Lanzhou

Lanzhou stretches along the banks of the Yellow River at an elevation of 1,572 meters and forms a large urban center between mountains in northwestern China. The city extends across several districts that hold government buildings, colleges, markets and transport hubs connecting the east of China with western areas by rail and road.

The settlement began in 81 BCE as a county seat under the Han dynasty and developed into an important point along the northern Silk Road. Over the centuries its role as a trading post and military base grew until the city became the capital of Gansu province in modern times.

The name refers to an old river gate and shows itself today in bridges over the Yellow River and in prayer houses of Muslim and Buddhist communities. Street markets sell hand-woven carpets and dried herbs brought by traders from Tibetan areas and other neighboring regions.

The central districts are reachable on foot and by local buses, though routes between neighborhoods can become steep due to the hillside setting. Visitors should prepare for changing temperatures and wear sturdy footwear, as many streets can be uneven.

At factories near the edge of the city, workers produce hand-pulled noodles from high-protein wheat flour by repeatedly stretching and folding dough strands. This method has been passed down through generations and can still be watched at small noodle shops along main streets.