Maijishan Grottoes

The Maijishan Grottoes (麥積山石窟) are a series of nearly 200 man-made caves cut in the side of the hill of Maijishan in northwest China, featuring thousands of sculpted statues and murals carved into its cliffs.Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China – Database: Maijishan Grottoes
Constructed under the dynasty in the province, over seven thousand Buddhist sculptures and a thousand square meters of murals were carved from the caves' red sandstone. A series of platforms were built in the outside, providing visitors navigation in Maijishan's vertical slopes as well as granting access to the caves inside.
==History==
During the Ming dynasty, the grottoes served as one of the headquarters of the Chinese Assassins until 1524, when the Chinese Templars began a purge of their enemies. After the Assassins were driven out of their base, the cave system was converted into a secret Templar prison overseen by one of the Eight Tigers, Gao Feng.Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China – The Escape
In 1526, Gao Feng's forces captured the Assassin Shao Jun and retrieved a Precursor box in her possession before imprisoning her in a cage within the grottoes. After a failed attempt to interrogate Shao Jun to learn what she knew about the box, Gao Feng was visited by his fellow Tiger Qiu Ju, who came to verify the rumors that Gao Feng had captured an Assassin.Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun – Homecoming
Shortly after Qiu Ju's departure, Shao Jun, who had allowed herself to be captured to infiltrate the grottoes, escaped from her cage and killed Gao Feng. However, she failed to recover the Precursor box as it had already been given to the Tiger Gu Dayong. Shao Jun also freed the Assassin informant Hong Liwei and retrieved the remaining Assassin scrolls in the grottoes before making her escape.Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China – The Return
==Behind the scenes==
The name Màijīshān (麥積山) literally translates to "wheat-stack mountain".
==Gallery==
ACC China Environment Concept 5.jpg|Concept art
The Return China (3).jpg|The grottoes burning during the Great Rites Controversy
ACC China DB Maijishan Statues.png|The Maijishan statues
ACC China Maijishan Grottoes exterior.jpg|The statues and ledges along the grottoes' exterior
==Appearances==
*Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China 
*Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun
==References==
de:Maijishan-Grotten
Category:Caves
Category:Prisons
Category:China
Category:Locations in China
Category:Assassin headquarters
Category:Landmarks in Tianshui
fr:Grottes du Mont Maiji