Lanzhou

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Asia : East Asia : China : North West : Gansu : Lanzhou
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Lanzhou (兰州; Lánzhōu) is the capital of Gansu province

[edit] Understand

Lanzhou is an industrial city of about three million people. It is located on the shores of the Yellow River and was a major stop on the Silk Road, where 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 Qing Dynasty in 1656. Until 19th century, Lanzhou was the primary point in crossing the Yellow River via a bridge made by chaining a flotilla of boats together with a road on top to cross on.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By Plane

Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport (IATA: LHW) is situated 75km from the city centre of Lanzhou. Daily flights to Beijing, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dunhuang, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Hangzhou, Jiayuguan, Kunming, Nanjing, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Ürümqi, Wenzhou, Wuhan, Xiamen, Xi'an, and Zhengzhou.

[edit] By Train

Lanzhou Huoche Zhan - southern end of Pingliang Lu at Tianshui Lu

  • Beijing via Hohhot and Datong
  • Beijing via Xi'an and Zhengzhou - takes about 25 hours
  • Chengdu - takes about 19 hours
  • Golmud via Xining - takes about 14 hours
  • Guangzhou - takes about 29 hours
  • Lhasa - takes about 30 hours
  • Shanghai via Xi'an and Zhengzhou - takes about 23 hours
  • Urumqi via Jiayuguan and Turpan - takes about 24 hours
  • Xian - takes about 9 hours
  • Xining - takes about 3-4 hours

[edit] By Bus

[edit] East Long-Distance Bus Station

Location: Pingliang Lu

  • Dunhuang - takes about 24 hours
  • Guyuan - takes about 8 hours
  • Jiayuguan - takes about 17 hours
  • Pingliang - takes about 5 hours
  • Tianshui - takes about 4 hours
  • Urumqi* Dunhuang - takes about 38 hours
  • Xi'an - takes about 14-16 hours
  • Yinchuan - takes about 12 hours
  • Zhangye - takes about 12 hours

[edit] West Long-Distance Bus Station

Location: Xijin Xilu

  • Linxia - takes about 3 hours
  • Liujiaxia - takes about 2 hours
  • Xining - - takes about 5 hours
  • Xiahe - takes about 6 hours- from the SOUTH Bus Station, not the West

[edit] Get around

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.

[edit][add listing] See

  • Gansu Provincial Museum - Silk Road history in one place
  • Green Corridor along Binhe Rd.
  • Five-Spring Mountain (Wuquanshan Gongyuan)
  • White Pagoda Mountain (Baitashan) - Yuan dynasty White Pagoda Temple overlooks the Yellow River
  • Sun Yat-Sen Bridge (Zhongshan Qiao)
  • Waterwheel Garden
  • Sculptures of the Mother River
  • Lanshan Mountain - cool place to be when the summer heat kicks in
  • Qiaomen Mosque
  • Tianfusha Palace
  • Bingling Si - cave grottoes and a boat ride, all in one trip

[edit][add listing] Do

Get OUT! Really Lanzhou is one of the most polluted cities in China, having had most if not all touristy areas knocked down and rebuilt. If you want to photograph industry this is a good place if not head for DunHuang, head for XiaHe, head for Xian, but I would not advise spending time here, unless you are looking for reasonably remote but well paid teaching.

[edit][add listing] Buy

  • Sanfo is the leading outdoor gear stores in China and their store in Lanzhou is located at 1 Youshengnan Lu, Jinshui District
  • Xidan, off Zhangye Lu, is the main shopping district of Lanzhou.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Lanzhou is famous for its beef noodle soup (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. This dish is a specialty of the 'Mazilu' restaurant chain.

  • UBC Coffee House (Shangdao Kafei Ting) - Zhongshan Lu, opposite Shengli Binguan, for when you need a Western food break thats consistant whereever you are

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

  • Yingbin Fandian, 35 Tianshui Lu, ☎ (0931)8886552 (fax: (0931)8886776).  edit
  • Lanshan Binguan, opposite the train station. Double with en-suite: officially 138 RMB (can be bargained), double without bathroom: 56 RMB (summer 2006).  edit

[edit] mid range

  • Lanzhou Hotel, 434 West Donggang Rd., Lanzhou, ☎ (0931)8416321 (fax: (0931)8418608).  edit
  • Friendship Hotel Lanzhou, 16 Xijin Rd. West, Lanzhou, ☎ (0931)2333051 (fax: (0931)2330304).  edit

[edit] Splurge

  • Lanzhou Legend Hotel, 599 Tianshui Rd., Lanzhou, ☎ (0931)8882876 (fax: (0931)8887876).  edit

[edit] Get out

  • Linxia - center for the Dongxiang minority, has colorful markets and relaxing teahouses
  • Sichuan Back Entrance Route - south via Xiahe, Hezuo and on past Langmusi into Sichuan province
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