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Family-friendly Attractions
Top 20 Family-friendly Attractions near Gaolan [2025]
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Lanzhou Danxia Geological Park
4.5
/5
2394 reviews
8.0
From JPY 1731
36.8 km from downtown
Phone +8609312123999
Address: 甘肃省兰州市永登县树屏镇杏花村
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Saved by 240 users2067 positive reviews
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The colorful hills weren't as vibrant as those in Zhangye, but this place was closer to the city, making it more convenient. While regular tickets didn't cover all the areas, it was still okay; it was like having been there. The driver was very kind; since it wasn't yet the official opening time of the main scenic area, he took us to a free, off-the-beaten-path spot where we stopped briefly and took a few photos.
Although SVIP is expensive, the service is truly excellent. They promptly dispatched a private car to minimize waiting time, and the景区 (scenic area) coordination was also very good, with virtually no queues or wasted time. There was also a concert that day where fans could watch the performance for free.
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Xining Wildlife Park
4.6
/5
3335 reviews
7.8
From JPY 4328
Based on 9 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609718149850
Address: No. 9 Xingzhi Road, Chengxi District, Xining City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Snow leopards & herbivores coexist
Snow leopard habitat with simulated alpine rock environment
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📍Xining | Chasing My Star at Xining Wildlife Park: Part 3 Missing
Because of the fact that Teacher Xiaoliang knows this is the only zoo in China where you can see Pallas's cats, I came to see the little friend Teacher Xiaoliang mentioned. While other zoos might use rare feeding or shows as their selling point, Xining Wildlife Park is home to hundreds of animals that would struggle to survive in the wild.
According to the platform's information, since its opening, Xining Wildlife Park has rescued over 2,000 wild animals of more than 60 species. One-third of them have fully recovered and been successfully released back into the wild. The remaining animals, unable to survive, will happily spend their later years in the park.
The park is built on a mountainside, and its limited budget is visibly apparent. Despite this, every corner is spotless, with abundant flowers and plants, showing the utmost love Xining Wildlife Park gives.
Each rescued animal is introduced to visitors as an individual. Their free and vibrant nature suggests they are well cared for behind the scenes.
Thank you to all the staff at Xining Wildlife Park for giving these adorable animals a warm home, and for warming my heart as a visitor from afar.
A fantastic zoo, definitely worth a visit. The animals are all very well cared for. Ling Xiaozhe, Ling Xiaomang, and Aoxue are all so incredibly cute! I went twice and still couldn't get enough. I'll definitely go again if I have the chance.
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Gansu Provincial Museum
4.6
/5
3839 reviews
7.4
Based on 134 reviews
Gansu Provincial Museum/Lanzhou Center | 33.4 km from downtown
Phone +8609312339131
Address: No. 3 Xijin East Road, Qilihe District, Lanzhou City
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
Highlights:
Exhibition of the Galloping Horse Treading on a Swallow
Immersive exhibit hall experience
Saved by 119 users2468 positive reviews
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Whenever I travel to a new place, I always want to visit a museum to learn about its history. I booked free tickets in advance through the official WeChat account, and there's a free locker on the left side of the entrance, which was very convenient. I was surprised by how many visitors usually visit the Gansu Museum, and there was a long line right at the entrance. The main areas of interest are on the second and third floors. The Gansu Museum is very famous for its cultural and creative products, and the prices are quite high, so I bought one as a souvenir. The most famous exhibits are undoubtedly the Horse Stepping on Flying Swallow and the glass lotus flower tray. I was lucky enough to see them in person, and I was truly impressed by the wisdom and exquisite craftsmanship of the ancients. There aren't many other exhibits. Since visiting the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, I feel like every museum's artifacts are younger. Across from the Gansu Museum is a large shopping mall, Lanzhou Center, which you can also visit.
It's worth seeing. A quick tour on your own is a good way to understand history. The teacher's explanations can help you understand history through cultural relics and connect the dots. Teacher Zhang's explanations are very detailed and comprehensive, and he's very efficient. The morning meeting was smoother, and he even recommended parking for us. I especially appreciate the explanations, so much so that even when I visited Wuwei and Zhangye, I could still recall Teacher Zhang's explanations at various museums and connect them all. Highly recommended.
No.
4
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Yellow River Building
4.6
/5
581 reviews
7.1
From JPY 650
Olympic Sports Center/Lanzhou Old Street | 35.2 km from downtown
Phone +8609312115666
Address: 甘肃省兰州市七里河区南滨河中路1501号
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
534 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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This is a truly worthwhile attraction, highly recommended! Climb up and admire the majestic Yellow River's flow. Besides the stunning views, there are also various exhibitions and cultural and creative activities to cater to a wide range of audiences.
Even before I approached, I felt awe. From afar, the towering building towered into the sky, its beauty unmatched by its superficial sophistication, imbued with the grandeur and silence of a rammed earth fortress, steeped in history. It seemed less like a building than a massive, square seal, perched on the earth. Its ochre-hued form, against the vast expanse of the sky, projected a timeless simplicity and weight. The Yellow River flowed beside it, its muddy yellow water blending seamlessly with the building's base, as if it had grown from the river itself, imbued with the innate DNA of earth and waves.
Climbing the steps, each step felt like a step on the scale of time. The bricks beneath my feet were rough and solid, their cracks seemingly imbued with millennia of wind and sand and the sound of horns. Reaching the top floor, I leaned over the railing and gazed out into the distance. In that instant, the world suddenly opened up, gripping my soul and leaving me speechless.
Before me lay the legendary river. It doesn't roar as imagined, but flows slowly eastward in a tranquility bordering on tragic grandeur. The water's color is the unique "Yellow River Yellow," thick as flowing bronze, gleaming with a deep luster in the sunlight. It's not clear, but profound; not swift, but powerful. It's a mighty force, forsaking the clamor and focusing on its path. It's as if it's not water, but the very blood of the earth, the liquid soul of this loess land, carrying the weight of history and memories, silently and stubbornly carrying billions of buckets of mud and stories to the distant east. The wind blew from the river, carrying the coolness of water vapor and the sweetness of earth. This scent is ancient, the scent of the "vast river" in the Book of Songs, the scent of "rushing to the sea, never to return" in Li Bai's cup.
My gaze extended, and my heart surged with it. I imagine this river, filled with the solitary uprightness of the people gathering wild vetch on Mount Shouyang, the purple mists at Hangu Pass, the smoke of war between Chu and Han, and the lamentations of Li Bai and Du Fu. Every wave could be a lost legend; every ripple a lost ballad. It flows along the banks of the Book of Songs, through the volumes of the Records of the Grand Historian, through the grandeur of the Han and Tang dynasties, flowing to this day, before my very eyes. It is a silent historian, recording the rise and fall, honor and disgrace of a nation with the simplest brushstrokes. Personal joys and sorrows seem so insignificant and weightless against this eternal flow.
And the Yellow River Tower is the most faithful listener and recorder of this great narrative. It lacks the ethereal aura of the Yellow Crane Tower, nor the brilliance of talent and sentimentality of the Tengwang Pavilion. Its beauty is rooted in the earth, an innate sense of responsibility and commitment. It stands here not for the feasting and singing of scholars, but to breathe with the river, to remember and gaze upon it. It is a stabilizing force, anchoring the nation's roots; it is also an eye looking into the future, watching over the dawn and dusk of this land.
As the sun sets, the sky and earth are dyed a vast orange-red. The boundary between river and sky blurs, and the entire Yellow River seems to flow across the heavens. The silhouette of the pavilion becomes even more majestic and solemn in the twilight, like a contemplative giant. As I leave, I look back at its silhouette gradually merging into the night.
No.
5
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Huahu Eco-Tourism Area
4.2
/5
1729 reviews
7.1
From JPY 12982
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8608372299555
Address: Near 213 National Road, Ruoergai County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
984 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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It's definitely worth the trip, provided the weather is good.
Coming from Zhagana, we entered the scenic area around 5:00 AM. The weather was overcast, and I was torn about whether to go in. But since I was already there, I decided to go in and see what was happening. I bought a ticket and took the scenic shuttle bus into the area.
The air was fresh and the crowds were minimal. I walked along the wooden plank road, stopping and taking photos, watching the sun break through the clouds, hoping the heavens would be kinder to us. Around 5:30 AM, the sun finally broke through the clouds, shimmering onto the golden wetlands. It was breathtakingly beautiful, and the trip was well worth it.
The prairie wetlands in the scenic area are very beautiful, and people and various animals live in harmony. In particular, the red-billed gulls flying in the sky are very beautiful. I also love the prairie air elves and groundhogs!
No.
6
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Tianshui Maiji Mountain scenic area
4.5
/5
1691 reviews
7.0
From JPY 758
Based on 34 reviews
Maiji Mountain Scenic Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8609382731407
Address: Maiji, Tianshui, Gansu, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 days
Highlights:
Grotto art showcases traditional charm
Admire the Oriental Sculpture Art Gallery
952 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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One of the four grottoes, the history and culture are very good! It's just that the flow of people in the summer is a bit large, the conditions of the grotto itself are a bit tired (long queue time). It takes two or three hours to really visit the play.
The Maijishan Grottoes are really shocking! From afar, the solitary peak rises up, shaped like a stack of wheat. Walking into the grottoes, the Buddha statues are carved vividly, and the colors of the murals are still bright and moving after years. Every detail is full of the wisdom and hard work of ancient craftsmen. Coming here is like traveling through time and space, and having an artistic dialogue with the ancients, which is very rewarding.
No.
7
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Qingtongxia Yellow River Grand Canyon
4.8
/5
5010 reviews
6.9
From JPY 2489
>100 km from downtown
Phone +864009960953
Address: Qingtongxia Town, Qingtongxia City, Wuzhong City
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
4605 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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Qingtongxia, located in Ningxia, is one of the important canyons on the upper reaches of the Yellow River, boasting magnificent scenery and abundant water resources. The Qingtongxia Reservoir, with its shimmering blue waters and rugged mountains on both sides, combines natural landscapes with rich cultural heritage. It features ancient water conservancy facilities and unique Yellow River culture, making it ideal for sightseeing, photography, and learning about the geography and history of Northwest China. With convenient transportation and well-developed surrounding facilities, it is a key tourist attraction in Ningxia.
The experience of visiting the Qingtongxia Yellow River Grand Canyon is very good. During the National Day holiday, you need to queue up for the sightseeing bus to the dam, but it takes time. The arrangement of taking a boat to the 108 Towers opposite is very reasonable, and you can also climb the 108 Towers.
No.
8
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Lanzhou Yellow River Cruise
4.2
/5
415 reviews
6.5
From JPY 2056
Zhongshan Bridge/Xiguan | 31.9 km from downtown
Address: No. 532 Nanbinhe East Road, Qilihe District, Lanzhou
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 hour
304 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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The night cruise on the Yellow River was fantastic! The Zhongshan Bridge was beautifully lit, and the evening breeze was soothing. The 40-minute cruise was just right, and I recommend choosing the second deck for the fantastic views.
Booking tickets on Ctrip was convenient, and the pier was easy to find. The boat crossing Zhongshan Bridge was incredibly photogenic, and the night view of Baita Mountain was magnificent. It's definitely worth the trip!
The Yellow River at night takes on a whole new charm, with the lights on both sides ablaze. Enjoying the scenery while feeling the river breeze was a great value. I'll definitely come again.
Sitting on the first floor wasn't cold, and the night view was very pleasant. I was able to capture photos of both Zhongshan Bridge and the Yellow River Mother Statue. I was very satisfied!
The night cruise exceeded my expectations! The bridge and mountains were beautifully illuminated by the lights. There were also guides on board, and photos were free. If you'd like, take them for 30 yuan each.
It felt average. It happened to be cloudy on the day I went there, so it was a bit cold to take the boat. The boat departure time was also quite random, and I waited for quite a long time. On the way back, it stopped on the Yellow River for a long time, and no one said anything about the situation. There was no explanation or explanation throughout the whole process. I just took a round trip and had a general look.
No.
9
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Tengger Desert
4.8
/5
204 reviews
6.5
>100 km from downtown
Address: Bayanhot Town, Alxa Left Banner, Alxa League
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
146 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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It's definitely worth it! It's an unforgettable experience! The vast desert is desolate and magnificent. You can have fun in it, drive an off-road vehicle and surf on the sand dunes. The bumps bring excitement, screams and laughter all the way!
The Tengger Desert is China's fourth largest desert (about 43,000 square kilometers). It means "sky" in Mongolian. Its vast sea of sand and numerous lakes form a unique landscape. The golden sand dunes are like solidified waves, and the crescent-shaped and pyramid-shaped sand dunes are interlaced. The Ulan Lake "Heart of the Earth" and Swan Lake and other water towns in the desert add a magical touch12. Here you can ride a camel to experience the ancient charm of the Silk Road, and you can also experience the passion of desert off-roading. The starry sky and the Milky Way at night are particularly stunning45. Despite the dry climate, it breeds drought-resistant plants such as Haloxylon ammodendron and Ammopiptanthus sandii, as well as wild animals such as Goitered Gazelle, showing tenacious ecological vitality.
No.
10
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Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Nature Museum
4.2
/5
549 reviews
6.3
From JPY 1169
Biological Park Area | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8609715226789
Address: No. 21 Jinger Road, Chengbei District, Xining City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Beetle model building event
24 halls & 8,000 exhibits
339 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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The location is convenient, the atmosphere is warm, and the facilities are clean and comfortable. It is an ideal choice for backpackers and young travelers. It is cost-effective. The owner cleans the place very quickly and cleanly. I recommend it to everyone!
The museum has quite a large collection, with more animal specimens than the Natural Resources Museum. The display of water samples collected from all over the country is quite impressive. If you want a free visit, make a reservation at the Natural Resources Museum. If you want to visit the Natural History Museum after visiting the Tibetan Culture Museum, this is the right place, just across the street. You can explore the entire museum in one to two hours.
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