Female College Students Must-See: The Ultimate Travel Guide

--- ### **1. Tianshui: Grotto Art & Buddhist Paradise** **Top Attractions** 1. **Maijishan Grottoes** - **Highlights**: One of China's Four Great Grottoes, famous for clay sculptures. Must-sees include the "Oriental Smile" (Cave 133), Seven Buddha Pavilion (Northern Zhou Dynasty), and East Cliff Giant Buddha (Sui-Tang secret history). - **Ticket**: ¥80 (peak season) + ¥100-200 per special cave (Cave 133 recommended). - **Transport**: Take Bus 34 from Tianshui Station or drive to "Maijishan Grottoes". 2. **Jingtu Temple** - **Highlights**: Features the "Natural Buddha" rock formation on its back mountain, golden autumn views, and proximity to Xianrenya. - **Ticket**: Free. - **Transport**: Take Bus 37 from downtown. **Other Recommendations** - **Xianrenya**: Combines Danxia landforms with Buddhist caves, near Jingtu Temple. - **Fuxi Temple**: Sacred site honoring China’s cultural ancestor, ¥30 ticket. **Food & Budget** - **Must-Try**: Guagua (buckwheat snack), Jiangshui noodles, stews. - **Daily Budget**: - Tickets: ¥100-300 (including special caves) - Food/Lodging: ¥150 (budget hotel) + ¥60 (meals) - Transport: ¥10 (bus) or ¥50 (taxi) **Stay Recommendation** - **Maijishan Hot Spring Hotel**: Includes hot springs to relax after hiking, ~¥300/night. --- ### **2. Qingyang: Embroidery Heritage & Ancient Ruins** **Top Attractions** 1. **Qingyang Sachet Culture** - **Highlights**: Intangible cultural heritage. Learn stitching at the Sachet Festival (May-June) and buy lucky "Crooked-Mouth Tiger" designs from local grannies. - **Where**: Xifeng District Sachet Market (liveliest around Dragon Boat Festival). 2. **Nanzuo Ruins** - **Highlights**: Neolithic central settlement with massive rammed-earth platforms. - **Ticket**: Free; open 8:00-19:00. - **Transport**: 10-minute taxi from Xifeng downtown. 3. **North Grottoes Temple** - **Highlights**: Northern Wei’s Cave 165 "Seven Buddha Cave", contrasting Tang (plump) and Wei (slender) Buddha styles. - **Ticket**: ¥60; open 9:20-17:30. 4. **Qingzhou Ancient Town** - **Highlights**: "Little Potala Palace" night lights, Zhouzu Mausoleum, and Farming Museum. - **Ticket**: Free (some sites charge). **Food & Budget** - **Must-Try**: Lamb huguo, hele noodles, braised lamb. - **2-Day Budget**: - Tickets: ¥120 - Food/Lodging: ¥250 (hostel ¥60/night + meals ¥30/meal) - Transport: ~¥15/day (carpool). **Stay Recommendation** - **Qingcheng Yishunyuan Hotel**: Downtown, from ¥337 with breakfast. --- ### **3. Lanzhou: Yellow River & Danxia Landscapes** **Top Attractions** 1. **Yellow River Scenic Belt** - **Activities**: - Zhongshan Bridge night views (free) - "Mother of the Yellow River" statue (best at dawn) - Sheepskin rafting (¥100/person). 2. **Water-Ink Danxia** - **Highlights**: Colorful hills. Visit Dan Summit (panoramic views) and Sand Charm Camel Bell (close-up trails). - **Ticket**: ¥80 + ¥20 shuttle. 3. **Gansu Provincial Museum** - **Must-See**: Flying Horse of Gansu (original), painted pottery; free with booking. **Food & Budget** - **Must-Try**: Beef noodles (Mogouyan/Mazilu), hand-grabbed lamb (Zhonghua), sweet fermented barley milk tea. - **2-Day Budget**: - Tickets: ¥200 - Food/Lodging: ¥300 (budget hotel ¥150/night + meals ¥30/meal) - Transport: ~¥50 (metro/bus). **Stay Recommendation** - **SFEEL Design Hotel**: Near Zhongshan Bridge, smart rooms from ¥100+/night. --- ### **4. Wuwei: Hidden Grottoes & Tibetan Temples** **Top Attractions** 1. **Tiantishan Grottoes** - **Highlights**: China’s earliest grottoes (Northern Liang Dynasty), giant Buddha by a reservoir. - **Ticket**: ¥40; transport: ¥150 round-trip taxi from Wuwei. 2. **Binggou River Scenic Area** - **Highlights**: Qilian Mountain glacial valley (best June-Sept.), hiking through meadows and forests. - **Ticket**: ¥80 (includes shuttle). 3. **White Pagoda Temple (Liangzhou Meeting Site)** - **Highlights**: Historic site of Tibet’s incorporation into China. - **Ticket**: ¥30. 4. **Tiantang Temple (Tianzhu Tibetan County)** - **Highlights**: Gansu’s largest Tibetan Buddhist temple, stunning thangka murals. **Food & Budget** - **Must-Try**: Santaoche (noodles + braised meat + tea), lamb with rolled dough. - **2-Day Budget**: - Tickets: ¥230 - Food/Lodging: ¥280 (budget hotel ¥120/night + meals ¥40/meal) - Transport: ¥300/day (private car; attractions are spread out). --- ### **5. Itinerary & Budget Overview** | City | Days | Total Budget | Key Highlights | |------|------|--------------|----------------| | Tianshui | 1-2 | ¥300-600 | Maijishan + Jingtu Temple | | Qingyang | 2 | ¥400-600 | Sachet Market + North Grottoes | | Lanzhou | 2 | ¥550-900 | Water-Ink Danxia + Yellow River | | Wuwei | 2 | ¥800-1200 | Tiantishan + Binggou River | **Tips**: - **Transport**: High-speed rail between cities (e.g., Lanzhou↔Tianshui: 1.5hrs). Buses/carpools save money locally. - **Best Season**: May-Oct. (avoid winter). Danxia colors pop on sunny days.