[2025 Yongjing Attraction] Travel Guide for Bingling Cave-Temple (Updated Mar)

I drifted to sleep while the old boat was pushing lazily against the current; after more than an hour I was surrounded by a magical forest of stone, surreal spires piercing the clouds, as if trying to scratch the blue of the sky. Was this a dream? I got off the boat and started walking deeper into the canyon, huge yellow walls on both sides, and a drowning forest in the midst of the gorge. After a few hundred meters I saw him, a giant Buddha; it looked like it was tired and decided to sit, leaning against one of the walls of the canyons. He must have been very tired because he has been sitting like this for a few hundred years. Bingling Si is located where the silty waters of the Yellow River meet the clear mirror of the Lujiaxia reservoir. You can take a slow or a fast boat from the Lujiaxia dam to reach it. It’s an ancient place with numerous displays of Buddhist art, including a giant Buddha statue. #historicplaces

Travel with Trip.com Season 16 - Gansu-Qinghai-Ningxia Road Trip (19) World Heritage Site - Bingling Temple Grottoes Haidong, Qinghai - Huangnan - Linxia, Gansu Sep 14, 2023 Sunny to cloudy, 8-30°C, max altitude 2,300m. Today we bid farewell to Qinghai after 8 days of sightseeing and return to Gansu. The Yellow River, the mother river of the Chinese nation, meanders eastward through the northwest. To attract tourists and develop tourism, many places have claimed to be the "First Bend of the Yellow River". The place we stayed last night, Hualong County, also claims to be the "First Bend". We took off and filmed a section of the river at a suitable location along the way (Pic 1). The Yellow River here is even clearer than what we saw in Guide the day before yesterday. The Yellow River flows slowly here, as smooth as a mirror (Pic 2). We set off for Bingling Temple in Linxia Prefecture. We drove on a winding road for nearly 25 km, which was quite tiring, but we saw some nice scenery (Pic 3). We arrived at Bingling Temple in the afternoon. Bingling Temple Grottoes (World Heritage Site, 5A) (Pic 4) is located in Yongjing County. It was first built in the first year of Jianhong in the Western Qin Dynasty (420 AD), with a history of more than 1,600 years. On the steep red sandstone cliffs, which are 2 km long from north to south, the grottoes and niches are lined up, and the statues are well preserved and lifelike (Pic 5, Cave 70, Eleven-faced Avalokitesvara with Eight Arms). Niche 171 is the third largest Maitreya Buddha statue in Gansu (Pic 6). The relief pagodas and esoteric murals of Bingling Temple are as famous as the Mogao Grottoes and Maijishan Grottoes. Compared with other famous grottoes, it has a bay of clear water (downstream of Liujiaxia Reservoir, which has been turbid due to rain in the past two days), which adds to its aura; it has a cluster of peaks, which makes it more beautiful (Pic 7). The "Sister Peaks" at the entrance are one of the main symbols of Bingling Temple (Pic 8). We left Bingling Temple and passed by Lijiaxia Reservoir, where China's first million-kilowatt hydropower station was built, known as the "Blue Yellow River" (Pic 9). We arrived at our destination in the evening, a beautiful small town - Yongjing County. Tomorrow we will head to Gannan.

Called "China's Cool Capital" by CCTV, its scenery is even more beautiful than Gannan! |||Gansu’s summer is not only fun in Dunhuang and Gannan. Linxia, ​​which was rated as the "Cool Capital of China" by CCTV, is located in the northwest, but the average temperature in summer is only 22°C. It is a small place to escape the high temperature! 👇👇 Linxia, ​​Gansu Located in the south-central part of Gansu Province, it is located in the transition zone between the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Loess Plateau. It has a profound history and is known as the "Hehuang Hero Town". It has spectacular landforms and a long history of culture. If you have the opportunity to travel to Gannan, remember to include Linxia in your itinerary! : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

⛱️Must-see attractions: Bingling Temple Grottoes The Bingling Temple Grottoes were first built during the Sixteen Kingdoms period and continued to be built until the Tang Dynasty. The grottoes are located on a cliff face overlooking a small tributary of the Yellow River, and most of them are more than ten meters above the ground, so they have not been seriously damaged by theft. The construction of the Liujiaxia Reservoir has buried some of the caves underwater, but it has also raised the viewing platform to the best viewing point. "A mountain is famous if it has a fairy, and water is spiritual if it has a dragon." Here you will find the Yellow River Stone Forest and the Liujiaxia Reservoir, with both mountains and water, high mountains and deep water; here you will also find Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, sitting, standing, or lying, each in their own concentration; the Yellow River itself is a giant dragon, a hidden dragon in the abyss. It is a famous mountain and a beautiful water, with a lively spirit. After the tour, I am very happy! 🍜Food guide: Liu's Courtyard in Yongjing County, braised Yellow River carp. 🏨Accommodation guide: Gonghang Travel Yellow River Pearl Hotel 🚄Transportation guide: Self-drive 💗Other tips: The road from Yongjing County to Bingling Temple Grottoes is in good condition, with a winding mountain road that is fun to drive, and there are several mountain top viewing platforms along the way that are worth stopping to take a break and enjoy the view.

1.5 hours’ drive from Lanzhou, there is a beautiful and smart town - Yongjing, Gansu. In addition to the scenery of the Yellow River, it also has the world cultural heritage of Bingling Temple Grottoes, which is known as one of the five largest grottoes in China. ️ ✅The Bingling Temple Grottoes have a history of more than 1,000 years, and were excavated about 100 years earlier than the Mogao Grottoes. It is a must-pass place on the ancient Silk Road heading south to Tubo, and is also one of the earliest dated grottoes in China. ✅The excavation of the entire grottoes spanned a long period of time, starting from the Western Qin Dynasty, and going through the Northern Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, Song, Western Xia, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. It has been continuously expanded and repaired in various dynasties to reach its current scale. ✅Here you can see the Gandhara art of West Asia, the Mathura art of India, the Kucha art, the Northern Liang art, the Chang'an art and the Tibetan Buddhist art... ✅Bingling Stone Forest is very suitable for light hiking, the trail is flat, and there is no pressure for the elderly and children ✅The ticket is 50 yuan, and children are half price; there are also tickets for the ticket and the stone forest. We drove there by ourselves and the parking fee was 5 yuan; you can also take a speedboat from Liujiaxia to Bingling Temple Grottoes. The manual explanation is at the ticket gate, about 10 yuan per person. The tour guide is waiting for us in Cave No. 3. The whole explanation takes about 30 minutes.

The motherland is very big, and I have seen so many scenery, but I like this place only. The vastness of the Northwest makes me deeply love this land. It is the wind in Lanzhou, and the cry of Jincheng resounds across the Yellow River. I spent a day visiting here around Lanzhou. This is Yongjing, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. Hidden here is the Bingling Temple Grottoes, one of the six famous grottoes in China. Here is the "Huang-Tao Intersection" landscape that creates the unique Yellow River. It is located in the Danxia rock pillars with different shapes in the Danxia landform. The Bingling Temple Grottoes were excavated in the early Western Jin Dynasty and were first called Tangshu Grottoes. In the Tang Dynasty, it was called Longxing Temple, in the Song Dynasty, it was called Lingyan Temple, and in the Ming Dynasty, it was called Bingling Temple. The first Yellow River Grottoes on the Silk Road is a world cultural heritage. There are 183 cave niches in existence, and the artistic styles of different historical periods are known as the "Encyclopedia of Chinese Grottoes". It is really a treasure place. TipsBingling Temple Grottoes Strategy Guide 1. "Natural Buddha" of Tang Dynasty The iconic landscape of the Bingling Temple Grottoes, the stone clay sculpture Maitreya Buddha (Cave 171) carved on the mountain in the Tang Dynasty is an attraction that tourists cannot miss. The 27-meter-high Buddha has attracted the attention of countless tourists with its majesty and exquisite craftsmanship. 2. Main grotto groups Visit other major grotto groups in sequence, spanning multiple historical periods, showing the artistic styles and characteristics of different periods, and appreciate works of different styles such as stone sculptures from the Western Qin Dynasty, graceful statues from the Northern Wei Dynasty, and full and magnificent works from the Sui and Tang Dynasties. 3. Murals and stone carvings A large number of murals and stone carvings are preserved in the grottoes, showing the artistic styles and characteristics of different periods. The murals are rich in content, and the stone carvings are vivid with their exquisite skills. 4. Bingling Stone Forest The Danxia landform landscape, with thousands of peaks and ravines, is also an ideal place for hiking enthusiasts. It is a natural landscape that cannot be missed when visiting the grottoes. 5. The intersection of the Yellow River and Tao River When taking a boat from the Bingling Temple Grottoes, you can enjoy the spectacular scene of the intersection of the Yellow River and the Tao River. Where the two rivers meet, the water has distinct colors, forming a unique landscape.

Bingling Temple Grottoes Bingling Temple Grottoes is one of the three major grottoes in Gansu, alongside Mogao Grottoes and Maijishan Grottoes. It is renowned for its relief pagodas and esoteric Buddhist murals, which hold significant artistic value. Huang and Tao River Confluence The confluence of the Huang and Tao rivers creates a unique natural landscape. The distinct color difference between the two rivers is striking, with the Yellow River being muddy and the Tao River being clear, presenting a vivid contrast. Liujiaxia Viewing Platform Known as the 'Pearl of the Plateau Lake,' this spot attracts many tourists who come to enjoy the scenery. It has become a prominent tourist attraction in Yongjing County.

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Just under 2 hours' drive from Lanzhou, you can reach Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu Province. ❤Recommended Reasons: Stay here for a day, in the morning you can visit the confluence of the Yellow River and Daxia at Liujiaxia Reservoir, in the afternoon go to the Bingling Temple grottoes, enjoy a meal of hand-grabbed mutton in the evening, and then stroll along the riverside night scene to end this wonderful day, it's simply too blissful! 1️⃣Witness the magic of the Yellow River and Daxia confluence 🌟Highlights: When it comes to Liujiaxia, the first reaction is of course the hydropower station. Near the Liujiaxia Dam, there is a magical landscape where one river is clear and the other is muddy, one green and one yellow, forming a clear boundary line. From the viewing platform on Longhui Mountain, you can appreciate the magnificent confluence of the two rivers with a God's-eye view. This is the famous 'Yellow River and Daxia confluence', also known as 'Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl'. Because the Yellow River originates from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the vegetation coverage in its upper reaches is high, and soil erosion is relatively weak. Therefore, in this area, the Yellow River is calm and peaceful, with clear blue waters. During the Western Xia period, it was called 'White River'. As the river rushes eastward, when it passes through the Loess Plateau, the Daxia River, as its first tributary, brings in loess silt, and from then on, the Yellow River truly becomes the Yellow River. 2️⃣Visit Bingling Temple grottoes, older than Mogao Caves. 🌟Highlights: In the afternoon, head to the Bingling Temple grottoes located in the Yellow River Reservoir area. This is a treasure of beautiful grottoes on the banks of the Yellow River. Although it's not as popular as the Mogao Caves, it has a longer history of continuous excavation and is an important node in the cultural context of the Silk Road. It's best to have a guide lead the tour of this place, not only to learn about the excavation stories of Bingling Temple grottoes and the characteristics of different styles of grottoes but also to appreciate the essence of Buddhist artistic styles from different dynasties throughout history. The entire scenic area is visited clockwise along the mountain trail, and it is expected to take 1-2 hours. 3️⃣Taste the delicious Dongxiang hand-grabbed mutton. 🌟Highlights: In Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, the Dongxiang people are an ethnic minority. Historically, Dongxiang hand-grabbed has always been a representative dish of Linxia. 'If a guest comes and doesn't eat hand-grabbed, it's a wasted trip to Linxia,' so hand-grabbed mutton has almost become the representative of Linxia's food culture. Dongxiang hand-grabbed mutton selects top-quality lamb and is stewed with secret spices over low heat, greatly retaining the original freshness of the lamb, and it's not gamey at all. Paired with garlic and piyazi, the taste is absolutely amazing. I'm getting hungry just writing this, don't miss it when you come! 4️⃣Stay in Yongjing County to see the beautiful night scene. 🌟Highlights: Yongjing, meaning 'forever peaceful'. This place is one of the early birthplaces, dissemination areas, and ancient human habitation and reproduction sites of the Chinese nation's Yellow River ancient culture, and it is also an important hydropower energy base in the northwest. This small county town is quite nice, with clean cityscape and not noisy. After dinner, take a walk along the river, the breeze is comfortable and cool. From the bridge, the riverside night scene has a bit of a Victoria Harbour vibe. In summary, whether you are playing around Lanzhou or going to Gannan, you can make Linxia a stopover point, and you won't regret it!

🌿This is Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu, where the Yellow River and the Tao River meet. The colors of these two rivers are completely different, one is green and the other is yellow. Perhaps many people do not know that the green river is the Yellow River. This confluence is called Mandarin Duck Pot. 🧩The grottoes are hidden on the banks of the Yellow River on the Silk Road route in the great Northwest. Before seeing the grottoes, you will first see a large expanse of Bingling stone forest, which is a Danxia landform formed by the accumulation of Cretaceous red sandstone in the early Cenozoic era, nestled against the mountains and waters, and is stunningly beautiful. 🧩You can drive directly to Bingling Temple or take a speedboat. If driving, the mountain roads are difficult to navigate and the journey is relatively long, but you can control the sightseeing time yourself. If taking a speedboat, you drive to Liujiaxia to board the boat, and a 40-minute voyage allows you to immerse yourself in the Yellow River, see the famous Mandarin Duck Pot, and pass through the Yellow River Stone Forest, which is very worthwhile. The downside is that the sightseeing time is only one and a half hours before you have to leave on the original speedboat. 🧩The ticket for Bingling Temple Grottoes is 50 yuan, divided into ordinary and special grottoes, with the latter requiring an additional fee. There are 185 existing niches, 776 statues, and 912 square meters of murals. A careful visit takes at least three hours. 🧩In summary, Bingling Temple is definitely worth a visit when traveling in Gansu. ⛰️Place Name: Bingling Temple Yellow River Stone Forest 📍Address: Liujiaxia Dam, Yongjing County, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture 🚇Transportation: Self-drive or speedboat 🅿️Parking: 5 yuan/time

A public aviation travel Pearl of the Yellow River Garden Hotel carries the expectation of accommodation, and the independent large garden truly lives up to the name of the garden hotel. A large wetland lake view, RV self-driving tour base, barbecue camp, log cabins, children's outdoor playground, with complete hardware facilities, it's just the empty boardwalk that makes one feel lonely when walking on it. Exiting the hotel is a food street in the new district, with green belts and shops on both sides of the road, and parking lots set up in between. There is an entrance and exit every hundred meters, making it impossible to park randomly on the roadside. Such design is quite rare even in the capital city, which is very admirable. Tai Chi Island, I never really saw its true face, but the park is filled with dazzling colors of large marigolds and sage, and you can scan a code to ride a bike anywhere. As a leisurely urban central park, this area is considered luxurious and precious. Visiting Luojia Cave Temple, suddenly dark clouds loomed, and a storm came swiftly. The red cliffs and Danxia under the muddy Yellow River were dazzling. It was like the legend of the Shengle Vajra dual-body statue, with a bit of joy and a bit of sorrow. But in just a moment, the rain dispersed, the clouds vanished, and the blue sky reappeared. The hanging temples of Luojia Cave Temple, the cypresses hiding the rocks, climbing the steps, the white pagodas and flags, the scent of butter, vaguely reminded me of those days in Tibet. A Gelug sect Tibetan Buddhist temple, under the jurisdiction of Labrang Monastery. The boardwalks on both sides were closed and could not be passed through. The caves on those red cliffs were once the refuge for the people and also the place of asceticism for monks. I found a legend about Luojia Cave, where a monk in practice fell in love with a village girl, and both became Buddhas. That is the story of the dual cultivation flesh statue in the temple. Because of love, they became Buddhas. The dual cultivation of blessings and wisdom in Tibetan Buddhism is perhaps more secular, making it easier to teach the people. Red cliffs and hanging temples, under the blue sky, there is a breathtakingly beautiful perspective. Standing on the mountainside overlooking Yongjing County, surrounded by mountains, the Yellow River flows past, nourishing and nurturing the pearl of the small town. In the city, the famous Wensheng hand-grabbed Yellow River carp, fermented bean curd, and yogurt are also excellent. Walking at night in the bustling center of the old city. A lively market starts, with strong barbecue smells, warm barley porridge, a cup of sweet roasted milk tea, wandering the streets of a foreign land, yet feeling exceptionally warm and affectionate. Bingling Temple's one-day mountain trail winds, Sister Stone Peaks, the waterborne Buddha land, there is no more beautiful grotto scenic area than this. The confluence of the Huang and Tao rivers, the boundary between green and yellow in the Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl, speedboats and tour boats stir up the white waves. Liujiagou Bridge, winding up to the viewing platform, the deep blue, the clear green, so the Yellow River can have such colors. Fortunate to have chosen Yongjing, all the beautiful scenes, none missed.

Bingling Temple was originally called "Tangshu Cave", which means "ghost cave" in Qiang language. Later it was called "Longxing Temple" and "Lingyan Temple". After the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty, the temple was named "Bingling Temple" or "Bingling Temple" after the transliteration of the Tibetan word "Ten Thousand Buddhas". Bingling Temple is characterized by stone sculptures, relief pagodas and Tantric murals. It is known as one of the three major grottoes in Gansu along with Mogao Grottoes and Maijishan Grottoes. Bingling Temple is located in Xiaojishi Mountain, 35 kilometers southwest of Yongjing County, Linxia. Depart from Lanzhou West Bus Station and take the bus to Yongjing. The first bus starts selling tickets at 7am, with a fare of around 20 yuan. Bingling Temple Grottoes is divided into the upper and lower temples, with a total ticket price of 50 yuan. The distance between the upper and lower temples is 5 kilometers. You need to take a sightseeing bus, and the ticket price is 20. #JuneGoodPlace2024#Bingling Temple Grottoes #Gansu

In Gansu Province of Northwest China, there lies a magnificent land where nature and culture intertwine—Yongjing, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture. Not only does it boast the spectacular Liujiaxia Reservoir and the Danxia landforms, but it also harbors a wealth of historical and cultural relics, making it an ideal choice for travelers to explore the unknown and embrace nature. Must-visit attractions: The marvel of Danxia and the fusion of water hues • Liujiaxia Reservoir: As the first large-scale hydropower station on the upper reaches of the Yellow River, Liujiaxia Reservoir is not only a miracle of Chinese hydraulic engineering, but its vast expanse of blue waves and the surrounding rolling mountains also form a breathtaking landscape painting. Taking a boat ride on the lake, one can get a close view of the 'Yellow River Stone Forest' and experience the awe-inspiring beauty of 'high gorges leading to a vast lake.' • Bingling Temple Grottoes: Located upstream of the Liujiaxia Reservoir, this millennium-old temple is hidden between cliffs and boasts exquisite grotto sculptures from the Northern Wei to the Ming and Qing dynasties, hailed as a 'treasury of Eastern sculpture art.' Wandering through it is like traveling through time, conversing with history. Detailed Address • Liujiaxia Reservoir: Within the territory of Yongjing County, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province • Bingling Temple Grottoes: In the Xiaojishi Mountains about 50 kilometers southwest of Yongjing County, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province Transportation Tips • Getting to Yongjing: You can first fly to Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport, then take a long-distance bus or rent a car to Yongjing, which takes about 2 hours. • Internal Transportation: It is recommended to rent a car or hire a car service locally for more flexible exploration of the attractions. To visit Bingling Temple Grottoes, you need to take a boat from the Liujiaxia Reservoir dock. Food Recommendations • Hand-grabbed Lamb: How can you not try the authentic hand-grabbed lamb when in the Northwest? The meat is tender and flavorful, served with garlic paste and pepper salt, each bite is a supreme temptation for the taste buds. • Beef Noodles: A Gansu specialty, a steaming bowl of beef noodles with chewy noodles and a rich broth, is a warm comfort during the journey. Recommended Nearby Attractions • Taiji Island: Located on the south bank of the Liujiaxia Reservoir, named for its resemblance to the Taiji symbol. The island is shaded with green trees and fragrant with flowers, making it a great place for cycling, walking, and getting close to nature. • Yellow River Gorges: Including Bingling Gorge, Liujiaxia, and Yanguoxia, each gorge has its unique scenery. Taking a boat tour, you can enjoy the magnificent views of the Yellow River canyons all at once. Yongjing, this land nourished by the Yellow River, tells its millennia-old stories in its unique way. Whether it's the fantastical colors of the Danxia landforms or the profound cultural heritage of the Yellow River, they all inspire longing and are unforgettable. A visit here is sure to be a journey of harmonious resonance between the soul and nature.

As a grotto enthusiast, I have long been fascinated by the Bingling Temple Grottoes, which are among the earlier grottoes carved in China and are famous in Gansu Province. The difficulty of access had always been a concern, as online guides suggested that one must take a boat trip via the Liujiaxia Reservoir, with infrequent boat schedules that limit the actual visiting time of the grottoes, potentially missing out on special caves. If one were to travel by land, the mountain roads are said to be very inconvenient, so I had never made the trip. Finally, I saw a one-day land route itinerary on a platform, allowing for a round trip from Lanzhou within a day. Thinking it would be worth the effort, I immediately signed up to fulfill my wish. In the morning, we boarded the bus near the Gansu Museum, and in just over two hours, we arrived at the Bingling Temple Grottoes. The journey was very smooth, and upon asking the driver, I learned that the roads had been well-built for four or five years. It seems that the information on several travel platforms is not comprehensive enough, and it would be better to search on that particular platform for more accurate details. The Bingling Temple Grottoes are located on the west cliff of Dasigou in Jishi Mountain, Yongjing County, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. Before the Western Han Dynasty, this area was inhabited by the Qiang people, and before the Northern Wei Dynasty, it was known as 'Tangshu Cave,' with 'Tangshu' being a transliteration of the Qiang language for 'ghost cave.' After the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, it was named Bingling Temple, with 'Bingling' being a simplification of the Tibetan 'Xianba Bingling,' meaning 'thousand Buddhas' and 'Maitreya Buddha continent of ten thousand Buddhas.' According to historical records, the excavation of the Bingling Temple Grottoes dates back to the Tai Shi era of the Jin Dynasty (265 AD). Since then, the grottoes have been continuously carved, constructed, repaired, and expanded, especially during the Tibetan Empire period and the long-term operation of Tibetan Buddhism, gradually increasing in scale and forming a famous grotto temple with both Tibetan and Han styles, second only to the Mogao Caves. The Western Qin, Northern Wei, Tang Dynasty, and Ming Dynasty were the four most prosperous periods of Buddhism in the history of Bingling Temple. The grottoes from the Western Qin period mainly include caves 169, 192, and 195, with the Buddhist art style of the Western Regions clearly reflected in the statues of this period. The Northern Wei period's grottoes are mainly represented by caves 126, 128, 132, etc., fully reflecting the Central Plains Buddhist art style of slender necks and clear bones, and wide clothing with broad belts. The statues from the Northern Zhou to the Sui Dynasty evolved from the Northern Wei style of slender necks and clear bones to a style of full-bodied and upright beauty. Most statues from this period are proportionate, plump, and graceful in movement, with a solid sense of form. During the Tang Dynasty and the Tibetan Empire, due to the prosperity of Buddhism, a new wave of statue creation arose, and the Bingling Temple Grottoes entered their second major period of excavation. The statues from this period focus on the rhythm of the figures' movements, with body shapes and postures tending towards natural beauty. The famous Maitreya Buddha statue in niche 171, carved into the mountain, is 27 meters tall and was originally made of clay on a stone base. Although the clay part has long been destroyed, it still retains the Tang Dynasty features of a full and kind face with proportionate features. Around the Yuan and Ming dynasties, Tibetan Buddhism was introduced to Bingling Temple, and a large amount of renovation and repainting was done on the existing caves, leaving a situation where the Buddhist art of Han Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism coexist in the same cave. The Bingling Temple Grottoes have four levels, with 183 niches, 694 stone statues, 82 clay sculptures, and about 900 square meters of murals, distributed along a 200-meter-long and 60-meter-high cliff on the west bank of Dasigou. Although the number is not large, the content is rich. Walking along the west bank, the individual scale of the cliffside grottoes is small, and one cannot enter to visit but can only appreciate from the outside. With the guidance and explanations of the tour guide, the overall viewing experience is good. Moving forward, there are many small cliff carvings on the cliff walls, which are also exquisite. At the end of the west bank are the famous Tang Dynasty Great Buddha of cave 171 and the two special caves above it, caves 169 and 172. Cave 169 is the largest, earliest, and richest in content of the Bingling Temple Grottoes, and is the essence of the grottoes. It is more than 50 meters above the ground, originally a natural cave, 26.75 meters wide, 15 meters high, and 19 meters deep. The cave is very spacious, with 24 existing niches, with niches 6 and 7 being the most representative. Niche 6 is located on the north wall of the cave, with a Buddha and two Bodhisattvas sculpted inside, with inscriptions of Amitabha Buddha, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva. The Buddha's image is lively, with rich expressions and natural, flowing lines of the robes, full of dynamism. The circular halo behind the Buddha is painted with flame patterns, and the interior of the halo is painted with musicians, five on each side. Above Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, Buddhas from all directions are painted, in two rows. The cave also contains the earliest existing inscription from the Western Qin period, 'Jian Hong Yuan Year,' which has high historical value. Crossing the bridge to the east bank, the Nirvana statue in Northern Wei cave 16 is also wonderful. The Buddha statue has been relocated, removing the original Tang and Ming dynasty re-sculpted layers, and restored to its original Northern Wei appearance, which is quite an achievement. Gansu's famous grottoes are mostly managed by the Dunhuang Academy, and personally, I feel that the Bingling Temple Grottoes offer one of the best visiting experiences. A fifty yuan ticket allows you to visit all the ordinary caves, and the tour guide is patient and meticulous. The special caves 169+172 cost 300 yuan, which is great value for money. Although it requires climbing a steep wooden ladder 50 meters high, it is still worth the effort. However, when we visited during the off-season, there were hardly any people, and we could go up and down at will. If it were the peak season, there might be restrictions, as the wooden ladder can only accommodate one person at a time, and the number of people allowed in the caves is also limited, which would affect the visiting experience. Another special cave is Northern Wei cave 3, with prices ranging from 60 to 90 yuan, which is also very exciting. Bingling Temple is located in Jishi Mountain, Yongjing County, and is home to the famous Bingling Danxia. The cliffs on both sides are spectacular, with the Yellow River winding through, reflecting each other beautifully. While visiting the grottoes and enjoying the scenery, one can also take a boat to Linxia Geological Park to see the magnificent Danxia landforms and the vast blue waves of the Liujiaxia Reservoir.

One-day trip around Lanzhou's "Little Erhai"! You heard me right. Falling in love with the city of Lanzhou seems to be a surprise during the trip, like discovering a treasure and wishing I could share it with all my friends. I have been to Lanzhou twice this year and found that not only is there the Yellow River and the Gobi Desert, there is also the Xiangyang Wharf known as the "Little Erhai" around Lanzhou. This is the sea that belongs to Lanzhou. Pretending to be at the beach, enjoying the sunshine and everything in front of you, is a haven for everyone to escape from the city. Here you can enjoy various interesting activities and have fun all day long. The breeze on the lake is just right, and the happiness never stops. Address: Xiangyang Wharf, Liujiaxia, Yongjing County, Linxia Transportation: Start by driving from downtown Lanzhou and navigate to Xiangyang Pier, which can be reached in about 2 hours. Parking: Free parking lot near the pier, you can also park in the parking lot of nearby villagers' farmhouse, which costs about 10 yuan. Tickets: free √Amway entertainment items at Xiangyang Wharf: 1 sailing boat/catamaran sailing boat Recommended: Elegant, comfortable, stable and comfortable, relaxing Sailing is also called sea golf. There are two kinds of sailing boats to choose from. Whether you are alone or with friends and family, you can enjoy it. Sailing on the lake is really comfortable with the rolling waves, the cool breeze blowing on your face, and if the weather is good, you can also encounter the beautiful moment of the sunset sparkling on the lake. 2 kayaks Recommendation: paddle on the blue lake, look at the sky, and feel the freedom Kayaking makes me relax and have fun. It is not difficult and suitable for all kinds of people. You can see the scenery you have never seen from a different angle. You can also kayak to Bingling Lake and enjoy the scenery of the lake and mountains slowly without crowds. 3 paddle boards Recommendation: Stand on the tide and ride the waves If you like a slightly challenging and fun project, paddleboarding is a good choice. The technical threshold is low and you can quickly learn it. It is a super cool water sport. You can experience the fun of paddling on various water surfaces and feel the sliding water slowly moving forward. There are also motor boats, beach volleyball, Frisbee, and water gun fights. You can enjoy speedboats, electric hydroplanes, off-road go-kart paddling and other activities Outdoor camping site camping barbecue BBQ Watching the sunset is so beautiful. When night falls, I treat myself to a sumptuous BBQ with my friends and family. Food brings us closer. We play music and chat with each other. This scene is like the atmosphere of a movie② Bonfire fireworks Light a bonfire, sit around the stove, put a bouquet of fireworks in the sky, and enjoy the joy of spending a wonderful holiday together. Remember to bring sunscreen and mosquito repellent, wear sun-protective clothing and be prepared for sun protection, and bring a change of clothes for water sports. There are showers in the scenic area. The nearby attractions are very close. You can take a boat to Bingling Danxia Geopark and Bingling Temple from Xiangyang Pier! It takes 40 minutes to drive from Yongjing County to Xiangyang Pier to experience the water play facilities. After that, you can take a boat for about 25 minutes to reach Bingling Danxia National Geological Park, or you can also take a boat for about 30 minutes to reach the Bingling Temple Grottoes.

Bingling Temple was originally called 'Tangshu Temple', which means 'ghost cave' in Qiang language. It was later known as Longxing Temple and Lingyan Temple. After the Ming Yongle years, it was named 'Bingling Temple' or 'Bingling Temple' based on the transliteration of the Tibetan word for 'one hundred thousand Buddhas'. The grottoes are divided into three parts: the upper temple, the cave valley, and the lower temple, distributed on the red sandstone on both sides of the Dasi Valley. The caves are stacked layer upon layer, with winding paths spiraling upwards. Bingling Temple Grottoes were founded during the Sixteen Kingdoms period and have a history of more than 1,600 years. They are a national key cultural relics protection unit. On June 22, 2014, at the 38th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Doha, Qatar, the Bingling Temple Grottoes were successfully inscribed on the 'World Heritage List' as part of the 'Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor', a joint application by China, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. The grottoes mainly consist of three parts: the lower temple area, the upper temple area, and the cave valley area. There are currently 216 existing niches, more than 800 statues of various types, over 1,000 square meters of murals in both Tibetan and Han styles, 56 stupas, and 438 collections. Inside the cave, there is an ink inscription from the first year of the Western Qin Dynasty's Jianhong era (i.e., 420 AD), which is the earliest dated inscription for image-making in China to date, providing an important benchmark for the chronological division of early grottoes.

Transportation Bingling Temple Grottoes are located in Linxia, but it's completely feasible to do a round trip from Lanzhou in one day, and it can also be included in the Gannan travel route. There are two ways to get there: one is by land, driving from Lanzhou takes about two and a half hours, with many winding mountain roads, all paved, but still tiring to drive; the other is to take a boat from Liujiaxia Pier and go by water, which is faster, but since you need to return on the same boat, the visiting time is limited. If you're not looking at the special caves, the water route is fine. Tickets You must buy a basic ticket for Bingling Temple Grottoes, which allows you to see the ordinary caves, priced at 50 yuan. Tickets for the special caves are sold separately, with the most famous caves 169 and 172 bundled at a price of 300 yuan. For the ordinary cave explanation, no matter how many people are in the group, it's only 50 yuan. If you buy a ticket for the special caves, it comes with a guide for those caves. When I went, the guide for the ordinary caves sounded like an emotionless recitation machine, but was very serious and detailed when explaining cave 169, so the guiding experience depends entirely on the guide's mood and state. It's recommended to watch a documentary about the grottoes in advance to understand the background knowledge, otherwise, even if the guide explains, it's hard to understand. Tour Route The route through Bingling Temple Grottoes is quite simple. After entering, you first see the Yellow River Danxia at p2, and after checking tickets, you walk a short distance to see the ordinary caves one after another (p7-p15). Continue walking to the big Buddha (p5), where you can go up to the special caves 169 and 172, the stairs look very steep (p16), but it's not too difficult to climb slowly. After seeing the big Buddha, you can cross the bridge to a small room to see the reclining Buddha (p6), and then the tour is over. So the main grottoes are all in the first half, and you can take your time to look carefully. I spent a total of more than 2 hours there (including the special cave 169). Most of the caves in Bingling Temple are not covered by iron nets, so the visual experience is better. Bingling Temple Cultural and Creative Bingling Temple Grottoes are now managed by the Dunhuang Academy, and perhaps drawing on the successful experience of the Mogao Grottoes, the cultural and creative products of Bingling Temple Grottoes are very attractive, but there are few types, and many are from the Mogao Grottoes placed here for sale. On the way to the ticket checkpoint after entering, you can see them. There are also vending machines selling cultural and creative products in the scenic area, but they are more expensive than in the store, so it's better to buy them in the store. Liu Jiaxia Checkpoint Bingling Temple Grottoes are close to the Liujiaxia Reservoir, so if you have enough time, you can also check out the Liujiaxia Huangtao Confluence Viewing Platform (p18), where the muddy river is the Tao River, and the clear one is the Yellow River, the confluence of the two rivers is quite magical. Additionally, Wei Jiapo next to Liujiaxia can also be a stopover point, known as the 'Little Erhai', but I haven't been there, so I won't elaborate. Food: You must try the authentic Yellow River carp near the Liujiaxia Reservoir, as well as the local pot. Personal tips: For friends who are not interested in religious beliefs, there's no need to go, and it might be better to just go to the Liujiaxia Reservoir. I joined a tour group on Ctrip, and a Buick business car just took me and two other girls, the driver took us around for a spin, it was really super cost-effective (this depends on luck, normally they would fill the car).

#chinatrip The Bingling Temple is a series of grottoes filled with Buddhist sculpture carved into natural caves and caverns in a canyon along the Yellow River. It lies just north of where the Yellow River empties into the Liujiaxia Reservoir. It is a great display of culture migration and appreciation in older times. Very old artifacts of Buddhism embeded in nice mountain caves. Huge sitting and large lying Buddha. You have to go there from Lanzhou via bus and finaly on the yellow river by boat. Takes about 2.5 hours each way but worth to see.

A severely underestimated small city on the Yellow River, recommended to everyone!!! Just a 1.5H drive from Lanzhou, there lies a small city with both beauty and brains—Gansu Yongjing. It boasts thousands of miles of lake scenery from the Yellow River and Liujiaxia Reservoir, as well as various cultural landscapes such as grottoes and ancient temples. Just one visit will leave you deeply shocked and regretting not coming sooner!!! Yongjing has a very comfortable climate, with temperatures only in the 20s during the early morning and late evening of the hot summer, and a cool breeze even in the shade during the day. 🗺Transportation ✈Plane: Fly to Lanzhou then take a bus or rent a car to Yongjing 🚗Self-driving: 1.5H from Lanzhou, all asphalt road surface🛣 🈶Tour Route 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝟏: Lanzhou➠Dinosaur National Geopark➠Liujiaxia Dam➠Liujiaxia Bridge➠Benzigou Viewing Platform➠Yellow River Flower Embankment (Tulip Park)➠Stay in Yongjing County 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝟐: Yongjing➠Qinghuang Confluence Viewing Platform (Jingwei Distinct Viewing Point)➠Bingling Temple Grottoes➠Luojia Cave Temple➠Return trip ✅✅✅✅Must-visit Checkpoints 1⃣ Bingling Temple Grottoes World Cultural Heritage, one of China's five major grottoes. The cliffs retain stone carvings and murals from the Northern Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties, majestic and spectacular. The most shocking are the Maitreya Buddha statues over 20 meters high and the mysterious special caves, especially recommended are caves No. 169 and No. 172, which are grand in scale and rich in content, with a large number of exquisitely unique statues and murals, and are also the earliest dated grottoes in China (⚠No photography allowed in special caves‼) General ticket: 50 yuan (⚠Special cave prices vary) 2⃣ Liujiaxia Reservoir The Yellow River is cut off by a dam as tall as a 50-story building, forming a spectacular high gorge and flat lake. The lake water is blue and clear, calm and waveless, and can be called Gansu's Erhai Lake. You can take a boat to tour the beautiful scenery. Ticket: Free 3⃣ Dinosaur National Geopark A museum mainly featuring dinosaur elements, displaying many dinosaur skeletons and footprints. Ticket: Free 4⃣ Yellow River Demarcation Line The muddy grey-yellow Tao River and the clear blue Yellow River meet at the edge of Yongjing city, forming a clear and distinct Jingwei spectacle. The Yellow River also becomes the true "Yellow" River here!! 5⃣ Yellow River Flower Embankment Located in the county's sea of flowers park, in July/August, the verbena blooms, turning the sea of flowers into a summer 💐, just like the lavender fields of Provence. Super photogenic!! Ticket: Free 6⃣ Luojia Cave Temple An ancient Ming dynasty temple built on a cliff, with halls hanging in the air and beautifully carved beams and painted rafters, and many exquisite Buddha statues and murals inside the cave. Ticket: Free 7⃣ Yellow River Gorges The rushing Yellow River is flanked by the uniquely shaped loess stone forest peaks on both sides, like a spectacular scroll! 🏠Accommodation | Yongjing Yellow River Pearl Hotel ✔Business hotel prices, five-star hotel experience ✔Convenient parking 🍛【Food Recommendations】 🎈Halal Wen Sheng Hand-Grabbed King: A local restaurant often frequented by locals, with good hand-grabbed lamb and braised loofah!! 🎈Zuhaier Copper Pot Shabu: The lamb rolls and highland barley cakes are delicious.

❤Recommended reason: The landscape of Bingling Danxia Stone Forest in Linxia Geological Park is unique. As early as the Tang Dynasty, it was praised by the famous general Li Jing as 'the first wonder of the world'.

Winter tour in Gansu: Bingling Temple Grottoes, Huangtao Confluence, Luojia Cave Temple The destination planted by watching 'Clang Clang World', located in Yongjing County, Linxia Autonomous Prefecture, is not very convenient for transportation. I joined a small group of 5 people, a seven-seater Buick business, providing door-to-door pick-up service. The driver gave each person a Chinese knot auspicious gourd, an outdoor headscarf, a rock sugar heart apple, a persimmon, the fruit in Gansu is really delicious. On the way, I saw the sea of clouds and snow-capped mountains and took pictures. The first stop is the Tibetan temple Luojia Cave Temple. The temple is not big. What's special is that there is a Danxia landform behind the temple. There is a super big jujube tree nearby. The driver climbed the jujube tree skillfully, shook the jujube tree, and the jujube tree fell to the ground with a crackle, and the jujube was super sweet. The second stop is Bingling Temple Grottoes. Five people lined up for ticket inspection. The driver invited a general cave guide who explained very well. Listen to the explanation and visit at the same time, full of gains. The end is to eat a self-funded lunch at Liujiagou, the local specialty Hezhou old stir-fry, super delicious, and the jujube tea is also very good. The third stop is Huangtao Confluence, where the Yellow River and Tao River meet. End, return to Lanzhou, the driver sends us back to the hotel in order. There are a lot of food downstairs in the hotel, tried the Lanzhou local people's night snack: sheep's head, spicy sheep's hoof, lamb miscellaneous bread, sweet embryo milk tea, Gansu trip is destined to be fat. If you drive by yourself, you can also go to the Eight Squares and Thirteen Lanes in Linxia on the way

The Bingling Temple Grottoes are located on the west side of the Dasigou Ditch of Jishishan, about forty kilometers southwest of Yongjing County, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, China. The first year of the Western Jin Dynasty (about the third century AD) was excavated in the Dasigou on the north bank of the Yellow River. Above the cliff, it was formally established in the first year of the Western Qin Dynasty (420 years), with four floors. The earliest known as the Tang Dynasty Grottoes, is the meaning of the proverbial "ghost cave". The Tang Dynasty called Longxing Temple, the Song Dynasty called Lingyan Temple, the Ming Dynasty Yongle years later called Bingling Temple, "Bingling" for Tibetan "Sinba" The simplification of Bing Ling is the meaning of Thousand Buddhas and 100,000 Maitreyas. There are 183 holes in the cave. The total number of stone sculptures is 694, the clay sculpture is 82, and the murals are about 900 square meters. It is distributed on the west bank of the Dasigou, about 200 meters long and 60 meters high. The grottoes are dominated by the Big Buddha (the 169 Grotto) in the Tang Dynasty at the height of the cliff and the numerous small and medium-sized caves in the middle of the cliff face.