Maijishan Grottoes & Famen Temple - China Culture Center

MAIJISHAN GROTTOES

The Maijishan Grottoes are a series of 194 caves cut in the side of the hill of Majishan in Tianshui, Gansu Province, northwest China. This example of rock cut architecture contains over 7,200 Buddhist sculptures and over 1,000 square meters of murals. Construction began in the Later Qin era (384-417 CE). The mountain, which is shaped like a haystack, gets its name from the Chinese for haystack,

Although many earthquakes and conflagration, it still remains 194 caves, 7200 sculpture, 1000 square M fresco which are excavated on the cliff about 30-80m high form the ground, more than 70 percent caves were excavated in the North dynasty.

Spectacular Maiji peak, exquisite clay carving temple building under cliff, peculiar landform, about plant clear stream and waterfall combine naturally made up a harmonious landscape of mankind and nature.

FAMEN TEMLE, Baoji,120 kilometers northwest of Xian

Famen Temple is one of the most influential and important Buddhist temples in China because the Buddha Sarira, or the finger bone relic of Buddhism founder Sakyamuni, was kept here, the only one in China with finger relic of Sakyamuni. It is said to have been carried to China from northern India by monks 200 years after Buddha��s death and offered to the Emperor of China during the Tang dynasty. Famen Temple was built to house this finger bone relic that belongs to Buddha.

In 1981, a 12-story brick pagoda in the temple collapsed, revealing the largest underground Buddhist vault ever found in China. Many precious relics were discovered, including 2400 pieces of gold, silverware, jewelry and 8th century textile products. The vault apparently lay in obscurity for1,000 years and escaped the ravages of the Cultural Revolution. It was discovered by archeologist cleaning the temple runs in 1987.

From 2002-2005, the figer relics has been carried to Hong Kong, Taiwan and Republic of Korea for exhibition and enshrinement.

May 8, 2009 - The finger bone relic housed in Famen Temple, according to historical documentation and epigraphy, is the real finger bone of the Sakyamuni.

>> more photos

CCC does not presently offer regular set excursions to this destination. However we are happy to help you plan a private tour. Please click the tab "Custom Itinerary" to check prices and propose a date and your own group.

Suggested itinerary:

Day 1 Fly in Xi'an in the evening

Beijing departure: Beijing- Xi'an by air (around 18:00-20:00)
Shanghai departure: Shanghai Pudong - Xi'an by air (around 18:00-20:30)
Other locales: If you depart from other cities of China, let us know and we will help you with your visit.

Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and stay overnight in Xi'an.

Day 2 Xi'an / Baoji (Famen county) / Tianshui

Drive 3 hours to Famen county of Baoji City, and visit the Famen Temple, one of the most significent Buddhist temple of China, the only one where the Buddha Sarira, or the finger bone relic of Buddhism founder Sakyamuni, was kept.

After lunch, drive to the Qianling Mausoleum, where, among other royal members of Tang Dynasty, China' s only empress Wu Zetian' s tomb is housed. The mausoleum is renowned for its many Tang Dynasty stone statues located above ground and the mural paintings adorning the subterranean walls of the tombs. There is a total of 17 smaller attendant tombs.

Later, we head for Tianshui (3 hours). Stay overnight in Tianshui.

Day 3 Tianshui / Xi'an /Fly out

The whole morning will dedicate to Maijishan Grottoes. Although many earthquakes and conflagration, it still remains 194 caves, 7200 sculpture, 1000 square M fresco which are excavated on the cliff about 30-80m high form the ground, more than 70 percent caves were excavated in the North dynasty. Spectacular Maiji peak, exquisite clay carving temple building under cliff, peculiar landform, about plant clear stream and waterfall combine naturally made up a harmonious landscape of mankind and nature.

After lunch, we visit the Temple of Fuxi (mid 2800s BCE), who was the first of the Three Sovereigns of ancient China, and a culture hero reputed to be the inventor of writing, fishing, and trapping. Fuxi is mostly known for present day people as the inventor of bagua (trigrams of the I Ching). The temple was first built more than five hundred years ago during the Ming Dynasty. Half a millennium may have passed but the people here and from other cities and countries still remember Fuxi twice a year in elaborate ceremonies.

Then return to Xi'an (4 hours) and transfer to the airport of Xi'an and fly out.

Xi'an - Beijing (around 20:40- 22:20)
Xi'an - Shanghai Pudong (around 21:00-22:50)

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