exquisitely carved Cave No. 133 (additional ticket required) 💡 Useful tips: √ Morning visits are recommended for the best lighting; afternoons tend to have backlighting √ Not for those afraid of heights! Some plank roads have slopes close to 90 degrees √ The scenic area has professional guides who share many interesting historical stories 🍜 Nearby food: After descending, you can head to Maiji Town to try Tianshui guagua (buckwheat jelly) and dalu noodles; it’s just a 15-minute drive to the town’s food street～ Who says self-driving trips are only about the fatigue of rushing? At Maijishan, every corner brings a smile that spans a thousand years✨