National Parks of ChinaOverview
| Designation | National Park of China (eighth batch) |
| Province | Ningxia |
| Name | 须弥山石窟风景名胜区 |
| Location | Huangtiepu Town, Yuanzhou District, Guyuan, Ningxia |
| Nearby cities | Lanzhou |
| Nearby sites | Mount Kongtong, Guanshan Lianhuatai, Maijishan Grottoes, Mount Tiantai, Baoji |
| Latitude, longitude | 36.10, 106.17 Google Maps |
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.