Lanzhou is the capital and largest city of Gansu Province in Northwest China. The prefecture-level city, located on the banks of the Yellow River, is a key regional transportation hub, connecting areas further west by rail to the eastern half of the country. Historically, it has been a major link on the Northern Silk Road. The city is also a center for heavy industry and petrochemical industry. Lanzhou was previously ranked as one of the cities with the worst air quality in the world, due to industrial pollution and its situation in a narrow river valley. Government measures to reduce the pollution have had their effect, and in 2015 the city was awarded China's climate progress title.
Restaurants in Lanzhou
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I visited the Baita White Pagoda Mountain, Lanzhou in December 2020. It was minus 10 degrees centigrade but ascending the stairs kept the blood flowing! The park is most famous for its austere and beautiful white pagoda. The current pagoda was built by a Ming Dynasty official, Lou Yongcheng during the 1450s, and extended (not sure of details) during the Qing Dynasty in 1715. The entrance is at the northern end of the Zhongshan Bridge. As you ascend the layers of stairs, there are many information boards in Chinese and English. Entry is free. I avoided the cable car. Don’t be daunted by the stairs as I saw many preschool kids and over 75s scooting up the hill. There are interesting things to see along the way and great views of the famous bridge, the Yellow River, and the CBD. The White Pagoda is unlike the more majestic ones I have seen in eastern China but beautiful nonetheless, historically significant, and loved by locals. Today it is more of a light yellow colour than white, has Buddhist carvings on each of its 8 sides, and is 7 storeys high (17 metres). From here, you can walk to the back and take the paths to explore the mountain and a few other historical temples and buildings, including the Arhat, Sangon, and Three-Star Halls. I thoroughly enjoyed this park and its assemblage of historic buildings, forest trails, and gardens. I spent 2 hours here as part of a whole-day, personally-planned riverside walk. Don’t forget your water, hat and suitable walking shoes.
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