Tianshui

Understand

Orientation Tianshui consists of two main areas with an industrial area in between. The eastern area is called Maijishan District and the western area is called Qinzhou District. Longcheng Rd connects both sections which lie 18 km apart. In the Western area, the central point of the city is the Central Square (天水市龙城广场) along the Dazhongzhong Rd (大众中路) (the main commercial road of the city), next to Jiefang Rd (解放路).

History Tianshui, located in the southeast of Gansu Province, has a long history and is one of the famous historical and cultural cities in China. Tianshui has been an important node on the "Silk Road" since ancient times, and many civilizations have prospered here. Tianshui's history can be traced back to the Neolithic Age and is one of the important birthplaces of Chinese civilization. The famous Maijishan Grottoes are a cultural treasure of Tianshui, with rich historical relics and profound cultural heritage.

Getting there

By train 1 Tianshui South railway station (天水南站). A major stop on the high-speed line from Xi'an to Lanzhou, Xining, and Urumqi. Also has high-speed sleeper train service to Shanghai. (updated Oct 2019) 2 Tianshui station (天水火车站, Tiānshuǐ Huǒchēzhàn). Station for low-speed sleeper trains. Destinations include Lanzhou (4 hours), Urumqi (28-35 hours), Xian (4 hours), Xining (8 hours), and Yinchuan (14 hours). (updated Oct 2019)

By bus Long Distance Bus Station is at Xinhua Road, Qincheng.

Gangu - takes about 2 hours Lanzhou - takes about 4 hours Linxia - takes about 10 hours Pingliang - takes about 8 hours Xi'an - takes about 5-6 hours

By plane 3 Tianshui Maijishan Airport (天水麦积山机场). A small airport with limited service to major domestic hubs, centrally located. (updated Oct 2019)

Getting around

If you come from Tianshui South Railway Station, you can find Tourist Bus terminal on the ground floor, and the city bus on the B2 level. Most city buses cost ¥2-3 and can be paid in cash or by transit QR code. There is also a tram connecting the two parts of the city, which is much more comfortable than the bus, though it only runs as far as the airport on the Maijishan side as of 2025.

See

1 Tianshui City Museum (天水市博物馆), 110 Fuxi Road, Qinzhou District (秦州区伏羲路110号) (on the west side of the Fuxi Temple; bus nos. 7, 14, 18, 21, 24, 26, 83 and 96), ☏ +86 938 8291377, +86 938 8227304, [email protected]. 08:30-18:00, no entry after 17:30, closed Mondays. Museum with an extensive collection of ancient pottery and bronzeware from the area, it's inside the Fu Xi Temple. Free. (updated Sep 2024) Tianshui Ancient Town (天水古城), Jiefang Lu (near Fuxi Temple, there are multiple roads to enter, look for a big Chinese gate.). An ancient town blending directly with modern buildings. Many stores selling food and merchandise. Can be explored slowly in 1-2 hours. The complex lights up at 20:00 for a different experience. (updated Aug 2024) 2 Tianshui Industry Museum (天水工业博物馆), 289 West Xihuang Road, Qinzhou District (秦州区羲皇大道西路289号) (bus no. 9, 18, 21, 26), ☏ +86 938 6850000. 09:00-18:00, closed on Monday (except when Monday is a public holiday). A former electrical equipment factory that has been turned into a museum. It displays various types of old machinery and tells the story of the city’s industrial history. Free. (updated Mar 2024) 3 Hushi Ancient Residence Construction (胡氏古民居建筑). 08:30-17:30, closed on Monday. It was built during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty by Hu Laijin, a scholar who passed the imperial examination. It is divided into two parts: the South and the North Residence. The South Residence has now been converted into the Tianshui Folk Museum. Free. (updated Jan 2026)

Religious sites 4 Taizi mosque (台子清真寺). Mosque located in Da Zhong Zhong Lu, with Halal food available nearby. (updated Oct 2019) 5 Fuxi Temple (伏羲庙). 08:00-18:00. Ancient Taoist temple dedicated to the inventor of the trigram and a number of other mathematical systems, games, and tricks. Fuxi is a mythical deity that introduces the bagua (八卦) or eight trigrams. Not a huge complex, but well worth visiting. ¥20. Passport needed. (updated Aug 2024) 6 Yuquan Temple (玉泉观). 08:00-18:00 April-October, 08:30-17:30 November-March. Ancient Taoist temple overlooking Tianshui, dating from the Yuan dynasty. It is still possible to drink from the spring, for a donation. ¥20. (updated Oct 2019) 7 Nanguo Temple (南郭寺), No. 39，Nanguo Subdistrict, Qinzhou District, ☏ +86 937 838 3099. 08:30-17:00. Nanguo Temple is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in Tianshui. It has a long history and is a holy place for meditation and prayer. It is also a good place for tourists to experience Tianshui's traditional culture. ¥30. (updated Dec 2024) 8 Confucius Temple (孔庙). 08:30-18:30. Free.

Do

1 Maijishan Grottoes (麦积山石窟), Maiji Mountain Scenic Area, ☏ +86 937 339 0809. 08:00-18:00. Maijishan Grottoes is one of the four major grottoes in China. It has many exquisite Buddhist sculptures and murals and is an excellent place for tourists to learn about ancient Chinese art. ¥60. (updated Dec 2024) 2 Maijishan Ski Resort (天水麦积山滑雪场), Maiji Mountain Scenic Area, Maiji District, ☏ +86 937 339 1100. 09:00-17:00. Maijishan Ski Resort is a winter entertainment resort in Tianshui, offering a variety of snow sports such as skiing and snowboarding, suitable for winter tourism enthusiasts. ¥150-500. (updated Dec 2024) 3 Tianshui Qing Mountain Grass Skiing (天水青山滑草场), Qingshan Town, Qinzhou District, ☏ +86 937 830 4333. 09:00-18:00. Qingshan Grass Skiing Field offers grass skiing, which is suitable for summer travel. Visitors can experience speed and passion on the green grassy hillside. ¥80-150. (updated Dec 2024) 4 Tianshui Folk Culture Village (天水民俗文化村), About 160 meters east of Hexie Jiayuan, Xihuang Avenue Middle Road, ☏ +86 937 832 1212. 09:00-18:00. Traditional handicrafts, folk dances and dramas from the Gansu region are displayed here. Visitors can participate in the production and performances and experience the rich folk customs. ¥40-80. (updated Dec 2024)

Buy

1 Tianshui Specialty Shop (天水特产商店), Northeast side of Tianshui Cultural Tourism Commercial Street Railway New Village, ☏ +86 937 821 2222. 09:00-18:00. This shop offers a variety of Tianshui specialties, including local apples, wolfberries, handicrafts, etc. It is a good place to buy souvenirs and specialties. ¥50-300. (updated Dec 2024) 2 Tianshui Agricultural Market (天水农贸市场), No. 108, Luoyu Road, Yuquan Town. 07:00-18:00. You can find a variety of fresh produce here, including locally grown vegetables and fruits, as well as handmade specialty foods, making it a great place to buy local ingredients and household items. ¥10-100. (updated Dec 2024) 3 Maijishan Grottoes Souvenir Shop (麦积山石窟纪念品店), Maiji Mountain Scenic Area, Maiji District. 08:00-18:00. The souvenir shop offers a wide variety of Maijishan Grottoes-related souvenirs, including small grotto models, paintings and handicrafts, which are a good choice for tourists to keep as souvenirs. ¥20-200. (updated Dec 2024)

Eat

1 Tianshui Traditional Noodles (天水传统面馆), X462 Lianhua Town Agricultural Products Market, about 150 meters south, ☏ +86 937 839 1122. 08:00-20:00. This noodle shop serves traditional Tianshui noodles with a unique taste, which is loved by locals and tourists, especially the handmade pulled noodles and stuffed noodles. ¥20. (updated Dec 2024) 2 Tianshui Snack Street (天水小吃街), About 80 meters west of Tianmei Garden-Phase II, Shangbu Road. 10:00-22:00. There are all kinds of local snacks here, such as Tianshui lamb skewers, fried steamed buns, etc. It is a good place to experience local cuisine. ¥10-50. (updated Dec 2024) 3 Wangfu Restaurant (王府饭店), Renmin Road Senmei Shopping Plaza (Tianshui Chengji Store), ☏ +86 937 831 5678. 09:00-21:00. Known for its traditional Gansu-style dishes, this restaurant offers exquisite mutton and Yellow River fish dishes, suitable for family dinners and business banquets. ¥50-200. (updated Dec 2024)

Drink & nightlife

1 M Bar (M酒吧), North side of Chengji Garden, Jiefang Road, toll-free: +86 17393888884. 18:00-02:00. M Bar is a modern and fashionable bar that offers a variety of drinks, cocktails and snacks. It is a popular place for nightlife in Tianshui. There are DJ performances in the bar, which is suitable for friends to gather and relax. ¥20-100. (updated Dec 2024) 2 Maijishan Hotel Bar (麦积山酒店酒吧), Maijishan Street, ☏ +86 937 339 0123. 10:00-23:00. Maijishan Hotel Bar offers a variety of wines and snacks, and is a good place for tourists to rest and socialize. ¥30-150. (updated Dec 2024) 3 Five Portions Coffee (五份咖啡), No. 2 Housheng Lane, ☏ +86 938 8305008. 09:00-22:00. Wufen Coffee is a cozy coffee shop that offers a variety of specialty coffees, handmade coffees, teas and exquisite snacks. The coffee shop has an elegant environment and is perfect for dating, reading or gathering with friends. ¥30-80. (updated Dec 2024)

Sleep

1 Tianshui Grand Hotel (天水大酒店), No. 1 Dazhong South Road, ☏ +86 938 8289999. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Tianshui Hotel is a local premium hotel, offering comfortable accommodation and high-quality services, suitable for both business and leisure travel. ¥110. (updated Dec 2024) 2 Tianshui Maijishan Hot Spring Tourist Hotel (天水麦积山温泉旅游酒店), No. 1 Jieting Ancient Town, toll-free: +86 18809380643. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Located close to Maiji Mountain, this resort hotel offers a peaceful and comfortable environment suitable for vacation, leisure and recuperation. ¥331. (updated Dec 2024) 3 Tianshui Yixuan Inn (天水怡轩旅店), 10 meters east of the bridge head of Maijishan Hot Spring Resort, Hongluo Village, Maiji Town, toll-free: +86 13993823070. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Tianshui Yixuan Hotel offers a warm and comfortable accommodation environment with different types of rooms suitable for all types of tourists. The hotel has free Wi-Fi, 24-hour hot water and convenient transportation. The price is reasonable and it is an ideal choice for travelers with limited budget. ¥100-300. (updated Dec 2024)

Go next

Gangu and Great Statue Mountain - temple complex that hugs the ridge overlooking a small tourist-free town Lanzhou - the capital of Gansu province to the West. Xi'an - the capital of Shaanxi province to the East.