2025 Gangu Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

This is the temple in the small Gansu city Gangu 甘谷县. A few words about the city. Located in Gansu valley the city is surrounded by mountains and hills. There are no high skyscrapers or modern Chinese city features. This city is like time machine taking you to previous century. Yes, to describe my impression I should say Gangu reminds me the Soviet Union Uzbekistan. And I like it. Looks like everything is OK, people are open heart and even a little but naive. That was my travel to the peaceful past when people do not need to lock the doors and guards at train or bus station do not think it's necessary to check passengers. The temple is only one landmark in this city. The big territory on top of the hillside includes Daxiangshan Giant Buddha. But from time to time the narrow path going to the grotto is being destroyed by rains or slumps. So, please, before your going there, make sure everything is OK. I haven't seen that Buddha with blue moustache, but during exploring the table territory I've met very friendly and interesting group of people. We chatted a lot. The "post Balzac aged" ladies remembered a few Russian words and told me. For me it was unexpected to here my language in such outlying place. #tripaway#triplocal

Although it is not a very popular place, its highlight is the large Buddha statue, standing tall on the mountain, looking sacred and majestic. It is quite tiring to walk up the mountain, so you should bring some water. There are temples along the way, so you can stop and rest. How to get there: From Tianshui or Lanzhou, take the train to Gangu Station and then take a taxi. If you have time, you can also take bus number 2.

Some say that grottoes are the carvings of time and culture. Looking back at the 3,000-year-old grotto art corridor, the sculptures on the cliffs 🗿 make the desolate cliffs come alive. Gansu is a huge treasure trove of grotto art. In Gangu County, Tianshui, there is a palace on a cliff - Daxiang Mountain. Built on the cliff, layer by layer, you can experience the holy land of Buddhism and enjoy the scenery of Gangu. · 💐 How to play? 👇 ✨️ Daxiang Mountain is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. There are many ancient temples and stone carvings on the mountain, such as the Great Buddha Grotto, Thousand Buddha Cave, and Arhat Hall. Visitors can experience the profound Buddhist culture here and overlook the entire Gangu County! 🔔 The Great Buddha Grotto is the core attraction of Daxiang Mountain in Gangu. There is a 23.3-meter-high stone clay sculpture of the Great Buddha in the grotto, which is one of the largest existing grotto statues in northern China. The Great Buddha is dignified and solemn, majestic, and gives a strong visual impact. · ‼️ How to get there? 📍 Address: Wulipu Village, Daxiangshan Town, Gangu County, Tianshui City, Gansu Province ⏰️ Opening hours: 08:00–18:00 daily ⛳️ Ticket price: CNY 30/person (adult) CNY 15/person (half price) ✅️ Ticket purchase Visitors can purchase tickets directly at the visitor center or ticket office at the entrance. Seniors over 60 years old need to verify their identity with their ID card. 🚌 Transportation: Take bus No. 2 or a taxi directly to the scenic spot ✨️ Tips ▫️ As the roads in the scenic area are mostly steps, it is recommended to wear flat shoes or sneakers.

🌈[Gansu Daxiang Mountain - Explore the Secret Land of the Ancient Silk Road]🌈 [Departure] The first step of a journey is always exciting. Gansu Daxiang Mountain, a place that sounds mysterious, is the destination of my trip. It is not only a mountain but also a witness to history and a shining pearl on the ancient Silk Road. [Daxiang Mountain Scenery] Daxiang Mountain attracts countless travelers with its spectacular natural scenery and rich cultural heritage. The peaks are majestic and shrouded in mist, like a fairyland falling from the sky. Standing on the top of the mountain, you can overlook the magnificent scenery of Gansu and feel the grandeur of "I will climb to the top and see all the mountains below." [Paradise for Photographers] If you are a photography enthusiast, Daxiang Mountain will not disappoint you. The sunrise and sunset, the changing light and shadow, every moment is a perfect shooting opportunity. Remember to bring your camera and capture these unforgettable moments. [Food Exploration] Food is an indispensable part of travel. At the foot of Daxiang Mountain, you can taste authentic Gansu cuisine, such as Lanzhou noodles and lamb soup, each bite is an ultimate temptation to the taste buds. [Cultural Experience] Daxiang Mountain is not only a treasure trove of natural scenery but also a gathering place of culture. Here, you can visit ancient temples and feel the tranquility and sacredness. In the sound of the temple bells, you can hear the echoes of history. [Hiking] If you love hiking, the hiking trails of Daxiang Mountain will definitely meet your needs. The natural scenery and cultural relics along the way allow you to exercise while also gaining a deeper understanding of the stories of this land. [Accommodation Recommendation] There are many unique homestays and hotels near Daxiang Mountain. Choosing a local-style accommodation can make your travel experience more perfect. [Travel Tips] - Remember to check the weather forecast and choose the right time to travel. - Bring enough water and food, as supplies on the mountain may not be convenient. - Wear comfortable hiking shoes, as the mountain roads may be rugged. - Respect local culture and customs, protect the environment, and do not litter. [Conclusion] Gansu Daxiang Mountain, a place full of mystery and charm. Here, you can find the beauty of nature, the weight of history, and the depth of culture.

📝Elephant Mountain Travel Guide👇 📊Best time to visit Elephant Mountain:👇 　　July to October 🎫Elephant Mountain ticket price:👇 　　CNY 30 per person 🕐Elephant Mountain opening hours:👇 　　May 1 to October 31: 08:30–18:00 　　November 1 to April 30: 08:30–17:30 ⛳Elephant Mountain location:👇 　　China > Gansu Province > Tianshui City > Gangu County 🚙How to get to Elephant Mountain:👇 　　Elephant Mountain is located in Gangu County, Tianshui City, 8 km from the train station. There are direct buses from Tianshui Railway Station to Gangu, or you can take a train directly to Gangu Railway Station. 📑Scenic area qualification:👇 　　National 4A-level scenic area ✨Scenic area features:👇 　　Mountain climbing, worshiping Buddha, Buddhist culture, grottoes, Buddha statues, mountains 🎙️Scenic area recommendation:👇 　　Gangu Elephant Mountain is named after the cliff elephant, one of the eight scenic spots in Gangu. It is 1,516 meters above sea level and is famous for its scenery, grottoes, ancient buildings, and Buddhist activities. The Great Buddha Grotto is located on Wenqi Mountain at the western end of the Qinling Mountains, 2.5 km southwest of Gangu County. The mountain is covered with pines and cypresses, and the cliffs are filled with lilacs. In the large cave on the cliff, there is a large stone Buddha statue from the Northern Wei Dynasty. It is one of the important cultural relics on the ancient Silk Road in southeastern Gansu Province, integrating grottoes and ancient buildings.

Grottoes are treasures carved by time and culture. The 3,000-year-old art of grottoes is a corridor of art, with sculptures blooming like flowers on the cliffs, giving life to the cold cliffs. Gansu is a treasure trove of grotto art in China, and in Gangu County, Tianshui, there is a sky-high pavilion - Daxiang Mountain. Built on the cliff, you can climb up the steps and be amazed by the magnificent scenery of the Buddha Kingdom and the beauty of Gangu. 💐 Travel Guide: ✨ Daxiang Mountain is a national 4A-level scenic spot, with ancient temples and stone carvings scattered all over the place, such as the Great Buddha Cave, the Thousand Buddha Cave, and the Arhat Hall. Here, you can immerse yourself in the profound and vast Buddhist culture and enjoy the panoramic view of Gangu. 🔔 The core area is the Great Buddha Cave, which houses a 23.3-meter stone clay sculpture of the Great Buddha, standing proudly among the northern grottoes, and is the best preserved. Its solemn demeanor and majestic aura are visually stunning and reach deep into the heart. ‼️ Travel Tips: 📍 Located in Wulipu Village, Daxiangshan Town, Gangu County, Tianshui City, Gansu Province. ⏰ Open from 8 am to 6 pm. ⛳ Tickets are affordable, with adults at CNY 30 and half-price at CNY 15. ✅ Tickets can be purchased at the visitor center or ticket office at the entrance. Seniors over 60 years old can enjoy free admission with their ID card. 🚌 Bus No. 2 or taxi can take you directly to the site. ✨ Warm tip: The scenic area has many stone steps, so flat shoes or sneakers are recommended.

Southerners always seem to have a label for Northwesterners. "Hospitality" 💐💐💐💐 Until I first visited Gansu Enter Tianshui, enter Gangu, the "No. 1 County in China" It's really spicy here! · ✨️🔔【What is Gangu】 ▫️⛩️Gangu has a long history and is known as the "hometown of Emperor Xi". Taihao Fuxi, the first ancestor of Chinese civilization, was born in the "Gufengtai" in the south of the county. At that time, Dayu controlled the floods and diverted the Wei River to the Yellow River, and the relics are still there. Jiang Wei, the great general of Shu Han, inherited Zhuge's career in the late Three Kingdoms period and supported half of Shu Han's territory. His "Yuanzhi" style has left a legacy for future generations. Gong Jianfeng, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy in the Qing Dynasty, was praised as the "model teacher of Guanxi". · 🌶🌶Gan Gu is also known as the "hometown of chili peppers". That's right, the soul of Tianshui Malatang, the chili pepper, comes from "Gan Gu"! ! The chili peppers engraved in the bones make this place a spicy capital! 🌶Children's pepper dance allows you to feel the beauty of innocence in the joy of children; ❤️A piece of Qinqiang and a piece of water sleeves have given this small city in Gansu a brand new impression in the public’s eyes; 〽️Tianshui Yipin's chili refreshes everyone's understanding of Gangu. The whole wall of chili in the factory allows you to experience handmade chili powder and oil-splashed chili. · ✨️Guide to Gangu: ✨️Daxiangshan Park → You can see the Buddhist grottoes and the Buddha statues on the cliff · If you have the opportunity I hope you are like me Calm down and feel the culture here

| The beauty of thousand-year Buddhist charm. Daxiang Mountain is really charming! When you step into this land, you feel like traveling through time and space Back to the ancient times Tianshui Daxiang Mountain⛰️ There is a big Buddha Only by reaching the top of the mountain in person Only then can you feel the shock of it in person So I won’t post pictures If one day you will go to Tianshui Don't miss this place Climbing along the mountain road, the surrounding scenery gradually unfolds before your eyes. Lush trees 🌳 complement the ancient buildings The fresh mountain air lingers on the tip of the nose, making people feel relaxed and happy Along the way, you will see various temples and pavilions of different styles They are scattered in the mountains in an orderly manner Everywhere is worth stopping and admiring 🎈【Game Guide】 🕙Time arrangement: It is recommended that you reserve half a day for the tour, so that you can fully appreciate the charm of Daxiang Mountain without being too rushed. 👟Wearing suggestions: Comfortable sneakers are a must because you need to walk a lot of mountain roads 🎫Tickets: Ticket prices are very affordable and you can buy them on the official ticketing platform or on site

Gangu Da Xiangshan Park in Tianshui! 🏞️ Here, you can enjoy not only spectacular natural scenery, but also profound cultural heritage. It's the perfect combination of adventure and relaxation! 📍 [Location] Gangu Da Xiangshan Park is located on Wenqi Mountain, 2.5 km southwest of Gangu County, Tianshui City, Gansu Province. It is one of the important cultural relics on the ancient Silk Road. 🚶‍♂️ [Tour Route] 🌅 From the Mountain Gate: Start from the stone steps at the foot of the mountain and walk all the way up. You can enjoy the pavilions and towers built along the mountain and feel the historical atmosphere. 🗿 Great Buddha Grotto: Don't miss the Great Buddha Grotto, which was built in the heyday of the Tang Dynasty. The Gangu Great Buddha is 23.3 meters high and 9.5 meters wide. The statue is magnificent and solemn, and is a cultural wonder not to be missed. 🏰 Ancient Buildings: Along the way, there are also ancient buildings such as the Earth Temple, Meige Hall, and Taihao Palace, each of which carries a rich historical story. 🌄 Overlook from the Top: After reaching the top, you can overlook the whole Gangu County and feel the grandeur of "viewing all the small mountains at a glance." 📸 [Photo Spots] 📷 In front of the Great Buddha: Take a photo with the Gangu Great Buddha and leave your footprints. 🌇 Mountain Top Observation Deck: Here, you can take panoramic photos of Da Xiangshan, which is a great place for taking photos. 🎫 [Ticket Information] Adult Ticket: CNY 30/person Opening Hours: 08:00–18:00 🚌 [Transportation Guide] 🚆 Train: Depart from Gangu Railway Station and take local bus No. 2. It takes about half an hour to get there. 🚗 Self-driving: Self-driving is also a good choice, as it allows you to arrange your itinerary more flexibly. 💡 [Tips] 👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes: It is recommended to wear comfortable sneakers, as you need to climb the mountain. 🌤️ Weather: Try to choose a sunny day to visit, so that the photos will be better. 📱 Phone Battery: Remember to fully charge your phone, as you won't be able to stop taking photos. Come to Gangu Da Xiangshan Park and experience the cultural charm of the ancient Silk Road! 🌈

It has been a long time since I last came to Gangu. It has been 20 years. Time flies. I feel so much emotion! Gangu County is a county under the jurisdiction of Tianshui City, Gansu Province. Gangu was formerly known as "Ji". It was established as a county in 688 BC and has a history of more than 2,700 years. Gangu has produced many famous people: it is the birthplace of many famous people and sages, including Shi Zuoshu, one of Confucius' seventy-two sages, Jiang Wei, the great general of Shu Han, and Gong Jianfeng, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy of the Qing Dynasty. There are many cultural relics and historical sites in the county, including the national 4A-level tourist attraction Daxiang Mountain, Maojiaping Ruins, Jiang Wei's Tomb, Gong Jianfeng Memorial Hall and other famous attractions. Today is my third time visiting Elephant Mountain. Elephant Mountain is located in the southwest of Gangu County and was named after the giant Buddha statue carved on the top of the mountain. The Gangu Buddha is Sakyamuni Buddha. Ever since the Daxiang Mountain was renamed after the Buddha, people have continued to call it Daxiang Mountain. Elephant Mountain is an important grotto cultural relic on the ancient Silk Road and a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. In 2001, it was announced by the State Council as the fifth batch of national key cultural relics protection units. The main attractions of Daxiang Mountain include: Taihao Palace: The first platform of Daxiang Mountain in Gangu has the Fuxi Temple, also known as Taihao Palace, which was built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. There is also a statue of Fuxi in Huagai Temple, which was sculpted in the Yuan Dynasty. The gate and main hall of Taihao Palace face south and north, with a total area of ​​480 square meters. The palace is majestic, sitting on Cangyan Rock, leaning against Daxiang Mountain in the south, and overlooking the Weihe River in the north. It has carved beams and painted rafters, flying eaves and colorful flowing water, and famous artists have devoted their talents to the plaques and couplets. Great Buddha Hall: The Great Buddha Hall, also known as the Great Buddha Cave, is located on the top of the cliff of Elephant Mountain and is the main building of Elephant Mountain. The giant Buddha in the cave has a kind face and a solemn demeanor. It ranks seventh among the largest stone-based clay Buddha statues in the country, with a height of 23.3 meters. Its shoulder width is 9.5 meters, its head height is 5.8 meters, and its knee length is 6 meters. This giant Buddha is a semi-circular stone-based clay sculpture with a tall and majestic shape and a solemn appearance. It was first built in the Northern Wei Dynasty and completed in the prosperous Tang Dynasty. It is one of the few precious cultural relics among the large-scale cave statues in the country. From the Elephant Mountain, you can overlook the whole city of Gangu, with tall buildings everywhere. The newly built water park also makes this county more spiritual and elegant. If you drive to Tianshui to eat spicy hot pot, you might as well go to the Elephant Mountain to worship the Buddha.

Gangu Da Xiang Mountain, also known as Wenqi Mountain due to its flag-shaped mountain body, is located in Gangu, Tianshui, Gansu Province. It is named for the large Buddha statue carved on the mountain summit. 🌟 The Gangu Great Buddha sits on the cliff wall, carved more than 200 meters above the relative ground level. Its grotto sculptures date back to the Northern Wei Dynasty, but the specific dates are unverifiable. Da Xiang Mountain Grottoes currently have 22 caves covering an area of 554 square meters; there are 15 wooden structures covering an area of 3903 square meters, with an 800-square-meter plank road connecting the various caves. The layout is divided by the Wuliang Hall, with mainly wooden structures below it; above it are predominantly grotto groups. 👍 The Tang Dynasty Great Buddha carved in the middle of the mountain is the most famous: the Buddha is 23.3 meters tall, with shoulders 9.5 meters wide. The statue has a robust and majestic body, a solemn appearance, and an imposing aura, possessing high historical, artistic, and scientific research value. ❤ Da Xiang Mountain is one of the important cultural relics in the southeastern part of Gansu on the ancient Silk Road, integrating grottoes and ancient buildings. 📍Detailed address: Da Xiang Mountain Park, Xiangshan West Road, Gangu County, Tianshui City, Gansu Province 🕙Opening hours: Monday-Friday 8:30-18:00, Saturday-Sunday 8:00-18:00 💰Ticket price: 30 yuan

Daxiang Mountain: You can overlook the entire Gangu from the top of the mountain. You must visit the grottoes. Although they are not as mysterious as the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang or as magnificent as the Maijishan Grottoes, they have a lot of content and are worth seeing. The Buddha is 23 meters tall and 9.5 meters wide at the shoulders. It has a solemn face and a heavy body. It is one of the few precious cultural relics in the large grottoes. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : The Giant Buddha Grottoes are located on Wenqi Mountain at the western end of the Qinling Mountains, 2.5 kilometers southwest of Gangu County. There are dense pines and cypresses here, and lilacs are everywhere. In a large cave on the cliffs of the mountain there is a giant stone-based clay Buddha from the Northern Wei Dynasty. It is one of the important cultural relics in southeastern Gansu on the ancient Silk Road that integrates grottoes and ancient buildings.

🐘Daxiangshan Grottoes: A grotto sanctuary, a symphony of history and nature🎼 📍Attraction Information: Gansu Province - Tianshui City - Daxiangshan Grottoes, a millennium-old treasure trove of grotto art, blending Buddhist culture with natural scenery. 🎫Budget Suggestions: Ticket + local transportation costs, suitable for tourists of all budgets. 📷Photo Spots: The Buddha statues and murals inside the grottoes, as well as the surrounding landscape, are all excellent photography spots. 🍜Food Recommendations: Tianshui cold noodles and guagua noodles, taste the authentic Gansu flavor. 🚗Transportation Recommendations: Self-drive or take a train to experience the scenery along the way. 🏠Accommodation Recommendations: Hotels or homestays in Tianshui city area, convenient and comfortable. 💡Personal Experience Sharing: Standing in front of the grottoes, it's as if you can hear the echoes of history and feel the wisdom and craftsmanship of the ancients. The lifelike Buddha statues and the colorful murals are truly breathtaking. The surrounding landscape is picturesque, adding a sense of tranquility and beauty. Highly recommended for friends who love history and nature! 🙌

Overnight, as if spring breeze comes, thousands of pear trees blossom. A heavy snow turns Gangu Daxiang Mountain Park into an ink-washed paradise, as beautiful as 'the sky and water share the same color'. The snowflakes are crystal clear, dancing with the wind, gathering the energy of heaven and earth, and the shock of the rain, bringing a surprise and warmth to the world. Walking into Gangu Daxiang Mountain Park, everywhere is beautifully covered in silver, just like the famous line from the Tang Dynasty poet Song Zhiwen's 'Encountering Snow in the Garden and Making a Poem', 'I didn't know it was snowing in the courtyard this morning, I thought the forest flowers bloomed last night'. Listening to the snow at night and watching it in the morning, the snow falls into a poem, and the poetic sentiment is better than the snow. On January 21, Gangu welcomed the first snow of 2024. The snowflakes were fluttering and falling, sprinkling and sprinkling, lighting up the dim winter sky with a little white, shattering the usual dull cold and desolation, and the whole city was wrapped in a vast expanse of snow, beautifully decorated, extraordinarily charming. The winter in Gangu is very cold, but those who are good at playing will find many attractive sceneries, which are worth visiting.

Gangu Daxiangshan is located on Wenqi Mountain at the western end of the Qinling Mountains, which is a typical Danxia landform. From the foot of the mountain to the top, it is 1.5 kilometers long and is one of the important cultural relics that integrate the ancient Grottoes and ancient buildings in the southeastern part of Gansu on the ancient Silk Road. Entering the scenic area, the first thing you see is the Daxiangshan archway. After the archway, there is a stele of 'Xihuang's hometown'. It turns out that Fuxi was born here. Going up the steps, there is the Jiangwei Temple first. The couplet on the door says, 'The ambition is in the Central Plains and the life is exhausted, the Shenlou Xiangshan will shine for thousands of years', which fully shows Jiangwei's dedication to the cause of Shu Han. Next is the Wenchang Pavilion, the combination of the inner and outer pavilions is exquisite, and it is the only hexagonal building with double eaves on the whole mountain. Then there is the Luban Temple, with a unique Bagua lotus flower caisson roof, without a nail or a rivet, fully demonstrating the wisdom of the carpenters. Inside the temple is a statue of Luban. On the seventh day of the fifth lunar month, it is Luban's birthday. On this day, the masters of the construction industry will lead their apprentices to drink industry wine here, indicating that there are successors to the ancestor Luban. Next to the temple, you can overlook the whole view of Gangu County. Continuing upwards, there is the God of Wealth Temple, also known as the Guan Saint Temple. Inside the temple is a statue of Guan Gong, stroking his beard with his right hand and holding the 'Spring and Autumn' in his left hand, meaning 'Guan Gong reads the Spring and Autumn at night, with a broad vision'. Walking a short flat road forward, you come to the Great Buddha Temple. The Great Buddha Temple is located in a cliff cave with a relative height of 200 meters at an altitude of 1516 meters. Inside the cave is a Tang Dynasty Buddha carved from the mountain, with a mud statue in the stone womb. The Buddha is 23.3 meters high and 9.5 meters wide. This Buddha is the only Tang Dynasty Buddha in the Wei River Basin, and the only one in the Longdong Grottoes. It is also the highest of the same kind of Buddha carved relative to the ground in the country. After the Great Buddha Temple, there are Baiyun Pavilion, Wuji Palace, Maitreya Temple, Queen Mother Palace, and Tianye Temple, etc. I didn't look carefully and started to go down the mountain. The downhill road is basically a slope, which is relatively easy and good for knee protection. Halfway down the mountain is Yongming Temple. The layout is arranged along the central axis in order, including the mountain gate, the Heavenly King Hall, the dining hall, the guest hall, the bell tower, the drum tower, the Thirteen Ancestor Hall, the Jialan Hall, the Daxiong Treasure Hall, and the Sutra Pavilion. Because I was a little tired, I just took a quick look. Next to the exit of Yongming Temple is Yongming Nunnery, which is not open. Continue to go down the mountain and leave the scenic area, which takes about an hour and a half in total.

Buddha Light Mountain