Majiayao culture was named after Majiayao Site in Lintao county. With a history of 4,000 to 4,800 years, Majiayao culture consists of Majiayao, Banshan, and Machang cultural types.

Majiayao culture permeated the south central area of Gansu province and was originated in an area with the Loess Plateau in west Gansu as the center. The scope of the culture starts from the upper stream of Weihe River in the east and spreads westward to the Hexi Corridor and northeast Qinghai, and extends from south Ningxia in the north to north Sichuan in the south. Its distribution area contains rivers of the Yellow River and its tributaries Taohe River, Daxia River and Huangshui River.

Majiayao cultural types are primarily discovered in the upper streams of Jinghe River and Weihe River in south central Gansu, northeast Qinghai, and south Ningxia, as well as basins of the Bailong River, Huangshui River, Taohe River, Zhuanglang River and Qingshui River. Banshan culture has similar distribution as Majiayao culture but is slightly to the west, while Machang culture is distributed even further westward.

Potteries in the Majiayao period of 4,800 years ago are mostly in orange. The potteries are known for their diversified models, refined decorations and patterns - mostly vortexes, water waves, and concentric circle patterns - as well as smooth lines and bright colors. Majiayao painted potteries are subject to great implications of the Yangshao culture, but on a new level noted with improvements.