4 Days Hiking to Tianshui

Tianshui Airport is nine miles (14 kilometers) from the downtown area. There are direct flights to Xian and Tianjin every day. From other parts of China, taking the train is more convenient. The train station is to the east of the city center in Maiji District, one of the two districts of Tianshui. The other district is Qinzhou, in which is located the municipal seat. Bus no.6 is available at the exit of the railway station, taking travelers to Qinzhou District in around 40 minutes. The bus fare is CNY 2. Taxis are very convenient and the fares are considered to be much cheaper than other cities. Taxi fares are CNY5 for the first 1.8 miles (three kilometers), and CNY1 for each extra kilometer. Hiring a taxi for a day costs around CNY150.

Day 1:
On the first day, we suggest you follow this hiking route: Hu Family's Compound - Yuquan Taoist Temple - Fuxi Temple - Nanguo Temple. Located on West Minzhu Road, Qinzhou District, the Hu Family's Compound is a building complex with distinctive features of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 – 1911), and can be accessed by taking bus no.6 to North Central Square Station. Yuquan Taoist Temple has been a significant Taoist shrine in Tianshui from ancient times, located at Tianjing Mountain 1,600 yards (1,463 meters) west of the compound. Shaded by lush towering trees with birds twittering melodiously, it seems to be an isolated territory from the outside world. 

Hiking 1,100 yards (1,000 meters) southwards, you will reach Fuxi Temple, the largest memorial in China for people to express their worship to Fuxi, a legendary primogenitor of the Chinese people. Occupying an area of 68,000 square yards (56,856 square meters), Nanguo Temple with strong cultural atmosphere is renowned as the greatest temple in Tianshui. Its quietness and joyful scenery has attracted numerous poets through the ages and many popular verses were written there. Bus no.26 (inner ring) would take you there from Fuxi Temple.

Day 3:
On the next morning, you can hire a minibus to visit Shimen Mountain (Stone Gate Mountain), located 35 miles (56 kilometers) southeast of the city proper. Here, two sharp cliffs face each other, looking like a natural stone gate in the distance, and hence the name. In the afternoon, visit Jieting Old Town. Many residences there still preserve the ancient architectural style. You can also enjoy the hot spring in the town to wash away tiredness.

Day 4:
Elephant Mountain and the Grotto Complex of Water Curtain Cave are recommended hiking destinations on the fourth day. Chartering a minibus should be a good choice. Elephant Mountain, around 35 miles (56 kilometers) northwest of Tianshui City, is famous for its clay sculpture of Sakyamuni Buddha. With a history of about 1,600 years, Water Curtain Cave is a noted Buddhist grotto site along the east part of the ancient Silk Road. It consists of four sights, namely Lashao Temple, Water Curtain Cave, Thousand-Buddha Cave, and Xiangsheng Pool. Here, you can also find exquisite Buddha sculptures, inscriptions, and murals on the cliffs.