Majishan Grottoes

The Majishan Grottoes are about 30 kilometers southeast of the center of Tianshui.One of China's four best cave temple groups, they are often referred to as the largest museum of sculpture in the East.

Buddhism and Buddhist art were introduced to China from India via the old Silk Road during the first century A.D. Kexi'er Thousand Buddha Caves in Xinjiang and Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang appeared along the Silk Road, digging at the caves on Majishan began during the Sixteen States and Later Qin periods and continued over the dynasties for about 1,500 years. Majishasn literally means "Wheatstack Mountain," a name derived from its shape.

The cliffs of Majishan were split into the eastern and western sections by an earthquake in 734 during the Tang Dynasty. They are now linked by walkways. There are in total 194 surviving caves on the cliffs, 54 on the eastern section and 140 on the western section. They contain more than 7,200 clay and stone statues with the largest towering 15 meters and the smallest measuring only 20 centimeters high. In addition, they also boast 1,300 square meters of murals.