Tianshui Shuiliandong Cave

Tianshui Shuiliandong Cave Scenic Spot is located in Zhongshan Canyon, about 25 kilometers northeast of Wushan County, Tianshui City, Gansu Province. It is a national 4A-level scenic spot that integrates natural landscapes and rich historical and cultural relics. It mainly includes the Shuiliandong Cave, Laxiao Temple, thousand Buddha Cave, Xiansheng Pool, and other famous scenic spots.

Shuiliandong Cave

The Water Curtain Cave

This is a natural rock cave about 50 meters high and more than 20 meters deep, the cave is constantly flowing, especially on rainy days, the rain pours from the roof of the cave, forming a curtain waterfall, so the name “water curtain cave”. The valley environment is serene, with overlapping peaks, gurgling streams, and a peaceful blend of mountains and rivers. The Wushan Shuilandong Grottoes Group, a core cultural relic of the area, was constructed during the later Qin Dynasty of the Sixteen Kingdoms period and has been enhanced through various dynasties.  The sculptures, murals, and wooden eaves within the grottoes are valuable. The ancient Buddhist grottoes, combined with the surrounding Danxia landform, create a distinctive cultural and natural landscape. 

Lashao Temple

The Lashao Temple

Lashao Temple, also known as Big Buddha Cliff, has 23 existing grotto niches. It is recognized as Asia's largest open-air cliff relief Buddha, serving as a significant attraction in the area. This giant Buddha occupies an important position in the grotto art of our country because of its large scale, exquisite craftsmanship, and relatively well-preserved, and is of great value to the study of the early grotto culture of our country. There are three reliefs on the cliff, with the giant Buddha in the center towering over 40 meters in height. This is currently the largest cliff relief in China and is renowned as "the most relief in the world." Flanking the Buddha are Bodhisattvas, reverently holding lotus flowers.

Thousand Buddha Caves

The Thousand Buddha Caves

There are abundant cliff inscriptions, sculptures, and murals in the Thousand Buddha Caves. These precious works of art show the artistic styles and religious cultural features of different historical periods. Especially the cliff inscriptions provide crucial material for studying the grottoes’ stages and the origin and evolution of art history. The Thousand Buddha Cave is situated in the depths of the Water Curtain Cave group in the Wushan Mountains of Tianshui, about a kilometer's walk from the Laxiao Temple. Thousand Buddha Cave, also known as the "Seven Buddha Gully," is a natural cave adorned with seven Buddha statues hanging on the cliff. Within the Qianfo Cave are over 30 grottoes, predominantly unfinished. The sculptures within exhibit an early style, characteristic of the Western Wei period. In contrast to Maiji Mountain, this site boasts a distinctly local flair, with grottoes that are exceptionally unique and grand.

Xiansheng Pool

The Xiansheng Pool

Xiansheng Pool is situated on the southeast side of the water curtain cave, a natural cliff grotto. The cave houses a pool of water that remains all year round, creating a soothing ambiance often referred to as "drop beads singing harp." The majority of the Buddha statues found here were crafted during the Tang Dynasty, with only fragments remaining. The existing Northern Zhou murals are 25 square meters, and there are folk attractions such as Dachi Cave, Shengxian Wall, and Maan Stone around the cave wall.

In the scenic area, there are also Sisheng palaces, Guanyin Temple, South Hall, Bodhisattva Spring, and many other small halls, stupas, inscriptions, and other cultural relics, which together constitute a treasure house of grotto art with rich content and profound historical heritage.

Features

Location: Wushan, Tianshui, Gansu, China

Scenic Spot Level: National 4A Level Scenic Spot

Chinese Name: 天水水帘洞

Time Needed: 5-6 hours

Travel Information

Opening Time: 8:00 - 18:00

Ticket Price: No admission charge

Service Number: 0938-3421081

Best Time for Visit: September - December     

Travel Tips

The scenic area is composed of four parts, the play time is longer, bring enough to eat and drink, and do personal protection when playing in summer.