Archive for the ‘Gansu Travel’ Category

How to Visit Maijishan Grottoes from Xi’an by Train

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022
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Dear Travelers

We’d like to have the following travel guide to be always updated for the benefit of new visitors coming to Tianshui from Xi’an. If anybody having used the piece finds necessary updates, please leave a message or feedback. Thanks!

If  you are in the process of planning your Xian tour, you may consider making a day trip to Maijishan Grottoes in Tianshui, oft-lauded as one of the four most famous ancient Buddhist grottoes in China. The other three grottoes are Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, Yungang Caves in Datong and Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang.

Take train from Xi’an to Tianshui City

The Maijishan Grottoes Scenic Area is located 30 km south of Maiji District (麦积区) of Tianshui City (天水市). As an individual traveler, a good option for you to go to Maijishan Grottoes from Xian is first to goto Tianshui City either taking a less-than-two-hour high speed train from Xian North Railway Station or an over-3-hour normal train from Xian Railway Station.

Xi’an-Tianshui-Maijishan Grottoes Road Map (Bing)

There are plenty of high speed trains ( G or D trains ) from Xian North Railway Station and all the high speed trains arrive at Tianshui South Railway Station; all the normal trains ( Z, T or K trains ) from Xian Railway Station arrive at Tianshui Railway Station.

The newly built Tianshui South Railway Station ( High speed train station ) is about 8 km to the southwest of the old Tianshui Railway Station.

How to Get from Tianshui South Railway Station to Maijishan Grottoes

If you arrive at Tianshui South Railway Station (High speed train station) from Xian by high speed train, basically you have two  choices to get to Tianshui Maijishan Grottoes:

 1. Taking the Bus No.60:
Bus Fare: 7 yuan ( Be ready for the money in advance)
Distance: 33 km
Bus Ride: almost two hours ( so very slow )

2. Taxi
Taxi fare: about 100 yuan ( no meters and you have to bargain)
Taxi ride: about one hour

How to Get from Tianshui Railway Station to Maijishan Grottoes

When you arrive at Tianshui Railway Station from Xian Railway Station (not high speed train), you will see a signboard pointing to Bus 34, a shuttle bus going from Tianshui Railway Station to the parking lot attached to Maijishan Grottoes.

The Bus 34 is on the right side of the square in front of Tianshui Railway Station if you exit from the railway building (about 50 meters away on your right direction).  Bus 34 Bus fare RMB 5, a 50-minutes bus ride.

The first bus leaves at 6:00 and last bus at 9:00pm. Get ready for RMB 5 to be put inside the slot for the 50-minute bus ride from the station to the parking lot of Maijinshan Grottoes. The bus leaves every 13 minutes. Line up at the front door to get a seat on the bus and get off the bus at the middle door at your destination.

The Yellow Colored Bus 34 going to Maijishan
The Yellow Colored Bus 34 going to Maijishan

It is a scenic bus ride from the train station to Maijinshan Grottoes – fresh air, green mountains and typical Chinese villagers.

A scenic bus ride from the train station to Maijishan Grottos
A scenic bus ride from the train station to Maijishan Grottos

Getting from your bus and visit Maijishan Grottoes

Getting off from your bus and walk to the ticketing office by the entrance – Chinese traditional decorated gate.

Entrance fee: RMB 70 and RMB 15 for a return electric car which brings you up to the base of Maijishan and back.

It is worth taking the golf cart for the fast and comfortable ride otherwise you need to walk another 3km to get to the base of Maijinshan.

The electric car service saves your time for a 3 km walk.
The electric car service saves your time for a 3 km walk.

Maijishan, or Maiji Mountain is 142 meters high with an altitude of 1742 meters .  The hill is large in the middle part and a bit narrow at the bottom and the flat top, resembling a wheat stack, hence the name of Maiji – a wheat stack in Chinese. One of the glamour Buddhist grottoes areas along the ancient silk road, Maijishan Grottoes were originally built in late Qin ( 384AD and 417AD ) of sixteen states period., developed and expanded through the successive dynasties ranging from North Wei, Zhou, Sui, Tang, Song and Ming dynasties.

The red-looking Maijinshan is a Danxia landform, relatively easier for grottoes carving. Currently there are 221 remaining grottoes, over 7000 statues and 10000 square meters of murals. Carved between 30 meters and 80 meters in the side cliffs of Maijinshan, visitors now need to climb up the cat-walks and spiral stairways to see these caves.

The caves are hewn from the rocks on the side cliffs, but the statues inside these caves are not carved from the same rocks. Instead the statutes are mainly composed of 3 kinds – stone as core covered with clay, clay statutes, clay carving mixed with other materials ( wood ).

What distinguish the grottoes in Maijishan from other same their those in Datong, Mogao and Yungan is  that most of the a Buddhist statues are clay carvings. The clay statues still keep a large mount of pigment.  The clay statues in Maijishan are vivid, personalised with more secular life descriptions. It is worth your 10-hours round trip from Xian.

The Decorated Chinese traditional entrance gate to Maijinshan
The Decorated Chinese traditional entrance gate to Maijinshan

Get off from the electric cart,  you still need to walk up about 500 meters to the bottom of Maijinshan Mountain, passing by along a long string of food  and souvenir stalls. Before starting your climb up to Maijin Hill, you’d better locate a good spot to take a panoramic picture of Maijishan Mountain with grottoes.

The east side cliff of Maiji Hill

The grottoes on the east side of the cliff
The grottoes on the east side of the cliff
The grottoes on the west side cliff
The grottoes on the west side cliff

Just follow a single trail up to the hill along the zigzag stairways taking you to different caves with good English captions introducing each major cave. Some caves are closed for protections and you have to see through the wire fence windows. The visit on the mountain caves takes about 2 hours.

Spiral Catwalks
Spiral Catwalks

The zigzag stairway leading to the caves caved on the cliffs.Walking up toward to the Grotto No. 013. Built in Sui Dynasty ( 518AD-618AD), and later rebuilt in Song Dynasty.

The grotto contains a huge high-relief stone frame clay sculptures of the Buddha in the middle and flanked by two Bodhisattva, 15.70  meters high, the largest  statues in the Maiji Mountain.

Walking up along the zigzag catwalk.
Walking up along the zigzag catwalk.

Have a close look at the trinity of Buddha and two Bodhisattva.

A close look at the giant statues
A close look at the giant statues
The Seven Buddha Pavilion
The Seven Buddha Pavilion

Zoom in one of the seven niches with a clear picture of the clay statue with vivid facial expressions.

Look at one of the seven niches
Look at one of the seven niches

Continue to move on to Grotto No.003. Also originally built in the Northern Zhou Dynasty. It is a long corridor pavilion, 36.5 meters, a representative art of early wood structures. The upper and lower rows of Buddha, hence the name of One Thousand Buddha Corridor.

The One Thousand Buddha Corridor
The One Thousand Buddha Corridor

The statues at the long corridor are seen through the mesh grills.

The statues are seen through the mesh grills.
The statues are seen through the mesh grills.

Continue to walk up to the Grotto No.004, also built in the Northern Zhou Dynasty ( 518AD – 618AD). It is known as Upper Seven Buddha Pavilion.

The Seven Buhhda Pavilion
The Seven Buhhda Pavilion

Have a close look at the statues inside the Upper Seven Buddha Pavilion.

Look at the statues inside the Upper Seven Buddha Pavilion
Look at the statues inside the Upper Seven Buddha Pavilion

Narrow catwalk support numerous visitors. High on the catwalk with a panoramic view of the surrounding lush mountains.

Standing on the spiral
Standing on the spiral catwalk

Some caves are closed for repair.

Some caves are closed
Some caves are closed

After the 2-hour visit of the Maijin Mountain, walk down to the parking lot for the bus returning to Tianshui railway Station for a 3-hour train back to Xian.

Tip: Hassle-free Xian Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours,  here are some options for Xian guided tours:

Xi’an Tour
Xi’an Day Tour
Xi’an Tour Packages
Beijing Xi’an Tour

Further Readings


Beijing Xian High Speed Train Experience
Best Time to Visit Xian
How to Visit Xian in Two Days?
Xian Airport Transportation
Xian Railway Station Transportation
Xian Taxi: Xian Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Xian City Layout

Xian’s Top 7 Iconic Landmarks
Where to Stay in Xian
Top 10 Attractions in Xian
Top Things to Do for Kids in Xian
How to Visit Xian on a Budget
The Starbucks in Xian
Top Markets in Xian
Top 10 Shopping Malls in Xian
Top 10 Best Restaurants in Xian
Top 10 Souvenirs in Xian
Xian Tourist Traps, Xian Tourist Scams

How to Visit Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an
How to Visit Huaqing Hot Springs in Xi’an
How to visit Muslim Quarter in Xi’an
How to Visit Xi’an City Wall
The Ramparts of Quebec City and Xian City
How to Visit Shaanxi History Museum
How to Visit Xi’an Bell Tower
How to Visit Daming Palace National Heritage Park
Top 10 Photography Spots in Xi’an
The Night View of Great Tang All Day Mall
How to Visit Hanyang Tombs Xi’an
The Song of Everlasting Sorrow Show in Xian
How to Visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Yaodong Cave Dwellings in Xian
How to Visit Mount Huashan
Mt.Huashan Snow Scenes Photos
How to visit Xiyue Temple
Top 10 Hostels in Xian
Top 10 Xian Luxury & Boutique Hotels
Xi’an: An Exotic City with an Undeniable Historical Depth

Best Places to See Autumn Leaves around Xian
Muslim Streets in Muslim Quarter in Xian
Hua Jue Xiang, Huajue Lane at Xian Muslim Quarter
The Night View of Great Tang All Day Mall
Xian City Wall Night View
What to do in Xian after dark
Xian’s Best Street Food
Xian Muslim Quarter Exotic Food
Xian Bar Street
Spring Festival Lantern Exhibit in Xian
Xian Terracotta Army Pictures

How to Visit Maijishan Grottoes from Xian by Train
How to Visit Hukou Waterfall
How to Visit Huangdi Mausoleum
Xian Lhasa Flight Experience (Tips, Photos & Map)
Beijing Xian Flight Experience
Datong Xian High Speed Train
Reviews on Beijing Xian Luoyang Tour

Visit Xian in January (Weather, Wear, & Tips)
Visit Xian in February
How to Visit Xian in March
Visit Xian in October
How to Visit Xian in November
Visit Xian in December

Any questions, just drop a line.

Ruoergai Grassland (Tips, Photos)

Wednesday, September 29th, 2021
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At 8:00am we start for Ruoergai Grassland (our first destination today) from Labrang Civil Aviation Hotel in Xiahe in Gannan Tibet Autonomous Prefecture of Gansu Province. The 280km drive takes about 3 and half hours largely along the National Highway 212.

Ruoergai Grassland is located in the north of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, and borders Maqu, Luqu of Gansu Province. It is on the east edge of Tibet-Qinghai Plateau with an altitude between 3000 and 3600 meters.

Ruoergai Grassland is said to be the fourth largest grasslands in China after Hulun Buir Grassland in Inner Mongolia, Yili Grassland in Xinjiang and Xilinguole Grassland in Inner Mongolia. Ruoergai Grassland belongs to the kind of alpine meadow, also one of the China’s three largest wetlands, covering 10436.58 square kilometers.

This time we don’t enter the heartland or the most beautiful part of Ruoergai Grassland. Instead we just stop its north edge, nearly 30km south of Langmusi. Langmusi a sleepy village sitting between Gansu and Sichuan, inhabitated by Han Chinese, Hui and Amdo Tibetans. So before we get to Ruoergai Grassland, we have to pass by the mysterious and primitive village.

I’ve been to some mesmerising grasslands elsewhere in China, like Narat Grassland, Gegentala Grassland, and Mulan Weichang Grassland.In comparison, Ruoergai Grassland is neither the greenest nor a fertile grassland, but what catches my eyes and makes my excited is its numerous wild flowers. I feel quite shamed to be unable to name most of the flowers, which I have to call them wildflowers of grassland.

The best time to view the wildflowers of Ruoergai Grassland is between July and early September. Below are some of the wildflowers of Ruoergai Grassland I take on our short trip to the edge of this fourth largest grassland in China to feed your eyes. Hoopefully my poor photography will not let you down.

Ruoergai Grassland
Colourful Wildflowers of Grassland
Wildflower 1
Wildflower 2
Wildflower 3
Wildflower 4
Wildflower 5
Wildflower 6
Wildflower 7
Wildflower 8
Wildflower 9
Wildflower 11
Wildflower 14
Wildflower 15
Wildflower 16
Wildflower 17
Wildflower 18
Wildflower 21
Wildflower 23

Hassle-free Chengdu & Sichuan Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Chengdu and Sichuan guided tours:

Chengdu tour
Chengdu Car Rental with Driver
Create My Chengdu Trip
Jiuzhaigou Tour
Sichuan Tour

Further Readings


Top 10 Attractions in Chengdu
Best Time to Visit Chengdu
Chengdu Airport
Railway stations in Chengdu
Chengdu Taxi
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (Tips, Photos & Map)
How to visit Wuhou Shrine
How to visit Du Fu Thatched Cottage
How to visit Jinsha Site Museum
How to visit the tomb of Wang Jian in Chengdu
How to Visit Wangjiang Pavilion Park in Chengdu
How to visit Qingyang Palace in Chengdu (Tips, Photos & Map)
How to Visit Jinli Street
How to visit Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley
Qintai Road, Qintai Gujing Chengdu (Tips, Photos & Map)
Shaoling Road Bar Street Chengdu (Tips, Photos & Map)
Jiuyanqiao Bar Street in Chengdu (Tips, Photos & Map)
The Old Teahouse in Pengzhen Town, Chengdu

Bipenggou, Bipeng Valley (Tips, Photos & Map)
Best time to visit Jiuzhaigou
Best Places to Visit Autumn Leaves in Sichuan
Top 10 Places to Visit in Sichuan
Ruoergai Grassland, my first trip to Ruoergai Grassland

Drive from Hanzhong to Ya’an
Ya’an Night View
Most Beautiful Sky Road in China
Moxi Old Town ( Tips, Photos & Map)
Hailuogou Glacier Camp No.04 (Tips,Photos & Map)
Hailuogou Glacier Camp No.03 (Tips, Photos & Map)
Kangding (Tips, Photos & Map)
Drive from Kangding to Xinduqiao
Drive from Xinduqiao to Danba
Jiarong Tibetan Blockhouses
Jiarong Tibetan Ancient Watchtowers
Drive from Xinduqiao to Yajiang
Drive from Yajiang to Litang
Drive from Litang to Daocheng
Drive from Litang to Batang
Drive from Batang to Mangkang
Drive from Shangri-la to Daocheng
Drive from Daocheng to Yading
Yading Brings You Inner Peace

Langmusi Trip, My Trip to Langmusi

Monday, August 9th, 2021
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Plan your Gansu tour? A side trip from Lanzhou to Langmusi is worth your time going deeper in the southern Gansu. “Langmusi” in Chinese literally “Langmu Temple”. But actually it is the name of the small town bordering Gansu in the north and Sichuan in the south. “Langmu” in Tibetan means “Fairy”. The legend has it that once a fairy was discovered in a cave near the village.

With a population of over 3,000, the town is now mainly inhabited by Tibetans, Han and Hui people. The town of Langmusi is only composed of one main street with a stream known as “White Dragon River” passing along the street. The area of north of the stream belongs to Gansu Province while the south to Sichuan.

The rural town is nestled in a valley between the north and south hills along steep grassy meadows, evergreen forests and snow-capped peaks. Langmusi has two Tibetan Temples and one Muslim Mosque. They are:

Sertri Gompa – The temple is located on northern hill ( on Gansu side ).
Kirti Gompa – The temple is on the southern hill (Sichuan side)
Hui Mosque – located close to the Sichuan side temple near the entrance gate to Kirti Temple.

It is easy to spend a few days here exploring the numerous red and white monastery buildings and hiking around the green mountains. The surrounding mountains reminds people of the rural Austria or Bavaria and ideal for hiking and horsetrek.

We took the chartered coach and drove 230km directly from Xiahe, to Langmusi. We only had a few hours exploring the town of Langmusi. Because Langmusi is very close to the fringe of Rouergau Grasslands, we kindly requested our driver to pass by Langmusi itself and went to further to the grassland first. So we drove another 20km via Langmusi to the edge of Ruoergai Grassland.

Ruoergai Grassland is located in the north of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, and borders Maqu, Luqu of Gansu Province. It is on the east edge of Tibet-Qinghai Plateau with an altitude between 3000 and 3600 meters.

Ruoergai Grassland is said to be the fourth largest grasslands in China after Hulun Buir Grassland in Inner Mongolia, Yili Grassland in Xinjiang and Xilinguole Grassland in Inner Mongolia. Ruoergai Grassland belongs to the kind of alpine meadow, also one of the China’s three largest wetlands, covering 10436.58 square kilometers.

Ruoergai Grassland, a field of wildflowers

Ruoergai Grassland, a field of wildflowers

I’de been to some mesmerizing grasslands elsewhere in China, like Hulunbuir Grasslands, Narat Grassland, Gegentala Grassland Mulan Weichang Grassland.  In comparison, Ruoergai Grassland is neither the greenest nor a fertile grassland, but what catches my eyes and makes my excited is its numerous wild flowers.

I felt quite shamed to be unable to name most of the flowers, which I had to call them wildflowers of grassland.  Then we drove back to the Town of Langmusi for lunch.  Our lunch was arranged at the Chinese restaurant of Langmusi Binguan (Langmusi Hotel), the best hotel in the town (0941 – 6671086). The hotel is located in the middle section of the area between Gansu side and Sichuan side.

Langmusi Binguan ( Langmusi Hotel )

After lunch, I went out of the courtyard of Langmusi Binguan, and saw three monks sitting by the gate leisurely.   I approached them with a sudden idea of taking a photo with them, they were pleased to agree to my request, hence the only photo with my own image during the day trip.  

Posed with three monks by the gate to Langmusi Binguan

Posed with three monks by the gate to Langmusi Binguan

Just outside Langmusi Hotel, on my right side is the main street in the town teemed with restaurants, shops and crowds of tourists.

On my left side is the bumpy road leading up to the Kirti Gompa  – the temple is on the southern hill  (Sichuan side).   Opposite Langmusi Hotel is the ticket office selling the tickets for the entry to the temple on Sichuan side.

Not far from the ticket office is the only Muslim mosque in the town.   The ticket office at the crossroad, a little bit shabby. People inside the house would shout at the visitors and stop them for ticket buying since almost nobody would recognize it was a ticket office!

The ticket office at the crossroad

We had to skip Sertri Gompa  – the temple is located on northern hill ( on Gansu side ) due to our limited time in Langmusi.

We decided first to visit Kirti Temple, then have a look at the mosque, lastly have a walk around the main street in the town.  

By the side of the road, a row of prayer wheels housed for people to spin for peace and prosperity.  On the southern mountain, we saw a few people standing high on the hill with the backdrop of white clouds, green alpine meadows.

people standing high on the hill with the backdrop of white clouds

This scene reminded me of the debating at Sera Temple  in Lhasa, Debates are practiced by the lamas in the monastery every day. In a battle of words, they further their efforts by using a variety of gestures including clapping their hands, pushing their partners for an answer and more gestures.  

A group of monks debating in front of the main temple in the monastery.

A group of monks debating in front of the main temple in the monastery.

In a battle of words, they further their efforts by using a variety of gestures.

In a battle of words, they further their efforts by using a variety of gestures.

Inside the hall, we also found a group of monks sitting on the ground and debating. It is not easy to be a monk!

a group of monks sitting on the ground and debating

Three monks after debating

There are more temples of various sizes in the Kirti monastery.

More temples in the Kirti Gompa

One temple in Kirti Gompa

One temple in Kirti Gompa

Standing on the high place in the compound of the Kirti Gompa, we had a clear view of the Sertri Gompa in the northern hill on Gansu side.

It was a pity that this time we had no time visiting the Gansu side temple in Langmusi.   Sertri Gompa  – the temple is located on northern hill ( on Gansu side ).

Sertri Gompa – the temple is located on northern hill ( on Gansu side ).

From Kirti Gompa here on the southern hill, we overlooked the narrow town bound by the hills in the north and south.

Langmusi Town is bound by the mountains in the north and south.

Langmusi Town is bound by the mountains in the north and south.

The green hills are a perfect place for hiking treks and horse riding. All these activities would be my next trip.

The green hills are a perfect place for hiking treks and horse riding

Below the monastery was the living quarters of Tibetans with simple and shabby houses.

the living quarters of Tibetans

the living quarters of Tibetans 1

the living quarters of Tibetans

the living quarters of Tibetans 2

the living quarters of Tibetans 2

A young monk

A young monk

A monk and his car

A monk and his car

The White Dragon River coming from the south hill and passing through the Tibetan living area down to the street in the town.  

The White Dragon River coming from the south hill

The White Dragon River coming from the south hill

I walked along the White Dragon River on the bumpy road back to the main street in the town.  

At the ticket office, I turned right for a glimpse of the only mosque in the town.

The mosque was built 1943 by the descendants of ethic groups of Hui, Dongxiang who came here on business.   The mosque was built 1943

The mosque was built 1943.

The street of Langmusi Town was dusty. The narrow street was riddled with stores, restaurants and inns.

The street of Langmusi Town was dusty

This was the famous Amdo Coffee on the main road in Langmusi.

Amdo Coffee

Leisha’s Reasturant ( 0941 – 6671179) is a wonderful place offering fresh apple pies, yak burgers and Yunnanese coffee.

Leisha’s Resturant

Tip:  Hassle-free Guansu Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Gansu Guided Tours:

Lanzhou Bingling Labrang 5 Day Tour
Lanzhou Hezheng Linxia Labrang 4 Day Tour
Lanzhou Langmusi Labrang 5 Day Tour
Lanzhou Dunhuang Jiyuaguan 5 Day Tour

Further Readings

Top 10 Places in Gansu
Best Places to See Autumn Leaves in Gansu
How to Visit Labrang Monastery
Dunhuang Trip, My Trip to Dunhuang
Jiayuguan Trip
How to Visit Maijishan Grottoes from Xian by Train
Top 10 Attractions in Lanzhou
Langmusi Trip, My Trip to Langmusi
Ruoergai Grassland, my first trip to Ruoergai Grassland

Any questions, just drop a line.