Situated 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. Its main 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.

Gansu Provincial Museum

The Gansu Provincial Museum was built in 1959, encompassing 21,000 square metres, with an exhibition space of 13,000 square metres. The museum is in the shape of Chinese character" ill" meaning "mountain. " The museum has 5 floors in the middle, three floors on both sides. In the museum exhibit historical relics, the Wei (220-265) and Jin (265-420) murals, the chart of the Silk Road, and other revolutionary cultural relics. The museum boosts nearly 100,000 relics and specimens. A bronze horse poised as if flying, and one of his hooves rests lightly on a swallow with wings outstretched , suggesting in a beautiful and imaginative way the almost divine power which the Chinese at this time believed the horse to possess from an Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25-220) tomb discovered in Gansu in 1969 has been selected as a graph symbol of China's tourism

Yellow River Iron Bridge

Located at the foot of White Pagoda Mountain, the Suspending Bridge was first built in the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). In 1907, it was rebuilt with iron, therefore it was renamed Yellow River Iron Bridge. It is the first big iron bridge over the Yellow River in Chinese history. The length of the bridge totals 250 metres with four bridge piers. Since the new China was founded in 1949, the bridge has been reinforced by adding curve steel arch beams, which looks more magnificent

White Pagoda Hill

The White Pagoda Hill is located on the north bank of the Yellow River with a white pagoda temple on it, hence the name. At the foot of the Hill there are Golden City Pass and Jade Folding Pass. Apart from the white pagoda temple on top of the Hill, there are Cloud Moon Temple, Three-Star Hall, Luohan (Arhat Hall) and Three-Official Hall, and Wind Forest Fragrance Rising Archway. The seven-level octagonal pagoda is 17 metres tall. Below the pagoda there are bronze bell and elephant skin drum. The structures on the mountain are divided into three different platforms one higher than the other. If you climb onto the top of the hill you will find yourself above the tree line, and unfurling below you, a marvellous view of the City of Lanzhou and the mighty waters of Yellow River rolling on incessantly.

The Five-Spring Mountain

The Five-Spring Mountain is situated on the north of the Gaolan Mountain with 1 ,600 metres above sea level. On the mountain there are Meng, Hei, Sweet Dew, Mozi, and J uyue springs, hence the name. Meng and Hui spring are located on the east and west sides, commonly known as the east and west "dragon mouths," and the waters fall down horizontally, the scenery is natural. Legend relates that Huo Qubing (1 40-117 BC) a famous young military genius distinguished in archery and horsemanship in the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 23) stationed his troops here for western expedition in 120 BC. Therefore these five springs has a long history.

There are several ancient temples built respectively in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Since 1955 it has been turned into a public park. The long climb to the top is rewarded with a fine view over the City of Lanzhou.

Huo Qubing became an imperial attendant at the age of 17 and was several times sent on expeditions under his uncle Wei Qing (? -106 BC) (W ei Qing launched seven attacks against the Huns one after another, and thus got rid of the threat of the Huns in the early Western Han Dynasty), a famous commander, to fight the marauding Huns. He was given a command himself at 19 and twice led government forces to what was today's Gansu Province and dealt heavy blows to the Huns. Huo Qubing inflict heavy losses to the Huns six times respectively. Emperor Wudi of the Western Han Dynasty tried to build a mansion house for Huo Qubing for his great contributions but he turned down, saying: "The Huns have not been wiped out, how can I stay at mansion house?" He died at the age of 23.