5 Days Lanzhou Itinerary, Plan a 5 Days Trip in Lanzhou

5 Days Lanzhou Travel Itinerary

Lanzhou, the pearl of the Yellow River, lies in the upper reaches of the river, poised and ready to unleash its potential. If you only have five days to explore Lanzhou, how can you make the most of your time and fully experience its allure? This guide will provide you with a detailed itinerary for an unforgettable five-day trip, ensuring that you can explore Lanzhou to the fullest without missing out on its wonders.

5 Days Lanzhou Itinerary for Family with Kids

Day 1: Explore Lanzhou and Yellow River

After arriving in Lanzhou, take a brief rest and enjoy lunch before taking a cable car up to White Pagoda Mountain for a stunning panoramic view of the mighty Yellow River. On the mountain you can take your child to visit the Lanzhou Stele Forest, where is the best place to recognize the Chinese calligraphy, then at dusk descend and take a leisurely walk across the Zhongshan Bridge. In the evening, cruise on the Yellow River for a beautiful night scenery.

Day 2: Experience Lanzhou Culture

Start your morning with a bowl of Lanzhou beef noodles. Afterward, head to the Gansu Provincial Museum to immerse yourself in the history and culture of Gansu. After lunch, visit the Statue of Mother Yellow River by the riverbank, then take a sheepskin raft downstream to the Waterwheel Expo Garden to admire the intricate and ancient waterwheels. In the evening, head to the Zhengning Road Night Market to savor authentic local delicacies.

Day 3: Enjoy in Lanzhou New District

Head to the Lanzhou New District in Gaolan County and visit the Qinwangchuan Wetland Park, where you can embrace the natural ecosystem, immersing yourselves in the peace of nature. Alternatively, spend a fun-filled day with your kids at the Lanzhou Water Park Dinosaur, enjoying exciting water activities. In the evening, stay overnight in Lanzhou New District.

Day 4: View the Stunning Sights of Lanzhou

Drive to the Ink Danxia Scenic Area to experience the magnificent artistry of nature. You can walk along the gallery road for an up-close encounter with the Danxia landforms, or take a sightseeing vehicle for a more leisurely view, or ride a hot air balloon to enjoy an aerial perspective of the stunning mountain scenery. In the evening, return to Lanzhou New District or stay at Kushui Town, where fortunately enough you can enjoy the beautiful roses.

Day 5: Visit the Mysterious Grottoes

Head to Liujia Gorge Reservoir in Yongjing County, and take a speedboat to reach the Bingling Temple Grottoes. Along the way, you'll witness the Bingling Stone Forest gradually emerging from the trees, then standing majestically. Inside the grottoes, you can seek inner peace while gazing at the Buddha statues. You can also visit the sightseeing platform of the Liujia Gorge Bridge, enjoying a spectacular view of the bridge spanning the Yellow River.

5 Days Lanzhou Itinerary for Seniors with Slow Travel Pace

Day 1: Explore Lanzhou Scenery

After arriving in Lanzhou, take some time to rest. After lunch, take the cable car for a panoramic view of the Yellow River. Then, take a boat from the cable car terminal to visit the Yellow River Mother Statue. After dinner, head to the Lanshan Mountain to the Santai Pavilion for a stunning night view of Lanzhou. Be sure to wear warm clothing, as it can get quite cold on the mountain.

Day 2: Admire Gansu Culture

In the morning, enjoy a traditional Lanzhou breakfast—Lanzhou Beef Noodles. Afterward, head to Wuquan Mountain Park to stroll around and appreciate the harmony between nature scenery and ancient architecture. In the afternoon, visit the Gansu Provincial Museum and the Dunhuang Art Gallery to immerse yourself in the rich history and art of Gansu.

Day 3: Immerse Yourself in Nature

Head to the Shichuan Pear Orchard, known as the "Little Jiangnan in the Border", for a stroll and immerse yourself in nature. Surrounded by trees, you can take photos, enjoy a picnic, and experience authentic rural leisure. During the blooming season, breathe in the fresh and sweet air amid a sea of pear blossoms; in the harvest season, savor the delicious varieties of delicious fresh pears. In the evening, return to Lanzhou for rest.

Day 4: Visit Ancient Architecture

Drive to Qingcheng Ancient Town, stroll through its charming, time-worn streets, explore the traces left by history, and immerse yourself in the rich traditional cultural atmosphere. Here, you can watch an ancient play, try on traditional costumes, and enjoy a bowl of Jiangshui Noodles, experiencing the lifestyle of ancient Lanzhou people. In the evening, head to Gaolan County for rest, where you can enjoy the nighttime on the Moon Bridge.

Day 5: Watch Various Lanzhou Style

In the morning, head to the Lanzhou Wildlife Park to enjoy the diverse and fascinating animals, letting their presence uplift your spirit. In the afternoon, return to the city center of Lanzhou and make the most of your remaining time, ensuring your journey ends on a fulfilling note.

5 Days Lanzhou Itinerary for Young Travelers

Day 1: Exploration of Lanzhou Style

Upon arriving in Lanzhou, start by having a bowl of beef noodles to shake off the fatigue of the long journey, then begin your exploration of the city. Head to the Gansu Provincial Museum to see the museum’s treasure, the Flying Horse of Gansu. Afterward, rent a bike and cycle along the banks of the Yellow River, taking in the scenic views along the way. In the evening, take a cruise on the river for a night scene with brilliant lights.

Day 2: Fusion with Nature

In the morning, visit the famous Statue of Mother Yellow River along the riverbank, followed by an exhilarating Yellow River rafting experience. Take a ride on the traditional sheep-skin raft, feeling the thrill of conquering nature. In the afternoon, head to Guantan Valley Scenic Area for BBQ and camping, where you can immerse yourself in nature. As evening falls, you can enjoy a lively bonfire party, letting the warm atmosphere envelop your campsite.

Day 3: Adventure in Xinglong Mountain

In the morning, drive to Xinglong Mountain for an adventure, where the East Peak is more gentle and the West Peak is more steep. At the summit, enjoy panoramic views of lush trees and green mountains. At the foot of the mountain, there's a go-kart track and a rock climbing area. If it's winter, you can also visit the Xinglong Mountain Ski Resort for a different kind of fun. In the evening, return to Lanzhou Zhengning Road Night Market to indulge in delicious local food.

Day 4: Danxia Landform Sightseeing

Head to the Ink Danxia Scenic Area and walk along the boardwalk to the viewing platform to admire the colorful, ink-painting-like Danxia landform. Here, you can ride a camel or horse to experience the traditional entertainment of ancient times, or take a hot air balloon to enjoy a bird's-eye view of the entire Danxia landscape. In the evening, stay in Kushui Town.

Day 5: One-day Tour of Bingling Temple

Head to Yongjing County’s Liujia Gorge Dam, where you can take a speedboat to Bingling Temple Grottoes. Along the way, enjoy the scenic view of the confluence of the Yellow and Tao Rivers, the Liujia Gorge Bridge, and Bingling Lake. Afterwards, visit the Liujia Gorge Paragliding Base for an exhilarating paragliding experience, offering breathtaking views of Bingling Lake from above.

5 Days Lanzhou cultural Immersion Itinerary and Leisure

Day 1: Encounter the Lanzhou History and Art

After lunch, your first stop is the Gansu Provincial Museum, where you can explore the rich history and culture of Gansu through its diverse collection of historical artifacts. Next, visit Dunhuang Art Gallery for an immersion of Dunhuang’s art. In the evening, take a leisurely stroll across Zhongshan Bridge, then enjoy a night cruise on the Yellow River, enchanting in the mesmerizing lights and reflections.

Day 2: Visit the Lanzhou Culture Heritage

In the morning, head to the Lanzhou Beef Noodle Museum, where you can not only taste authentic beef noodles but also experience the noodle-pulling process and feel the charm of this traditional craft. In the afternoon, take the cable car to the top of White Pagoda Mountain for a panoramic view of Lanzhou. Then visit the Lanzhou Stele Forest, an excellent place to delve into the art of Chinese calligraphy. At the foot of White Pagoda Mountain, there are also rich cultural relics waiting for you to explore.

Day 3: Meet the Ancient Architecture

In the morning, visit the Xiguan Mosque in Lanzhou to experience the unique religious atmosphere that sets this city apart. In the afternoon, head to Qingcheng Ancient Town, where you can stroll through its charming, historic streets, admire ancient architectural styles, and listen to the stories of how people lived in the past. In the evening, return to Lanzhou.

Day 4: Explore the Traditional Buddhist Art

Drive to Yongjing County and take a speedboat from the Liujia Gorge Reservoir to reach the Bingling Temple Grottoes, enjoying the stunning scenery of Bingling Lake along the way. Inside the grottoes, you can admire murals that rival those of the Dunhuang Caves, and find inner peace under the gaze of the Buddha statues. In the evening, return to Lanzhou.

Day 5: Experience Ancestors’ Wisdom and Courage

Head to the iconic Statue of Mother Yellow River for a visit. Then take a sheepskin raft drifting down the Yellow River, feel the courage of Lanzhou ancestors, and you will reach the Waterwheel Expo Garden, where you can find the wisdom of ancestors.

Customize Your Unique Jincheng Lanzhou Trip

If you are interested in one of the Lanzhou itineraries mentioned above, please contact us, and we will be happy to customize it and provide a quote tailored to your preferences.

Alternatively, if you would like to customize your Lanzhou Tour, please visit our Lanzhou Tour Customized Center. We assure you that you will receive a reply within 24 working hours.

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