Tianshui

Tianshui, Gansu's second-largest city, sits along the upper Wei River at the boundary of the Loess Plateau and the Qinling Mountains, and is home to the Maijishan Grottoes — a UNESCO-listed complex of Buddhist cave temples carved into a dramatic cliff face. The city carries a long history as a node on the ancient Silk Road and holds the legendary status as the birthplace of Fuxi, a founding figure in Chinese mythology. A walkable centre with a lively café and restaurant scene makes it a practical base for the wider region.

• Population2,984,659
• Nearest water from center 0.3 km0.2 mi
• Nearest mountain from center 43 km27 mi