Lanzhou

Understand

thumb|right|300px|Lanzhou Lanzhou is an industrial city of about 4.5 million people. It is located on the shores of the Yellow River. It used to be one of the most polluted cities in China but the situation has improved. The elevation of Lanzhou is 1,570 m.

Lanzhou was a major stop on the Silk Road; in those days, it was known as the Golden City. From the 5th to the 11th century the city was a major seat of Buddhist learning, and it acquired its present name during the Qing Dynasty in 1656. Until the 19th century, Lanzhou was the primary point for crossing the Yellow River via a bridge made by chaining a flotilla of boats together with a road on top to cross on.

Get around

There are two Metro lines, Metro Line 1 (blue line) runs east–west across the city, linking downtown with West Railway Station, and Metro Line 2 (red line). Fare is around ¥2-4. There are other metro lines being build connecting the main Railway Station (as of Aug 2024).

The #1 Bus is really useful getting around Lanzhou. It travels from Lanzhou Station to the Lanzhou Hotel, Qingyang Lu, Xihu Gongyuian Park, Qiliheqiao and ending at Lanzhou West Station. It also connects the train station to the starting point of the shuttle bus to the airport, here.

The fare for bus or metro is around ¥ 2-3.

There's a city bike scheme, with pick-up / drop-off stations dotted around.

Do

Walk across the Zhongshan Bridge for the night lights, people and the immense Yellow river.

Eat

thumb|A market street in Lanzhou, around 1 km NE of the train station Lanzhou is famous for its beef noodle soup (兰州牛肉拉面 Lanzhou niurou lamian). The noodles are always hand made, and the broth served hot and spicy with as much beef as you care to pay for. If the place offers a cheap bowl of noodle, usually it comes with beef broth, but without sliced beef, you need to pay more for it. They are a specialty of the Muslim Hui ethnic group, and hence are a good option for those looking for halal food. A bowl of beef noodle soup is around ¥15 (as of Aug 2024). Other options:

Go next

Linxia - center for the Hui (Muslim Chinese) and Dongxiang (Muslim Mongol) minorities. Numerous mosques and Islamic mausolea (gongbei), colorful markets and relaxing teahouses Sichuan Back Entrance Route - south via Xiahe, Hezuo and on past Langmusi into Sichuan province Tianshui Xining (西宁) - the capital of Qinghai province to the West.