Tianshui.
Introduction to the Maijishan Grottoes.
Once again in China a polite notice reminding people to act responsibly.
The Maijishan Grottoes from a distance.
The Maijishan Grottoes are one of the four most famous Buddhist Grottoes in China.
Large Buddha and Bodhisattva sculptures at Maijishan Grottoes.
Surrounded by dense forestry, the 194 grottoes are carved in the side of the rock face at Maiji Mountain.
Statue of a Buddha behind protective wood framed wire mesh.
Pathway at the base of Maiji Mountain.
One of two large Bodhisattva’s carved into the rock.
Buddha flanked by Bodhisattvas.
This is the second of the large Bodhisattva’s.
A closer look at the detail of the second Bodhisattva.
The tallest statues at the complex, the biggest one is 16 metres tall.
Small niches surrounding the Bodhisattva.
Above the head of the large Bodhisattva you can make out some smaller Bodhisattvas, all are identical.
A statue of a Buddha sitting cross legged with Bodhisattva’s either side in one of the grottoes.
A cross legged Buddha statue.
A menacing looking Bodhisattva.
Ever wondered why Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have long ears ? It is to signify compassion and wisdom.
Small Bodhisattvas incorporated in the facade of a building carved into the rock face.
Buddha in a grotto. The wire mesh is probably to stop it being damaged or loose masonry falling on visitors.
Another Buddha once again behind mesh in a grotto.
Many steps up. Long way down on.
This statue is wearing armour with animal face headgear.
A trio of Bodhisattva statues.
Slightly different than other Bodhisattvas that I have seen, the one on the left in the photo is an older man with a bald head.
The last of the paint beginning to disappear from this Buddha.
Mural faded with time.
A praying Buddha flanked by Bodhisattvas in one of the grottoes.
Another photo of the praying Buddha flanked by Bodhisattvas in one of the grottoes.
This statue does not look very pleased to see Jane and I.
Jane and I.
This is Vajrapani, a protector and guide of Gautama Buddha. He would originally have been holding a weapon called a Vajra – a type of club with a ribbed spherical head.
Here is a another statue of Vajrapani, this time holding his weapon.
The closer you look you gain an understanding and appreciate the amount of time and effort that went into the carving and the painting just for one statue.
Largely intact Buddha with just a couple of digits missing from his hand.
Whilst this Buddha has faded, its appearance suggests that only a couple of colours were ever used to paint this statue.
Dense forestry covering land, hills and mountains for as far as can be seen.
Just thinking about the steps added to help visitors like me climb the mountain, it’s hard to imagine the human effort and risk that went into creating these grottoes and statues on the rock face in the first place.
A statue of a Buddha with mural behind, both faded overtime, but you can imagine the splendid colours they would have been originally from seeing other grottoes.
Another look at one of the large Bodhisattvas.
Again another look, this time the large Buddha.
Carving of a Buddha behind protective wire mesh.
This is the same carving as above. The carving depicts the Buddha in the air.
This statue has flawless, very smooth curves on the face.
The cracks around the neck area of this statue seem to offer a clue as to what will behold it in the future.
Long way up. The Maiji Mountain is 142 metres high.
The Maijishan grottoes stairway.
Feeling relaxed with the forestry behind.
Guess what I am thinking ?
The Maijishan Grottoes carved into the rock face of Maiji Mountain.
The Maiji Mountain has also been referred to as an “ant hill”.
Final look at Maiji Mountain and its grottoes.
Pagoda with decorative beams and concave roof with dragon ridges in the grounds of Maiji Botanical Gardens.
Butterfly nestled in the shade between two decorative roof ridges.
Butterfly nestled in the shade between two decorative roof ridges.
Butterfly sitting on a mauve flower amongst the greenery.
Butterfly sitting on a mauve flower amongst the greenery.
Butterfly with it’s wings spread on a flower amongst the greenery.
Butterfly with it’s wings spread on a flower amongst the greenery.
In the centre is a variety of daisy. Elsewhere in the photo something has been having a nibble at some of the leaves.
Pagoda above the high waterfall.
Closer look at the pagoda overlooking the waterfall.
The sun glistening on the water as it falls into the rock pool below.
Could have done with this when I needed a shower earlier in my travels.
Small rock pool and stream at the base of the waterfall.
I’ve found a new friend.
Will’s found a woman. You could say she is rather stone-faced towards him.
Statue of a woman surrounded by flowers.
Eirik, Jane and I.
Another photo of my new friend.
Yes, the butterfly is real.
No, the butterfly is not dead.
And no, I did not glue it to my leg to stop it flying away.
