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Lanzhou Tour of
Maiji Caves
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Located 45 kilometers (about 28 miles) southeast of
Tianshui City in Gansu Province, Maiji Mountain rises up abruptly
142 meters (about 155 yards) from the landscape. The people named
the mountain 'Maiji' because it resembles a stack of wheat straw (mai
meaning wheat, and ji meaning stack).
On the sheer cliff that marks the southwest side of
Maiji Mountain, people have labored for centuries carving niches and
caves, giving rise to what is known today as the Maiji Caves. Inside
the caves are clay statues, whose heights vary from 20 centimeters
(about 8 inches) to 15 meters (over 49 feet). Besides 194 Buddhist
caves and niches, containing more than 7, 200 clay statues, there
are also murals of over 1, 300 square meters (about 1, 555 square
yards) in the Maiji Caves as well. These statues are works of art
that reflect ancient craftsmanship and dedication to the Buddhist
ideal. Rarely can one find caves and statues carved over sheer
cliffs in China, and this is one of the most distinguishing features
of Maiji Caves. Being carved on the cliff, these caves are connected
by plank roads that hang precariously along the face of the cliff.
Visitors can only reach each cave by using these plank roads, which
offers a breathtaking experience.
Work on the Maiji caves began in the late Qin Dynasty
(221 BC - 206 BC), progressing through to the Qing Dynasty (1644 -
1911). The Northern Wei (386 - 534) period was also a time of its
great prosperity, and Buddhism began to prevail as a cultural force.
Subsequent dynasties added to and sometimes rebuilt the caves
according to the styles of the era. Interestingly, although the
statues were built at the same location, none of them maintained a
similar style with those preceding it. Statues from each dynasty
clearly developed distinct elements.
Another curious feature of the statues is their trend
toward secularization, that is, a move toward depicting the icons as
man rather than god. Except for statues built in the early period,
almost all Buddhist statues look affable and accessible. They were
no longer gods standing high in the heaven, but rather became more
like common people.
Because of its exquisite clay statues and superb
sculptural skills, Maiji Caves acquired special recognition. They
have been classified as an 'Oriental Statues Exhibition Hall'. Maiji
Caves are one of the four most important caves in China. The other
threes are Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, Yungang Caves in
Datong, Shanxi Province, and Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, Henan
Province. Their emphasis is on exquisite statues and beautiful
natural scenes, while the others' are on florid murals or
magnificent stonecutting.
There are other places of interest near Maiji Mountain
as well, Xianren Cliff, Shimen Mountain, Quxi and Maiji Arboretum,
all offer fine panoramic views of mountains, rivers and plants in
Northwest China.
Tour Lanzhou
with Great Wall Adventure Club, the best
Lanzhou
tour agent to help
you with your hotel booking and transfers.
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