[2025 Gangu Attraction] Travel Guide for Gangu Daxiangshan (Updated 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.

📝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.

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! 🌈

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! 🙌