Park of ChinaOverview
| Designation | National Park of China (eighth batch) |
| Province | Ningxia |
| Name | Xumishan Grottoes |
| Highlights | Grottoes in the hills, Buddhist sculpture from the Northern Dynasties to the Tang |
| Top sights | Great Buddha Pavilion, Yuanguang Temple, Xiangguo Temple, Zisun Palace, Taohua Cave |
| Location | Huangtiepu Town, Yuanzhou District, Guyuan, Ningxia |
| Nearby cities | Lanzhou, Yinchuan |
| Nearby sites | Mount Kongtong 88km, Maijishan Grottoes 207km, Western Xia Imperial Tombs 242km, Lintong Mount Li–Terracotta Army Scenic Area 355km, Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and the Terracotta Army 357km Search nearby |
| Mountains | Liupan Mountains |
| Latitude, longitude | 36.10, 106.17 Google Maps |
| Themes | Grotto, Buddha, Statue |
About
Xumishan Grottoes (须弥山石窟风景名胜区) is a national park of China (eighth batch, designated by the State Council in 2012), located in Huangtiepu Town, Yuanzhou District, Guyuan, Ningxia.
The scenic area is in Huangtiepu Town, about 55 km northwest of Guyuan city in Ningxia, and centres on the Xumishan Grottoes, cut into red sandstone cliffs on several peaks on both sides of the Sikouzi River.
Carving began in the late Northern Wei and continued through the Northern Zhou, Sui and Tang, peaking under the Tang. More than 100 caves survive, over 70 of them with sculptures. The largest is a seated Maitreya about 20 m high in the Great Buddha Pavilion, from the Tang. The main groups are at the Great Buddha Pavilion, Yuanguang Temple, Xiangguo Temple, Zisun Palace and Taohua Cave.
Travel tips
About an hour by road from Guyuan city. The grottoes involve climbing and many steps; half a day is usually enough. April to October is the better season, and winters are cold and windy on the hill.
Nearby
| World Heritage | Maijishan Grottoes 207km, Dafosi Grottoes 217km, Western Xia Imperial Tombs 242km, Bingling Temple 278km |
| National parks | Mount Kongtong 88km, Guanshan Lianhuatai 120km, Mount Tiantai, Baoji 238km |
| AAAAA attractions | Liupan Mountain Red Army Long March Tourist Area 79km, Shapotou 165km, Yellow River Grand Canyon Tourist Area 180km |
| AAAA attractions | Sikouzi Scenic Tourism Area 10km, Xumi Mountain 11km, Huoshizhai National Geopark 30km, Guyuan Museum 33km |
| Historical sites | Daying City Site 28km |
| Nature reserves | Nanhuashan National Nature Reserve 44km, Liupanshan National Nature Reserve 69km, Luoshan National Nature Reserve 117km |