Thousand Buddha Temple and Grottoes

Thousand Buddha Temple and Grottoes Review

One of the only day trips worth taking from Lanzhou is the Thousand Buddha Temple and Grottoes. More commonly known by its Chinese name Binglng Si, it's filled with Buddhist paintings and statuary, including an impressive 89-foot-tall Buddha carved into a cliff face. Although the art is disappointing compared to the Mogao Grottoes at Dunhuang, the location, in a 200-foot-high canyon dominated by spectacular cliff formations of porous rock, is stunning. It's best to visit in summer, as access is only by water, and the Yellow River is too low most of the year. If you travel here on your own, you'll need to catch a bus, a ferry, and a jeep. Don't even try it. It's much easier to book a tour. Gansu Western Travel Service offers a popular day trip that includes all transportation and insurance for about Y400 per person. You can ask your hotel to make the arrangements.