Lanzhou is a city traversed by the Yellow River and a key transportation hub in Northwest China. It boasts a century-old iron bridge, a Yuan Dynasty white pagoda, a museum with abundant Silk Road relics, and night catering markets. For visitors planning a trip to Lanzhou, the following lists must-see attractions covering ticket prices, transport and visiting tips. Including several in your itinerary improves travel efficiency. Major scenic areas cluster along the Yellow River and downtown, with attractions close to each other, mostly reachable by metro or on foot. Tourists can select spots from this guide to make an itinerary based on their time and interests.
Zhongshan Bridge: the First Century-Old Iron Bridge over the Yellow River
Zhongshan Bridge is the most famous landmark in Lanzhou, locally called the “Yellow River Iron Bridge”. Built in 1909 during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, this bridge was designed by Germans and is the first permanent highway bridge over the Yellow River. Motor vehicles are banned on the bridge now, and you can walk around safely. Looking north from the bridge is Baita Mountain. When the lights are on at night, the reflection on the river is quite striking.
- Ticket: Free, open all day.
- Transportation: Walk about 500 meters north from Exit C of Xiguan Station on Metro Line 1; take Bus No. 6, 9, 25 or 105 to Zhongshan Bridge Station.
- Best Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., you can enjoy both daytime and night views at the same time.
- Tip: It is windy on the bridge, so bring a coat.
Lanzhou Yellow River Zhongshan Bridge
Baita Mountain Park: the Viewing Spot for Overlooking the Panoramic View of Lanzhou
Baita Mountain is right across Zhongshan Bridge. The white ancient pagoda on the top is a relic of the Yuan Dynasty, and it takes about 20 minutes to climb up. Standing under the pagoda, you can overlook Lanzhou urban area and the Yellow River channel. If you do not want to walk, you can take the Yellow River cable car to cross the Yellow River in the air.
- Ticket: Free; cable car: about 30 CNY one way, 50 CNY round trip.
- Opening Hours: 6:00-21:30 in summer, 7:00-20:00 in winter.
- Recommended Activity: Teahouses on the mountain serve Guanguan Tea, you can experience the local leisure style.
- Note: The temperature difference before sunset on the mountain is large, you need to bring a coat.
Gansu Provincial Museum: Home to Cultural Relics such as the Bronze Galloping Horse
Gansu Provincial Museum is a national first-class museum with a collection of 350,000 cultural relics. Its treasure, “Bronze Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow”(Bronze Running Horse), an Eastern Han Dynasty bronze ware, is permanently banned from overseas exhibitions. In addition, the “Giant Salamander Painted Pottery”in the Painted Pottery Hall and the Silk Road Exhibition Hall are also worth visiting.
- Ticket: Free, reservation required in advance via the WeChat official account “Gansu Provincial Museum”(reservation available 3 days in advance, tickets released at 9:00 every day).
- Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 Tuesday to Sunday (last entry at 16:30), closed on Monday.
- Transportation: Walk 10 minutes from Xiguan Station or Qilihe Station on Metro Line 1.
- Suggestion: Go directly to the Silk Road Exhibition Hall on the second floor after the museum opens, with fewer people; small Bronze Running Horse ornaments are sold in the cultural and creative store.
- Convenience: Luggage storage is available, no problem with suitcases.
Yellow River Scenic Line: Main Landscapes for Touring along the River
The Yellow River Scenic Line is a riverside walkway along both banks of the Yellow River, connecting Zhongshan Bridge, The Yellow River Mother Sculpture and Waterwheel Expo Park. It is recommended to arrange half a day to walk along the river and feel the riverside environment.
- Ticket: Free.
- Recommended Experiences:
- Sheepskin Raft Drifting: Round trip from The Yellow River Mother Wharf to Zhongshan Bridge, about 80-100 CNY.
- Riverside Teahouse: Rest with a cup of Sanpaotai Gaiwan Tea.
- Best Time: Evening, with suitable light and lower temperature.
Yellow River Mother Sculpture: the Landmark Statue of Lanzhou
This granite sculpture shows a mother lying on her side holding a child, located north of Xiaoxihu Park. Most tourists will take photos here.
- Ticket: Free, open all day.
- Transportation: Take Metro Line 1 to Xiaoxihu Station, walk north through the park; take Bus No. 25 or 142 to The Yellow River Mother Station.
- Suggestion: Just take photos when passing by, no need to arrange a long time separately.
Waterwheel Expo Park: the Place to View Large Waterwheels by the Yellow River
Lanzhou was historically known as the “City of Waterwheels”. The largest waterwheel in the expo park is 16.8 meters in diameter, reproducing the scene of numerous waterwheels standing along the Yellow River more than 50 years ago.
- Ticket: Free, you can only see the waterwheels rotating when visiting during the daytime.
- Transportation: Located on the south bank of the Yellow River, about 2.6 kilometers east of Zhongshan Bridge; take Bus No. 20, 25 or 135 to Green Park Station.
- Suitable for: Family tourists with children; you can go to Lanzhou Port to take a boat to tour the Yellow River after the visit.
Big Waterwheel in Lanzhou Waterwheel Expo Park
Shuimo Danxia: Danxia Landform Formed over Hundreds of Millions of Years
Located in Shuping Town, Yongdeng County, about 30 kilometers from the urban area. The landform is characterized by rock layers of cyan-gray, reddish-brown and purple, and you can see the landscape of both Danxia landform and the Yellow River in the same frame.
- Ticket: About 60 CNY.
- Opening Hours: Ticket sales stop at 17:00 on weekdays; 17:30 on weekends and holidays.
- Transportation: Chartered car or self-driving is recommended (about 1 hour drive); public transport has fewer schedules.
- Best Photo Time: Before and after sunset.
- Tip: The scenic area is large, you can buy a shuttle bus ticket to reduce walking distance.
Zhengning Road Night Market: a Concentrated Area for Night Catering
Zhengning Road Night Market is about 300 meters long, open from 5 or 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. The stalls mainly sell roasted lamb skewers and milk egg fermented rice, with a large passenger flow.
- Main Foods:
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- Milk Egg Fermented Rice (recommend the “White-bearded Grandpa”stall, about 10 CNY per cup).
- Roasted Lamb Skewers (Master Ma’s stall, about 3-5 CNY per skewer).
- Liangpi, Gray Bean Soup, Sweet Fermented Grains.
- Best Time: 19:30-22:30.
- Transportation: Walk 10 minutes from Xiguan Station on Metro Line 1; take Bus No. 18, 111 or 140 to Dongfeng Theater Station.
- Tip: Stalls at the entrance are slightly more expensive, it is recommended to choose the middle and rear sections; do not drive here, parking is difficult.
- Consumption: About 30-50 CNY per capita.
Dazhong Alley and Nanguan Night Market: Food Streets for Locals
If Zhengning Road Night Market is crowded, you can consider these two places.
Dazhong Alley: An alley with a century-old history, suitable for visiting in the daytime. It includes shops such as Mazilu Beef Noodles, Old Wang’s Sweet Fermented Grains and Duji Snacks.
Nanguan Ethnic Flavor Street: 90% of the snacks are halal, and the environment is relatively tidy. Recommended: Old Ma’s Lamb Offal Soup with baked cake, Liuji Chaobola.
- Transportation: Take Exit D of Xiguan Station on Metro Line 1, walk within ten minutes.
- Tip: Nanguan Night Market gets busy after 6 p.m.
Qingcheng Ancient Town and Shichuan Pear Garden: Surrounding Ancient Towns and Natural Landscapes
Tourists with sufficient time can arrange a one-day trip to the surrounding areas.
Qingcheng Ancient Town (Yuzhong County): A well-preserved ancient town along the Yellow River, with buildings such as Qingcheng Academy and Luo Family Courtyard.
- Ticket: 20 CNY; take a shuttle bus from Lanzhou Passenger Transport Center (departures at 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.).
Shichuan Ancient Pear Garden (Gaolan County): Home to century-old pear trees, the flowering period is from early April to early May every year.
- Transportation: About 40 minutes by self-driving; or take the “Xiaolan Appointment”tourist special bus (25 CNY one way).
- Suggestion: Choose one of the two places. Public transport has limited schedules, self-driving or chartered car is more convenient.
Lanzhou Travel Transportation Guide
How to Get to Lanzhou
There are no direct international flights at Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport, you need to transfer from hub cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu.
- Intercity High-speed Rail: Lanzhou West Railway Station or Lanzhou Railway Station has direct intercity trains to the airport, second-class seat about 17 CNY, the fastest 33 minutes.
- Airport Bus: About 40 CNY, multiple routes to different directions of the urban area.
- Taxi: About 150-200 CNY, about 1 hour drive.
Main Railway Stations
- Lanzhou West Railway Station: High-speed rail station, transfer to Metro Line 1 to Xiguan Shizi in about 25 minutes.
- Lanzhou Railway Station: Ordinary speed station, transfer to Metro Line 2 or bus.
Urban Transportation
Metro Line 1 runs through east and west, covering Zhongshan Bridge, Baita Mountain and Xiguan Shizi. The distance between most attractions is within 3 kilometers, the starting fare of taxis is 10 CNY, and Alipay bus code can be used for buses.
Practical Tips for Lanzhou Travel
Accommodation
It is recommended to stay near Xiguan Shizi in Chengguan District, within walking distance to many attractions. An ordinary hotel costs about 150-300 CNY per night.
Best Season
Suitable for visiting all year round. It is cool by the river in summer, and the scenery is the best in autumn. It is recommended to avoid the peak flow during summer vacation and National Day holiday. The temperature difference between morning and evening is large, you need to bring a coat.
Food Recommendations
Beef Noodles (go to local shops in the morning, the soup is the richest from 7 to 9 o’clock), Hand-grabbed Lamb (rib part), Liangpi, Gray Bean Soup, Sweet Fermented Grains, Apricot Skin Drink. You can try the local popular drink “Fangha”Sweet Fermented Grains Milk Tea.
FAQs for Must-Visit Attractions in Lanzhou
Q: Which of the must-visit attractions in Lanzhou is the most suitable for children?
A: Waterwheel Expo Park is interactive, and the Dinosaur Exhibition Hall of Gansu Provincial Museum is also popular with children. The greenway along the Yellow River is suitable for walking with a stroller.
Q: How many attractions can you visit in one day?
A: You can visit Gansu Provincial Museum in the morning (about 2 hours), walk along the Yellow River to visit Zhongshan Bridge, Baita Mountain, The Yellow River Mother Sculpture and Waterwheel Expo Park in the afternoon, and go to Zhengning Road Night Market in the evening. But Lanzhou is more suitable for slow-paced visiting.
Q: Where to choose for a one-day trip around Lanzhou with children?
A: Lanzhou Wild Animal Park has new facilities; you can go to Shichuan Ancient Pear Garden in spring, with ancient trees and open spaces for children to play.
Q: What is the most convenient transportation to each attraction?
A: Most urban attractions can be reached by Metro Line 1 plus walking. Chartered car is recommended to go to Shuimo Danxia and Qingcheng Ancient Town, as public transport has fewer schedules and is easy to delay the trip.
Q: How to visit with large luggage?
A: It is recommended to store your luggage first. Lockers are available at railway stations, airports and some shopping malls. There are no restrictions at open-air attractions such as Zhongshan Bridge and Baita Mountain, but large luggage is prohibited from entering the museum exhibition halls.
Why Lanzhou Is Better Enjoyed as a City, Not Just a Stopover
What makes Lanzhou stand out is not only its landmarks, but the way the city connects history, landscape, and everyday life in a single travel route. You can start with a riverside walk, cross the iconic bridge, head up to a panoramic viewpoint, and then finish the day with local food in a lively night market. That mix of scenery and daily rhythm gives Lanzhou a distinctive character that is easy to appreciate when the itinerary is kept simple and well focused.
For travelers with more time, nearby places such as Qingcheng Ancient Town, Shichuan Pear Garden, and Shui Mo Dan Xia can turn a Lanzhou visit into a richer Gansu journey. Whether Lanzhou is the starting point of a northwest China trip or the main destination itself, the best experience comes from choosing a few meaningful stops rather than rushing through everything. For travelers who want a smoother route and a more complete Gansu plan, China Dragon Travel can help arrange a well-paced itinerary that fits your travel style.