THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
A private full-day trip from Lanzhou delivers a crash course in Chinese Buddhist art and cliff-side engineering. Ride the bullet train to Tianshui, walk plank paths above the valley and view nearly 2,000 years of sculptures up close.
A private full-day trip from Lanzhou delivers a crash course in Chinese Buddhist art and cliff-side engineering. Ride the bullet train to Tianshui, walk plank paths above the valley and view nearly 2,000 years of sculptures up close.
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Operated by SilkRoadTrips · Tianshui, Gansu
You step off a morning bullet train into the cool air of Tianshui and drive toward a cliff that seems to have been carved by time itself. Maiji Mountain rises in bands of ochre and rust; wooden walkways cling to its face and invite you along a vertical corridor of carved Buddhas and weathered niches.
easy.
10 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires stair-climbing, short steep sections and steady balance on plank walkways.
The bullet train takes about 1.5 hours each way; the full day, including transfers and site time, is roughly 10 hours.
The site has steep steps and narrow plank sections; it’s not ideal for limited mobility — contact the operator in advance for specific accessibility options.
Yes, a Chinese lunch and bottled water are included with the tour price.
No; the tour operator reserves round-trip second-class bullet-train tickets, but you must supply passport details at booking and bring the passport on the day.
Maijishan’s grottoes began in 384 AD and expanded over centuries; the cliffs contain styles from Northern Wei through Tang dynasties and house more than 7,200 sculptures.
Weathering and past pigment loss make conservation a priority—stay on designated paths, avoid touching sculptures, and follow local guide instructions to limit wear.
SilkRoadTrips operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Book with SilkRoadTrips
Book directly with SilkRoadTrips for the best rates and real-time scheduling.
Reserve Now