Trip to the surroundings of Tianshui Mai Ji Shan/Buddhist Temple Complex, Fuxi Temple

Drive to Mai Ji Shan, a mountain with Buddha figures, a temple complex in the mountains, Fuxi Temple Guang also in the mountains, tea tasting in Tianshui

Today it is overcast and a bit cooler, but with high humidity.

A bus has been rented, and the tour guide shares a lot about Tianshui's cultural past.

The history of Tianshui goes back 8000 years to Fuxi.

We want to go to Mai Ji Shan.

As we drive out of Tianshui, I discover many high-rise buildings that are empty and still not completed.

I have read that these high-rises and apartments were created for many people. However, people still do not want to move here because they do not want to leave their old environment. But this will surely change in the coming years, and all these apartments will be occupied.

Later, the landscape changes. It is hilly, very green, and there are individual houses.

We wind our way up the mountains with the bus until we suddenly see the holy mountain before us – quite high!

We swap the bus for a small, open bus that takes us further up to a visitor level.

And now comes the question of conscience: will I manage to climb up there despite my fear of heights? I'm doubting, but I'm supported by our group and my kind companion Norbert. He promises to hold my hand and always stand protectively in front of me.

And I dare the ascent over hundreds of steps to a height of about 150 m on the rock. The view is gigantic, and there are Buddha figures everywhere in every nook, always watched over by guardians, usually 6 + 2 students.

On the rock face, there are various Buddha figures sculpted from the rock, which are 13-15 m tall. The sculptures are over 1500 years old, and in parts, you can still see the old paint that has withstood the test of time. Many sculptures are being restored and renovated.

When I arrive back down, I have to cry.

I was so brave - I made it, despite my fear.

To refuel after the exhausting ascent and descent, we go for a meal in a rural restaurant. The food is very delicious; there is chicken with head and foot again, which we leave aside. We enjoyed everything else.

We continue to a Buddhist temple complex.

The original temple has been there for a very long time.

We are allowed to visit the treasury. The treasures and wealth presented to us are impressive. We are not allowed to take photos inside.

This entire complex has been created in 35 years.

We continue to Fuxi Temple in Gansu, also again in the mountains. However, it is not very green here.

It is located on the south side of Tianshui. There are several steps to climb to get to Fuxi Temple. This is where the TaiJi symbol is said to have originated. Fuxi is said to have seen it from the river's course.

Everything is being prepared here to be ready for the festival this weekend. Many trees have been newly planted, the steps have been newly laid, and the wall around the temple complex has been reinforced. Let the festival begin.

After the temple, we go to the city center for a tea tasting and, of course, to buy tea.