Things to do in Gangu

The Daxiangshan Grottoes are one of the eight scenic spots in Gangu. On both sides of the Buddha Cave, there are long corridors built according to the mountain, like a belt. The caves and niches on the corridor are connected, majestic and spectacular. There are 22 existing caves and niches, most of which are nearly square in plan. There are large round arch niches and high altar bases on the main wall, and there are Zen caves for monks to practice. This is the special feature of the Daxiangshan Grottoes, which is also rare in China. The Gangu Buddha is a semi-circular stone-based clay sculpture, 23.3 meters high, 9.5 meters wide at the shoulders, 5.8 meters high at the head, and 6 meters long at the knees. Its shape is tall and majestic, which makes people look up to it. Its cultural characteristics can be regarded as a masterpiece of art that perfectly combines Western decorative sculptures and Chinese freehand sculptures. According to research, the Buddha statues in Gangu can be traced back to the Northern Wei Dynasty, and have gone through four dynasties and more than 300 years.

"Remembering the Three Kingdoms - Qinzhou Nostalgia" Qishan Zhuge Wuhou Temple, Tianshui Pass Jiang Wei Tomb; Jieting defeat was caused by Ma Su, Simen Zhuanghou Pang Degong. Deng Ai was stable in Tielong Mountain, Zhang He died in Mumendaogu; Sima Zhongda held up the pillar of heaven, Zhuge's army camped in the east of Qinzhou. The Three Kingdoms fought against Wei, Shu and Wu, and the smoke of gunpowder dispersed the heroic spirits; The Weihe River has been flowing for thousands of years, and China has been unified and prosperous!

Daxiang Mountain is located in Gangu County, Tianshui City, Gansu Province. It was named after the giant Buddha statue carved on the top of the mountain. The Gangu Giant Buddha is Sakyamuni Buddha. Since Daxiang Mountain was renamed after the giant Buddha, people have been calling it Daxiang Mountain. Because the mountain is shaped like a flag, it is also called Wenqi Mountain.

It's a must-see in Tianshui. The Fuxi Temple and Tianshui City Museum are located together, separated by only a wall. The surrounding temple grounds are filled with ancient trees, some seven or eight hundred years old. Fuxi holds special significance for Chinese civilization. The overall environment is quite elegant, and the ancient city of Tianshui is nearby, making it a great place for an evening stroll.

景区入口 8 点开门，就是太多人插队了，都不按顺序排队，坐观光车也是爭先恐後的，吃饭的地方位子也不多，很多人都坐在阶梯上吃饭，但是景点还是挺美的，我们 8 点进 5 点出，每个景点都看个够才舍得离开，一级棒。

5 stars! A thousand-year-old city hidden in Northwest China, the night view and food are absolutely amazing! A must-visit treasure in Tianshui! The free admission to the ancient city is such a generous offer; I was instantly hooked after exploring it. The ancient residences from the Ming and Qing dynasties are incredibly well-preserved, with exquisite wood and brick carvings that are breathtaking. The courtyard layout of the north and south houses is particularly stunning; stepping inside feels like stepping back in time. Wearing Hanfu for photos is incredibly photogenic, and in the morning when it's less crowded, you can take pictures effortlessly. The vibrant atmosphere of the ancient city is truly captivating! The streets and alleys are filled with Tianshui's signature snacks: spicy and chewy "guagua," refreshing and tangy "jiangshui noodles," and springy "laolao" (a type of noodle). You can't go wrong with any of the small shops; sit down and slurp down a bowl after a long walk—pure bliss! There are also shops selling intangible cultural heritage handicrafts and creative cultural products; you can discover many surprises at a leisurely pace. It's not overly commercialized, allowing for a truly relaxing stroll. And the night view deserves special mention! As dusk settles, red lanterns illuminate the cobblestone streets, creating a vibrant atmosphere in the ancient buildings. Occasionally, you might even catch a street band performance or a Qinqiang opera, adding to the lively yet charming ambiance. The guesthouse we stayed at in the ancient town was incredibly stylish with its retro decor. The owner was warm and attentive, even sharing hidden tourist routes. It was within walking distance of the Fuxi Temple and Yuquan Temple, making it super convenient. The facilities were excellent, and the staff were very attentive. Overall, a fantastic experience! Whether you want to immerse yourself in history and culture or simply enjoy the food and photos, Tianshui Ancient Town is definitely worth a visit. I'll definitely bring my friends back next time! Would you like me to compile a detailed list of "food and photo spots" in the ancient town, highlighting specific shops and the best photo locations?

I originally planned to climb up myself, but then I realized it was a good idea to take the cable car. Climbing mountains at high altitudes is completely different from climbing on flat ground; what seems easy in normal times might not be so easy there. Anyway, taking the cable car up wasn't particularly slow, and we made it to almost 1 PM. If we had climbed, we definitely wouldn't have made it in time. Therefore, the cable car is essential. Taking the cable car up and hiking down is a more scientific way to enjoy the mountain.

The park is a very distinctive scenic spot, and the Buddha statue with a beard is quite nice.

Lanzhou Danxia Geological Park is fabulous. One of the top three things I have done on this tour. I used Trip.com to get out to the park and that was very easy. Shuttle buses are necessary to get between the various vantage points. I would come for longer next time and do the zip line. I got an 8am bus from Xiaoxihu Subway Station and it leaves the Park at 12pm to return back to the city.

The Jianmen Pass is majestic and imposing, a place where one man can hold off ten thousand. Standing before Jianmen Pass, the seventy-two peaks stretch out from the horizon in a straight line, creating an overwhelming sense of awe. I truly understood the scene described in Li Bai's poem. Entering from the North Gate, the Shu Road route inevitably requires a ticket. Climbing to Fairy Corridor, reaching the summit of Bird Island, then heading to Liangshan Temple, and returning, passing through the Great Cave, Small Cave, and One Line of Sky to reach the pass tower, exiting from the South Gate, the entire route is 9 kilometers long, without taking the cable car, with a total elevation gain of 750 meters. Bus No. 7 from Jianmen Pass High-Speed ​​Railway Station costs 6 yuan per person and connects the high-speed railway station, the North Gate, and the South Gate.