[2025 Sunan Attraction] Travel Guide for Qianfo Cave, Mati Temple (Updated Apr)

Cave Introduction Mati Temple is located in Sunan Yugur Autonomous County, Zhangye City. Its full name should be Mati Ecological and Cultural Tourism Area, which is located at the entrance of Qilian Mountain National Park. Here you can not only appreciate the natural scenery of Qilian Mountains, but also learn about religious culture and cave art. 🕘【Opening hours】：8:30-18:30 💴【Ticket price】: 74 yuan + 13 yuan shuttle bus fee 🚌【Transportation Guide】: There are four spots to visit, 1. Thousand Buddha Caves (I think the appearance is the most beautiful), 2. Thirty-three Days Grottoes (the appearance is also good), 3. Special Caves No. 1-4, 4. King Gesar Temple 👉【Itinerary】: Dunhuang-Zhangye 5-Day Tour: D1 Dunhuang - Mogao Grottoes - Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Lake - Stay in Dunhuang (50KM 20 minutes) D2 Dunhuang - Western Thousand Buddha Caves - Yangguan Site - Yumenguan Site - Yadan Landform World Geopark - Dunhuang (400KM 6 hours) D3 Dunhuang - Jiayuguan Pass - Cantilever Great Wall - Stay at Jiayuguan (380KM 4.5 hours) D4 Jiayuguan - Colorful Danxia - Big Buddha Temple - Zhangye (230KM 3 hours) D5 Zhangye - Horseshoe Temple - Golden Pagoda Temple (260KM 2.5 hours) A total of about 1350 km

The city of Zhangye is truly underrated, and we will definitely visit again. Besides the Rainbow Mountains, Mati Temple is often overlooked on typical tourist itineraries. Our first impression of Mati Temple was simply stunning! Don't miss it when you visit the Hexi Corridor! Experience the faith and wisdom of people who carved these caves out of the mountains 1,600 years ago. Dynasties change, but the Buddha remains. Attraction Introduction Mati Temple is one of the four great Hanging Temples, but compared to the Hanging Temple of Hengshan in Datong, Shanxi, I was even more amazed by Mati Temple. Mati Temple—officially known as the Mati Temple Grottoes, is a large complex containing several attractions, including the Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes, Thousand Buddha Caves, and Golden Pagoda Temple. Basic Tour: Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes + Thousand Buddha Caves In-depth Tour Route: Thousand Buddha Caves - Prayer Bridge - Thousand Buddha Caves No. 1-4 Grottoes (Special Grottoes) - Mati Temple North Grottoes - Golden Pagoda Temple East and West Grottoes (Special Grottoes)

🌆 Zhangye Mati Temple is a temple integrating grotto art, Qilian Mountains scenery, and Tibetan customs. It is located in Sunan Yugur Autonomous County, Gansu Province, about 65 km from Zhangye City. It takes about an hour to drive from downtown Zhangye to Mati Temple. 📖 Mati Temple was first built during the Northern Liang Dynasty, more than 1,600 years ago. It is one of the three major Buddhist art treasures in the Hexi Corridor (along with the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang and the Yulin Grottoes in Anxi). The scenic area consists of several grotto clusters, including the Thousand Buddha Caves, Puguang Temple (Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes), Tibetan Buddha Hall, and Horseshoe Temple, integrating the cultural characteristics of Han Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism. 🐎 Legend has it that King Gesar's celestial horse left a horseshoe print here, hence the name "Mati Temple" (Horseshoe Temple). The horseshoe print is now preserved in the Horseshoe Temple and is the temple's most treasured relic. 🌟 Thousand Buddha Caves. Drive from the city center and park in the visitor center parking lot outside the scenic area. After purchasing tickets, continue driving for about 100 meters to reach the Thousand Buddha Caves. The Thousand Buddha Caves consist of more than 500 cliffside Buddhist pagoda niches, grand in scale, mostly excavated during the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. They are divided into three sections: south, middle, and north. The south and middle sections mainly consist of grottoes, while the north section is a relief stone pagoda forest, a place for monks to meditate or store relics. Climbing the Thousand Buddha Caves is relatively easy. 🌟 Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes. Continue driving to another parking lot. After parking, walk into the mountains for about 20 minutes to reach the Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes. This is the landmark building of Mati Temple, consisting of 21 grottoes on 7 levels, excavated in the shape of a pagoda on a 100-meter-high red sandstone cliff. Reaching the top requires passing through narrow passages and hanging ladders, symbolizing the "path to liberation" in Buddhism. After reaching the top, you can overlook the scenery of the Qilian Mountains. People who are afraid of heights should be cautious, as the grottoes' tour route is entirely on the cliff. Although there are sufficient protective measures, it still looks quite high. ⏰ Visiting time: It is recommended to spend 3–4 hours visiting the main attractions, such as the Thousand Buddha Caves and the Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes. Because the grottoes are built on cliffs, many of the escalators are narrow and only allow one-way traffic. Therefore, waiting times can be long during peak season. 👔 Clothing and equipment: In many places, you can wear whatever you like for sightseeing, as long as it looks good in photos. Here, however, you must be prepared for climbing. Because the escalators between the upper and lower levels of the grottoes are narrow and steep, it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes and carry a light backpack. 🎫 Tickets: Basic tickets include the Thousand Buddha Caves and the Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes. There is an extra charge for driving into the scenic area. Like the Mogao Grottoes and Maijishan Grottoes, there are special grottoes available for viewing here, but the price is higher, and the tour takes longer. This depends on your budget, preferences, and travel time. Original content. Likes and follows are appreciated!

Spring Festival is the perfect time to travel! Take an 8-day tour from Xining to Qinghai Lake and Dunhuang to explore the beautiful scenery of the Northwest. Don't miss it! . 🏃 Itinerary: Day 1: Xining Museum Explore the history and culture of Xining and gain a deeper understanding of the city's heritage. Day 2: Ta'er Monastery Experience the unique charm of Tibetan Buddhism and admire the ancient temple architecture. Day 3: Chaka Salt Lake -> Erlangjian Scenic Area of Qinghai Lake Stroll through the mirror of the sky, enjoy the magnificent salt lake scenery, and then head to Erlangjian Scenic Area to admire the vast beauty of Qinghai Lake. Day 4: Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park Immerse yourself in the colorful Danxia landform and marvel at the wonders of nature. Day 5: Mati Ecological and Cultural Tourism Area -> Mati Temple Thousand Buddha Caves Experience the unique ecological culture, then visit the ancient Thousand Buddha Caves and feel the weight of history. Day 6: Jiayuguan Pass Visit the majestic Jiayuguan Pass and experience the grandeur of the ancient frontier and the vicissitudes of history. Day 7: Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring -> Mogao Caves Ride a camel through the desert, listen to the legend of Crescent Spring, and then visit the World Heritage Site of Mogao Caves to admire the splendor of mural art. Day 8: Dunhuang Museum Gain an in-depth understanding of Dunhuang's history and culture, and conclude this journey on a perfect note. . Some tips: 📸 Photo spots: The sunrises and sunsets at Qinghai Lake and Dunhuang are a paradise for photography enthusiasts. Don't miss them! 🛍️ Specialty prices: Xining's beef jerky and Dunhuang's dried fruits are amazing. Remember to compare prices and choose the best value for money. 🍽️ Food recommendations: Dunhuang's Mogao Liangpi and Xining's Kangguo Lamb are must-tries for foodies! 💡 Tips: The ultraviolet rays on the plateau are strong, so sunscreen is a must! The climate is also changeable, so remember to bring enough clothes to stay comfortable. . The charm of Xining, the tranquility of Qinghai Lake, and the mystery of Dunhuang await you. Head west and make the most of your time. Start your journey to the Northwest now!

Xining–Qinghai Lake 8-Day Tour: Explore the Great Northwest! A super detailed guide to help you enjoy the plateau scenery without detours. Save it now! . 🚩Itinerary: Day 1: Xining Museum Explore the history and culture of Xining and admire the museum's collection of exhibits. Day 2: Ta'er Monastery Visit the sacred site of Tibetan Buddhism and feel the solemnity and profound heritage of Ta'er Monastery. Day 3: Chaka Salt Lake > Erlangjian Scenic Area of Qinghai Lake Enjoy the mirror-like Chaka Salt Lake and then head to the Erlangjian Scenic Area of Qinghai Lake to admire the magnificent scenery of the plateau lake. Day 4: Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park Admire the fantastic colors of Zhangye Danxia and feel the magic of nature. Day 5: Mati Temple Scenic Area > Mati Temple Thousand Buddha Caves Explore the natural beauty of Mati Temple Scenic Area and then visit Mati Temple Thousand Buddha Caves to admire the charm of Buddhist art. Day 6: Jiayuguan Pass Climb Jiayuguan Pass to feel the magnificence of the ancient frontier and the weight of history. Day 7: Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring > Mogao Caves Ride a camel across Mingsha Mountain, listen to the legend of Crescent Moon Spring, and then head to Mogao Caves to explore the treasures of millennia-old Buddhist art. Day 8: Dunhuang Museum Visit Dunhuang Museum to admire the historical and cultural relics and art treasures of Dunhuang and end your pleasant journey. . 🎒 Travel Essentials: Xining–Qinghai Lake Packing List 👕 Clothing: Thick coat, long-sleeved clothes, and long johns to keep warm and stylish. Sunscreen clothing, sun hat, and sunglasses to protect you from the sun. 📿 Accessories: Charger and power bank to keep your phone fully charged. Thermos to enjoy hot water. U-shaped pillow for a good sleep on the road. 🆔 Documents: ID card, student ID, and driver's license are essential for travel. Cash and bank cards for emergencies. 💊 Medicine: Motion sickness medicine and cold medicine for emergencies. Lip balm and hand cream to combat the dry climate. . Want to explore Xining and Qinghai Lake? Like and save this guide to start your dream trip! 🚗✨

The only place to be liberated is in front of the gods and Buddhas and among the mountains and rivers.

📍Attraction Address: Within the territory of Mati Tibetan Township, Sunan Yugur Autonomous County, Gansu 🚗Transportation: We drove there ourselves 👍️Must-visit attractions: The grottoes consist of Shengguo Temple, Puguang Temple, Qianfo Cave, Jinta Temple, and the Upper, Middle, and Lower Guanyin Caves, totaling more than 70 caves and niches, first built during the Northern Liang period. Mati Temple is named after the legendary heavenly horse that drank water here, leaving a hoof print. The legendary hoof print is preserved in the Mati Hall of Puguang Temple and has become the treasure of the temple. The earliest of these grottoes were built during the Jin Dynasty, carved by Dunhuang native Guo Yu and his disciples. Initially, it was Guo's secluded place for teaching, later added with Buddha statues by others. At its peak, there were more than 300 monks. 🎟️Ticket Information: No reservation needed, buy tickets one hour in advance for 74 yuan 💗Other tips: Highly recommended.

It is really more than just a part of the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop. I love this city so much that I stayed there for 3️⃣ days and still felt unsatisfied… As autumn arrives, the highlight of Mati Temple is coming again. Life advice is to stay alone for a day and quietly sigh that "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" . 1️⃣ Mati Temple Grottoes Legend has it that a celestial horse drank water here and left a horseshoe print, hence the name. 2️⃣ Thousand Buddha Caves Worship Medicine Buddha Lots of pigeons 🕊️ The Medicine Master Hall is nearly 90 degrees vertical, which is quite challenging. 3️⃣ Thirty-three Heavens Cave Worship Green Tara Bodhisattva Only one person can go up and one person can go down, the ceiling for cave lovers, historical value 💯 points 4️⃣ Golden Pagoda Temple The Northern Liang Dynasty, which was excavated 1,600 years ago, is 300 years earlier than the Mogao Grottoes. The Feitian colored sculptures are extremely exquisite, and the explanations by the teachers are vivid and professional. You can’t take photos, but you can still feel the joy of coming from afar. 5️⃣ Journey from Mati Temple to Golden Pagoda Temple Highlight the key points ‼ ️Especially in autumn, go there once and you will remember it for a lifetime... Snow-capped mountains, meadows, pine forests, and sheep flocks deep in the Qilian Mountains... I have no words to describe the shock I saw along the way, and the camera cannot reproduce it... The whole process took more than an hour, and I kept pressing the shutter. . 💛Personal advice: ❶ If you can’t go to the Jinta Temple, you can see a 1:1 replica of the Jinta Temple at the Zhangye Museum ❷ The Sansantian Cave only has one person going up and down, and the queue is very long, so please consider it carefully ❸ 👗 Consider a jacket . 📸 Photo shooting time for reference: October 2023 🚗 Transportation: It is recommended to charter a car (the local charter driver is familiar with the route, road conditions, weather, and attractions)

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒Today we came to the fifteenth stop of our self-driving Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop - Mati Temple ⛰️Attraction introduction: Mati Temple is located in Mati, Sunan Yugu Autonomous County, Gansu Province Located in the Tibetan township, it is also called Puguang Temple. It was built in the Northern Liang during the Sixteen Kingdoms period of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, more than 1,600 years ago. However, it is regrettable that due to the separatist rule of warlords in the north at that time, there was chaos, coupled with the successive dynasties and the continuous wars, most of the original large-scale buildings of the Horse-Shoe Temple were destroyed in the war, including the Golden Pagoda Temple, the Thousand Buddha Caves, the North and South Horse-Shoe Temples, the Guanyin Cave and many grottoes. During the Northern Liang Dynasty, Mati Temple was originally a Han Buddhist temple. Later, it gradually became a Tibetan Buddhist temple and a subsidiary temple of the Qinghai Dongker Temple of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Mati Temple is 65 kilometers away from Zhangye city. It is a tourist area that integrates grotto art, Qilian Mountain scenery and Tibetan customs. The grottoes consist of seven parts: Shengguo Temple, Puguang Temple, Thousand Buddha Caves, Jinta Temple, and Upper, Middle and Lower Guanyin Caves, with a total of more than 70 caves and niches. They were first built in the Northern Liang Dynasty. The Horse-Ti Temple got its name from the legendary celestial horse that left horseshoe prints when drinking water here. The legendary horseshoe prints now exist in the Horseshoe Hall of Puguang Temple and have become the treasure of the temple. 📝Ticket prices and opening hours: Open from 08:30 to 18:00 (admission ends at 16:30) Adult ticket: 74 yuan/person, discount ticket: 37 yuan/person 🧳Preparation before the trip: There will be fewer people visiting in the morning, and the experience will be better. Bring your own clothes, as the temperature in the mountains is lower than in the city. The tour is expected to take 2-3 hours. Please respect the environment and protect the cultural relics.

When I was in Wuwei, I started looking for Qilian Mountain just to catch a glimpse of Yanzhi Mountain, and now Qilian Mountain appears so clearly before my eyes. My friends and I were very excited at that moment! Mati Temple is located in Sunan Yugur Autonomous County and was first built during the Northern Liang period. According to legend, a celestial horse came down to earth to drink water and left behind horseshoe prints, hence the name. There is still a so-called horseshoe print left by the celestial horse in the scenic area. Mati Temple is not just a temple (as I thought when I came here), but a Buddhist cave art complex that integrates natural scenery, Tibetan customs and cave art. It was originally a grotto dug by Guo Yu and his disciples in the Eastern Jin Dynasty for the purpose of giving lectures. It was later expanded and improved over the generations and has grown to its current size. The scenery of Mati Temple is really beautiful, and climbing the grottoes is also very Challenging. The grottoes here are all carved out of the mountain. If you want to explore the world inside, you must first climb up through the narrow passages inside the mountain. Some of those passages are so narrow that you can't stand up straight, and some are so narrow that you can only squat and move slowly. Tibetan customs are one of the characteristics of Mati Temple. Some scenes of Tibetan monks praying or blessing pilgrims were not filmed as they involved religious issues. The colorful prayer flags full of Tibetan style flutter in the wind, as if singing praises from the snowy plateau to tourists. Horseshoe Temple

| Low-key and rare, under the snow mountain, the cliff Buddha cave, a glance for a thousand years. In Zhangye, there is a small and beautiful place, it is the Matisi Scenic Area, but it is more than a temple. The Matisi Scenic Area is very large, and the Thousand Buddha Cave is the first stop. I visited in the early morning, the Thousand Buddha Cave carved on the cliff, the Thousand Buddha Cave has more than 500 cliff Buddha pagoda caves, the scale is very large, the multiple stone Buddha statues carved on the stone wall are very fantastic and spectacular. At this moment, the ethereal and quiet, the birds circling, the distant snow mountains, the quiet forest under the mountain, the breeze blowing, a glance for a thousand years. 🏞️About Matisi Scenic Area Matisi is named after the legendary heavenly horse drinking water here and leaving horseshoe prints. The legendary horseshoe print is now preserved in the Puguang Temple Matisi Hall and has become a treasure of the temple. The Matisi Grottoes group has a history of more than 1600 years from the Eastern Jin Dynasty to the modern times, including the Northern Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, Song (Xixia), Yuan, Ming, Qing, and the Republic of China. It is one of the historical and highly artistic cultural relics in the province. 🏞️About Thousand Buddha Cave The Thousand Buddha Cave was built during the Northern Liang period of the Sixteen Kingdoms of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. It was a Tibetan Buddhist temple during the Yuan Dynasty and is now a Han Buddhist temple. The Thousand Buddha Cave is divided into three parts: the north section, the south section, and the middle section. The north section is a relief stone pagoda forest. On the steep red sandstone, there are dozens of stone pagodas of various sizes. This is where the ascetic monks live or store musk deer. Most of the stone pagodas were carved in the Yuan and Ming periods, and there are also treasures from the Xixia. The south and middle sections are mainly Buddha caves. The cave eaves are Fan-style wooden structure flying eaves. 💚Small tips: 1. Although it is a small crowd, there are still many people in Matisi on holidays, so you must set off early to enter the park. 2. Self-driving or chartered cars can drive into the scenic area, first visit the Thousand Buddha Cave and then go to Thirty-three days. 3. Jinta Temple is also part of the Matisi Scenic Area, but it is very far away and the entrance fee is charged separately. If you are interested and have time, you can go. 4. Thirty-three days cave is limited, the interior is narrow, if you are not physically strong, you do not need to climb up, the entrance and exit are one-way, there are staff to guide, there are many queues in the peak season. ✅Practical information ▫️Name: Matisi 📍Address: Matisi Scenic Area, Sunan Yugu Autonomous County, Gansu Province 🎫Ticket: 65 yuan (including Thirty-three days Buddha Cave) 🚘Transportation: Self-driving or chartered car or half-day tour, public transportation is inconvenient

It is a temple that is quite far from the city of Zhangye. The way to get there is not easy, but we took a taxi because it is the most convenient and time-saving. Anyone who comes to visit here should allow some time for travel because it is far away, so that you will have more time to walk around. To enter the area, you need two tickets. The first ticket is for entering the entire temple area, which is considered very large. There are two popular places to stop by (you should go by private car because the inside is wide and has many areas). The second ticket is for going up to the top of the temple as seen on the cover. Both tickets cost around 70 yuan (I can't remember). There are many places to walk around inside the main area and you can go up the cliff, but the inside is narrow and quite steep, and almost all photos are prohibited. You can only take photos outside. #matitemple #张家界 #gansu #china #zhangye #travelchina #gansu

Mati Temple Scenic Area in Gansu, China is a fascinating destination for those who love history, culture and stunning views. While there are many steps to climb to reach the viewing platform, the effort is more than worth it for the breathtaking vista and unique structures at the top. The two large white stupas, each surrounded by prayer wheels, add to the spiritual atmosphere of the temple. The temple itself is steeped in history and culture, with a rich legacy dating back many centuries. But it's the viewing platform that really steals the show. From here, visitors can take in stunning panoramic views of the surrounding natural landscape. The combination of lush greenery and rugged mountains is truly awe-inspiring, and makes the climb more than worthwhile. Would recommend going early in the morning when nobody is about - tickets are around 90rmb per person. Overall, Mati Temple in Gansu is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to the area. The history and culture of the grottoes, combined with the stunning views and unique structures, make it an unforgettable experience. #roadtrip #tripleblazer