lanzhou

main cities of gansu: dunhuang, jiayuguan, lanzhou, wuwei, xiahe, zhangye, tianshui, yumen, jinchang

lanzhou, named jincheng (gold city) in ancient times, has a history of more than two thousand years. it is now the capital of gansu province. greater lanzhou has a total area of about 14, 000 square kilometers and includes three counties and five districts under its jurisdiction with a population of 2.43 million. lanzhou proper has about 220 square kilometers and a population of about 0. 6 millon. there are more than 30 ethnic groups in lanzhou. lanzhou is located on the loess plateau with an average,elevation of 1520 meters. the yellow river is flowing through the whole city. most parts of the area are semi-dry climate in the temperate zone. it has an average annual temperature of 8.9 degree celsius, and an average annual precipitation of 331mm. lanzhou abounds in coal. and also, there is gold, silver, zine, nickel, manganese, clay and dolomite, etc. the resource of waterpower is abundant too. amongst its major industries, especially the oil refinery, chemical, machinary and metallurgical industry, are in the first place in china. in agriculture, there is spring wheat, vegetables, beans, oil-boiling, melon, tobacco, drug and so on. lanzhou is the important output place of roses and lilielanzhou. the reserve of rose-oil is in the first place. it can be about 80% of chinese output. lanzhou's fruits are famous too.

in lanzhou, the railway and highway are very convenient. the airplane here can take you to more than 20 cities all over the country.

the climate of lanzhou is cold. and there are so many places of interest. wuquan mountain, baita mountain and xinglong mountain are the most famous summer resort places in china. lutusi ancient government is the most complete ancient palace building that has survived through china’s long history.

the traditional specialties are melon seed, peach, watermelon, pears, roses and lilies.

on a map of china with a scale of 1:260,000,000, draw a circle at a radius of 90 mm (3.54inches) to include all china in it, and you will find that the center of this circle is lanzhou, the capital city of northwest gansu province. lanzhou is not only the geometrical center of china but also a center in the northwest in terms of transportation, telecommunication and the silk road tourism ring. covering an area of 1631.6 square kilometers (629.96 square miles), lanzhou is home to a population of 2,804,600, including han, hui, bonan, dongxiang, tibetan, yugu and sala and more.

lanzhou used to be a key point connecting the central china and the western region as well as a vital city on the silk road. today, lanzhou is a hub of the silk road, with maiji caves to the east, bingling thousand buddha caves to the west, labrang monastery to the south and dunhuang mogao caves to the north.

with mountains in the south and north of the city and the yellow river flowing from the east to the west, lanzhou is a beautiful modern city with both the grand beauty of northern cities and the prettiness of southern cities.

the landscape along the yellow river should not be missed, as lanzhou is the only provincial city through which the mother river runs. whether you choose to roam along the river, to cross the first bridge over the yellow river, or to have a cup of eight auspicious teas at the watermill park, you will be impressed by lanzhou with its harmonious combination of the modern and the old.

while the natural parks around the city such as yan tan park and shifogou national forest park will restore and refresh you, the white pagoda park and the five-spring mountain park will give you an understanding of the cultural side of lanzhou.

if you want to experience something more exciting, the bingling thousand buddha caves, labrang monastery and sangke prairie should satisfy you thoroughly.

besides the above-mentioned attractions, the hospitable locals, multifarious restaurants, cheap yet delicious snacks, and convenient transportation system will all ensure that you get a memorable trip in this tolerant and placid city.

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