Lanzhou 兰州 Travel Guide

Lanzhou, capital city of Gansu province, has been an important garrison town for centuries due to its position along the Silk Road as well as being located on the Yellow River, one of China’s most important waterways. At one point in the 1980s it was thought to be the world’s most polluted city but since then things have got better. The town itself doesn’t hold much by way of cultural attractions (aside from the excellent museum) but the countryside around it does have some gems including Bingling Si only reachable by boat. Lanzhou is usually visited as a stop along the fabulous Northern Silk Road.

The Buddhist grottos of Binglingsi is the top draw and a reminder of this area’s importance along the Silk Road.

Gansu Provincial Museum, one of China’s better museums and well worth a visit for those with an interest in this province and its history. Bingling Si is a buddhist cave grotto on the Yellow River that can only be reached by speedboat making the journey to reach it as much of the experience as the caves and statues themselves. A worthwhile and interesting day out. White Cloud Temple is a working Taoist temple in the city itself. White Pagoda Hill is a Yuan Dynasty pagoda by the Yellow River also in the city. Iron Bridge, a German built bridge nearly 100 years old and still used by pedestrians to cross the Yellow River.

Lanzhou features on most Silk Road trips as it is an important transport hub. The city itself is not the draw although it is certainly interesting as one of China’s biggest industrial centres.

The best you can hope for in Lanzhou is modern and efficient and we recommend the Sunshine Plaza Hotel or the Legend Hotel as the best two options although if you want a bit more luxury the Crowne Plaza is also worth considering.

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By Phil Stanley & Headseast – TCTC Destination Expert.