The afternoon of September 16th was overcast. This marks the first successfully established model since entering Gansu. A city-wide no-fly zone in Tianshui forced us to abandon many important ancient structures, costing us a full half-day. The Great Elephant Mountain Buddha, perched on a sheer cliff with an expansive front view, proved ideal for photography. The solemn yet joyful expression and intact sculptural details of the Buddha instantly dispelled the day's frustrations.