The Water Curtain Caves (Shuilian dong) are located 50 km northeast from Wushan, in a valley of the Zhonglou Mountain (Zhongloushan). The main cave here is naturally vaulted, around 50 m high and 30 m wide, and the highlight is the Lashao Temple (Laoshao si) within. Excavation in the caves began in the early Western Jin dynasty (265-316) and continued over a succession of dynasties, a strange circumstance considering the remoteness and inaccessibility of the caves.

In and around are terraces, pavilions, the popular Thousand Buddha Cave and dozens of halls. The largest of the halls is the two-storey Buddha Hall, whose ground floor is mainly occupied by a pond and whose top floor houses a statue of a goddess from local legend. There is also a 31 m statue of the Buddha Sakyamuni, carved out of the cliff outside. Further Buddhist statues and murals are also contained outside dating back to the Northern Wei, Sui, Tang and Yuan dynasties.

How to get to Water Curtain Caves : The cave is located in a remote gorge and getting there in bad weather is almost impossible. The cave can be accessed by car from either Wushan or the nearer Luomen. From the Tianshui railway station in Beidao, take bus No.6 to the terminus. Here take a minibus for RMB 10 to Wushan Prefecture. You will have take another minibus to get to the attraction for around RMB 50. It is also possible to take a bus to Luomen from Tianshui; bus leaves from in front of the railway station at 2 pm and arrives four hours later for about RMB 10. A minibus from Luomen will also cost around RMB 100 return.
Cost: RMB 20 including that of the Thousand Buddha Cave
Opening hours: 8:30 am-5:30 pm.