China , Gansu , maiji

Introduction of Maizi District, Gansu, China

Located in the southeastern part of Gansu Province in China, Maizi District is a municipal district under the jurisdiction of Tianshui City, situated at the northern foot of the western section of the Qinling Mountains and at the middle and upper reaches of the Wei River. As the eastern gateway to Gansu Province, Maiji District has a total area of 3,482 square kilometers and a population of about 600,000 people. The district is named after the famous Maiji Mountain Grottoes, a World Heritage Site known as the "Oriental Sculpture Gallery", and one of the four major grottoes in China along with the Longmen Grottoes and Yungang Grottoes. 194 grotto niches and more than 7,200 clay and stone sculptures were preserved from the post-Qin Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, which demonstrates the outstanding value of Buddhist art.

Geography and Ecological Characteristics

Maiji District has a temperate semi-humid climate with four distinct seasons and a forest coverage of over 65%, with natural landscapes such as the Xiaolongshan National Forest Park. The Wei River passes through the area, forming a unique river valley geomorphology, producing agricultural products such as apples and walnuts, and is one of the important fruit and vegetable production bases in Northwest China.

Transportation and Economy

As the transportation hub of south-east Longdong, Maiji District is situated at Tianshui Railway Station and Tianshui South Station of Baolan High-speed Railway, with Lianhuo Expressway running through the whole territory. The economy is led by tourism, supplemented by equipment manufacturing, modern agriculture and other industries. In recent years, the district has focused on the development of cultural and ecological tourism, and receives more than ten million tourists annually.

Humanities and Tourism

In addition to the Maiji Mountain Grottoes, there are other scenic spots in the area, such as Xianren Cliff and Shimenshan Mountain, forming a tourism system integrating the art of grottoes, natural scenery and the culture of the ancient battlefield of the Three Kingdoms. The area retains traditional folklore such as Qinqiang and social fires, and special snacks such as Tianshui Quack and Battered Surface show the rich Longshang flavor.