This is not a mountain, but a suspended "Oriental Sculpture Gallery"

The Buddha's smile on the cliff: The ultimate travel guide to Maijishan Grottoes in Tianshui As a travel blogger always on the road, I have seen many famous mountains and rivers, but there is one mountain that has left an indelible mark on my heart with its unique shape and breathtaking art—that is Maijishan in Tianshui, Gansu. Unlike other peaks known for their steepness or beauty, this is a solitary peak "covered" with Buddha statues. From afar, it looks like a huge wheat stack; up close, on the sheer cliffs, honeycomb-like caves and sky-high plank roads carry over 1,600 years of Buddhist art treasures. If you are interested in history, art, or pure wonders, Maijishan is definitely one of the must-visit places in your lifetime. 1. Why Maijishan? — Three Highlights to Preview 1. "Oriental Sculpture Gallery" This is a paradise for clay sculptures! Unlike the murals of Dunhuang Mogao Caves or the stone carvings of Longmen and Yungang, Maijishan Grottoes are famous worldwide for their exquisite clay sculptures. From the heavy and ancient style of the Later Qin, to the "elegant bones and clear images" of the Northern Wei, then to the full and rounded forms of the Sui and Tang dynasties, and the realistic depictions of the Song dynasty, you can almost see the evolution of Chinese sculptural art here. Especially the small novice monk known as the "Oriental Smile," whose slightly shy smile crossing a thousand years can melt any traveler’s heart. 2. The breathtaking wonder of the cliffside Buddha kingdom Imagine hundreds of caves carved into vertical cliffs, connected by plank roads suspended in midair. This architecture itself is a great miracle. Walking on the trembling plank roads, with an abyss beneath your feet and a thousand-year-old Buddha kingdom before your eyes, the mix of awe and shock is something no photo can convey. 3. The unique "thin clay sculpture" technique This is Maijishan’s secret skill! Craftsmen use thin layers of clay on murals to highlight faces, arms, and other parts, creating a strong three-dimensional effect, as if the deities are about to step down from the walls. This ingenious technique makes one marvel at the wisdom of the ancients. 2. Pre-trip Must-Reads: Tips and Guide · Best travel time: Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October). The weather is cool, the mountains are lush green or covered in colorful foliage, making the scenery most beautiful. Summer is rainy, and winter offers the misty charm of "Maijishan in smoke and rain," which is uniquely enchanting. · Location: Maiji District, Tianshui City, Gansu Province, about 30 kilometers from downtown Tianshui. · How to get there: · Train/High-speed rail: Tianshui has both train and high-speed rail stations (Tianshui South Station). From there, take bus No. 34 directly to Maijishan Scenic Area, very convenient. · Airplane: Fly to Xi’an or Lanzhou, then transfer to high-speed rail to Tianshui. · Ticket information: · Peak season (April 1 - October 31): 90 RMB per person · Off-season (November 1 - March 31): 70 RMB per person · Sightseeing bus: There is still some distance from the scenic area entrance to the mountain foot; it is recommended to take the sightseeing bus (round trip 15 RMB) to save energy. · Opening hours: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM (may be extended in peak season) 3. Core Experience: How to Explore Maijishan 1. Cave visiting routes: The scenic area is divided into East Cliff and West Cliff, connected by plank roads. · West Cliff: Has the most caves, including the famous Cave 133 (Ten Thousand Buddhas Cave) and Cave 135 (Heaven Cave). The Ten Thousand Buddhas Cave contains many exquisite statues and is the essence of Maijishan. · East Cliff: The most famous is Cave 13, a cliff-carved giant Buddha (one Buddha and two Bodhisattvas), a landmark of Maijishan. Cave 4 (Scattered Flower Tower) is at the highest point of the East Cliff with excellent views. · Special caves: Maijishan has several special caves that require extra fees and must be visited with a guide (such as Caves 133, 135, 127, etc.), costing several hundred RMB. If you are a deep art lover, it is highly recommended to choose 1-2 special caves; it is definitely worth it. 2. Recommended photo spots: · Panorama: After getting off the sightseeing bus, on the way to the mountain foot, there is a viewing platform that is an excellent spot to capture the full view of Maijishan and the plank road wonder. · Close-up: On the platform in front of the East Cliff Buddha, you can take classic photos with the giant Buddha in the foreground and the plank road and distant mountains as the background. · Details: Bring a telephoto lens to capture the smiles and expressions hidden deep inside the caves. (Note: Photography inside the caves is strictly prohibited; we should take photos of the external architecture and natural environment while protecting the cultural relics.) 3. Nearby attractions: · Xianren Cliff: Not far from Maijishan, also a Danxia landform, known as "Little Maiji," combining mountains, water, and cave temples in a very tranquil setting. · Pure Land Temple: Located within the Xianren Cliff scenic area, it is a popular and peaceful place of worship. · Tianshui City: Don’t forget to try Tianshui’s local specialties like Guagua, Niangpi (fermented cold noodles), and Jiangshui noodles to experience authentic Longshan flavors. 4. Blogger’s personal experience and advice · About guides: Be sure to hire a guide or rent an audio guide! Otherwise, you will only see silent Buddha statues without knowing the stories spanning thousands of years behind them. The cost is reasonable, but the experience is vastly different. · About stamina: The whole route involves climbing plank roads, which can be tough on the knees. Please wear comfortable sports shoes and travel light. · About fear of heights: The plank roads are indeed high and steep, but the railings are sturdy. Most people can overcome their fear by not looking down deliberately. Focusing on the Buddha statues greatly reduces the fear. · Best visiting order: It is recommended to take the sightseeing bus to the mountain foot first -> visit Ruiying Temple -> ascend from either the East or West Cliff and make a loop to avoid backtracking. 5. Practical information summary · Accommodation: It is recommended to stay in downtown Tianshui for more convenient dining and transportation. · Food: Besides the mentioned dishes, Tianshui’s hot pot and Eight Big Bowls are also worth trying. · In a nutshell: Maijishan is a dialogue with millennia-old art, a test of courage and patience, and above all, a journey to cleanse the soul.