[2025 Yuzhong Attraction] Travel Guide for Qingcheng Village (Updated Aug)

Standing at Zhongshan Bridge, beneath your feet flows the Yellow River, rushing for billions of years, while the silhouette of White Pagoda Mountain gradually blurs in the dusk. This city nourished by the Yellow River hides both the bold drinking songs of Northwest men and the homely warmth of a bowl of beef noodles. 🚗 Transportation Guide ✅ Arrival in the city: Zhongchuan Airport is connected to the city center by Metro Line 1 (about 45 minutes), taxi fare around 80 RMB; from Lanzhou Station/Lanzhou West Station, you can take the metro to the main city. ✅ Getting around the city: The metro covers core areas like Zhongshan Bridge and West Station Shizi; Yellow River Scenic Line attractions are accessible by walking or cycling; taxi starting fare is 10 RMB, watch out for detours when crossing districts. 📍 Must-Visit Attractions 1️⃣ Zhongshan Bridge + White Pagoda Mountain Park: The century-old iron bridge at dusk and the night view of White Pagoda Mountain are a perfect match. The mountaintop viewing platform offers a panoramic view of the city and the Yellow River’s “ji” shaped bend. 2️⃣ Wanquan Mountain Park: The “green lung” of old Lanzhou city, ancient cypresses stand tall beside five clear springs. Fewer people and serene scenery in early spring and autumn mornings; recommended to wear comfortable shoes. 3️⃣ Yellow River Tower: A replica ancient pavilion + light show (19:00-22:00). From the top, you can overlook the Yellow River flowing through the city like a golden ribbon. The 50 RMB ticket can be saved by visiting at night when the view is free. 4️⃣ Qingcheng Ancient Town (day trip): About 1 hour by car from the city, Ming and Qing dynasty buildings built along the mountain. Listen to Qin opera at Qingcheng Shizi Teahouse, more authentic than tourist spots. 🍛 Taste of Lanzhou 🔥 The pinnacle of beef noodles: “Ma Youbus” at Zhengning Road Night Market, rich and fragrant broth with handmade noodles; “Jinding” on Yongchang Road, cold noodles mixed with chili are even better. 🔥 Sweet fermented dough and gray beans: Find street stalls on Zhengning Road. Sweet fermented dough made from yogurt is chilled and refreshingly sour to beat the heat; gray beans with red bean paste paired with lily cake is a perfect match. 🔥 Yellow River bank late-night snacks: Shilidian Night Market’s grilled meat skewers (5 RMB/skewer), grilled potato chips; the owner will recommend “add chili powder with sour plum soup.” ⚠️ Pitfall warning: Don’t trust scalpers offering “no queue” tickets on Zhengning Road; during peak hours, patiently wait 15 minutes and you’ll get in! 🏰 Best Places to Stay 💰 High-end: Ningwozhuang Hotel (10-minute walk from Yellow River Scenic Line), the courtyard is as beautiful as a painting when the crabapple flowers bloom. 💰 Cost-effective: Apartments near West Station Shizi (about 100 RMB per person), metro direct to train station, night markets and attractions within 3 km. 💰 Artsy style: Lanshan Top Homestay (requires private car for round trips), starry sky tents + Yellow River night view, book 3 days in advance! 🚫 Avoid Pitfalls ⚠️ For Yellow River boat tours, avoid “low-price tickets” sold by touts at the scenic area entrance; buy directly at the Shuiche Expo Park dock (60 RMB/person), the trip lasts 1 hour. ⚠️ The popular “Lanzhou Eight Treasures Tea” contains goji berries and dried fruits; 15 RMB per cup is enough, don’t be greedy to buy gift boxes as the unit price doubles. ⚠️ UV rays are very strong at noon in summer; bring sun-protective clothing when playing by the Yellow River; in winter, wear thick down jackets as the perceived temperature is 5°C lower than forecast! Final Thoughts The soul of Lanzhou lies in the Yellow River and also in a bowl of noodles. With this guide, you can pack both the boldness of the Northwest and the warmth of everyday life into your bag~

The original site of the Qingcheng City God Temple was initially the conference hall of Di Qing, the governor of Qin State, hence it is also known as 'Di Qing Mansion'. It was first built during the Baoyuan period of Emperor Renzong of Song Dynasty in 1038-1039. In 1597, the 25th year of Emperor Shenzong of Ming Dynasty, it was changed to a garrison mansion, which was the headquarters of the city's garrison. In 1724, the second year of Emperor Shizong of Qing Dynasty, it was rebuilt into a City God Temple, covering an area of 1,000 square meters, with the main hall basically well preserved. The gate tower and the theater tower have been restored by fundraising, making it a place for local people to engage in cultural exchanges and leisure activities. It is a key cultural relic protection unit in the country.

The Gao Family Ancestral Hall was first built in the 44th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, that is, in 1779. It was initiated by Gao Binxin, the ninth ancestor of the Gao family, and it is the only family ancestral hall preserved in the Qingcheng area. The Gao Family Ancestral Hall faces south and north, composed of the mountain gate, front hall, rear hall, side room and main hall, which are unique hanging mountain-style buildings of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The overall layout of the ancestral hall is a square eight diagrams, the small courtyard in the courtyard is in the shape of four treasures gathered in a pearl, symmetrical on the left and right, from the mountain gate to the main hall, layer by layer, gradually increasing, the rear hall is connected with the side room, not only the architecture is unique, but also the meaning is profound, to show the Gao family descendants support each other, progress together. Inside the Gao Family Ancestral Hall hang the plaques of Emperor Daoguang's imperial gift to Gao Minggui 'Talent and Martial Arts' and Emperor Xianfeng's imperial gift to Gao Hongru 'Jinshi'. It is a well-preserved family temple building in Qingcheng, its architectural layout, decorative themes, connotations to expression techniques, everywhere highlights the Gao family's family style of 'loyalty, filial piety, farming and reading', and also reflects the unique decorative style and cultural and artistic characteristics of Qingcheng ancient dwellings. In 2013, it was listed as a national key cultural relics protection unit.

The Luo Family Courtyard was built in the 16th year of the Republic of China, that is, in 1927, covering an area of 7590 square meters. It was the residence of Mr. Luo Xizhou, the owner of 'Yongshuncheng', one of the four water tobacco workshops in Qingcheng during the Republic of China era. The courtyard is composed of three parts: the east courtyard, the middle courtyard, and the west courtyard. The east courtyard is composed of the front courtyard, the middle courtyard, and the back courtyard. It is the water tobacco workshop of the Luo family, named 'Yongshuncheng'. This place was once the filming location for TV dramas such as 'The Old Persimmon Tree' and 'Snow Burial'. The middle courtyard is a quadrangle with a three-hall five-pavilion structure, that is, three rooms each in the upper and lower halls, and five rooms each in the east and west pavilions. The southeast side is a brick-carved gate, which is where the Luo family lives. The west courtyard is composed of two quadrangles, the front courtyard and the back courtyard. The courtyard has a garden, a pool, a corridor, and a pavilion. It is a place where the Luo family relaxes, entertains, and hosts merchants. The entire Luo Family Courtyard is interconnected by sixteen doors. It is uniquely designed, strictly laid out, simple and elegant, and exquisitely crafted. It has the architectural style of a Shanxi quadrangle and is one of the most intact ancient residential quadrangle communities in the Qingcheng area. In 2013, it was listed as a national key cultural relics protection unit.

The residence at No. 26 Qingcheng Street was built during the Republic of China period, covering an area of ​​several thousand square meters and a construction area of ​​more than 2,000 square meters. It is a typical northwestern residential building and has been well preserved to this day. The houses are decorated with exquisite brick and wood carvings and are dotted with independent courtyards and fish ponds. There are folk exhibitions and town people's congress offices in the courtyard.