Lanzhou Yellow River Tower
黄河楼
A historic-style tower on the north bank of the Yellow River. Climb to the top for views of the river cutting through the city and the new districts of Anning. It's a new landmark in western Lanzhou and a popular night-view spot.
Lanzhou Yellow River Tower stands in the Yellow River Tower Park on the north bank of the river in Anning District. It opened around 2020. This roughly 90-metre pavilion is built in a Tang-style design and is meant to be the 'First Tower on the Yellow River,' echoing famous towers such as Wuhan's Yellow Crane Tower and Nanchang's Tengwang Pavilion. It has already become a new landmark in western Lanzhou. Inside, exhibits cover Yellow River culture: the history of the river basin, Lanzhou's waterwheel and raft-making traditions, and calligraphy and painting. Take the elevator to the top-floor viewing gallery for 360-degree views. To the south you'll see the Yellow River and the high-rises on both sides of Qilihe and Anning. To the east, the Zhongshan Bridge area is faintly visible. To the west lies the river valley of the upper Yellow River. At sunset the river turns golden, and after the tower lights up at night, photos taken from the riverside road on the opposite bank are especially striking. Climbing the tower costs about CNY 40–60. The Yellow River Tower Park and the riverside promenade below are free. Getting there: Ride a bike about 6 km from the Mother Yellow River statue and the Waterwheel Garden along the Yellow River scenic route, or take a taxi in the evening specifically for the sunset and night views. The park has lawns and a Yellow River viewing platform, which makes it good for families with children. By transit: Walk about 15 minutes from Yingmentan Station on Metro Line 1 or from near Shen'an Bridge, or take a bus to the 'Yellow River Tower' stop. Note: The exhibits focus on period-style reconstructions, so history enthusiasts can skip the halls and go straight to the top. Opening hours and the last ascent time are posted on site.
Opening hours
About 9 am–9 pm
Nearby sights
- Gansu Jiandu (Bamboo and Wooden Slips) Museum
- Gansu Provincial Museum
- Yellow River Mother Statue
- Jinchengguan Cultural Expo Park
- Baita (White Pagoda) Mountain Park
- Zhongshan Bridge (Yellow River Iron Bridge)
- Xiguan Mosque
- Zhangye Road Pedestrian Street & Dazhong Lane