Wushan Lashao Temple & Shuiliandong, Aug 2026

Less than 2 hours northeast of Tianshui City is Wushan Moya Shiku Wenhua 武山摩崖石窟文化 scenic area with the world’s largest cliff-cut bas-relief Buddha, Lashao Temple Grotto 拉梢寺石窟, also known as Dafoya 大佛崖 (Great Buddha Cliff).    Legend has it that when the temple was being built, wood was piled up from the foot of the cliff to the top to serve as scaffolding, hence the name Lashao Temple meaning “piling wood temple”.  Using chisels, paint, and clay, the reliefs were created from top to bottom on the steep cliff face.  Construction of this over 40-meter tall Shakyamuni Buddha on the concave cliff face started in the Northern Zhou Dynasty (559 AD).  Below the lotus pedestal of the Buddha are three rows of lions, deer, and elephants carved between the lotus petals.  The cliff face is like a giant canvas, covered with murals of thousands of Buddhas, flying apssaras, Bodhisattvas, and animals all displaying the solemn and simple style of Northern Zhou Buddhist art.

Lashao Temple Grotto 拉梢寺石窟 with the over 40-meter tall Shakyamuni Buddha bas-relief is the first thing welcoming you once you alight the shuttle bus from the main entrance.

Across from Lashao Temple Grotto is Shuiliandong Grotto Complex 水簾洞 or “Water Curtain Caves”.  This is not the same Water Curtain Cave from the Journey to the West.  After climbing up endless stairs, you will come upon a large natural red-rock cave with small temples that blend Buddhism and Taoism with some original Northern Zhou Buddhist murals still on the cliff face.  Halls dedicated to Bodhisattvas and Laojun nestle inside the giant half open cliff.  During heavy rainfall, water pours down from the cliff top across the cave mouth like a hanging curtain and hence the name “Water Curtain Cave”.

I was told by my driver that visitors rarely come to Wushan Moya Shiku Wenhua 武山摩崖石窟文化 and it’s true, I saw only one small tour group and maybe under 30 or so people overall.  It is absolutely an underrated scenic area and one should definitely pop in even if it’s just to see the giant bas-relief.  That’s a wrap to my short Gansu visit.  Until the next adventure!

Thanks for stopping by!

Enter your email below for email subscription or keep checking back for more blog posts to come.

Alternatively, get connected through
my Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/beatricetravelsblog or follow me on Instagram @beatricetravels.