[2024 Tianshui Attraction] Travel Guide for Jingtu Temple (Updated Sep)
Temples
Address:
Southeast of Tianshui City, Xianren Cliff Houchuan
Recommended sightseeing time:
1 hour
A Trip to Tianshui Mala Tang ∣ Jingtu Temple, Truly Astonished!!!
👍 Most Recommended: Jingtu Temple, also known as Manshu Temple, is located behind Xianren Cliff and adjacent to Maijishan Grottoes. Since the late Tang and early Song dynasties, it has been known as 'Jigu Temple,' 'Kyoto Temple,' and 'Jingtu Temple.' Since the 1980s, the monks of Jingtu Temple have raised funds to restore and expand it, forming a grand architectural complex with three courtyards.
🌟 Highlights!
1. Jingtu Temple is surrounded by mountains and valleys filled with green pines. The mountain wind blows, creating a sound known as 'Jingtu Pine Waves,' one of the ten scenic spots of Qinzhou.
2. The main buildings in the temple are all based on Tibetan red, complemented by small areas of either simple or bright wood carvings and paintings. White stone steps, railings, and walls surround them, creating a grand, solemn, and peaceful Buddhist cultural atmosphere.
3. The eighteen surrounding peaks resemble lotus petals, all facing the main peak of Manjusri, showcasing the natural wonder of 'Green Sea Treasure Lotus,' forming the unique scenery known as 'Eighteen Arhats Worshiping Manjusri.'
4. The main hall, Daxiong Hall, is the only remaining structure from the Jin dynasty in the temple. Liang Sicheng praised it as 'unparalleled and unique, a national treasure,' with its small wooden structure and unique caisson ceiling, known as the 'Eight Gates and Nine Stars Heavenly Palace Pavilion.'
5. The Qing dynasty murals on the four walls of the hall are vivid and lifelike.
6. A remnant of an octagonal five-tiered stone pagoda remains, with the word 'Relic Pagoda' clearly visible on the front, while the other two characters are only outlined. The other three sides are carved with Buddha statues, each with a different posture.
7. The Liao dynasty 'Disheveled Hair' stone lion, with its shoulder-length curly hair, is rare, though its face has been destroyed.
8. There are no commercial activities inside, making it an absolutely peaceful place!
🎫 Tickets: Free
🚗 Parking: Free
🥣 Vegetarian Meals: Free, served at 12:00 PM and 6:30 PM
🚉 Transportation Guide!
🚌 Bus Routes:
Option 1: Take bus 37 from Tianshui Railway Station for an hour and a half directly to Jingtu Temple. The first bus is at 6:00 AM, and the last bus returns to Tianshui city at 6:30 PM.
Option 2: Take bus 34 to Maijishan (3-hour tour) → bus 37/39 to Xianren Cliff (2-hour tour) → bus 37/39 to Jingtu Temple (3-hour tour) → take bus 37 back to Tianshui city.
🚗 Driving Route: Navigate to Maijishan - Xianren Cliff - Jingtu Temple
📝 Tips:
1. Respect the faith, dress appropriately, and no smoking inside the temple.
2. There are no hotels near the temple, but you can stay at a farmhouse in Houchuan Village. The farmhouse meals are good, with specialties like noodles, guagua, and mianyu.
3. If driving, you can visit Jingtu Temple first, then Xianren Cliff (follow the order of South Cliff - East Cliff - West Cliff to save effort, the whole tour takes less than two hours), and finally Maijishan, avoiding the Maijishan Visitor Center 13 km away. After touring Maijishan, you can relax in the hot springs at Maijishan Hot Spring Hotel in Jieting Ancient Town to relieve the fatigue of a day of climbing, truly wonderful!
4. Open 24 hours, it is a year-round religious site, but opening hours may vary due to seasons, weather, or other factors. Pay attention to relevant information.
5. Nearby attractions include Shimen (13 km from Jingtu Temple) and Quqi (15 km from Jingtu Temple), both worth visiting if time permits.
ELAINE BUSH
Pure Land on Earth - Tianshui Manshu Temple
Jingtu Temple, also known as Manshu Temple, is located in the southeast of Tianshui City, Gansu Province, adjacent to the Maijishan Grottoes, one of the four major grottoes in China.
Jingtu Temple, together with nearby natural attractions such as Xianren Cliff, Shimen, and Qu Creek, forms a nationally renowned scenic area.
Since the late Tang Dynasty and early Song Dynasty, Jingtu Temple has undergone several name changes, including 'Jigu Temple,' 'Kyoto Temple,' and 'Jingtu Temple.'
In 1971, Jingtu Temple was completely demolished, and all the steles and inscriptions disappeared. Starting in the 1980s, the monks of Jingtu Temple raised funds from various sources to restore and expand the temple. Today, it has become a grand architectural complex with three meditation courtyards.
Jingtu Temple is located in the Houchuan area behind Xianren Cliff, surrounded by mountains. The valley is filled with towering pines, and the mountain wind creates waves of pine sounds, earning it the name 'Pure Land Pine Waves,' one of the ten scenic spots of Qinzhou.
The main buildings of Jingtu Temple are predominantly in Tibetan red, with red walls, beams, and pillars, ochre-colored glazed tiles, and small areas of either elegant or bright wood carvings and paintings. The white stone steps, railings, and retaining walls create a grand, solemn, and peaceful Buddhist cultural atmosphere.
The eighteen peaks surrounding Manshu Jingtu Temple form the unique local landscape known as 'Eighteen Arhats Worshiping Manjushri.' Each Arhat peak resembles a lotus petal; all eighteen green peaks face the main peak of Manjushri, showcasing the natural wonder of 'Green Sea and Precious Lotus.'
AinoLahti
For less than 300 RMB per person, unlock the ultimate 2-day, 1-night experience in Tianshui!
🌈Friends, don't just know Tianshui for its hot and spicy soup! Here you can also explore the Maijishan Grottoes, one of China's four major grottoes. Plus, Tianshui's special cuisine is too numerous to count! With the climate just right, if you haven't been yet, hurry up and follow my lead to enjoy Tianshui! Remember to try to avoid the weekends~
🚄Transportation: Direct high-speed train, smooth bus travel
Tianshui's transportation is super convenient! Direct high-speed trains, and tourist lines have been opened between popular attractions, which is just too considerate! 🚌
🏨Accommodation: Comfortable and convenient near Fuxi Temple in Qinzhou District
I recommend staying near Fuxi Temple in Qinzhou District, where dining and attractions are just a stone's throw away, and the prices are very people-friendly! 💸
🗺️Touring: Two days of non-stop excitement!
📆Day1: Explore the ancient charm of Tianshui, taste authentic cuisine
From Tianshui South Station 👉 take a taxi directly to the antique street morning market (don't miss Master Wu's Gua Gua Noodles, Ye Ji's Apricot Tea, and other delicacies!) 👉 take bus No. 6 directly to Guangming Lane for food and fun (try Guangming Lane's cool skewers, Hou Ji's potato balls, and more!) 👉 explore Fuxi Temple 👉 walk to nearby streets to taste authentic Tianshui spicy hot soup 👉 in the evening, go for Fatty Fish Hotpot! 👉 at night, stroll and dine on Tianshui ancient street, feeling the charm of the ancient city at night.
📆Day2: Explore the grottoes, take in the natural scenery
Take bus No. 34 directly to Maijishan Grottoes (for Line 1, it's recommended to choose Caves 133 and 127, absolutely stunning!) 👉 take bus No. 37/39 to Xianren Cliff 👉 then to Jingtusi 👉 note, the last bus No. 37 back to the city departs at 17:30, don't miss it! Lunch can be settled within the Maijishan Grottoes scenic area, with friendly prices and delicious food. Spend 2 hours at each scenic spot, about 1 hour by bus between spots, relaxed and fulfilling!
🍜Cuisine: The taste of Tianshui, a journey on the tip of the tongue
In addition to the aforementioned delicacies, there are also special snacks such as pork fat boxes, spicy soup, and Mianwo waiting for you to try! Tianshui's spicy hot soup comes in a wide variety, Haiying, Yuannv, Eden... there's always one to satisfy your taste buds!
💡Tips:
1️⃣For friends interested in Taoism, consider taking a detour to Xianlong Palace in Yusheng Lane, a small and tranquil Taoist temple that will make you linger.
2️⃣Maijishan Grottoes now have Lines 1 and 2 for visiting, remember to book special caves in advance! Line 1 and Line 2 each have their own features, choose according to personal interest.