Tianshui Travel Guide

The Maijishan Grottoes are a UNESCO World Heritage site (as part of the Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor), featuring 221 caves, over 10,000 clay and stone sculptures, and nearly 1,000 square meters of murals. The grottoes are carved into a 142-meter-high cliff shaped like a stack of wheat (maiji means wheat stack). Construction began in the Later Qin period (384-417 AD) and continued through 12 dynasties. The clay sculptures are particularly renowned for their lifelike expressions and graceful forms, earning Maijishan the title "Museum of Oriental Sculpture."

Fuxi Temple is the largest and best-preserved temple dedicated to Fuxi, the legendary first emperor and cultural hero of Chinese civilization. Built during the Ming Dynasty (1490), the temple complex covers 3,500 square meters and features magnificent halls, ancient cypress trees, and intricate wood carvings. Fuxi is credited with inventing the Eight Trigrams (Bagua), teaching fishing and hunting, and establishing the foundations of Chinese civilization. The annual Fuxi Cultural Festival (held in June) attracts thousands of worshippers.

The Dadiwan archaeological site is one of the most important Neolithic discoveries in China, dating back 8,000 to 5,000 years. Excavated since 1978, the site has revealed over 240 dwellings, 340 storage pits, and thousands of artifacts including painted pottery, stone tools, and the earliest known Chinese characters. A remarkable finding is a large ceremonial building (F901) — one of the earliest examples of Chinese palace architecture. The on-site museum provides excellent context.

Nan Guo Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple built on a hillside south of Tianshui, first established during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 AD). The temple is famous for its ancient cypress trees — one over 2,500 years old — and for being the subject of poems by the great Tang poet Du Fu, who lived in Tianshui for a period. The temple offers panoramic views of Tianshui city and the surrounding mountains.

Yuquan Temple (Jade Spring Temple) is a Taoist temple complex built against a hillside in northern Tianshui. Founded during the Tang Dynasty and expanded in the Yuan Dynasty, the temple features a series of halls, pavilions, and a natural spring that gives the temple its name. The architecture blends naturally with the rocky hillside, creating a harmonious landscape. It is one of the best-preserved Taoist sites in Gansu.

Shimen Mountain (Stone Gate Mountain) is a scenic area about 50 kilometers from Tianshui, known for its stunning granite peaks, pine forests, and ancient Taoist temples. The mountain's name comes from a natural stone arch formation that resembles a gate. Hiking trails lead to the summit where panoramic views of the surrounding Qinling Mountains await. It is especially beautiful in autumn when the leaves change color.