Lanzhou City Travel Guide

Lanzhou is the provincial capital of Gansu Province. It is home to 4.5 million people with different ethnic background. It consists of 5 districts (Chengguan, Qilihe, Xigu, Anning and Honggu) and 3 counties (Yongdeng, Yuzhong and Gaolan). It is a major city in northwest region of China. For 2000 year, Lanzhou has been a place of strategic significance and a vital spot on Silk Road. 

Today it is still an important city on the Silk Road Economical Belt and a key transport and commerce hub in northern China. It sits in the centre of Gansu province, borders Wuwei city and Baiyin city in the north, Dingxi city in the east. The south of Lanzhou is adjacent to Linxia Hui Autonomous Region. It covers an area of 13100 square kilometers. 

Being a city of rich history, Lanzhou is not in short supply of tourist attractions. One distinctive feature of the city is that the mighty Yellow River runs through the whole city. Coupled with mountains in the south and north , the tumbling Yellow River flowing from the east to the west, Lanzhou is a beautiful modern city with the landscape of huge grandeur.  

● What to do and where to go in Lanzhou

There are abundant cultural relics and historic sites in Lanzhou with diversified landscapes, it has many historic interests and scenic spots. Such as Zhongshan Iron Bridge that is called “the first bridge above the Yellow River”, Five- spring Mountain and Headman Lu’s Yamen of Liancheng, four national forest parks such as Xinglong Mountain, Tulu Gully and Stone Buddha Gully, as well as other tourist spots like 100-li Yellow River Scenes Belt in Landzhou, Lanzhou Waterwheel Exhibition Park, XingLong Mountain, Pear Garden in Shichuan, ancient town of Qingcheng and Heavenly Axe Sand Palace.

But the most important experiences of Lanzhou lie in the White Pagoda Hill and park built during the Yuan Dynasty from where travelers can have good views of the whole city.

On its south bank as it passes through Lanzhou is a walkway that runs for about 10 kilometers, where you can admire the grand River, the First Bridge over the Yellow River, the Watermill Park and the sculpture of the Yellow River Mother, the White Pagoda Park, and the Five-Spring Mountain park. At dusk, standing on the top of Lanshan Mountain, you can have a magnificent view of the Yellow River surrounding the city. The Liujiaxia Hydropower Station and the Bingling Temple in Yongjing County are further away, but the distance will certainly be compensated by the attractions.

For those who seek for a one stop venue to understand the city of Lanzhou and Gansu Province, the provincial museum is a must see place. It has more than 100,000 historical and cultural relics as well as plant, animal, and mineral specimens in its collection.

In south of Lanzhou, there is a green and lush public park. The Wuquanshan Park (five spring park)is the largest park in Lanzhou city. It is known for its tranquility and lush greenery, together with well preserved temples.

For a cruise on the Yellow River, you can go by motor boat or float on an ancient-style sheepskin raft made up of a dozen inflated sheepskins. The history of sheepskin rafts can be traced back more than 2000 years. The ride on a raft is adventurous and fascinating. You can have a magnificent view, experience the River closely.

● What to eat in Lanzhou

Lanzhou cuisine represents the whole culinary culture of Gansu province, featuring cooking methods such as steaming, roasting and braising of beef and mutton, typical cooking style that of northern China. The most known cuisine from Lanzhou is probably Lanzhou lamian (or ramen, pulled noodle). It first appeared in 19th century, and now Lanzhou lamian restaurants are all over China.

● Transport

Being the hub of transportation in northwestern China, Lanzhou is a city that can be accessed with relative ease. Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport (ZGC) is about 70km away from downtown. It connects Lanzhou with all major cities in China. Lanzhou is an important railway hub in northwest region of China; there are four railway stations in Lanzhou. High speed trains often arrive in and depart from Lanzhou Station and Lanzhou West Station.

● Lanzhou Climate

Lanzhou has a semi-arid climate, that means hot summers and cold winters. The mean annual temperature is 9.8 °C (49.6 °F), while annual rainfall is 315 millimeters (12.4 in). Suggested time of travel is Spring and Autumn.