The 10 Best Things to Do in Lanzhou, China

September 24, 2017 Harland Bartelt

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

1. Gansu Provincial Museum

No.3 Xijin West Road, Qilihe District, Lanzhou 730000, China +86 931 234 6308
Excellent
41%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 99 reviews

Gansu Provincial Museum

Reviewed By MooncakeVixen

An excellent museum worth a minimum of three hours of your time. The museum is free but you must get a ticket to enter. The Silk Road exhibit is well thought out and has nice signage in English. The Fossils are nice. The Buddhist art gallery is mesmerizing, especially the Tang Buddha. I especially liked the tri-colored pottery. My favorite was the camel dragging a Hu gentleman. You would swear from a certain angle the camel is laughing. The jade is lovely, especially the Neolithic jade. The museum book is 95% in Chinese, with a brief English introduction and English titles for the pictures. They do not have an English edition. Buy it anyway if you like to collect museum books.

2. Iron Bridge of Yellow River

North side of Beibinhe Middle Road, Qilihe District, Lanzhou 730000, China
Excellent
31%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
32%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 145 reviews

Iron Bridge of Yellow River

Reviewed By Allan & Amy T - Edmonton, Canada

This is the bridge which tells the story and birth of civilization of China
The yellow river symbolized the Mother of the nation,hence there is a huge sculpture featuring the mother caring the baby with its body downwards
The bridge also symbolizes advancement in science,transportation and technology
The bridge replaces the rafts with inflated goats skin where the traders from the Silk Road used to cross the river
The annoying parts being there are crowds trying to have photos taken with the Sculpture of the monkey king along the side of the river

3. White Pagoda Mountain (Baita)

North bank of Yellow River, Chengguan District, Lanzhou 730000, China
Excellent
34%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 76 reviews

White Pagoda Mountain (Baita)

Reviewed By Eve420 - Singapore, Singapore

As we were due back home in the evening, we went to White Pagoda Mountain early morning to stroll up the mountain. It gives a nice view of Lanzhou and Yellow River. Before you reach White Pagoda Mountain, you will pass through Zhongshan bridge straddling across Yellow River - awesome!

4. Wuquan Mountain Park

No.103 Wuquan South Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou 730000, China +86 931 824 3247
Excellent
31%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 45 reviews

Wuquan Mountain Park

Reviewed By Hoben01 - Long Beach, California

This park is on a mountain easily reachable by bus. There was no large entrance fee and only small charges for places within the park like the zoo was only 6rmb. Even though the zoo is pretty much concrete i was amazed at the variety of animals from China shown here. There was a good native bird selection. The park also had a number of temples one could visit. This is a good place to spend a half day or more visiting

5. Binhe Park of Lanzhou

North of Lanzhou, Chengguan District, Lanzhou 730000, China
Excellent
29%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 27 reviews

Binhe Park of Lanzhou

Reviewed By Marcia20142014 - Lanzhou, China

This park is an open area with a monument to the mother of the Yellow River. It is a nice place for you to get beautiful pictures, as well have a view of the famous river. Worth going!

6. Zhengning Road Night Market

ZhengNing Lu, Lanzhou, China
Excellent
22%
Good
52%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 22 reviews

Zhengning Road Night Market

Reviewed By Hoben01 - Long Beach, California

I came to this night market with my hosts from airbnb. It was a very large night market if you have been to other night markets its similar in setup. I don't know if i had to be concerned, but my local hosts warned me about securing my wallet and phone ahead of time. The only issue I remember was the hassle we had trying to secure a taxi to get back to the apartment had to flag down a large number of taxis before we got one. Oh by the way if you are an american a US dollar can go along way. The cabby asked my host if i had any american money on me and i still had some dollar bills he accepted that us dollar instead of the carfare because he had never seen an american dollar before.

7. Lanzhou University

No.222 Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou, China
Excellent
51%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
8%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 12 reviews

Lanzhou University

Reviewed By DawgAbroad - Seattle, Washington

The grounds of the grad school are absolutely lovely, another testament to China's superior green thumb and garden design. The campus has trails that lead to what feel like secret study/make-out spots, as well as multiple water features that provide nice relaxing places to read a book or soak up some sun. The cafeterias are pretty bad, though, so I advise walking to any of the numerous restaurants outside campus. And the street venders outside the gates in the morning sling the best breakfast food I had in all of China. 3-6 RMB gets you a nice Chinese pancake loaded with noodles, veggies, etc.
Every Friday night, starting around 7-ish (but busier later in the evening) the university hosts English Quarter at the main Fountain. It is actually a city-wide event, promoted by the local government encouraging Chinese students and residents alike to practice their English speaking skills with native English speakers. I definitely recommend going to this if you can, because it provides a truly enriching cultural experience. I had fascinating and engaging conversations with professors, businessmen, government officials, grad students, PhD candidates, researchers, middle schoolers, and local residents, on topics ranging from international relations to Mao and pop culture. It was truly the best experience during my stay in Lanzhou.

8. Lanzhou Yintan Wetland Park

Beibinhe Road, An_ning District, Lanzhou 730070, China
Excellent
35%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 17 reviews

Lanzhou Yintan Wetland Park

Reviewed By DawgAbroad - Seattle, Washington

Definitely check this place out, add it's actually quite lovely. There are plenty of secluded Reading spots so pack a picnic and a book. It closes rather early, unfortunately, but the street outside comes alive when the park closes. Dancing, music, lights, and food and beer overlooking the wetlands. Great spot for photos, too.

9. Dongfanghong Square

Donggang West Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou 730000, China
Excellent
21%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
26%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 19 reviews

Dongfanghong Square

Reviewed By EsterP - Jakarta, Indonesia

The square of Lanzhou. Busy. Many people come here...spending their time with family or friends. Some area closed for new city project. There is a supermarket and department store under the ground. And there a big mall a place for branded store and good quality local brand. There are KFC and Pizza Hut...for your netral and world standard taste.

10. Lanzhou Xiguan Mosque

Jiefangmen Square, Chengguan District, Lanzhou 730030, China
Excellent
29%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
29%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 17 reviews

Lanzhou Xiguan Mosque

Reviewed By mshemyalnisar - Wuhan, China

It is a big mosque at the center of Lanzhou City which an excellent bakery at its corner. The mosque is currently in use and thus very well maintained. The interior of the mosque does also seem luxurious. The structure is of tradition Islamic architectural style.

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