Day Trip to Gansu Provincial Museum, Waterwheel Garden, Iron Bridge of Yellow River & White Pagoda Mountain

Hotel Pick-up, Transfer to Gansu Provincial Museum
Your private IslamiChina Travel guide will greet you with a clear sign in your hotel lobby (or designated meeting point) at the scheduled time. Transfer to the Gansu Provincial Museum in a comfortable private vehicle.

Visit Gansu Provincial Museum
Founded in 1939 and subsequently expanded, the Gansu Provincial Museum ranks among the region’s premier cultural institutions. Its vast collection of over 350,000 artifacts is divided into history and natural science sections. A crown jewel of the museum is the Flying Horse of Gansu, a bronze sculpture from the Eastern Han dynasty acclaimed as a masterpiece of ancient Chinese art. Visitors can delve into diverse exhibits, including Buddhist Art showcasing relics from various Buddhist eras, Silk Road Civilization highlighting its cultural and historical importance, Neolithic Painted Pottery offering insights into early human life, and Fossils and Paleontology featuring prehistoric finds like a 4-meter-tall mammoth fossil.

Please be aware that Gansu Provincial Museum is closed on Mondays. If your tour falls on a Monday, the museum visit will be omitted from your itinerary.

Ascend the White Pagoda Mountain
The iconic White Pagoda, built during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), adorns White Pagoda Mountain. Legend tells of its construction in honor of a Tibetan Lama who passed away in Lanzhou while en route to Mongolia as a representative of the Sakyapa leader to meet Genghis Khan. Standing tall at 17 meters, the white pagoda has a circular base and seven levels, each adorned with numerous Buddha statues. The mountain itself, home to the park, boasts the famed “three treasures of Lanzhou”: the elephant-skin drum, bronze bell, and redbud tree. Visitors can ascend the mountain for breathtaking panoramic views of Lanzhou.

Lunch at a Local Halal Restaurant, Salat Prayer at Xiguan Mosque

Visit the Waterwheel Garden
Lanzhou’s Waterwheel Garden is a captivating oasis nestled along the Yellow River. This picturesque park is renowned for its towering waterwheels, which have been a vital part of the city’s landscape for centuries. As the Yellow River flows through the park, the waterwheels gently rotate, powering traditional irrigation systems. Visitors can stroll along the riverside paths, admire the stunning views of the Yellow River and the city, and experience the serene ambiance of this natural haven. The Waterwheel Garden offers a unique blend of history, nature, and tranquility, making it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Lanzhou.

Stroll along the Iron Bridge of Yellow River
The Iron Bridge of the Yellow River, the first iron bridge over the upper reaches of the river, was constructed in 1907 by the late Qing government. A joint initiative by local officials from Lanzhou and Gansu, the bridge was built with the assistance of a German businessman. All materials, including rivets, were imported from Germany to China via various modes of transportation, including ships, trains, and carts. Completed in 1909 and initially named “Lanzhou Iron Bridge over the Yellow River,” the bridge was later renamed “Zhongshan Bridge” in 1942 in honor of Sun Yat-sen, the father of the Republic of China.

Transfer to Your Hotel
Following your exploration of the Iron Bridge of Yellow River, your guide and driver will return you to your hotel.