Maijishan Scenic Area in Tianshui City
I. Introduction
The Maijishan Scenic Area is located in Tianshui City, Gansu Province, at the eastern end of the northern branch of the West Qinling Mountains, where the Qinling, Helan, and Min mountain ranges converge, in the central belt of China's territory. The watershed between the Yangtze River and Yellow River basins runs through the scenic area.
The Maijishan Scenic Area generally has an elevation between 1,400 and 1,800 meters, with the highest peak exceeding 2,200 meters. It marks the surface boundary between the sedimentary strata of northern and southern China and serves as the watershed between the Yellow River and Yangtze River basins. Its rock formations consist of red conglomerate layers and light-colored metamorphic rocks. The climate conditions within the scenic area are relatively favorable, with an average annual rainfall of 600–700 mm, a maximum temperature of 33°C, a minimum of -15°C, and typical winter lows around -8°C. The frost-free period is 230 days, annual sunshine hours are approximately 2,307, and relative air humidity is around 85%. Due to its location at the junction of north and south, the area experiences mild winters and cool summers, earning it the reputation of "Jiangnan in the Northwest."
The Maijishan Scenic Area covers a planned area of 215 square kilometers and comprises over 180 scenic spots across five sub-areas: the Maijishan Grottoes, Immortal Cliff, Stone Gate, Quxi Stream, and Jieting Hot Spring. The area boasts rich biodiversity in flora and fauna, unique geological landforms, a distinctive climate, and well-preserved grotto culture. In 1982, it was approved and announced by the State Council as one of the first national-level scenic areas. It is recognized as a National Natural and Cultural Heritage site, a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, a National Forest Park, a National Geopark, an advanced unit in the creation of national civilized scenic tourist areas, and a National 5A Tourist Attraction.
II. Geographical Environment
Location and Territory
The Maijishan Scenic Area in Tianshui City is situated in Maiji Village, Maiji Town, Tianshui City, Gansu Province. Centered around Maiji Town, it extends to the southwestern part of Dangchuan Township (where Quxi Stream is located) and the northwestern part (part of Stone Gate), as well as the southern end of Boyang Town (Stone Gate). It straddles both sides of the Qinling Mountains.
Geology and Landforms
The rock layers of the Maijishan Scenic Area in Tianshui City are composed of red conglomerate layers and light-colored metamorphic rocks. Among these, Maijishan and Immortal Cliff feature typical Danxia landforms.
Climate Characteristics
The Maijishan Scenic Area in Tianshui City lies in the transition zone from subtropical to warm temperate climates, characterized by a mild climate and abundant rainfall. The average annual rainfall exceeds 800 mm, with a maximum temperature of 32.5°C and a minimum of -16.8°C. Winter lows typically hover around -8°C, the frost-free period is 230 days, annual sunshine hours are approximately 2,307, and relative air humidity is about 74%. With no severe cold in winter and no intense heat in summer, it is praised as the "Little Jiangnan on the Longshan."
III. Main Attractions
Maijishan Grottoes
The Maijishan Grottoes are located in the eastern section of the West Qinling Mountains, amidst the towering peaks of the Xiaolongshan forest area. The mountain gets its name from its resemblance to a stack of wheat, as one peak stands abruptly and rises from the ground like a farmer's wheat pile. The mountain is 142 meters high, with a Sui Dynasty brick pagoda for Buddhist relics at its summit, surrounded by ancient relict plants, the lacebark pines. Carved into the sheer cliffs are 209 caves, 7,866 clay and stone sculptures, and over 1,300 square meters of murals, dating back more than 1,600 years. As one of China's four major grottoes, it is known as the "Oriental Sculpture Gallery." The cliff carvings, aerial plank roads, verdant pines and bamboos, and red cliffs complement each other, creating magical landscapes such as "Misty Rain over Maiji."
Maijishan Botanical Garden
The Maijishan Botanical Garden features over 1,800 species of seed plants from 146 families, representing both northern and southern China. Within the garden, waterfalls and streams murmur, rare birds and animals are随处可见, and exotic flowers and plants vie for beauty. Coupled with leisure facilities such as waterside pavilions, towers, and halls, visitors feel as if they are in a secluded paradise, unaware of the garden's boundaries.
Xiangji Mountain
Xiangji Mountain is located south of Maijishan, resembling a pyramid-shaped emerald peak. It serves as the watershed between the Jialing River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, and the Wei River, a tributary of the Yellow River. On the mountainside, there is a fissure cave over 100 meters deep, with clearly visible and colorful stripes on the rock walls. Water drips from the cave ceiling year-round, forming icicles, ice hangs, and ice waterfalls in winter, sparkling and translucent like a "Crystal Palace." The snow-capped summit is renowned as "Xiangji Snow Accumulation."
Arhat Cliff
Arhat Cliff is named for its shape, which resembles an oil basket. The exposed cliff face on the mountainside is over 100 meters long and 150 meters high. Within the cliff caves, three suspended clay sculptures of the Buddhas of the Three Periods and eighteen arhats from the Song Dynasty are preserved, hence the name "Arhat Cliff." The three clay sculptures are lifelike with flowing robes, nestled among dense forests and red cliffs, forming a Buddhist realm alongside Maijishan.
Tianchi Ping
Tianchi Ping is located 8 kilometers east of Maijishan and is named after a natural pool in the northwestern col of its main peak. The main peak, at an elevation of 2,197 meters, towers above the surrounding mountains and serves as the northernmost watershed between the Jialing River (a tributary of the Yangtze) and the Wei River (a tributary of the Yellow River). The area is entirely forested and rich in flora and fauna. The mountain is majestic with deep forests and valleys. At sunset, the Milky Way seems to pour its light, and during overcast or rainy weather, the peak is half-hidden in the clouds, appearing ethereal and graceful.
Sanfan Cliff
Sanfan Cliff is located behind Maijishan and is named for its vertical cliff face, which resembles three inverted folding fans. The cliff is divided into left, middle, and right sections, overlapping each other with similar heights of over 100 meters. The upper part of the cliff is covered with lacebark pines, while the middle and lower parts expose reddish-brown bedrock, as if cast from molten iron, presenting a magnificent and splendid sight. The cliff face features many erosion caves shaped like bird nests, named "Diaochao Valley." During the Eastern Han Dynasty, when Wai Xiao dominated the Longyou region, he built a summer retreat palace here. The interplay of flowing springs and red cliffs, along with pines, cypresses, and bamboo groves, makes it a place for reflection on history and exploration of scenic beauty.
Jiaolong Temple
Jiaolong Temple is located at the junction of the Maijishan and Immortal Cliff scenic areas. Historical records suggest its construction date is no later than that of the Maijishan Grottoes. In recent years, primarily through public fundraising, several buildings, including the "Primordial Mother Palace," have been constructed. Built against the mountain, the temple is resplendent and, combined with its peculiar geomagnetic field, holds great appeal for tourists and local residents.
Immortal Cliff
Immortal Cliff is 15 kilometers from the Maijishan Grottoes and consists of three cliffs, five peaks, and six temples. The three cliffs are named East Cliff, West Peak, and South Cliff based on their方位. The five peaks are Jade Emperor Peak, Treasure Canopy Peak, Pearl Offering Peak, East Cliff Peak, and West Cliff Peak. The six temples are Mulian Temple, Shilian Temple, Tielian Temple, Hualian Temple, Shuilian Temple, and Lingying Temple. Taoism and Buddhism began building temples at Immortal Cliff during the Northern Wei Dynasty. In the Song Dynasty, it was called "Huayan Temple." Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Di, bestowed the name Lingying Temple, which later became the imperial Zhu family temple. After the fall of the Ming Dynasty, it is said that descendants of Ming Prince Hanxian, Zhu Zhihong, along with calligrapher Wang Liaowang and swordsman Wang Shiyong, retreated here for cultivation. Immortal Cliff currently has 27 Ming and Qing Dynasty halls, 197 sculptures from the Northern Wei, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties, 83 square meters of murals, and five precious bronze Buddha statues from the Yongle era. The exquisite Ming and Qing clay sculptures preserved in the Immortal Cliff Grottoes enrich the quantity and content of Maijishan Grottoes from that period, forming a complete historical series of grotto art and providing detailed physical materials for studying the evolution of clay sculpture.
Immortal Lake
Immortal Lake is situated in the valley between Randeng Peak (South Cliff) and Yinghu Cliff in the Immortal Cliff scenic area. It is 13 meters deep with a surface area of over 20,000 square meters. Randeng Peak by the lakeside resembles a solitary peak of Maijishan, while more than 20 temples are arranged in a staggered manner under the concave cliff of West Cliff. The lake reflects the mountain scenery, with shimmering waves creating a tranquil and harmonious landscape of water and mountains.
Eighteen Arhat Peaks of Immortal Cliff
The Immortal Cliff scenic area features typical Danxia peak forest landforms, with over 30 small peaks showcasing their elegance. Representative examples include the姿态万千的 Eighteen Arhat Peaks, the Nuhao Mountain and Xianggong Mountain that embody原始生殖文化本原, and the natural Buddha head within Pure Land Temple. Steep cliffs, winding streams, and lush forests highlight their beauty. The peaks resemble castles or wheat stacks, while the cliffs are either steep or deeply concave. When fog is thick, the peaks emerge above the sea of clouds, resembling a "fairyland on earth." Many peaks in Immortal Cliff are covered with large tracts of ancient relict lacebark pines, and their群落式 growth in both Maijishan and Immortal Cliff is a remarkable ecological wonder.
Stone Lotus Valley
Huangjia Gorge runs through the Immortal Cliff and Jieting Hot Spring scenic areas. The upstream section is Stone Lotus Valley, a gorge over 10 li long. Metamorphic bedrock, eroded by flowing water, resembles clusters of lotus flowers. The words "Stone Lotus Valley," inscribed by Mr. Feng Guorui, are carved on the lotus stones. The entire Huangjia Gorge features幽峰奇, dense trees and shrubs, clear water and碧潭, and numerous奇洞, making a walk through it like stepping into a "Ten-Li Green Corridor." Among these is a waterfall several zhang high, cascading from a height into a deep pool,传说为 the place where the "Heavenly River poured water," giving rise to Tianshui City.
Immortal Wanderer Valley
Adjacent to Immortal Lake is a secluded valley with 16丹崖秀峰 arranged in an orderly manner on both sides. Lacebark pines grow on the peaks and in the岩石、裂隙 of the cliffs, displaying千姿百态. Streams meander, mountain flowers and草坪 bloom, birds sing, and cicadas chirp, creating a怡然、幽静的 natural scene.
Pure Land Temple
Pure Land Temple is located in Houchuan, behind Immortal Cliff. Surrounded by mountains and filled with pines, the temple experiences松涛阵鸣 when mountain winds blow, known as "Pure Land Pine Waves," one of the ten scenic spots of Qinzhou. Since the 1980s, monks and社会各界 have raised funds, investing nearly 90 million yuan for restoration and expansion, resulting in a grand architectural complex with three courtyards. In recent years, new additions such as the Arhat Hall, Scripture Depository, and景门牌坊 have further expanded its scale. In recent years, "Buddha's Light" has frequently appeared at this site, and a天然佛头 was discovered on the cliff behind the temple, gaining fame both domestically and internationally.
Stone GateShimen is located 25 kilometers southeast of the Maijishan Grottoes. With its towering peaks and rugged terrain, it features a granite mountain landscape and is known as the "Little Huangshan." It consists of five peaks: Huangtian Peak and Yuling Peak in the south, and Doumu Peak, Xinglong Peak, and Qilin Peak in the north. Among these, the southern peak is the highest, standing at an elevation of 2,097 meters. The main peaks, north and south, face each other, soaring into the clouds, connected by a corridor bridge in between. From a distance, they resemble a gate. Additionally, beneath the stone wall under the corridor bridge (named Juxian Bridge) between the north and south peaks, there is a large square black circle resembling a lintel, hence the name "Shimen" (Stone Gate). The Qing dynasty scholar Fei Tingzhen recorded: "The mountain stands a thousand ren tall, lush and verdant, surrounded by steep cliffs with no paths. It takes eighteen winding turns to ascend, with endless pines and bamboos, and the radiant glow of temple halls and pavilions, making it the foremost blessed land in Longyou." Every year on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the full moon rises slowly between Huangtian Peak and Doumu Peak, hanging above Juxian Bridge, creating the wondrous spectacle known as "Shimen Night Moon." Taoism has a long history at Shimen, with over ten ancient temples, including Zushi, Shengmu, Wangmu, and Sanguan, built around the five peaks. These temples form an "S"-shaped layout resembling a Taiji Bagua diagram, which is extremely rare among surviving Taoist architectural complexes in China.
Jiumen Gorge
Downstream from the Yingyue Lake at Shimen Mountain, the valley stretches for one kilometer, with rushing torrents flowing through towering mountains and massive rocks, forming waterfalls and pools. The cliffs are steep, and the gorge is filled with huge boulders. There are nine narrow valley entrances, resembling nine natural stone gates, hence the name "Jiumen Jiudao Xiang," abbreviated as "Jiumen Gorge."
Yingyue Lake
Yingyue Lake is located in a broad area at the foot of the front mountain of Shimen. The lake water comes from the Baxian River of Shimen. Every night when the moon reaches its zenith, the lake reflects the moonlight and the shadow of Shimen Mountain, creating an elegant and tranquil scene, hence the name "Yingyue Lake" (Moon-Reflecting Lake).
Mumatan
Mumatan is located southeast of the Shimen scenic area. With its open terrain, nestled against mountains and beside water, fertile soil, and lush grass, it was the pastureland of Ying Feizi, the ancestor of the Qin people. Over the past decade or so, precious artifacts such as Qin bamboo slips from the Warring States period, wooden board maps, and paper have been unearthed from Qin and Han tombs at Mumatan. Among these, the wooden board maps are the world's earliest practical maps and are of great value. The Jiunv Peak within Mumatan at Shimen Mountain resembles nine graceful and elegant young women standing tall.
Little Shimen
Little Shimen is located northeast of the northern peak of Shimen. Two mountains face each other, forming a canyon about 500 meters long and up to 20 meters wide at its broadest point, named Shuanglong Gorge, also known as Little Shimen. Within the canyon, a waterfall cascades down from a massive rock, about 100 meters high, flowing through three bends and eighteen drops, resembling a white silk ribbon hanging in the sky. The waterfall produces three distinct loud sounds as it falls, earning it the name "Three-Sound Waterfall." The canyon is flanked by towering mountains, dense forests, and murmuring streams, making it a truly spectacular sight.
Quxi
Quxi is a section of the Baijia River, a tributary of the Jialing River, stretching from Xujiazhuang to Guanyin Hall. It winds and twists for 12 kilometers within a 1.5-kilometer-wide area, featuring highly developed river bends with large curvature and short necks. The section with the greatest curvature is from Wangjiazhuang to Xiamachang, where the meandering river stretches 3.5 kilometers while the neck of the bend is only 300 meters. This creates a unique landscape of winding rivers, small bridges, flowing water, deep gorges, and dense forests, comparable to the Nine-Bend Stream of Wuyi Mountain and Jiuzhaigou.
Jieting Hot Spring
Jieting Hot Spring is located in the ancient town of Jieting, which connects the Shimen and Xianrenya scenic areas. This town was the residence of the great Tang dynasty poet Du Fu in 759 AD when he lived in Qinzhou. It contains cultural relics and historic sites such as Dongke Thatched Cottage and Chongfu Temple. The Dongke Valley, Huangjia Gorge, Shenlong Mountain, and Wenjia Gorge feature a combination of majestic, elegant, serene, and perilous landscapes. Within Wenjia Gorge, there is a hot spring with a water temperature of around 40°C, rich in 19 chemical trace elements. Bathing in it leaves the skin smooth and tender, promoting overall relaxation. It is uniquely effective for neurasthenia, insomnia, hypertension, heart disease, sequelae of cerebral hemorrhage, arthritis, skin diseases, and athlete's foot.
Ancient Town of Jieting
The ancient town of Jieting, also known as Jiezi Town, is located at the easternmost end of the Dongke River Valley, situated on a delta where the Huangjia Gorge and Wenjia Gorge waters converge. It is a cross-shaped ancient town. The north-south street is 300 meters long, the east-west street is about 400 meters long, and the streets are approximately 9 meters wide. Most of the shops along the streets are timber-framed structures built during the Ming and Qing dynasties or before liberation. At the entrances of the east-west street, two-story gatehouse-style ancient city gates are still preserved. To the west of the town is the Shisheng Pavilion, and to the east are the Wenchang Pavilion and an opera stage. Not far from the opera stage is Dongbaozi Mountain, which rises steeply to a height of several hundred meters. Chongfu Temple is built halfway up the mountain, surrounded by precious white-bark pines.
Shenlong Mountain
Shenlong Mountain, also known as Shenling Mountain or Tielong Mountain, lies at the foot of the ancient town of Jieting. From the base to the summit, Chongfu Temple, Tianwang Hall, Sanshi Buddha Hall, Lingxiao Hall, and Shimu Palace are built in succession, forming a Buddhist and Taoist architectural complex. What is particularly unusual about this mountain is a deep, unfathomable cavity at its summit. When listened to, it emits a humming sound. If firewood is thrown into it, a continuous airflow emerges from the cavity year-round, making it a true wonder.
Du Fu Thatched Cottage
Du Fu Thatched Cottage is located in Liujiahe, Bahuai Village, within the Jieting Hot Spring scenic area. The great Tang dynasty poet Du Fu (courtesy name Zimei) lived in exile in Qinzhou in 759 AD. He built a thatched cottage in Dongke Valley with the help of his nephew Du You and wrote poems about Dongke Valley and "To My Nephew You." Shortly after, he left Dongke Valley. To commemorate Du Fu, the locals preserved the thatched cottage where he lived. Even in the "Qinzhou Chronicles," "Dongke Thatched Cottage" is listed as one of the ten scenic spots of Qinzhou. Today, relics such as Dongke Thatched Cottage are still preserved.
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