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2024 Wushan Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in November)
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Lashao Temple Grottoes, Tianshui City, Gansu Province.
Lashao Temple Grottoes were first built in 559 AD by Yuchi Jiong, the governor of Qinzhou during the reign of Emperor Ming of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. The temple preserves a large number of stone carvings from the Northern Zhou to Yuan dynasties. A 40-meter-high statue of Shakyamuni Buddha is carved into a huge cliff face, two-thirds of which was once covered in murals. The remaining murals are extremely precious. There are three relief sculptures on the steep cliff face, with bodhisattvas holding lotus flowers and standing solemnly on either side.
Wushan Shuilian Cave Grottoes
Wushan Shuilian Cave Introduction
Wushan Shuilian Cave is located in the Zhonglou Mountain Canyon, about 25 kilometers northeast of Wushan County, Tianshui City, Gansu Province. It is a national 4A tourist attraction that integrates grotto murals, temples, and natural landscapes. The Shuilian Cave Grottoes were built during the Later Qin period of the Sixteen Kingdoms. There are now famous attractions such as Shuilian Cave, Lashao Temple, Thousand Buddha Cave, and Xiansheng Pool. The cliff inscriptions, sculptures, murals, etc. of Lashao Temple and Thousand Buddha Cave are the most precious. The Lashao Temple in the scenic area has the largest open-air cliff relief Buddha in Asia, which is an important material for studying the early grotto culture in China.
Natural and Cultural Landscape
Shuilian Cave is a natural cave about 50 meters high and more than 20 meters deep. There are constant streams in the cave all year round. When it rains, the cave eaves flow straight down like a water curtain, hence the name. There are many buildings in the cave, such as Sisheng Palace, Guanyin Temple, South Hall, Bodhisattva Hall, etc. Each hall, pavilion and pavilion is arranged according to the natural cave, and the craftsmanship is exquisite. The cliff surface preserves large Buddhist murals from the Northern Wei, Sui, Tang, and Yuan dynasties, showing rich historical and cultural values.
Tourist Information
Wushan Shuilian Cave Scenic Area is open all year round, and the opening hours are 08:00-18:00 every day. The ticket price is 25 yuan, and the round-trip ticket for the sightseeing car is 10 yuan. The recommended play time is 2-3 hours. The best season for playing is from September to November. The roads in the scenic area are rugged, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes for sightseeing, and pay attention to safety during the rainy season.
Latest News
According to the latest report, the Wushan Shuilian Cave Grottoes not only have a long history of grotto culture, but also attract tourists with their beautiful and charming natural scenery. In autumn, the peaks in the scenic area stand tall, the woods are lush, and the water is gurgling, presenting a different vitality and color, making it an ideal tourist destination.
The Wushan Shuilian Cave Grottoes, a sight that spans a thousand years, surpasses the Maijishan Grottoes
🍱 Because of a bowl of much-craved spicy hot pot, I made a special trip to Tianshui again; due to the popularity of the spicy hot pot, I chose to rest and transfer in Wushan, a county under the jurisdiction of Tianshui, and stumbled upon the Tianshui Wushan Shuilian Cave by chance. I can only say that the travel experience here is a hundred times better than that of the Maijishan Grottoes, highly recommended!
🍀 Initial acquaintance: The Wushan Shuilian Cave Grottoes is a large open-air grotto complex in the Longnan region, second only to the Maijishan Grottoes. There are four grotto units that still exist today: Xiansheng Pool, Lashao Temple, Shuilian Cave, and Thousand Buddha Caves, which are halls that continue the Buddhist art of the East and West on the ancient Silk Road.
✅ What to see:
1️⃣ The world's first open-air cliff relief of a giant Buddha. The entire statue is presented in the form of a shallow relief with smooth lines and balanced proportions, carved on the natural cliff face, which undulates in height. There is also a well-preserved painted clay sculpture of one Buddha and two Bodhisattvas, showcasing the exquisite skills of ancient Chinese sculpture, with an impact that is no less than that of the Maijishan Grottoes.
2️⃣ The Buddhist grottoes and the Danxia landform complement each other. The Danxia landform here offers unique scenery, with strangely shaped mountains and rocks such as One-Line Sky, Axe-Testing Mountain, Lotus Mountain, and Elephant Trunk Mountain, as well as a variety of exotic flowers and plants scattered across the mountains, perfectly integrated with the Buddhist grottoes and architecture.
3️⃣ The natural wonder of Shuilian Cave. Shuilian Cave is a natural rock cave about 50 meters high and more than 20 meters deep, named for the waterfall-like streams that pour down from the eaves of the cave on rainy days. What's more extraordinary is that the cave is densely packed with cultural relics, with temples and other ancient buildings constructed in every nook and cranny, blending seamlessly with the natural landscape of Shuilian Cave, which is absolutely marvelous.
👉 How to play: After entering the scenic area, take the sightseeing bus to the main Shuilian Cave attraction, turn left for Shuilian Cave, and right for Lashao Temple, and you must return the same way you came. The overall visiting time is about 3 hours.
🎫 Ticket: 30 yuan per person, round-trip ticket for the sightseeing bus is 10 yuan per person, and the sightseeing bus is highly recommended, as walking would be at least 2 kilometers.
📍 Address: Located in Luban Gorge in the mountains of Zhonglouwan Village, Yupan Town, 25 kilometers northeast of Wushan County, Tianshui City, Gansu Province. There is a parking lot outside the scenic area visitor center, with a starting price of 5 yuan.
🤳 Tips: It is recommended to go in the morning, as the morning sun shines directly on the open-air cliff relief of the giant Buddha, making it ideal for photography. The plank road to the Thousand Buddha Caves is currently under repair, and the walking conditions are poor, so it is advisable to skip it.
Tianshui Off-the-Beaten-Path Tour | Caochuan Grassland
Traveling about 10 kilometers forward from the hot springs in Wushan County, Tianshui City, Gansu Province, you will find the Caochuan Grassland. Here, the air is pure and free of noise pollution, the annual temperature variation is small, and in spring, summer, and autumn, the air is filled with the fragrance of flowers and birdsong, the greenery is endless, and the climate is pleasant. The azure sky is dotted with leisurely drifting white clouds, and colorful wildflowers sway in the breeze. The roaming cattle and sheep resemble amber white clouds floating on green waves, creating a vivid and colorful landscape painting that enchants visitors, making them linger and forget to return, feeling refreshed and delighted.
The scenic area does not charge an entrance fee. There is a horse riding activity available for 10 yuan per round, which is quite a bargain. Since it is located on the mountaintop, you can see a different grassland scenery. The clouds are very close, and there are also hilly landforms, which add a bit more vitality and vigor compared to the endless grasslands of Inner Mongolia! It's definitely worth a visit!
Transportation is only possible by self-driving, and you can drive directly to the mountaintop where it's not crowded! Just navigate to 'Caochuan Grassland'!
Golden rapeseed flowers, green wheat, poetry and distance right at the doorstep, Wushan rapeseed flowers
After having spicy hot pot in Tianshui, come to my hometown Wushan to appreciate the most beautiful rapeseed flowers... Here is the guide I've made for everyone
Visit Wushan County Longtai Central Primary School Address: Longtai Town, Wushan County, Tianshui City, Gansu Province, Tourism Area!
1. Transportation: Depart from Tianshui Bus Station to Wushan Station, a 70km journey that takes about 1 hour and costs 40 yuan per person
Then take a bus from Wushan to Longtai Town, 2 yuan per person, half an hour to arrive
Finally, there is a village-to-village bus from Longtai Bus Station to Mannian Village, 5 yuan per person
Friendly Tip: If you don't want to transfer, you can take a taxi directly from Wushan Bus Station to Mannian Village, which costs about 50 yuan.
2. Viewing Tips: Definitely do not wear green or yellow clothes, otherwise, you won't be able to take the photos you want because you'll blend in with the scenery
3. Viewing Time: About 4 hours (free admission )
4. Dining: Try the local farmhouse delights, especially the starch water mixed soup with Chinese toon and other wild vegetables, it's really super delicious (and not expensive, about 30 yuan per person). For those who are not accustomed to it, you can eat 4 yuan a bowl of meat noodles and Wushan Dan Dan noodles in Wushan County (you can have one bowl of each because the portions are really small)
5. Accommodation: There are hotels in the county and town, about 100 yuan per person
With some luck, you can also watch local performances for free, such as the sheepskin drum passed down by the Qiang people.
Friendly Tip: Generally, if you depart from Tianshui at 8 am, you can finish sightseeing by 3 pm and return to Tianshui City by around 6 pm. Of course, if you don't want to go back, you can stay overnight. There are many more beautiful spots to visit the next day, such as Wushan Shuilian Cave, Shuilian Cave Grottoes, Wushan Hot Springs Resort
Laojun Mountain, Laojun Mountain Forest Park These are all very nice spots, and the key is that most of them do not charge admission.
Mount Laojun in Henan
Henan Province Luoyang Luan County Mount Laojun·Jiguan Cave Tourist Area is composed of Mount Laojun Scenic Area and Jiguan Cave Scenic Area, among which Mount Laojun Scenic Area is located in Group 21, Qiliping Village, Luanchuan County, Luoyang City, Henan Province.
Mount Laojun was formed during the continental orogeny 1.9 billion years ago. It records the tectonic evolution process of the southern margin of the North China ancient landmass, including rifting, dispersal, accretion, aggregation, collision, and mountain-building, and has high scientific research value. As of April 15, 2021, Mount Laojun Scenic Area has developed and built eight major scenic areas, with 138 attractions.
Henan Province Luoyang Luan County Mount Laojun·Jiguan Cave Tourist Area was recognized as a 5A-level tourist spot in 2012.
On May 14, 2022, the sea of clouds landscape within the Mount Laojun Scenic Area was selected as one of China's first batch of 'Weather Climate Landscape Viewing Spots.' On June 1, 2022, it was selected as one of Henan's first batch of provincial-level cultural and tourism industry 'whitelist' enterprises.
Ten years of Wushan, impression of Weichuan
【Ten Wushan Impression Weichuan】
Gansu Wushan Beach Song Malishi Taishan Mountain:
In this season when the cold is getting stronger, the white snow is like a soft satin, slowly spreading on the mountains. The mountains undulate, like a splash-ink landscape painting, under the contrast of the snow, the outline is more clear, quiet and mysterious. The trees in the mountains, although they have entered winter, are still stubbornly wearing the autumn dress, the yellow leaves sway on the branches, like flames jumping, intertwining the warmth of autumn and the calm of winter.
The cold wind sweeps through, the yellow leaves of the mountains surge like waves, the forests are all dyed, from deep to shallow, from near to far, forming a colorful scroll. This is an agreement between autumn and winter, a feast of colors, against the background of white snow, the autumn color is more intense and deep.
Standing on the top of this high mountain, the appointment of autumn and winter is in sight, this is a visual feast, and also a shock to the soul. Here, time seems to stand still, the change of seasons becomes soft and harmonious, making people intoxicated in this boundless tranquility and beauty.
The Water Curtain Cave of Wushan County in Tianshui is a heavenly blessed land
Upon visiting the Luomen Water Curtain Cave in Wushan County, I felt as if I had traveled to a mysterious underground kingdom. As I stepped into the cave, a cool breeze greeted me, making me feel as though I was in a fairyland. The cave was filled with a dazzling array of stalactites, some of which were uniquely shaped, while others shone like brilliant works of art. The guide's vivid explanations of the cave's formation process and legendary stories filled me with curiosity and a desire to explore this mysterious underground world.
Walking on the stone path inside the cave felt like uncovering the secrets of nature. Suddenly, a spectacular waterfall came into view, with water flowing like silk, gently and resembling a silver ribbon cascading down, intoxicating to behold. This scene made me appreciate the natural wonder and infinite charm of Mother Nature.
The fantastical scenery of the Luomen Water Curtain Cave in Wushan left me longing to stay, with every moment making me feel the magic and grandeur of nature. This exploratory journey gave me a new understanding of the underground world and made me cherish nature's gifts even more. I highly recommend everyone to set foot in this mysterious underground world and experience the unique wonder and surprise!
Wushan Shuilian Cave Grottoes Group||The world's first cliff carvings
||The world's first cliff carvings.
The Wushan Shuilian Cave Grottoes Group is the second largest grotto group in Longnan region, only after Maijishan Grottoes. Shuilian Cave Grottoes Group is an open-air grotto temple that combines relief, cave niches, hanging sculptures, and murals, which is rare in the country.
In 401 AD, the monk and translator Kumarajiva presided over the construction of the Brahman Palace monk's house in Shuilian Cave when he passed Wushan on his way from Kucha to Chang'an, which made the reputation of Lashao Temple far-reaching. Lashao Temple means 'the cave temple carved out of the cliff and piled with trees'.
Highlight one: Lashao Temple Cliff Relief (559 AD)
This is the largest cliff relief in the world. In the middle of the relief is Sakyamuni, and on both sides are the Bodhisattvas who hold lotus flowers and stand respectfully. In the middle of the upper part of the lotus seat, there is a shallow niche with a standing Buddha and two attendant Bodhisattvas, which was rebuilt in the Song Dynasty.
Highlight two: Shuilian Cave
Shuilian Cave is a natural arched cave. Every rainy season, spring water and rainwater gush out from the top of the cave, flowing like a curtain, hence the name Shuilian Cave. The cliff face of Shuilian Cave preserves Buddhist murals from the Northern Wei, Sui, Tang, and Yuan dynasties.
Highlight three: Thousand Buddha Cave
The Thousand Buddha Cave is 1 kilometer away from Lashao Temple. It is a natural rock cave. Because there are seven Buddha hanging sculptures on the cliff, it is commonly known as 'Seven Buddha Gully'. There are more than thirty cave niches in the Thousand Buddha Cave, with fewer Buddha niches in the upper part and statues carved on the lower cliff face. There are also murals, with a work on the south wall being the best.
Location: Luban Gorge, Zhonglouwan Village, Yupan Township, Wushan County, Gansu Province
Era: Built in the Later Qin of the Sixteen Kingdoms (384-417 AD)
Ticket: 30 yuan, round trip six kilometers, sightseeing car 10 yuan
Travel afar to the mortal world for a stunning feast, to witness the prosperity of the world
Travel afar to the mortal world for a stunning feast, to witness the prosperity of the world. You should visit Mount Laojun.
Come to a stunning feast in the world.
The Mount Laojun after snow is as beautiful as a fairy.
After the snow, go to Mount Laojun with your loved one, and grow old together.
Specific guide:
🏃🏃🏃Self-driving can drive the car to the cable car entrance, parking is 10 yuan per time, no time limit
The first level cable car costs 130 yuan per person, the second level up and down a total of 80 yuan
The closing time of the downhill cable car is 6:30 in the evening, it will actually be a little later, because many people are unwilling to leave when they see the night view on it
It is recommended to take both, because there is a beautiful scenery of the ten-mile gallery between the second level cable car, and it takes about two hours to walk to the top
And the weather is colder now, save energy to take pictures at the top
The scenery is more beautiful as you go up
👗Clothing: You must wear a down jacket, because the top is really cold, prepare hats, gloves, scarves, masks
The red cloak is available for rent at the cable car entrance, with a deposit of 200 and a rent of 30, you can also bring your own
You can also bring some hot water in a thermos cup
🏠🏠🏠Accommodation: There are homestays in the scenic area, the price ranges from 100-300, the rooms are clean and tidy, not bad, you can also stay at the top to watch the sunrise the next day, a bed is 200 yuan
🌟🌟🌟Night view: The lights are usually turned on at six o'clock, very beautiful, if you have time, it is recommended to watch, but the time is not long, because the downhill cable car closes at 6:30, in order to let tourists go to the cable car earlier, the lights will be turned off month should be played like this New Star Plan
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