Things to do in Guanghe

Online ticketing is very convenient for the attractions along the Sichuan-Gannan Grand Loop! After taking the escalator up to the mountaintop for the view, I recommend walking down the wooden boardwalk for the rest of the journey. However, the parking lot for the escalator is quite far from the entrance! There's no shuttle bus either! Ultimately, we had to split up: one person went down the stairs to get the car, and the other walked down the boardwalk. The experience was just so-so!

I visited Guange Valley during the National Day holiday, and it wasn't too crowded. It's known as "Little Jiuzhaigou," but it's several levels below Jiuzhaigou. Guange Valley is more fun to visit than E'man Valley. E'man Valley is poorly designed; the shuttle bus doesn't go to the top, so you have to walk 10 kilometers one way, making it 20 kilometers round trip, which leaves most tourists disappointed.

Zhongshan Bridge is undoubtedly a symbol of Lanzhou and a must-see landmark! As the "First Bridge over the Yellow River," this century-old iron bridge not only carries a rich history but also offers a superb vantage point for appreciating the Yellow River scenery. During the day, walking on the bridge with the surging Yellow River beneath your feet and the majestic White Pagoda Mountain in the distance creates a unique feeling of history and grandeur. Visiting at night is highly recommended. As darkness falls, the bridge lights up, their golden outline reflected in the river, shimmering alongside the neon lights on both banks—a truly picturesque scene. Moreover, it's free to enter, making it excellent value for money whether you're strolling, taking photos, or experiencing the Northwest atmosphere. It's suggested to go in the late afternoon to witness both the sunset and the dazzling night view—a truly worthwhile experience!

I took the 7:30 train, and only saw the Zhongshan Bridge lights come on during the last few hours. However, since Lanzhou is still very bright at this time, it looked almost like daytime. I recommend taking a later train if you want to see the night view.

The scenery is truly beautiful. The weather was great the day I went, so the scenery was absolutely gorgeous. The lake, the flower-filled lake, and the ecological environment are simply amazing. There's a commercial street right outside with all sorts of food options, which is very convenient.

At the Fuxi Temple in Tianshui, every step you take is like stepping into the weathered texture of time, awakening the slumber of Qin bricks and Han tiles, and hearing the lingering echoes of camel bells from the Silk Road... In front of the Fuxi Temple, the smoke and clouds shroud the faint glow of civilization. Here, history lies beneath your feet, and the divine is before your eyes.

The Tiantishan Grottoes are truly worth seeing, as they are considered the ancestor of all grottoes. The surrounding environment is also very tranquil, and the scenery around the reservoir is exceptionally beautiful, like a traditional Chinese ink painting. The scenery is also very picturesque. Free parking is available within the scenic area.

This is the premier Taoist site and definitely worth a visit. The mountain is very high, and the steep steps are difficult to climb up and even more difficult to descend. We took the scenic area bus to Zhongtai, climbed the Imperial City, and then walked to Xiangshan. We took the scenic area bus down the mountain in 40 minutes.

Lanzhou Baitashan Park | A Landmark in Northern Lanzhou Location: North bank of the Yellow River, north end of Zhongshan Bridge; admission is free. Origin: Named after the White Pagoda Temple atop the mountain. The pagoda was originally built in the Yuan Dynasty, but the existing structure is a Ming Dynasty reconstruction. Seven stories high, octagonal, and entirely white, it is a symbol of Lanzhou. The entire park is built along the mountainside, comprising three ancient architectural complexes. Red-columned pavilions and towers with flying eaves cascade down the slope, surrounded by lush greenery, creating a rare mountain forest garden atmosphere in Northwest China. Attractions: 1. White Pagoda Temple on the mountaintop: The core attraction. From here, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Yellow River, Zhongshan Bridge, and the entire city of Lanzhou. The sunset and night views are superb. 2. Two ways to experience the area: ◦ If you have plenty of energy: Hike up the mountain along the stone steps and leisurely explore the ancient buildings; ◦ If you have limited energy (like you did this time): Explore the area at the foot of the mountain and near the bridge. Taking photos of the White Pagoda in the distance and Zhongshan Bridge together is also very beautiful; if you don't want to walk, you can take the Yellow River cable car directly to the mountainside, saving you the trouble of climbing (cable car fee is separate). 3. The Yellow River wharf is located at the foot of the mountain, where you can take a sheepskin raft or a Yellow River cruise; The view of White Pagoda Mountain Park from the opposite bank of Zhongshan Bridge in the evening is exceptionally beautiful; a must-see when visiting Lanzhou.