Our drive today was to Lanzhou. Setting off at 8.00am from our hotel in Tianshui, we arrived at the Water Curtain Caves which was about 10 kms off the motor way at about 10.00. We were able to get permission to take our cars up the narrow road close to the rock face where usually only the shuttle buses were able to go.
We then walked to view the attractions for a couple hours. The hillsides reminded us of the Olgas in Australia, although to different people in our group it reminded them of different things.
On one side of the valley was the Water Curtain Cave where many small Buddhist temples had been built. Climbing up, it was fascinating to explore the many different temples, all in use today. In the wet season the water cascades over the entry of the cave thus giving it its name.
On the other side of the valley the large statues of Buddha carved into the rock face were impressive.
On arrival in Lanzhou, we explored the local night market and found a wonderful Muslim restaurant. Pointing to what a group of young men were eating, we ordered two of the same. The restaurant was making their own large noodles and these were continually being rolled out, torn up and thrown into boiling water. Our meal was these noodles in a lamb broth with vegetables. It was absolutely wonderful and unknown to us when we ordered and ate it, it would cost us a total of 20 Yuan (4 dollars)
Silk Road by MG 
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