Binglingsi Grottoes
Binglingsi Grottoes were first carved during the Western Qin period of the Sixteen Kingdoms. Today there are 183 caves, 694 carved stone Buddha statues,…
Binglingsi Grottoes, Lanzhou
Key facts
- Admission
- ¥50
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Getting there
- Take a bus from Lanzhou to Liujiaxia Reservoir, fare about ¥25, then take a passenger boat or speedboat to Binglingsi, ¥80–160
- Guidebook rating
- 4 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 729. Open in Google Maps
About Binglingsi Grottoes
Binglingsi Grottoes were first carved during the Western Qin period of the Sixteen Kingdoms. Today there are 183 caves, 694 carved stone Buddha statues, 82 clay sculptures and 900 square metres of murals. On the cliff wall of Tangshu Cave, the largest cave, ink inscriptions dated to the first year of the Jianhong era (420 CE) survive, the earliest explicitly dated inscription among China's grottoes. The site is divided into the Upper Temple, Donggou and the Lower Temple. The Lower Temple has the most spectacular scenery, and its relief stupas and esoteric Buddhist murals rank alongside those of the Mogao Caves and Maiji Mountain Grottoes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Binglingsi Grottoes cost?
Admission to Binglingsi Grottoes is ¥50, as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.
How do I get to Binglingsi Grottoes?
Take a bus from Lanzhou to Liujiaxia Reservoir, fare about ¥25, then take a passenger boat or speedboat to Binglingsi, ¥80–160
How long should I spend at Binglingsi Grottoes?
Plan on 1 hour for Binglingsi Grottoes.
Where is Binglingsi Grottoes?
Binglingsi Grottoes is in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, in the Northwest of China.
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