Visiting Western China - Horseshoe Temple | 兔眼叹世界之马蹄寺

Due to a long history and a wide territory, China has a lot of world-renowned temples. Indeed, Horseshoe Temple is not as famous as the other Chinese ancient temples. However, it is a real beautiful gem hidden in the West. This is the second stop of Many's west China journey. She was completely immersed in the magnificent scenery and marvelous architectures.

Located in Gansu Province, Horseshoe Temple was built in the Sixteen States Period(304-439). The temple, originally a Han Buddhist temple in Northern Liang Dynasty(397-439), is gradually changed into a Tibetan Buddhism temple later. It consists of 7 small-scale grottoes, including the Golden Tower Temple, Thousand-Buddha Cave, Northern and Southern Horseshoe temples, as well as Upper, Middle and Lower Guanyin caves.

引用学校老师的口头禅：“中国地大物博，人口众多......”。五千年的文明历史留下了许多古寺名刹。“马蹄寺”在国内并不算著名，但也绝对是中国丝绸之路上的一颗明珠。Mandy 这次行程的第二站就来到这里，虽然这里的许多佛像、建筑、壁画因为各种众所周知的原因已经不复存在，户外的千佛洞早已只剩空洞。但（1600年前）古人出于对神佛的崇敬，用双手在悬崖峭壁上一砖一瓦地建起了宏伟的寺庙，敲敲打打凿出的千个佛洞，还是令人叹为观止。

马蹄寺，建于东晋十六国时期的北凉，距今已逾1600年。 最早为汉传佛教寺院，后来逐渐成为藏传佛教寺院，寺院自建寺以来，香火就极为鼎盛，最盛时的僧众可达1000余人。

A student was sketching The Horseshoe Temple far away from it.

有美术生正在这里写生。

Local roosters were going for a walk.

当地的公鸡正自由自在地散步ing。

Located on the steep hill, these temples have been there for thousands of years.

中国古代劳动人民之鬼斧神工！~