Lanzhou Travel Guide

Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province, is a key regional transportation hub in China. Lying in the central section of Gansu Province, this provincial capital neighbors the Maiji Caves to the east, the Bingling Thousand Buddha Caves to the west, Labrang Monastery to the south and Dunhuang Mogao Caves to the north. Lanzhou covers an area of 13085 square kilometers and is home to 3.22 million inhabitants including Han, Hui, Baoan, Dongxiang, Tibetan, Uighur, Sala and more.
 

History

Lanzhou was called the "Gold City" in ancient times due to the great amount of precious metal found here. It was an eastern and crucial stretch of the Silk Road. The city was a major seat of Buddhist learning from the 5th to the 11th century and got its current name in 1656 during Qing Dynasty. Now, it’s an important hub of Silk Road which connects China and western countries.
 

Attractions

Lanzhou is not much as a tourism city. You can admire the grand Yellow River since it flows through the city. Other attractions in Lanzhou include Gansu Provincial Museum, White Pagoda Park and Yellow River Bridge, Waterwheel Park and so on.

Gansu Provincial Museum is the biggest comprehensive museum in the province showing you the history of Gansu by all kinds of cultural relics including the world-famous bronze Galloping Horse's Hoof Stepped on a Flying Swallow. The museum is free for visit. You can take bus No.1, 21, 50, 53 and 58 and get off at Qilihe bus stop. Opening hours: 09:00-17:00, closed on Monday.

White Pagoda Park is located at the city center of Lanzhou, deriving its name from the white pagoda on the mountain. Climbing to the mountain, you get a bird view of Lanzhou city and Yellow River Bridge. The admission fee is 6 Yuan and you can get there by taking bus No. 2, 112, 113, 131 and 136.

Outside the main entrance of White Pagoda Park is the Yellow River Bridge which is called first bridge over Yellow River. It is now a pedestrian bridge free to visit. The night scenery of Lanzhou city can be best enjoyed from here. Buses No.2, 4, 6, 9, 13, 101 and 102 will take you there directly.
 

Transport

As an important transportation hub in West China, Lanzhou is the first choice for people getting in and out Gansu province. There are flights, trains as well as long-distance buses to major cities in China.

By Air: Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport is 74.5km north from city center and is connected by highway between. Flights from more than 40 cities depart and arrive at the airport. It takes about an hour for the airport shuttle bus (fare 30 Yuan) to arrive at Lanzhou downtown. A taxi will cost about 120 Yuan.
Airport Inquiring: 0931-8968160
CAAC Ticket Center: No.586 Donggang Xi Lu

By Train: Lanzhou is one of the 12 transportation hubs in China and its railway station is located at Railway Station East Road of Chengguan District of Lanzhou. There are trains to most China cities. Inquiry: 0931-4922222.

By Long-distance Bus: Lanzhou has two long-distance bus stations: Lanzhou East Bus Station and Lanzhou West Bus Station.
Lanzhou East Bus Station is located at No.170 Pingliang Lu. Take bus No.141, 137, 75 and 6 can get there. Inquiry: 0931-8418411. Lanzhou West Bus Station is located at No.486, Xijin Dong Lu. Buses No.1, 6, 11, 31, 32, 33, 41, 45, 50, 56, 58, 59, 106 and 107 are available here. Inquiry: 0931-2663285

City Transport: Public bus is the best way to transport Lanzhou with prices ranging from 0.5 Yuan to 2.5 Yuan. It is easy to take a taxi around the city with 7 Yuan for the initial 3 kilometers and 1.4 Yuan per km beyond. As the Yellow River flows through Lanzhou, people also take sheepskin raft.
 

Weather and Climate

Located in western China, Lanzhou has a semi-arid climate characterized by dryness and abundant sunlight. The hottest month is July while January is the coldest. Average annual temperature is 10.3°C (50.54°F).
 

Food and Restaurants

Local snacks include Lanzhou Beef Noodle (Lanzhou La Mian), Niang pi, Baihe Tao. You can find many delicacies in snack streets, such as Dazhong Food Alley and Hezheng Road.

Mazilu: Chain of restaurants specializing in Lanzhou lamian.

Dazhong Food Alley: local delicacies, also the specialties along the Silk Road. Many of Lanzhou’s most famous old shops are gathered here.
Address: Dazhong Xiang, Lanzhou
Getting there: take bus routes 112, 136, 26, 34, 4, 6, 9 to Yongchang Lu North Entrance

Lanzhou Delicacy Street: Quanjude Roasted Duck Restaurant, Mingde Palace Restaurant, Caige Xiang Restaurant
Address: the southeast of the conjunction of Jiuquan Road and Gannan Road,

Xiangmanlou Restaurant: The dishes feature natural, nutritive, delicate and tasty with strong Lanzhou local flavor.
Specialties: Hot and Spicy Sleeve-fish, Braised Tofu with Almond, Braised Pork with Cherry Juice and Pork with Soy Sauce.

UBC Coffee House: Western food
Address: Zhongshan Road (Opposite Shengli Binguan).

 

Shopping

Local products: Engraved Gourd, Pebble Carving, Tao ink stone and Double-layered Vase made.
Places to buy:
Xiguan Commercial Area: traditional specialties to the modern tourism goods.

Guwan Zihua Cheng: antiques, calligraphies, paintings, the four treasures of the study (writing brush, ink stick, ink stone and paper), jade ware, jewelry, porcelain, copper ware, root carving, strange stones, old coins, stamps, etc.
Address: Yantan, Lanzhou
 

Nightlife

Binghe Park is a place worth for a walk at night. You can also go to the bars and pubs.
Baroque Xinzhen Bar
Address: No. 515, Gannan Zhong Lu, Chengguan District

Huochai Tiantang (Match Paradise) Bar
Address: Gannan Lu Xiduan

Shi Er Ma (Twelve Yards) Bar
Address: Gannan Lu Xiduan, Chengguan District
 

Accommodation

There are many mid-range hotels in Pingliang Road and Tianshui Road.

Recommended Hotels
Lanzhou Wanlin International Youth Hostel
Address: No. 36 Anxi Road, Qilihe District
Phone: +86 0931-2611898

Lanzhou Hotel
Address: 434 West Donggang Road
Phone: +86 0931 8416321

Jinjiang Sun Hotel
Address: 589 Donggang West Road, Chengguan District
 

Travel Tips

1. Almost all hotel rooms have free internet.
2. Take a long sleeve with you in summer due to the temperature difference.
3. Taste Lanzhou Lamian at breakfast since the soup is best in the morning.