City Info: Lanzhou, Gansu Province

Lanzhou lies in the eastern part of Gansu Province along the Yellow River. On the map, the long, narrow province that carried Marco Polo to the eastern Middle Kingdom bears a slight resemblance to Italy. The foot of Gansu's "boot" sits squarely between Qinghai and Shaanxi provinces, while its long, crooked leg reaches all the way to Xinjiang Province. Gansu's capital, Lanzhou, has been an important oasis town for more than 2,000 years. The highlight of a Lanzhou visit is the boat trip to the Bingling Temple Caves, one of China's earliest and most important Buddhist shrines.

Population
2,800,000

Cuisine
Northwest cuisine, the specialties include roast pig, Yellow River carp, toffee potatoes and melons

When to Go
Summer and fall are the best seasons. Winters are hard and cold, spring brings nasty dust storms.

Airport Info
Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport is 70 km north of town, about an hour's ride. By taxi: CNY 160-200/USD 19.5-24.5 per taxi. By airport buses: CNY 20-25 / USD 3.5 per person

Railway Station Info
The main railway station is at the foot of Gaolan Mountain in the southern part of town

Accommodations

Main Scenic Spots

Excursion from Lanzhou

Official Websites
-People′s Government of Gansu Province (only in Chinese version)
-Lanzhou View

Museum
-Gansu Provincial Museum
The most celebrated exhibit in this museum is the famed Flying Horse of Gansu, an ancient bronze sculpture of a horse that appears to fly, his right back hoof resting on a swallow.