Introducing Mǎtí Sì
In the foothills of the icy Qílián Shān range lie the former Tibetan and Chinese Buddhist grottoes of Mǎtí Sì (Horse Hoof Monastery; admission Y45). While the area isn’t a national park, it very well could be, with kilometres of trails rising up along the high ridges overlooking the Hexi Corridor. There are several good day hikes, including the five-hour loop through pine forest and talus fields to the Linsong Waterfall (; Línsōng Pùbù) and back down past ‘Sword Split Stone’ (; Jiànpīshí). For unrivalled panoramas, take the elevator-like ascent of the ridge behind the white chörten at Sānshísāntiān Shíkū (). Unfortunately the temples here, built miraculously into the sandstone cliff, have mostly been destroyed inside.
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The Wòlóng Shānzhuāng (; dm/tw Y20/100) at Mǎtí Sì is a good place to stay. If you’re adequately prepared for camping, some overnight trips are also possible.
Last updated: Mar 2, 2009
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