Baita (White Pagoda) Mountain Park
白塔山
A hill on the north bank of the Yellow River at the northern end of Zhongshan Bridge, where a Yuan-era white pagoda and tiered halls climb the slope; the summit is the best spot for views of the river and Lanzhou at night.
Baita Mountain Park lies at the northern end of Zhongshan Bridge, on the north bank of the Yellow River, and takes its name from the white pagoda on its summit. The pagoda was first built in the Yuan dynasty, reportedly to commemorate a lama of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism who died in Lanzhou on his way to meet Genghis Khan in Mongolia. The surviving pagoda was rebuilt in the Ming dynasty. It stands about 17 metres tall, with seven tiers and an octagonal plan, a white body and a green top, and it is one of Lanzhou's emblems. The park climbs the hillside through three terraced building complexes of layered halls, pavilions and archways, and it houses the 'three treasures of the mountain' (an elephant-hide drum, a bronze bell and a purple redbud tree). From the summit, the White Pagoda Temple and viewing platform overlook the Yellow River cutting through the city: to the south are Zhongshan Bridge, the old town and Nanshan Mountain, and to either side the city of Lanzhou stretches along the river. It is the standard vantage point for panoramic and night photos of Lanzhou. Entry is free, accessed from the north end of Zhongshan Bridge. Climbing the stone steps to the top takes about 20 to 30 minutes; you can also take the park's electric shuttle or cable car (fee). The mountain has a tea garden where you can drink Sanpaotai tea. The best time to visit is the evening: watch the sunset first, then the lights come on across Zhongshan Bridge. Getting there: at the same spot as Zhongshan Bridge, about a 15-minute walk from Xiguan Station on Metro Line 1. Note: there are many stone steps, so older visitors may prefer the cable car; take care with lighting when descending at night; mosquitoes are common on the mountain in summer. It can be combined with Zhongshan Bridge and the Yellow River Scenic Line in a half-day trip.
Opening hours
06:00–22:00 (extended in summer)
Nearby sights
- Jinchengguan Cultural Expo Park
- Zhongshan Bridge (Yellow River Iron Bridge)
- Yellow River Mother Statue
- Xiguan Mosque
- Zhangye Road Pedestrian Street & Dazhong Lane
- Lanzhou Prefecture City God Temple
- Zhengning Road Night Market
- Memorial of the Eighth Route Army Lanzhou Office