Lanzhou Travel Guide

• Lanzhou Overview
• Get in and around
• Lanzhou Weather
• Lanzhou Attraction
• Lanzhou Food
• Lanzhou Accommodation
• Lanzhou Shopping
• Lanzhou Nightlife
• Lanzhou Miscellaneous

Related Links

• Lanzhou News
• Lanzhou Stories
• Lanzhou Albums
• Lanzhou Tours
• Lanzhou Q&A

Site Search

 

Lanzhou Overview

Lanzhou situated at the centre of Gansu Province is the political, economic, cultural and commercial center of Gansu Province as well as the hub of communications of northwestern regions. With a history of 1400 years, Lanzhou was an important fortification in history and a place of strategic importance along the Silk Road (An ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean Sea).

In ancient times, Lanzhou was a major thoroughfare to Central Asia, Africa and Europe, which helped promote the progress and friendship between Chinese people and the people in the west. It was one of the three major ferries along the Yellow River for people going from Chang'an to the western Xinjiang and Tibet regions. As a great hub on the ancient Silk Road, Xuangzang, an eminent Buddhist monk of Tang Dynasty, also passed through this place on his pilgrimage way to India. In addition, when Marco Polo, the great explorer, was traveling throughout the world on adventure, and Genghis Khan, the universal ruler of Mongol, was embarking on a series of military campaigns from the north to the south to unify Mongol tribes, the way through Lanzhou was the one which they must take.  

Lanzhou seats at the geometric centre of China's continental territory as is nicknamed "the heart of the mainland". It is well known as a "city of melons and fruits", producing more than 20 varieties of fruits and melons in great quantity. Some of the best known ones are peach, Bailan (honey- dew) melon, Huanghe-dew melon, Mapizui melon and seed-yielding melon.

Despite being the world's most polluted city, Lanzhou pleasantly surprises visitors. The cave art of Bingling Monastery is just  a few hours outside the town. The Yellow River runs through the city proper. Along the river is a extensive greenery, nicknamed as "Green Corridor". At the southern bank of the river, visitors may enjoy a series of scenery spots such as the Waterwheel Garden and the Statue of Mother Yellow River. Within the city proper, visitors may have a good time in visiting the White Pagoda Park, the Zhongshan Iron Bridge, the Provincial Museum and the Five- Spring Park. Other sights outside of the town may merit a visit include  the Xinglong Mountain, the Yamun of Tusi (national minority hereditary headman in the ancient time) Lu's and the Tulugou Valley.

Lanzhou is a practical hub from where travelers can extend tours to the surrounding areas such as Labuleng Lamasery in Xihe Tibetan Autonomous Region, the Maijishan Grottoes in Tianshui City or fruther to Xinjiang and Tibet.

Telephone Code: 0931
Zip Code: 730030
Population: 2.83 million
Urban population: 1.48 millionArea: 13,086 sq km
Districts: Chengguan District, Qilihe District, Xigu District, Anning District, Honggu District, Yongdeng County, Gaolan County, Yuzhong County, etc.
City Tree: Chinese Pagoda Tree
City Flower: rose

Lanzhou History

Early in the Neo-Stone Age, 5000 years ago, human beings were already dwelling here. According to recent archeological discoveries, the Majiayao Culture, Banshan Culture, Machang Culture and Qijia Culture flourished here successively, which suggested the early splendid human civilizations.

When the first Emperoe of Qin had China unified, Lanzhou became a part of Qin Dynasty. The city was named as "Jingcheng", meaning "strong fort", in the time of Han Dynasty when a prefecture was established here. Later, the administrative structure was changed into a "Commander Prefecture of Lanzhou" at the early stage of Sui Dynasty and thus the name of Lanzhou came into use from then on. It was until the 13th year of Emperor Xianzhong in the Min Dynasty that the name of Lanzhou was acknowledged. It became the capital of Gansu Province in 1666, the 15th year of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty.

Lanzhou was liberated on August 26 1949. Today it is the political, economic and cultural center of Gansu Porcince, governing five districts and three counties. It covers an area of more than 13 thousand sq km with a population of 3 million. With various nationalities dwelling here, such as Hui (Muslims), Han, Tibetan, Dongxiang, Yugur, and so on, Lanzhou has a distinct mixed culture of multipal nationalities.