Attractions · Lanzhou

Zhongshan Bridge spans the Yellow River. First built in the 33rd year of Guangxu of the Qing (1907) by the German firm Telge & Schroeter, it was the first modern bridge over the Yellow River. The steel-truss structure is 233.5 metres long and took two years to complete. Zhongshan Bridge has witnessed a century of change in Lanzhou and is now a pedestrian bridge; when the lights come on at night, the iron bridge, Baita Mountain and the Yellow River reflect one another, making one of Lanzhou's most beautiful night views. As the first iron bridge over the Yellow River, built in 1907 and known as 'the first bridge over the Yellow River under heaven', it has brilliant night illuminations and is a Lanzhou landmark and the heart of the Yellow River scenery route. Highlights include the century-old iron bridge, the Yellow River night view and the bridgehead sculptures. Tip: the lighting is best at night, so go towards evening. Practical info: located at Zhongshan Bridge, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu; free entry; open all day. Best season: summer (Jun–Aug) brings fruit in abundance; autumn (Sep–Oct) has clear, crisp skies and the best of the Yellow River scenery. Plan your time according to opening hours and your energy.

Tip: The lighting is best at night, so go towards evening. Baita Mountain can be visited on the way.

• Address: Zhongshan Bridge, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu
• Ticket: Free
• Opening: Open all day

Gansu Provincial Museum is a national first-class museum, its collection covering the essence of Gansu's history and culture from earliest times to the modern era, with especially systematic holdings of painted pottery, Silk Road relics and natural specimens. Its greatest treasure, the Flying Horse (Bronze Galloping Horse), is a bronze masterpiece of the Eastern Han, vigorous and beautifully modelled, and has been adopted as the symbol of Chinese tourism. The Silk Road Civilisation exhibition is the museum's core display, showing precious relics from along the route from Chang'an to Rome. The painted pottery gallery displays prehistoric masterpieces of Yangshao and Majiayao culture. With a rich collection and the Flying Horse (Bronze Galloping Horse) as its greatest treasure, the museum systematically presents Silk Road civilisation, painted pottery and Dunhuang art, and is a hall for understanding northwest history. Highlights include Majiayao painted pottery. Tip: booking a guided tour is recommended; the displays are rich and need at least 2 hours. Practical info: located at 3 Xijin West Road, Qilihe District, Lanzhou, Gansu; free entry (reservation required); opening hours 09:00–17:00 (closed Mondays).

Tip: Booking a guided tour is recommended; the displays are rich and need at least 2 hours. Closed Mondays.

• Address: 3 Xijin West Road, Qilihe District, Lanzhou, Gansu
• Ticket: Free (reservation required)
• Opening: 09:00–17:00 (closed Mondays)

Baita Mountain takes its name from the white pagoda at its summit and rises more than 1,700 metres. The pagoda was first built in the Yuan dynasty and is said to commemorate a Tibetan Buddhist leader. Halls rise in tiers on the mountain, with pavilions and towers set at different levels, and the old building complex is well preserved. Climbing the steps from the foot of the mountain, you can enjoy the sight of the Yellow River surging past and the iron bridge lying across it. From the summit, the whole city of Lanzhou spreads out below, with the Yellow River winding through like a silver ribbon. On the north bank of the Yellow River, with the white pagoda standing tall, it offers a view from the summit over the river running through the city and over Lanzhou, with old buildings set among trees. Highlights include Baita Temple, the Santai Hall and the summit viewing platform. Tip: the climb takes about 30 minutes; go in the afternoon to enjoy both sunset and the night view. Practical info: located at Baita Mountain Park, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu; free entry; opening hours 07:00–20:00. Best season: summer (Jun–Aug) brings fruit in abundance; autumn (Sep–Oct) has clear, crisp skies and the best of the Yellow River scenery.

Tip: The climb takes about 30 minutes; go in the afternoon to enjoy both sunset and the night view.

• Address: Baita Mountain Park, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu
• Ticket: Free
• Opening: 07:00–20:00

Wuquan Mountain lies south of Lanzhou at about 1,600 metres and is named for its five springs. Legend says that when Huo Qubing led his troops west in the Western Han and his soldiers ran short of water, he struck the ground with his whip and five springs gushed out. The old buildings on the mountain date from the Yuan dynasty; surviving structures include Junyuan Temple, Mani Temple, Wenchang Palace and the Reclining Buddha Temple, built with the slope and linked by corridors and pavilions. At the foot of the mountain are a zoo and tea gardens, and from the summit you can look down over Lanzhou and the Yellow River. A century-old park south of Lanzhou, named for its five springs — Ganlu, Juyue, Mozi, Hui and Meng — it has Junyuan Temple, Mani Temple and Wenchang Palace built into the hillside, and from the summit you can look over Lanzhou and the Yellow River; it is a favourite spot for morning exercise and exploring the past. Tip: go in the morning to see locals exercising and drinking tea; from the Wuquan Mountain gate the climb to the summit takes about an hour — wear trainers. Practical info: located at Wuquan South Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou; free entry (some halls charge separately; subject to official notice); opening hours 06:00–18:00. Best season: summer (Jun–Aug) brings fruit in abundance; autumn (Sep–Oct) has clear, crisp skies and the best of the Yellow River scenery.

Tip: Go in the morning to see locals exercising and drinking tea; from the Wuquan Mountain gate the climb to the su…

• Address: Wuquan South Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou
• Ticket: Free (some halls charge separately; subject to official notice)
• Opening: 06:00–18:00

The Bingling Temple Caves are cut into the Yellow River cliffs of the Xiaojishi Mountains southwest of Yongjing County. The cliffs are red sandstone, weathered into steep Danxia-style precipices, with cave niches densely layered along the rock face and linked by walkways. Carving began in the Western Qin of the Sixteen Kingdoms period; Cave 169 preserves the inscription 'first year of Jianhong' (420 AD), one of the earliest dated murals and image inscriptions surviving in a Chinese grotto. Digging continued through the Northern Wei, Sui and Tang, and in the Tang a seated Maitreya more than twenty metres high was carved on the cliff face, the symbol of Bingling Temple. In 1961 the Bingling Temple Caves were listed in the first batch of national key cultural relic protection units. From Lanzhou you usually reach Yongjing and Liujiaxia first, then take a tour boat up the reservoir to the site, so the trip takes a full day; arriving by water, the great cliff Buddha and the caves open up ahead of you from the lake — the most unforgettable view of the journey. Highlights include the Western Qin Jianhong first-year inscription in Cave 169, the Tang cliff Maitreya, the cave cluster on the Yellow River cliff and the approach by boat across Liujiaxia Reservoir. Tip: it is more than 90 km from Lanzhou, and with the boat connection a full day is recommended; the early boat is quieter with better light. Practical info: located southwest of Yongjing County, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu (upper end of Liujiaxia Reservoir, about 30 km from the county town); cave ticket, boat ticket and shuttle bus ticket are charged separately (subject to the year's official notice); opening hours 08:00–17:30 (boat route adjusted with water levels in flood season, often suspended in winter).

Tip: It is more than 90 km from Lanzhou, and with the boat connection a full day is recommended; the early boat is…

• Address: Southwest of Yongjing County, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu (upper end of Liujiaxia Reservoir, about 30 km from the county town)
• Ticket: Cave ticket, boat ticket and shuttle bus ticket are charged separately (subject to the year's official notice)
• Opening: 08:00–17:30 (boat route adjusted with water levels in flood season; often suspended in winter)