Matisi Grottoes
Grotto Complex of Buddhist grottoes with ancient carvings
The Matisi Grottoes are a group of cliffside grottoes and cave temples in Gansu province, northwest China, consisting of rock-cut chambers that house Buddhist sculptures and carvings.
The complex is representative of the Buddhist cave-temple tradition in this part of China and is visited for its carved interiors and exterior cliff facades. The grottoes occupy natural rock faces and are accessed by paths that run along the cliffline.
The grottoes are part of the broader landscape of Buddhist cave sites that developed along Silk Road corridors in Gansu.
Geographically, the Matisi Grottoes lie in northwest China within Gansu province.
- Site type: Carved into cliff faces, the site comprises a series of cave temples and rock-cut chambers with Buddhist sculptures and reliefs.
- Location context: Located in Gansu province in northwest China, the grottoes are part of the region's network of Buddhist cave sites along historic Silk Road routes.
Best Time to Visit Matisi Grottoes #
Weather & Climate near Matisi Grottoes #
Matisi Grottoes's climate is classified as Subarctic (Dry Winter) - Subarctic (Dry Winter) climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -21°C to 21°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -5°C and lows of -21°C. The driest month with just 2 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -18°C. The driest month with just 2 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -12°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -4°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 7°C. The wettest month with 90 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -5°C. Light rainfall.
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November
November is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -13°C. The driest month with just 2 mm.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -19°C. The driest month with just 2 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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