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White Pagoda Temple
This temple, built during the Yuan dynasty (1206–1368) for a fallen Tibetan monk, stands on a hilltop in lovely White Pagoda Park (白塔山公园, Báitǎ Shān…
Lanzhou
At China’s cartographic bullseye, Lanzhou (兰州, Lánzhōu) marks the halfway point for overlanders trekking across the country. Growing up on a strategic stretch of the Yellow River (黄河, Huáng Hé), and sitting between competing Chinese and Central Asian empires, Gansu’s elongated capital city frequently changed hands, reflected today in its mix of ethnic groups and cultures. These days, Lanzhou is perhaps most well known for its favourite food – Lanzhou beef noodles (牛肉拉面, niúròu lāmiàn) – and with several excellent night markets, this is an excellent place to sample the delights of Chinese Silk Road fare.
Explore Lanzhou
- WWhite Pagoda Temple
This temple, built during the Yuan dynasty (1206–1368) for a fallen Tibetan monk, stands on a hilltop in lovely White Pagoda Park (白塔山公园, Báitǎ Shān…
- GGansu Provincial Museum
This museum has an intriguing collection of Silk Road artefacts with English descriptions, including inscribed Han-dynasty wooden tablets used to relay…
- WWhite Cloud Temple
Originally founded in the 8th century, this expansive, much rebuilt and active Taoist temple features five halls and was among the most important Quanzhen…
- ZZhongshan Bridge
OK, so it's not the world's most beautiful bridge, but this steel bridge (named after Sun Zhongshan) is a Lanzhou landmark and, when backlit by White…
- WWater Wheel Park
Lanzhou is the only city centre in China that the Yellow River flows through and these massive wooden copies of irrigation devices alongside the river…
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Lanzhou.
See
White Pagoda Temple
This temple, built during the Yuan dynasty (1206–1368) for a fallen Tibetan monk, stands on a hilltop in lovely White Pagoda Park (白塔山公园, Báitǎ Shān…
See
Gansu Provincial Museum
This museum has an intriguing collection of Silk Road artefacts with English descriptions, including inscribed Han-dynasty wooden tablets used to relay…
See
White Cloud Temple
Originally founded in the 8th century, this expansive, much rebuilt and active Taoist temple features five halls and was among the most important Quanzhen…
See
Zhongshan Bridge
OK, so it's not the world's most beautiful bridge, but this steel bridge (named after Sun Zhongshan) is a Lanzhou landmark and, when backlit by White…
See
Water Wheel Park
Lanzhou is the only city centre in China that the Yellow River flows through and these massive wooden copies of irrigation devices alongside the river…
Guidebooks
Learn more about Lanzhou
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