Anyone have any experience with Lanzhou?
Posted on May 12, 2007 by Cha Shao Bao
My father is leaving for Beijing tomorrow–his first trip to China–and then, later in the week, over to Lanzhou to visit a factory of a company he is affiliated with.
I think he’s hoping for Lanzhou to be a cool place to visit, but the Wikipedia entry on it is less than thrilling.
If any of you have been there, are there any non-factory related sites worth seeing? Anything you would recommend he pay attention to, keep in mind?
I went through Lanzhou on my way to Xiahe, a gorgeous Buddhist monastery in southern Gansu. Since I wasn’t really in Lanzhou to see Lanzhou (it has a pretty bad rep as the most polluted city in China), I can’t recommend much. It is kind of interesting to drive around, since it’s built on very steep hills, so maybe your dad could take a long taxi ride from one side of the city to the other? Have him check out the Lonely Planet guide for good places to eat.
Xiahe is absolutely incredible and one of the most interesting places I have been to in China, definitely worth the trip out there, but your father would need a few extra days in the area to see it.
As for Lanzhou itself, the city has a nice character to it different from most Chinese cities, given that it is a Chinese cultural crossroads, though this being your father’s first trip to China the differences may be lost on him. I recommend walking around downtown along the Changjiang river. The cable car that runs over the river is an enjoyable ride on a clear day. He should be sure to try the Uighur bread in Lanzhou too. I’ve never had such good bread anywhere else in China.
Thanks guys. I’ll pass your suggestions along.
oops, sorry i missed this, i coulda helped…