[Lanzhou Free Travel] How to enjoy Lanzhou travel in 4 days and 3 nights, a comprehensive itinerary planning guide!

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This guide carefully plans a perfect 4-day and 3-night trip to Lanzhou for you. Covering local attractions, authentic food and popular shopping areas, you can easily travel around Lanzhou and enjoy a worry-free holiday. Whether it is an in-depth exploration of history and culture or a fashionable check-in in a modern city, this guide can meet your needs. Come and start your wonderful trip to Lanzhou!

Look for camel bells along the Silk Road in the Gansu Provincial Museum, eat lamb legs and drink sweet mash in Nanguan Street, and watch the sunset and the lights of the iron bridge light up by the Yellow River.

Dunhuang murals depict thousands of years of colors, walking on the plank road in the wetland park to feed water birds, playing with beluga whales in the aquarium, and listening to Qinqiang opera in the old street.

The Gansu Provincial Museum is located in Qilihe District, Lanzhou City. It houses numerous precious cultural relics and treasures. It ranks among the top museums in the country in terms of its splendour and richness. It is one of the landmark buildings for visiting Lanzhou city. Since Gansu is located on the Silk Road and is also the border between Han and Tibetan areas, a large number of cultural relics reflecting the culture of the Western Regions, Central Plains and Tibetan areas have been unearthed and displayed, making the cultural relics in the museum rich and colorful and unique, which is very worth visiting. The bronze statue of Horse Stepping on Flying Swallow and the brick painting of Postman in the museum are famous and precious national treasures that you cannot miss when visiting.

The museum has three floors, divided into several themed permanent exhibition halls: the Silk Road Civilisation Exhibition, Gansu Buddhist Art Exhibition, Gansu Painted Pottery Exhibition, Palaeontology Exhibition and Red Gansu. Among them, the three themes of the Silk Road, Buddhism and Painted Pottery are more exciting, and you can visit according to your interests. There is also a temporary exhibition hall on the first floor, which often hosts temporary exhibitions of cultural relics and artworks. There are many exhibits in the museum, and it usually takes nearly half a day to visit them all.

The Silk Road Civilisation Exhibition is located on the second floor and is the core exhibition of the Gansu Provincial Museum. The famous bronze galloping horse statue of Horse Stepping on Flying Swallow is displayed here. The shape of this bronze statue is now a symbol of Chinese tourism. The statue has only one foot on the ground but can stand firmly, demonstrating the superb casting skills of ancient times. Horse Stepping on Flying Swallow is also the treasure of the entire museum. The famous brick with the picture of the postman is also here. The picture of the postman painted on it has now become the symbol of China's postal industry. In addition to these two national treasures, the museum houses many precious cultural relics from the ancient Silk Road, including artifacts from the Central Plains culture, treasures left behind by Western Regions and even European civilizations that arrived here via the Silk Road in ancient times, as well as the unique culture left by Islam in ancient China. In some areas, the lifestyles and customs of the ancient Western Regions countries have been restored through sand tables and other means, which are very ethnic and eye-opening.

The Gansu Buddhist Art Exhibition is located on the third floor and is also an important exhibition in the museum. There are grottoes replicated from the Mogao Grottoes and the Maijishan Grottoes, huge white pagodas and prayer wheels of Tibetan Buddhism, etc. Walking into the exhibition hall feels like being in a magnificent and huge temple. The Buddha statues, ritual instruments, etc., displayed in the museum are also very exquisite. There are both historical relics of Han Buddhism and precious religious objects of Tibetan Buddhism. Such a fusion can only be seen in areas like Gansu, where Han and Tibetan Buddhism merge. It is very unique.

The Gansu Painted Pottery Exhibition is also on the third floor. As soon as you enter the exhibition hall, you feel like you are in an ancient tribe. The ancient thatched houses and the working tribesmen are all replicated. The portraits in the exhibition hall are so lifelike that if you look closely, you'll have the illusion that they are real people. The museum displays numerous pottery pieces from the Majiayao Culture, Qijia Culture, Yangshao Culture and other cultures dating back four to five thousand years. Although they were thousands of years old, the pottery at that time was already very exquisite, with various beautiful patterns and unique shapes, which can be viewed one by one.

The palaeontology theme exhibition is divided into two exhibition halls. The second floor is the fossil exhibition, which displays the fossils of ancient creatures such as dinosaurs. The most famous one is the Yellow River elephant fossil, which is the largest ancient elephant fossil discovered in my country. On the third floor is an exhibition of models of ancient elephants and dinosaurs. Walking into the exhibition hall feels like being in the world of dinosaurs, which children will like more. The Red Gansu theme exhibition hall on the second floor displays revolutionary relics from the Nanliang base and the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region during the revolutionary period, which you can visit.

There is a cafe on the second floor of the museum. The prices are the same as those in ordinary cafes outside. If you are tired, you can go in and have a cup of coffee and take a break. There are volunteers in the museum who provide explanations from time to time, but you may not always meet them. You need to make an appointment in advance by phone to ask for a specialist explanation. The price varies from about 100 to 300 yuan, depending on the number of people and the language. You can also connect to the museum's wireless network via your mobile phone and listen to the voice explanation by scanning the QR code of the cultural relics. In addition, the museum also provides free wheelchair rental and luggage storage services. For details, please visit the official website.

Address: No. 3, Xijin West Road, Qilihe District, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province

Business hours: Open from 09:00 to 17:00 tomorrow (no admission at 16:30)

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Since its opening in early 2016, Lanzhou Ocean Polar World has become a popular ocean polar theme park. The park is home to a variety of marine and polar animals, and visitors can observe these amazing creatures up close and learn about their living habits. In addition, the park offers special animal performances and interactive rides, such as dolphin shows and sea lion shows, which are wonderful and deeply loved by children. Whether strolling through the ocean tunnel or participating in interactive activities, one can feel the wonder and magnificence of the ocean world.

Address: No. 303, Jianxi East Road, Qilihe District, Lanzhou

Business hours: Open from 09:00 to 18:00 tomorrow

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Lanzhou Old Street is located in the city center of Lanzhou. It aims to create a 24-hour commercial district in the northwest. With the development strategy of "dry, hot, red and taste", it brings together national brands, night economy, trendy clothing brands, retail stores, experience-based business formats, catering and entertainment facilities, etc., to lead the creation of a place in Lanzhou where people can eat, drink, play and have fun.

Address: No. 606, Xijin West Road, Tumendun Street, Qilihe District, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province

Opening hours: 24 hours a day, all year round

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Baiyun Temple, also known as Lu Zu Temple, was first built in the 17th year of Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty (1837 AD). There is a statue of Lu Dongbin enshrined in the Baiyun Temple. There are a group of three buildings, including the East and West River Viewing Towers, a theater, and front, middle and back yards. On both sides are the Yunshui Hall, the Bell and Drum Tower, the Taoist temple, etc. There are gardens, the Eight Immortals Pavilion, Xiaosha Pavilion and other buildings in the rear hall, which are ancient and charming.

Address: No. 987, Nanbinhe East Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou

Opening hours: Please contact the attraction to confirm specific opening hours

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Address: No. 1 Cuiyingmen, Chengguan District, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province

Business hours: Open from 8:00 to 19:00 tomorrow

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Nanguan Ethnic Flavor Street, located in Lanzhou, Gansu, is an ideal place to experience the local multicultural cuisine. This street is famous for its rich ethnic snacks, bringing together traditional food from many ethnic groups, including the Hui and Tibetan. Visitors can taste authentic Lanzhou beef noodles, hand-pulled lamb, stuffed pig skin and other local snacks here, and experience the strong local style.

The shops on both sides of the street have unique decorations that blend traditional and modern elements, creating a lively and warm atmosphere. When night falls, the streets are brightly lit, vendors greet customers warmly, and tourists come in an endless stream. It is a great place to experience Lanzhou's nightlife.

Nanguan Ethnic Flavor Street has a superior geographical location and convenient transportation. It is close to the city center and major attractions, making it a suitable place for tourists to relax and dine after visiting other attractions. Visitors are advised to visit in the evening to avoid the midday heat while enjoying the vitality of the night market.

Address: No. 234 Jiuquan Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province

Business hours: Open from 07:00 to 21:00 tomorrow

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The Yellow River Iron Bridge, also known as the Zhongshan Bridge, is one of the landmark buildings in Lanzhou and a must-visit place for tourists visiting Lanzhou. This iron bridge was built in the late Qing Dynasty and was the first permanent bridge across the Yellow River at that time. The iron bridge was built by the Germans, and all the materials were shipped from Germany. On the north bank of the Yellow River, Iron Bridge is the famous Baita Mountain, which has many buildings and historical sites. Many people like to go there to climb mountains and take pictures of the Yellow River Iron Bridge and the panoramic view of Lanzhou.

Address: At the foot of Baita Mountain, north of the middle section of Binhe Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province

Opening hours: 24 hours a day, all year round

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The Yellow River Cableway was completed and put into operation in 1994. It is a single-line pulsating circulating cabin cableway with four groups of cabins, three in each group, and each cabin can accommodate six people. Lanzhou is known as the "Yellow River Capital". The Yellow River runs through the city. Sitting on the cable car and watching the surging Yellow River is a completely different feeling.

Address: No. 328, Nanbinhe Middle Road, Lanzhou

Business hours: Open from 09:00 to 18:00 tomorrow

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The Yellow River Mother Sculpture is located in the middle section of Binhe Road on the south bank of the Yellow River in Lanzhou. It was created by sculptor Ms. He E. The Yellow River Mother Sculpture consists of "Mother" and "Baby Boy", symbolising the Yellow River Mother who nurtures the Chinese nation's endless vitality and is indomitable, and the happy, blessed and thriving Chinese descendants. The base under the sculpture is engraved with water ripples and fish patterns, which are original patterns derived from ancient painted pottery in Gansu.

Address: Middle section of Binhe Road, Qilihe District, Lanzhou City (north side of Xiaoxihu Park)

Opening hours: 24 hours a day, all year round

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Dazhong Lane is located in the Chengguan District of Lanzhou City. There are some small shops here. Although they are not well-known, they still have authentic taste. It concentrates many time-honoured brands with high reputation in Lanzhou, such as "Ma Zilu Beef Noodles", "Grey Bean King", "Ru Ji Barbecue", "Jincheng Fried Noodles" and so on. In short, Dazhong Lane interprets the pure Lanzhou food legend every day.

Address: Chengguan District, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province

Opening hours: 24 hours a day, all year round

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Lanzhou City God Temple is located on Zhangye Road Pedestrian Street. It was founded in the Northern Song Dynasty and was built to worship the Han general Ji Xin as the City God. The existing ancient buildings are from the Ming and Qing dynasties and are a four-entry palace-style wooden garden ancient building complex. It is now the Lanzhou Workers' Club, and has become a cultural antique market with local Lanzhou characteristics, including antiques, calligraphy and paintings, four treasures of the study, jade, porcelain, bronze, carved gourds, carved inkstones, embroidery, cultural gifts, rare stones from the Yellow River, old books, coins, stamps, etc.

Address: No. 202, Zhangye Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou

Business hours: Open from 09:00 to 18:00 tomorrow

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Zhangye Road Commercial Street has been the city's symbol and core area of ​​Lanzhou since ancient times. It is the oldest commercial street in the minds of Lanzhou people and a street that integrates sightseeing, dining and leisure. It is also a street with a rich cultural and historical heritage.

Address: No. 130 Zhangye Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou

Business hours: Open from 09:00 to 21:00 tomorrow

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Lanzhou Museum is located in Chengguan District, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province. It is a comprehensive museum integrating cultural relics collection, research, display and education. The museum building is simple and elegant, which complements Lanzhou's long history and culture. It is an important window for tourists to understand the history of Lanzhou and the Gansu region. The museum has a rich collection, covering various cultural relics from the Neolithic Age to modern times, including painted pottery, porcelain, metal, stone, jade, paper, etc., among which the Majiayao culture painted pottery and Han Dynasty bamboo slips are more distinctive.

These precious cultural relics vividly demonstrate Lanzhou's historical status as an important city on the ancient Silk Road, as well as its cultural background of diverse ethnic integration. The museum's permanent exhibition is centred on the "Lanzhou History and Civilisation Exhibition", which systematically presents the development process of Lanzhou from prehistoric civilisation to a modern city through scene restoration, multimedia interaction and other forms. In addition, the museum also regularly holds special exhibitions and cultural activities to provide the public with a diverse cultural experience.

Address: No. 240, Qingyang Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou

Business hours: Open from 09:00 to 17:00 tomorrow (no admission at 16:30)

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The Yellow River Scenic Line is the core scenic spot of Lanzhou City, Gansu Province. It starts from Yantan in Chengguan District in the east and ends at the west of Xigu District in the west. It is a north-south riverside road with a total length of more than 100 miles. It is the longest urban riverside road in the country. Lanzhou is a provincial capital city with the Yellow River running through it. The people of Lanzhou have made use of this resource and built the Yellow River Scenic Line in accordance with local conditions. The Yellow River Scenic Line takes Zhongshan Bridge as its central axis and relies on the scenery on both sides of the Yellow River. It is a riverside scenic area built on the mountain and is ingeniously created. It is called "Lanzhou Bund" by guests from all over the country.

Address: 50 meters north of Nanbinhe East Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou

Opening hours: 24 hours a day, all year round

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The Dunhuang Art Museum is a unique venue showcasing Dunhuang art and culture, located in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province. The art museum introduces visitors to the glorious history and cultural connotations of the Dunhuang Grottoes art through rich exhibitions and multimedia displays. The museum houses a large number of reproduced murals, sculptures and cultural relics, vividly reproducing the artistic essence of the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang.

Visitors can admire exquisite replicas of murals here and learn about cultural exchanges and the development of religious art along the ancient Silk Road. The art museum also provides guided tours to help visitors better understand the historical stories behind the exhibits. The multimedia exhibition area uses modern technology to enhance the viewing experience, making visitors feel as if they are in the Dunhuang Grottoes.

There is a souvenir shop in the museum, selling books and handicrafts related to Dunhuang culture. It is a good place to buy souvenirs. When visiting, please follow the museum's photography regulations to maintain a good visiting environment. Lanzhou has convenient transportation, and tourists can choose public transportation or a taxi to go to the art museum.

Address: 2nd-3rd Floor, No. 143, Qinzhouhu Street, Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market, Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City

Business hours: Open from 09:00 to 17:00 tomorrow (no admission at 16:30)

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The Gansu Bamboo Slips Museum was established on December 12, 2012. It is mainly responsible for the collection, preservation, protection, restoration, organisation, research, display and utilisation of bamboo slips unearthed in Gansu. The museum has four permanent exhibitions: "The Era of Bamboo Slips", "A Brief Account of the Silk Road", "Frontier People", and "Written in Bamboo Slips and Silk Books". Through physical displays, graphic explanations, video interactions, scene restoration and other display methods, it comprehensively and vividly presents the Silk Road culture and Chinese wisdom in Gansu bamboo slips to the public.

Address: No. 12, Yintan South Road, Qilihe District, Lanzhou

Business hours: Open from 09:00 to 17:00 tomorrow (no admission at 16:30)

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Gansu Science and Technology Museum is located on Yin'an Road, Anning District. It mainly consists of two parts: the Gansu Science and Technology Museum and the Gansu Provincial Science and Technology Association office building, with a total construction area of ​​41,800 square meters.

Address: No. 568 Yin'an Road, Anning District, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province

Business hours: Open from 09:30 to 16:30 tomorrow

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Yintan Wetland Park is located on the east and west sides of the northern section of Yintan Bridge at the western end of Beibinhe Road, Anning District, Lanzhou City. Yintan Wetland Park is a theme park that reflects the ecological diversity of the Yellow River. The park has aquatic plants such as lotus, reeds, and cattails. The park is designed around the concept of "water, grass, roads, bridges and stones", and has created landscapes such as "one water, one road, four lakes and twenty-four bridges". It is known as the "emerald inlaid on the bank of the Yellow River".

Address: North of Yintan Bridge, Beibinhe Road, Anning District, Lanzhou City (near Gansu Agricultural University)

Opening hours: 24 hours a day, all year round

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The Yellow River Tower is located in the Matan area of ​​Qilihe District, Lanzhou City. It covers an area of ​​36,545 square meters (54.8 acres), with a total construction area of ​​51,685 square meters, including the main building of the Yellow River Tower of 15,100 square meters, a podium of 24,655 square meters, an underground construction area of ​​11,930 square meters, and a total height above ground of 93.39 meters. The project started construction in 2016, was completed in May 2019 and was handed over to Lanzhou Yellow River Ecotourism Development Group Co., Ltd. for development and operation. The Yellow River Tower makes maximum use of its existing structure and building area to fully showcase the Yellow River culture, Silk Road culture and Lanzhou history and culture. The Lanzhou Yellow River Tower Scenic Area integrates multiple functions such as cultural display, sightseeing, tourism, entertainment, catering, folk experience and leisure, becoming a landmark building for promoting the Yellow River culture and a landmark of the Yellow River landscape. There are themed performance areas on the first and second floors, a tourist service center on the third floor, catering service areas on the fourth and fifth floors, press conference halls, radio and television museums and immersive holographic intelligent media studios on the sixth and seventh floors, tourist experience areas on the eighth to twelfth floors, the Yellow River Archives Exhibition Hall on the eleventh floor, the Yellow River Stone Boutique Exhibition on the thirteenth floor, Yunshang Tea House on the fourteenth floor, the Light and Shadow Museum on the fifteenth floor, and the Yunshang Lanzhou Viewing Platform on the sixteenth floor, as well as the live performance of "Ode to the Yellow River: Great Lanzhou".

Address: No. 1501, Nanbinhe Middle Road, Qilihe District, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province

Business hours: Open from 10:00 to 20:00 tomorrow (no admission at 19:00)

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