Lanzhou is back | I want to speak some honest truth

Lanzhou is really so much fun, strongly recommend visiting Lanzhou in August to September ❤️
📅 Itinerary

Day 1: Old Town Stroll · Carb Overload

- Breakfast: Moguoyan Old Brand Beef Noodles (clear broth, spicy but not overpowering! Add both meat and egg, choose “Erxi” noodles for the best texture 🍜) → Hu’s Steamed Buns (juicy beef and scallion filling, paired with sweet gray bean porridge to cut the grease).
- Morning: Zhongshan Bridge (snap a photo with the “First Bridge of the Yellow River” 📸) → Baita Mountain Park (10-minute climb to the top, overlook the Yellow River flowing through the city ⛰️, the Stele Forest holds authentic calligraphy by Yu Youren).
- Lunch: Baiji Stir-fried Veal (beef wrapped in flatbread + sour and spicy noodles, perfect to refresh the palate 🔥).
- Afternoon: Gansu Provincial Museum (book in advance! See the mesmerizing “Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow” original, buy a bronze horse doll at the cultural shop 🐎).
- Dinner: Zhengning Road Night Market (look for Grandpa White Beard’s milk egg fermented rice wine at stall 68 🍶, paired with spicy potato chips from Ma San).
- Accommodation: Fanli Ermei Hotel (Lanzhou Old Street Branch) (Chinese-style solid wood decor + smart toilet, 200+/night, enjoy the old street night view from the window 🌃, excellent soundproofing!).

Day 2: Cultural Walk · Danxia Marvel

- Breakfast: Hotel beef noodles (freshly cooked broth is divine! Can also pack coffee for the road ☕).
- Morning: Ink-style Danxia (on sunny days, Hongshan Bay looks like a spilled palette 🎨, sunscreen! sunscreen! sunscreen!).
- Lunch: Simple meal at the scenic area (bring snacks to fill your stomach, then head back to the city for round two!).
- Afternoon: Yellow River Mother Sculpture (ride a sheepskin raft drifting on the river 🌊, 100 RMB/person, wet shoes warning) → Waterwheel Expo Park (watch giant waterwheels creak and turn, stomp in the mud to find Yellow River stones).
- Dinner: Axi Ya Hand-pulled Lamb (ribs with balanced fat and lean, served with raw garlic + pepper salt, vacuum packed for airport pickup 🐑).
- Night view: Lanshan Park (climb to the top at dusk, unlock the magical cityscape of “Afghanistan by day, Manhattan by night” 🌆).

👍 Praise Time

1. Carb heaven lives up to its name: beef noodles, sweet fermented rice milk tea, niangpi... five meals a day without repetition, my stomach says “I can still take more!” 🤤.
2. Yellow River Cultural Line is forever: Zhongshan Bridge night view, panoramic Baita Mountain, sheepskin raft drifting, all in one line with no stress, camera memory warning 📸!
3. Fanli Ermei Hotel is truly great: smart toilet + old street night view + 200 RMB price point, unbeatable value compared to peers 💸!

👎 Complaints

1. Traffic headache: old town traffic jams rival Spring Festival travel, subway packed like sardines 🚇, choose ride-hailing apps to avoid being overcharged.
2. Beef noodle mystery: broth turns cloudy after 2 PM, the freshest broth is only from 6:00 to 8:00 ⏰, late risers will cry!
3. Danxia distance deterrent: 1.5-hour drive from the city, queues start at 2 hours during peak season, recommend chartering a car or joining a tour for peace of mind 🚗.

💡 Blogger’s Private Tips

- Accommodation bonus: families choose Lanzhou Center Yellow River · Yinran Riverside Hotel (599 RMB/night, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Yellow River 🌊); couples head to Atour S at the Convention Center for high-rise river views (bathtub with city view, breakfast with sunrise photo ops 📸).
- Hidden activities: night tour of the Yellow River light show, free viewing of Mogao Cave mural replicas at the Dunhuang Art Museum 🎆.
- Packing essentials: bring lip balm + moisturizing spray! Lanzhou is so dry your throat will feel like it’s smoking ☀️; wear non-slip shoes, 99% chance of wet shoes on the sheepskin raft 😭!