Maijishan Grottoes Travel Guide
Everything I Learned the Hard Way
Before coming to Maijishan, I researched thoroughly.
Once I arrived, I still got confused by the internal transportation system and managed to step into almost every possible tourist trap.
Let me be clear first:
Maijishan Grottoes are absolutely worth visiting. The sculptures are refined, expressive, and remarkably well preserved. Many of the “ordinary caves” are comparable in artistic value to special caves in Mogao. The official guides are knowledgeable and professional. I was lucky enough to visit shortly after Cave 133 reopened following digital preservation work.
This guide is not meant to discourage you. It’s here so you don’t repeat my mistakes.
Maiji Mountain
1. Basic Route Overview
Typical independent route:
Tianshui Railway Station → Maijishan Grottoes → Xianren Cliff → Jingtu Temple → Return to city
Best for:
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Independent travelers
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Budget backpackers using public transportation
If you are not traveling on a tight budget:
Hire a private driver. It solves almost all logistical issues.
2. Ticket & Internal Transportation Structure (Very Important)
The Maijishan transportation system has three segments:
1️⃣ New Visitor Center → Old Visitor Center (scenic shuttle bus)
2️⃣ Old Visitor Center → Mountain Foot Plaza (green shuttle bus)
3️⃣ Mountain Foot → Cave entrance (walking)
Ticket pricing:
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Cave entrance: 80 RMB
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Round-trip scenic transport: 30 RMB
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Total: 110 RMB
⚠️ One-way scenic tickets are not officially sold.
⚠️ Some visitors report partial refunds if you skip both segments (unverified personally).
⚠️ Licensed tour guides enter free with a valid guide certificate.
3. Public Transportation (Off-Season Experience)
From Tianshui Station:
Bus 34 → New Visitor Center
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5 RMB
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Every 20 minutes
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About 40 minutes ride
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Around 1 hour total including transfer
⚠️ After snowfall, buses do NOT go into the mountain area.
⚠️ Old advice about getting off at “Maiji Town” to avoid shuttle buses is outdated.
Return:
Bus 37 (yellow bus)
7 RMB
About 1 hour to city
⚠️ The bus stop is NOT at Jingtu Temple entrance.
You must walk about 1 km to the mountain gate with an archway.
There are unofficial red minibuses (same price), which stop directly at temple entrances.
Maiji Mountain
4. Tourist Traps to Avoid
💣 Fake Guides
After getting off the green shuttle bus, people may offer “shared guide services”:
20 RMB per person
Headsets provided
Looks semi-official
They DO NOT go up into the caves.
They only explain briefly from outside.
The real guide booking center is 200 meters further uphill at the official interpretation service center.
Official guide price:
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120 RMB per group (1–10 people) for general caves
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Special caves require separate booking
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Groups depart once full (max wait ~30 minutes)
💣 Aggressive Photography Sales
Photographers take candid shots near entrances.
Tips:
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Clearly state you only want one photo
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Stay together as a group
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Ignore additional upselling
Staff may approach you again near ticket checkpoints trying to sell extra prints.
💣 Local Snack & Souvenir Stalls
Pine nuts often mixed with spicy flavor.
Bracelets drop from 50 RMB to 30 RMB instantly.
Recommendation: Skip buying at the entrance.
5. Special Cave Booking Guide
Special caves are booked at the Official Interpretation Center.
Current prices (subject to change):
180 RMB: 133 / 135 / 127
160 RMB: 43 / 121 / 123
100 RMB: 44 / 74 / 78 / 102 / 115
No photography allowed.
Suggestions:
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Limited budget → Choose 133 or 135
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Caves 43 & 44 are adjacent; buying one is sufficient
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74 & 78 can be partially viewed through mesh during regular tour
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Cave 102 is part of the locked west cliff section
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Cave 127 murals are harder to interpret without art history background
Off-season departures every 30 minutes.
Max 10 people per group.
6. Recommended General Cave Route
Full route:
37 → 13 → 9 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 142 → 148 → 155 → 147 → 98 → 90 → 165 → 76 → 78 → 74 → 62 → 60 → 191
Short route (if time limited):
13 → 9 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 98
Must-see caves:
62 (Northern Zhou, largely unaltered)
142 (Mother and child donor figures)
155 (Disciples and flying apsaras)
76 (Donor figures and celestial beings)
All viewed through protective mesh, but still remarkable.
Maiji Mountain
7. Getting to Xianren Cliff (Most Difficult Part)
In theory:
Direct shuttle 8 RMB (often unavailable in off-season)
In reality:
Shared taxi 10 RMB per person
Driver waits until 4 passengers
Solo travelers struggle to find a ride.
Taxi drivers often exaggerate how hard it is to return, encouraging you to book them for the whole day.
Transport between the three Maijishan-area sites is limited and expensive.
8. Xianren Cliff Tips
Your Maijishan ticket grants access.
No additional entrance fee required.
Internal shuttle: 5 RMB
Walking time: ~20 minutes (paved road)
Recommended route:
Enter via Xianren Lake side for better scenery and gentler incline.
⚠️ After snow, two slopes near the lake become extremely slippery.
9. Jingtu Temple Situation
Close to Xianren Cliff
Still difficult to get taxis
After snowfall, roads may freeze.
Drivers may refuse short-distance trips.
10. Multi-Site Pass (Very Important)
Before end of February, visitors can claim a regional pass at the Visitor Center.
Valid 15 days for free entry to:
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Xianren Cliff
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Fuxi Temple
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Kongtong Mountain
⚠️ Fuxi Temple does NOT grant access to Maijishan caves in reverse.
⚠️ Keep your Maijishan ticket stub.
Maiji Mountain
11. Off-Season Pros & Cons (November–January)
Pros:
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Fewer tourists
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Easier access to special caves
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Quiet viewing experience (I spent 5 hours inside)
Cons:
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Harder transportation
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Ice hazards
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Very cold temperatures
12. Preparation Advice
Watch documentary videos about Maijishan beforehand.
Read about Buddhist iconography if possible.
Wear anti-slip shoes in winter.
Travel light.
13. Simplest Strategy
If budget allows:
Take taxi from Maiji District directly to Maijishan
Arrange driver for Maijishan → Xianren Cliff → Jingtu Temple
Return by bus to city
If traveling on a tight budget:
Start early
Allow extra time
Expect waiting
