Lanzhou

Lanzhou Map

JSituated in the middle of the Gansu Province, Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province, has a history of more than 2,000 years. In ancient times, it used to be of strategic importance on the well-travelled ancient Silk Road. Huo Qubing, famous general of the Han Dynasty stationed his troops here and Xuan Zang (602-664), eminent Buddhist monk of the Tang Dynasty also passed through this place on his pilgrimage way to India. Nowadays, the city is the hub of Longhai ( Lianyungang-Lanzhou) , Lanxin ( Lanzhou-Xinjiang), and Lanqing ( Lanzhou-Qinghai) railways. The Yellow River runs through the entire city. Itsmain industries include oil-refinery, chemicals, machinery, non-ferrous, metallurgy, woollen textile and electric power. Prime tourist attractions include the Five-Spring and White Pagoda parks, renowned for their picturesque landscape and unique architecture, were built around the hills on both banks of the Yellow River that squeezes its way through the city. The view from their tops sweeps over the whole city and down the Yellow River.