Fuxi Temple, Tianshui

As an indispensable part of the Silk Road throughout history, Tianshui in Gansu province is located in the boundary among Shanxi, Gansu and Sichuan. Tianshui is a city with four distinct seasons and abundant products; therefore it was titled as Small Jiangnan in the northwest with south-China-style scenery. After a tour in Xian, tourists can journey further westward to Tianshui since the transportation is very convenient.

Take the soft seat train K591 10:56/14:43 (Ticket fee: CNY78.00 net per person) to Tianshui, which is the 4th stop of the train. You can also take the bus at the Xian bus station near the southwest of the Xian railway station to Tainshui through the freeway. It takes about three and a half hours and costs about CNY82. The early one departs from Xian at 06:00 in the morning and last one departs at 18:00 in the afternoon. It departs every 1 hour. Upon arrival, a taxi at the cost of about CNY20.00 net will take you to the 4-star Tianshui Hotel at 5# Yingbin Road in QinZhou District (Tel: 0938-8212611). After a short rest, take taxi at the cost of CNY5.00 net to the Hu's House (Add: West of Mingzhu West Rd, Qinzhou District; admission fee: CNY10.00 net per person; opening time: 07:00-18:00). Known locally as Nan Bei Zhai Zi, it is a private house built in Ming Dynasty by Hu Laijin and his son Huxi. The well preserved house plays an important role in researching Tianshui ancient house architectural culture. Explore the local city center and taste some local delicious food at leisure.

Maiji Grottoes in Tianshui, Gansu Province

On the second day, visit the Maiji Grottoes in Maiji Scenic Spot (Admission fee: CNY22.00 net per person; opening time: 6:00-18:00), which is 45 kilometers away from southeast of Tianshui city. Tourist Bus No. 5 stops (Tianshui Hotel Bus Stop) near your hotel. The ticket fee is about CNY5.00 net per person and you will arrive at the scenic spot in an hour. Maiji Grottoes are among the four famous Grottoes in China along with Yungang Grottoes in Datong, Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang and Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang. The clay Buddhist statues here well reflect Chinese features, thus they are regarded as the 'Oriental Museum of Buddhist Sculptures'. The same bus will take you back to the city center. In the afternoon, visit the Fuxi Temple (Add: No. 110, Fuxi Rd, Xiguan, Qincheng District, Tianshui City; admission fee: CNY30.00 net per person; opening time: 8:00-17:00). If time permits, a visit to Yuquan Temple is also a good idea, as it is the largest Taoism temple in south Gansu (Add: North of Qinzhou District, Tianshui City; admission fee: CNY15.00 net).

Yuquan Temple in Tianshui

On the third day morning, visit the Fuxi Temple (Admission fee: CNY6.00 net per person; opening time: 08:00-18:00) by taking taxi at a cost of CNY5.00 net. In Chinese legendary, Fuxi, who invented fishing and trapping, was the earliest ancestors of ancient China. Particularly, he first learnt Ba-gua used in divination, which contribution greatly to human civilization. Initially built in the year 1483 and rebuilt nine times later, Fuxi Temple forms a complex of buildings that lay out stately in a large scale. On every thirteenth day of May, Chinese calendar is the Fuxi Cultural and Tourism Festival, when grand ritual ceremony and ancestor worship will be held in Fuxi Temple. After the visit, you can take coach to Lanzhou either from Lanhu Coach Station or Tianshui Coach Station (Ticket fee: CNY66.00 net) at 13:00. The coach will not be available after 16:30. Alternatively, you may return to Xian by train (K420/K417 14:11/18:52) or coach.