Day Trips Around Lanzhou by Car

There are many great places to visit around Lanzhou. Some are best experienced by driving, so if you only have one day to explore, take a look at these recommendations!

I. Qingcheng Ancient Town

Qingcheng was a major town on the ancient Silk Road, a water and dry goods dock and commercial center, a frontier military stronghold during the Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties, and is known as the “Millennium Ancient Town of the Yellow River.” During the reign of Emperor Renzong of the Northern Song Dynasty, Li Yuanhao, the king of Western Xia, rebelled. Di Qing, the general who was then the prefect of Qinzhou, built a new city on the foundation of the Tang dynasty’s Longgou Fort to prevent the invasion of Western Xia. Because the new city was long from east to west and narrow from north to south, it was called “Yitiaocheng” or “Tiaocheng.” Later, to commemorate Di Qing, “Yitiaocheng” was called Qingcheng.

Address: 50 kilometers downstream of the Yellow River in Lanzhou, northern Yuzhong County

Driving route: Lanzhou-Baishi-Qingcheng

II. Yongtai Ancient City

Yongtai Ancient City, also known as Yongtai Turtle City, is named after its castle, which resembles a golden tortoise. It was built in the 36th year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty (1608), and has a history of more than 400 years. It is the only relatively well-preserved Ming Dynasty city in Jingtai County, Gansu Province. It was built by the Ming government to defend against the invasion of northern ethnic minorities. After its completion, it became a military stronghold, and the Lanzhou military commander was stationed in this castle. At that time, there were more than 2,000 soldiers stationed in the city, 500 horses, and affiliated institutions such as a gunpowder factory, a grass and fodder field, a mill, and a horse farm. Due to its strong walls, Yongtai Ancient City served as a complete military barrier and defensive work, and played an important strategic role during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It has never been breached in over 400 years.

Address: 27 kilometers southwest of Jingtai

Driving route: Lanzhou-Baishi-Jingtai

III. Ankou Town

Ankou Town is located east of Chongxin County, north of Pingliang City, and south of Shaanxi Province. It is known as the “Important Town of Longdong.” Ankou Town is the location of the “Longshang Kiln” of the Ming Dynasty. In the second year of Xuantong (1910), the townships were abolished, and villages and towns were established, formerly known as Ankou Kiln, Yaotou Town, and Hongshan Town. Ankou Town’s jurisdiction is rich in mineral resources. Ankou Town has 1.32 billion tons of coal reserves, covering an area of 14.5 square kilometers, accounting for 40.4% of the coal reserves of the Huating Coal Field.

Address: Southeastern Huating County

Driving route: Lanzhou-Pingliang-Huating

IV. Dajing Town

Dajing Town is located south of the Qilian Mountains and north of the Tengger Desert. Dajing Town was once a pearl on the ancient Silk Road, an important gathering place for goods in the region. Historically, it was one of the four major towns in Gansu, known as “Puhuan” during the Han Wudi period, and its commercial activities were very active. Merchants from Shaanxi and Shanxi had the saying, “If you want to make money, go to Dajing Tumenzi.” In the 27th year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty (1599), the Gansu governor, Tian Le, and the general, Da Yun, gathered 10,000 soldiers, and the name Dajing came from an important battle during the Ming Dynasty, the “Songshan Pasha” battle.

Address: 80 kilometers east of the town of Gulang

Driving route: Lanzhou-Wuwei-Gulang

V. Hadapu

Hadapu is located in the hills and plains at the foot of Mount Min, at an altitude of 2225 meters. It is cool and humid, producing angelica, astragalus, and other medicinal herbs, and is a multi-ethnic area inhabited by Han, Hui, Tibetan, and Qiang people. Hadapu was originally called Hatahchuan, and has been a commercial and military stronghold on the Gansu-Sichuan road since ancient times. During the Three Kingdoms period, it was known as the “Yiping Ancient Road,” and Wei general Deng Ai entered Sichuan to destroy Shu from here. Hadapu was the first town inhabited by a mixture of Han and Hui people where the Red Army marched out of Tibet and entered Gansu.

Address: 35 kilometers north of the town of Tangchang

Driving route: Lanzhou-Lintao-Minxian-Hadapu

VI. Tianshui Jie Ting

The ancient town of Jie Ting is located in Jiezi Town, southeast of Tianshui City. Jie Ting is located at the northern foot of the Western Qin Mountains, west of the ancient county, north of the Wei River, and in the core of the Maiji Mountain Scenic Area. In 2004, local villagers unearthed relics of Shennong culture while rebuilding an ancient temple on Mount Shennong. After expert appraisal, it is believed that Mount Shennong in Jie Ting is the center of the origin of Emperor Shennong and the place for offering sacrifices to heaven. Jie Ting is also one of the origins of the pre-Qin Dynasty, and there are many Qin tombs unearthed in the area around Jie Ting, with rich cultural relics. In addition to the Fangma Beach Tomb Group, the Maiji Mountain Qin Wen Gong Tomb is also world-renowned. The story of Zhuge Liang shedding tears and beheading Ma Su for losing Jie Ting is well-known.

Address: About 40 kilometers from Tianshui City

Driving route: Lanzhou-Tianshui