Lanzhou Travel Guide: Plan a China Silk Road Tour with Lanzhou
Located in the heart of Gansu in China, Lanzhou is a major industrial base and comprehensive transportation hub in Northwest China as well as one of the important central cities in Western China. Besides, it is a key node city on the Silk Road Economic Belt. As the capital city of Gansu Province, Lanzhou is not only a city with stunning scenery but also a rich culture.
Lanzhou has a city-building history of over 2,200 years, and there the rich and ancient Yellow River culture, Silk Road culture, Central Plains culture, and Western Regions culture all blend harmoniously. When you start a Silk Road tour in Lanzhou, you will find many national historical and cultural towns, such as Liancheng, Qingcheng, and Jin’ya.
Chinese: 兰州 lán zhōu The Capital City of Gansu
Location: Central Gansu
Population (urban area): 4,359,000
Why Visit Lanzhou?
- Stunning scenery:Lanzhou boasts many natural landscapes like the Yellow River, White Pagoda Mountain, and Xinglong Mountain. Also, due to its mild temperature throughout the year, it’s an ideal summer resort.
- Diversified cultures:With a long history, Lanzhou gives insights into ancient Chinese civilization where the Yellow River and Silk Road cultures intersect.
- Unique architecture:Lanzhou shows a harmonious blend of ancient and contemporary architecture, and you can see historical landmarks as well as modern skyscrapers in one city.
- Delicious cuisine:Lanzhou ramen is a tasty cuisine and it gained a good reputation all around the world. Except for noodles, Lanzhou also treats visitors with a wide range of food, including Liangpi, Beef Pancakes, Sweet Fermented Rice, and more.
- Vibrant nightlife: Lanzhouis lively at night, and you can visit various bars and night markets. Besides, it must be a wonderful experience for you to enjoy cultural performances at night.
Top Lanzhou Attractions
Gansu Provincial Museum
As a comprehensive museum, it boasts a vast collection of over 80,000 cultural relics and natural specimens, among which the highlighted collections include exquisite pottery, Silk Road treasures, Buddhist artworks, and ancient fossils.
Zhengning Road Night Market
This famous snack street in Lanzhou is a paradise for foodies. It serves visitors authentic Lanzhou food for their taste buds, including Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles, deeply fried potatoes, fried seafood, and all kinds of barbecues.
Top Things to Do in Lanzhou
Take a Boat Ride on the Yellow River
Embark on a boat or cruise to marvel at the stunning landscapes and historical relics by the banks of the Yellow River, through which you will see the famous scenic sites of Lanzhou. Zhongshan Bridge, White Pagoda Mountain Park, and the Waterwheel Garden greet you with charm. What’s more, it offers an opportunity for you to admire the magnificence of the Yellow River.
Hike the White Pagoda Mountain
Start an exhilarating hike to the top of the White Pagoda in Lanzhou, where each step brings you closer to panoramic views of the city and the mighty Yellow River below. It is a challenging hike as the trails are winding with many divergent paths, and it takes about 1 hour to reach the summit.
Indulge in the Shuimo Danxia Scenic Area
This scenic area in Lanzhou boasts spectacular Danxia landforms characterized by red cliffs and it’s a good place for you to marvel at the force of nature. Shaped by wind and rain for thousands of years, it looks like an ink-wash painting, hence its name. Besides, it is home to solitary peaks, cliffs, deep valleys, narrow sky corridors, and wind-eroded rocks, which makes it an ideal place for photography.
Explore the Bingling Temple
Used to be a crucial stop on the ancient Silk Road, the Bingling Temple of Lanzhou is now a tourist attraction famous for its stone carvings, relief pagodas, and esoteric Buddhist mural art. On the 60-meter-high cliff, there are a large number of Buddhist grottoes built by taking advantage of the natural contours. By the way, the tallest Buddhist statue is 27 meters high and lies in the No. 172 grotto.
Try Local Street Food at the Lanzhou Night Market
Don’t forget to taste the local cuisine in Lanzhou. For many people, their first impression of Lanzhou is about Lanzhou noodles. In fact, there is a wide range of delicious food, especially at the night market streets like Zhengning Road Night Market and Nanguan Ethnic Dinning Street. There, you can try Niangpi, roast lamb, Stuffed Bun, and Sweet Fermented Rice, which are the must-try foods on your Silk Road tour to Lanzhou.
Lanzhou Weather & Best Time to Visit
Lanzhou has a semi-arid climate characterized by four distinct seasons with a large temperature difference. Therefore, the best time to visit there is in spring and autumn when the climate is mild for sightseeing and outdoor activities. It’s hot and dry in summer and cold and dry in winter, so avoid getting there in these two seasons.
Lanzhou Transportation
How to Get to Lanzhou
By Air: There are many flights to Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport from major cities of China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an. The airport is 60 kilometers from downtown Lanzhou. After landing, take the intercity high-speed train from Zhongchuan Airport Railway Station to Lanzhou West Railway Station, from where you can go to attractions easily.
By Train: If you prefer to travel to Lanzhou by train, you will arrive at Lanzhou West Railway Station or Lanzhou Railway Station. The former is in Chengguan District and the facilities are relatively old for its long history, while the latter is in Qilihe District with newer equipment. Both railway stations offer subway and bus services for you to get to scenic sites.
By Bus: Lanzhou East Bus Station and Lanzhou Bus Station are two major bus stations in Lanzhou City. They offer long-distance bus services to major cities in China including Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu. Besides, it also provides services to nearby cities of Lanzhou like Yinchuan and Xining.
How to Travel around Lanzhou
By Bus: This is the cheapest and most convenient way for you to travel around most parts of Lanzhou City. You just need to pay CNY 1 to reach most scenic sites by bus.
By Subway: There are two subway lines in Lanzhou. You can take a subway to visit the Yellow River Mother Sculpture, the Waterwheel Garden, the Zhongshan Bridge, the Gansu Provincial Museum, and the Zhengning Road Night Market.
Tips for Traveling in Lanzhou
- The famous food thereis Lanzhou beef noodles, and you can try them for your breakfast. It is worth mentioning that there is a slight difference in the flavors of beef noodles served in different Lanzhou restaurants, and you do not have to queue for a long time for the ones packed with customers.
- There are many hotels in Lanzhou, Chinawith all price ranges. You can stay at a hotel near the train station rather than downtown, as the price might be lower and it’s convenient for you to get to the attractions by bus or subway.
- As the weather is dry there in Lanzhou, bring hand creams and stay hydrated.
