.jpg)
This grotto has a reputation as the East Sculpture Hall.
Maiji Mountain Grottoes, Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, Henan Longmen Grottoes, and Shanxi Yungang Grottoes are together known as China's four greatest grottoes. Mogao Grottoes is known for its murals, Longmen Grottoes and Yungang Grottoes are both famous for their stone carvings, while Maiji Mountain Grottoes is unique for its exquisite sculptures, what’s more, it is known as Oriental Sculpture Museum, because there are many caves, perfect statues, and continuing for a long time.
Peep to the beautiful statues through the window with iron bars.
Art treasures behind the bars
I was so eager to see the Maiji Mountain Grottoes that I get off early in Tianshui on the train to Lanzhou. There is No.34 green bus directly to Maiji Mountain area at the right side of Tianshui Train Station Square, about 1 hour’s drive. It is rather convenient to go to the scenic area, and you can check your luggage at the train station or the visitor center.
The locked door and the close iron bars made it hard to enjoy the sight in it.
Maybe the Bodhisattvas and Buddha are also very frustrated behind the iron bars.
We arrived at the gate of the scenic area. The ticket is RMB 70, and the one-way traffic cost within the area is 10 Yuan.
This door is even better and closer, you have no chance to glimpse at all, if you want, you should pay for it.
The fees of special grottoes are very expensive.
The iron door is closed, and it is the most essential grotto in Maiji Mountain. Want to have a look? Pay for it.
The imitate Buddha in the No.44 cave which is known as the East Mona Lisa.
Imitation virgin in the No.123 cave
the fly high steps
wonderful art on the cliff
Maiji Mountain Grottoes is the caves cut on the hillside cliff. Now the wooden ladders have been replaced into the cement reinforcement steps, so the security has been improved a lot. Unilateral access, usually visitors do not have the chance to jam, and the possibility of danger is small. But walking on the steps and watching the empty abyss under the foot, most of people dare to climb the steps. How dangerous it is to build the grottoes. How great the worker who completed this great project.
The charming smile
People may feel the intimacy to the kind Buddha.
Maiji Mountain is gravel rock, and the stone on the mountain is loose and not easy to craft. Therefore, most of the Buddha status in the caves are clay color Buddha.
the open temple
The cave was open
These Buddha statuses are really beautiful, but what’s unpleasant is that you have to glimpse of these artistic treasures thought the iron bars.
smile with them
the beautiful color and lines of the clothes
Some of the Buddha statuses are bad ones.
Why there are some people sabotaging these treasures.
It should be said that Maiji Mountain Grottoes is really very exciting and beautiful caves. As far as the parts I see, I think they are really can be called the country’s treasure. But the overall weathering damage is still very serious and miserable. The human damage is very serious. So from a certain perspective, I can understand the reason why there are so many iron bars.
There are also many beautiful murals of flying.
These abandoned Buddha statues made me sad.
I really hope that the cultural workers in the Maiji Mountain come up with a way to protect the relics from further weathering, while still allowing visitors to enjoy the arts.
the gorgeous color clothes
art treasures on the Cliff
