Captivated by the Majishan Grottoes: A Journey to Remember

Have you ever found yourself in a place so breathtaking that you feel like time is slipping away, and all you want to do is freeze that moment forever? That overwhelming sense of wonder hit me like a freight train when I visited the Majishan Grottoes. It was one of those experiences where every second felt precious, and I was determined to absorb every detail, every sight, and every sound. 你是否曾经身处一个如此令人叹为观止的地方，以至于感觉时间在悄然溜走，而你唯一想做的就是永远定格那个瞬间？当我参观马鞭山石窟时，那种压倒性的奇妙感如同货运列车般袭来。这是一次每一秒都显得珍贵的体验，我决心要吸收每一个细节、每一个景象和每一个声音。

After days of exploring the stunning landscapes of Gansu and Qinghai provinces, I thought I had seen it all—the magic, the majesty, the extraordinary. I was ready to check off another box on my travel list, but little did I know that this place would take my breath away in ways I never expected. I almost gave up on visiting the grottoes altogether, what with the train I had to catch later that day and the ticketing complications that almost derailed my plans. But, as luck would have it, we made it, and oh boy, was it worth it! 经过几天探索甘肃和青海省壮丽的风景，我以为自己已经看到了所有——那魔力、那庄严、那非凡。我准备在我的旅行清单上再勾下一项，但我没想到这个地方将以我意想不到的方式让我屏息。考虑到我当天稍后要赶的火车和几乎使我计划脱轨的购票问题，我几乎放弃了前往石窟的想法。然而，运气来了，我们成功抵达，哦，真是太值得了！

As I approached the massive red rock for the first time, I was hit with a wave of awe. There it was—a colossal Buddha, majestically carved into the stone, standing tall as if to say, “Welcome to my world!” I stood there, momentarily frozen, trying to soak in the beauty before me. I mean, who wouldn’t want to just stare at a giant rock Buddha for a while? It’s not every day you get to see that! 当我第一次接近那块巨大的红岩时，感受到一阵敬畏的波动。那里有一尊巨大的佛像，雄伟地雕刻在岩石上，高高挺立，仿佛在说：“欢迎来到我的世界！”我站在那里，短暂地愣住，试图尽情欣赏眼前的美景。我是说，有谁不想盯着一尊巨大的岩石佛像看一会儿呢？这可不是每天都有的机会！

Once I managed to shake off the initial shock, I picked up my camera and started snapping away, searching for the perfect angle. But wait—there was more! I discovered a viewpoint that offered an even better perspective, revealing incredible artwork etched into the rock. It was like peeling back the layers of a giant, ancient onion—each layer revealing something more spectacular than the last. 一旦我设法摆脱最初的震惊，我拿起相机，开始拍摄，寻找完美的角度。但等等——还有更多！我发现了一个视点，提供了一个更好的视角，展示了刻在岩石上的令人难以置信的艺术作品。这就像剥开一个巨大的古老洋葱的层次——每一层都揭示出比上一层更壮观的东西。

And then came the pièce de résistance: the chance to climb the rock itself! Now, let me tell you, if you have a fear of heights, this might not be your cup of tea. The stairs were steep, and the altitude was no joke! But the view from the top? Absolutely breathtaking. The valley stretched out below, dotted with lush forests and the kind of scenery that makes you want to break into a spontaneous dance (or at least a happy jig). 然后来了压轴戏：爬上那块岩石的机会！让我告诉你，如果你有恐高症，这可能不是你的茶。阶梯陡峭，高度可不是开玩笑！但从顶部看到的景色？绝对令人叹为观止。山谷在你眼下延展，点缀着郁郁葱葱的森林，还有那种让你想要自发跳舞（或者至少是开心的小舞蹈）的风景。

But the real treasure lay not just in the giant Buddha but in the hundreds of small caves adorned with intricately carved statues from various periods. Some of these masterpieces showed signs of wear and tear, but their colors still sang with life. Standing there, I couldn’t help but imagine the artisans who had toiled in such challenging conditions, pouring their hearts into each detail. It was a humbling experience, and I felt a deep connection to the history that surrounded me. 但真正的宝藏不仅在于巨大的佛像，还在于那些装饰着不同时期精雕细刻雕像的数百个小洞穴。这些杰作中的一些虽然显示出磨损的迹象，但它们的色彩依然充满生机。站在那里，我不禁想象着那些在如此艰苦条件下辛勤工作的工匠们，他们将心血倾注于每一个细节。这是一次谦卑的体验，我感受到与周围历史之间的深刻联系。

As I reluctantly prepared to leave, my heart felt heavy. I had a train to catch, but the memories I was taking with me were etched into my mind, and my camera roll was bursting with photos that would remind me of this incredible journey. 当我不情愿地准备离开时，心中感到沉重。我有一列火车要赶，但我带走的回忆已深深印刻在我的脑海中，而我的相册中充满了将提醒我这段美好旅程的照片。

So, if you ever find yourself in Gansu, don’t just rush through the sights. Take the time to savor the moments, just like I did at the Majishan Grottoes. Because sometimes, the places that surprise you the most are the ones you almost overlooked. And who knows? You might just find a piece of magic that stays with you long after you’ve left. Happy travels! 🌟📸

This trip was made with Lost Road Travel China with the assistance of our friend and partner , Steve.

所以，如果你有机会来到甘肃，不要急着浏览景点。花点时间好好享受当下，就像我在麦积山石窟时那样。因为有时候，最让你惊喜的地方往往是你几乎忽视的。谁知道呢？你可能会发现一段在离开后依然能留在心中的魔力。祝你旅途愉快！🌟📸

这次旅行与失落之路旅行在中国进行，感谢我们的朋友兼合作伙伴史蒂夫的支持。