The Mysterious Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes: A Buddhist Palace Carved into the Mountain

Beyond the Rainbow Danxia Landform and the Giant Buddha Temple in Zhangye City, Gansu Province, lies another heavyweight scenic area—the Mati Ecological and Cultural Tourism Zone centered around the Mati Temple Grottoes, which is truly awe-inspiring. Located in Mati Tibetan Township, Sunan Yugur Autonomous County, Zhangye City, the Mati Ecological and Cultural Tourism Zone is a national 4A-level tourist area that combines grotto art, religious culture, ethnic customs, and natural scenery. [TeaDrinker] 【Main Attractions】 1. Mati Temple Grottoes The Mati Temple Grottoes were carved during the Northern Liang period of the Sixteen Kingdoms, dating back over 1,600 years. They consist of seven sites—Shengguo Temple, Puguang Temple, Thousand Buddha Caves, Upper, Middle, and Lower Guanyin Caves, and Jinta Temple—spread across an area of over 100 square kilometers. These include the Thousand Buddha Caves, Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes, and King Gesar Hall, preserving the simple yet majestic early forms, statues, and murals that showcase the unique charm of grotto art. 2. Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes Carved into a cliff in the shape of a 7-story, 21-cave pagoda, this site is magnificent and breathtaking. Visitors must climb using both hands and feet, offering a unique adventure experience. 3. Thousand Buddha Caves Home to numerous Buddha statues and four special caves, this is one of the key areas for visitors to explore. 4. Stupa of Elder Monk Dijing [Coke] Visiting Time: It is recommended to allocate around 3 hours to fully appreciate the beauty of each attraction. Transportation: Self-driving is the best way to explore the Mati Ecological and Cultural Tourism Zone. Private vehicles can enter the scenic area, or you can take a shuttle bus to Mati Temple, which stops at key areas like the Thousand Buddha Caves and Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes. 🏖️ 【Overview】 The Northern Mati Temple is large in scale, grand in architecture, and the most incense-laden, serving as the center and main body of the entire Mati Temple Grottoes. Also known as Puguang Temple, it is the core part of the Mati Temple Grottoes. In the 14th year of the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty, the emperor bestowed the name "Puguang Temple." Historical records indicate that the grottoes were first carved during the Jin Dynasty when Guo Yu carved them for seclusion, writing, and teaching. Later generations expanded the grottoes, turning them into a renowned temple. The Puguang Temple Grottoes consist of numerous caves, including the Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes, Tibetan Buddha Hall, Mati Hall, Horse King Hall, and Medicine Buddha Hall, with a history of about 1,600 years. In the 17th year of the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty, when a high-ranking official petitioned the emperor for an inscribed plaque, news of a military victory in the south arrived, leading to the temple being named "Puguang Temple." [Kiss]