- China Destination Guide

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China travel and tour destination Lanzhou

China Destination Guide - Lanzhou

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 fromt he excellent museum) but the countryside around it does have some gems including Bingling Si only reachable by boat.

What there is to see...

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 grottoe 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 ity 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.

Tours we offer that include Lanzhou

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China self-guided adventure SG-05

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China Tailor Made tours

Best time to visit Lanzhou

April and May as well as September and October are the best months but it is possible to visit year round although the winters are very cold but dry.

Best reason to visit Lanzhou

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

Our last word on Lanzhou

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