Editor's Note: The following is a travel account by Charitha Jeewanthi Gangewaththa, television and digital program director of Derana Macroentertainment in Sri Lanka, and visiting lecturer in university of visual and performing arts, Colombo. Earlier this month, she traveled with a group of 10 expatriates for the 4th "Explore Gansu" trip, which took them to the cities of Dingxi, Tianshui, and Longnan in Gansu province, situated in Northwest China.

Charitha Jeewanthi Gangewaththa, author of the article, poses for a photo with the Maijishan Grottoes. [Photo provided to gogansu.com]

When I came to China, I was eager to explore all the travel destinations the country had to offer. However, I knew that China is vast and diverse. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to explore Gansu with my colleagues.

It was a remarkable experience, one that I will cherish for a lifetime. Among all the places I visited, the UNESCO heritage site Maijishan Grottoes left a lasting impression on me. Being a Buddhist, this site had a deep connection to my beliefs. As an avid traveler, I also love hiking mountains and taking in the breathtaking scenery from hilltops, and Maijishan offered exactly that. The place gave me invaluable memories and experiences.

Maijishan Grottoes, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of the "Silk Roads: The Routes Network of Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor", is a stunning testimony to the cultural exchanges along the Silk Road. This historical site, dating back to the Later Qin era (384–417 CE), is an incredible architectural and artistic treasure. It houses more than 7,200 Buddhist sculptures and nearly 1,000 square meters of murals, which highlight a blend of influences from Central Asia, India, and later, traditional Chinese art styles. The architectural value of Maijishan lies in its unique structure—these grottoes are carved directly into a cliff face. The caves are interconnected by a series of steep staircases and walkways that hug the mountain's side, offering visitors not only spiritual enrichment but also breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.