Lanzhou (兰州)

1. Introduction

Lanzhou City, abbreviated as Lan and also known as Jincheng, is the capital of Gansu Province of the People's Republic of China. Designated by the State Council as an important industrial base and comprehensive transportation hub in Northwest China, it is a key node city on the Silk Road Economic Belt, one of the major central cities in the western region, the third-largest city in Northwest China, and the core city of the "Lanzhou-Xining Urban Agglomeration." Located in central Gansu Province, it borders Wuwei City to the northwest, Baiyin City to the northeast, Dingxi City and Linxia Prefecture to the south, and Haidong City of Qinghai Province to the west. Situated at the convergence of the Loess Plateau, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and the Inner Mongolia Plateau, it is flanked by the Qilian Mountains to the north and south. The Yellow River converges with the Huangshui River in the southwestern part of the city and flows eastward through the urban area, with Lanzhou City located in a valley basin. The total area of the city is 13,192 square kilometers, and the Municipal People's Government is located in Chengguan District. Lanzhou is the geometric center of China's land territory, hosts the Army Command of the Western Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army, and serves as a key node city in the Belt and Road Initiative. It is an important railway hub in China, where railways such as Baotou-Lanzhou, Lanzhou-Xinjiang, Lanzhou-Qinghai, Longhai, Lanzhou-Chongqing, and Chengdu-Lanzhou converge. The city has a permanent population of 4.4153 million people, and the Municipal People's Government is located at No. 637 Nanbinhe East Road, Chengguan District.

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2. History

During the reign of King Zhao of Qin, the area belonged to Longxi Commandery. The city of Lanzhou was founded in 86 BCE, boasting a history of over two thousand years. In the second year of the Yuanshou era (121 BCE) of the Western Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu dispatched Huo Qubing to lead a western expedition against the Xiongnu, establishing the Lingju Garrison here to station troops and connect to the four commanderies of Hexi. In the first year of the Shiyuan era (86 BCE) of Emperor Zhao of Han, Jincheng County was established, deriving its name from the phrase "a city as solid as metal and a moat as hot as soup," and was placed under Tianshui Commandery. In the sixth year of the Shiyuan era (81 BCE), Jincheng Commandery was carved out, with Jincheng County as its seat, becoming a major stop along the Silk Road.

In the twelfth year of the Jianwu era (36 CE) of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Jincheng Commandery was merged into Longxi Commandery. In the fourth year of the Yongchu era (110 CE), most of Jincheng Commandery was occupied by the Western Qiang, and the commandery seat was moved from Yunwu to Xiangwu (present-day Longxi County) for twelve years. By the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Xiping Commandery was newly established from Jincheng Commandery, and the seat of Jincheng Commandery was relocated from Yunwu to Yuzhong (west of present-day Yuzhong County town). During the Western Jin Dynasty, Lanzhou still belonged to Jincheng Commandery. In the first year of the Yong'an era (314 CE) of the Former Liang, Guangwu Commandery was established, and the seat of Jincheng Commandery was moved from Yuzhong to Jincheng, marking the beginning of the joint administration of Jincheng Commandery and County.

In the third year of the Kaihuang era (583 CE) of Emperor Wen of Sui, due to the presence of Gaolan Mountain south of the city, Jincheng Commandery was renamed Lanzhou, and the Lanzhou Chief Military Command was established, giving Lanzhou its current name. In the third year of the Daye era (607 CE), Lanzhou was renamed Jincheng Commandery. In the thirteenth year of the Daye era (617 CE), Xue Ju rebelled against the Sui Dynasty, proclaiming himself the "Overlord of Western Qin," and established his capital in Jincheng, which was later destroyed by the Tang Dynasty. In the second year of the Wude era (619 CE) of the Tang Dynasty, Lanzhou was reestablished. It was subsequently renamed Jincheng Commandery multiple times. In the first year of the Baoying era (762 CE), Lanzhou was occupied by the Tibetan Empire. In the second year of the Dazhong era (848 CE), Zhang Yichao recovered eleven prefectures in Longyou, but they were soon occupied by the Tangut people.

From the Han Dynasty through the Tang and Song periods, with the opening of the Silk Road, a flourishing era emerged where silk traveled west and heavenly horses came east. Lanzhou gradually became a vital transportation hub and commercial town along the Silk Road, serving as an important metropolis and link connecting the ethnic minorities of the Western Regions. It played a significant role in facilitating and promoting economic and cultural exchanges between China and the West. During the Tang Dynasty, the Lanzhou Chief Military Command was established but was later abolished.

During the Ming Dynasty, Lanzhou belonged to Lintao Prefecture, and the Lanzhou Guard was under the Shaanxi Regional Military Commission. In the early Qing Dynasty, the Ming system was followed. In the fifth year of the Kangxi era (1666), Shaanxi and Gansu were separated, and Gansu Province was established with its capital set in Lanzhou, making Lanzhou the political center of Gansu from then on. In the third year of the Qianlong era (1738), the seat of Lintao Prefecture was moved from Didao to Lanzhou and renamed Lanzhou Prefecture. In the twenty-ninth year of the Qianlong era (1764), the Shaanxi-Gansu Governor's Office was relocated from Xi'an to Lanzhou. From then on, Lanzhou became a key political and military stronghold in the northwest, used to "control the Three Qins" and "pacify the Western Regions."

In the second year of the Republic of China (1913), the prefecture was abolished and replaced by Lanshan Circuit, with its seat in Gaolan County, the provincial capital. In the sixteenth year of the Republic of China (1927), Lanshan Circuit was renamed Lanzhou District. In the twenty-fifth year of the Republic of China (1936), Gaolan and Yuzhong belonged to the First Administrative Inspection District of Gansu. On July 1, 1941 (the thirtieth year of the Republic of China), Lanzhou City was newly established from the suburbs of Gaolan County.

On August 20, 1949, the First Field Army of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, commanded by Peng Dehuai, converged outside Lanzhou, forming a three-sided encirclement from the east, west, and south, and launched the Lanzhou Campaign during the second phase of the Chinese Civil War. On August 26, the majority of Ma Bufang's Nationalist forces were annihilated, Ma Bufang fled to Xining, and the Chinese People's Liberation Army entered the city, essentially concluding the Lanzhou Campaign.

In 1958, the Lanzhou Refinery and Lanzhou Chemical Company in the Xigu District of Lanzhou began production, establishing Lanzhou as a significant petrochemical city in China.

In 1985, after the Baiyin District and three townships of Gaolan County were transferred to Baiyin City, the current municipal jurisdiction was formed.

In August 2012, the State Council issued the "Approval of the State Council on the Establishment of Lanzhou New Area," agreeing to establish the national-level Lanzhou New Area.

In December 2012, Dingyuan Town and Lianda Town in Yuzhong County were placed under the administration of the Lanzhou High-Tech Zone. In 2014, Shuifu Township in Gaolan County was abolished and established as Shuifu Town. In the same year, Heishichuan Township in Gaolan County was abolished and established as Heishi Town.

In 2015, the conversion of three townships—Honggu Township in Honggu District, Hekou Township in Xigu District, and Liushu Township in Yongdeng County—into towns was approved.

On July 30, 2021, the Ministry of Transport decided to designate Lanzhou City as a National Public Transit Metropolis Demonstration City.

3. Geography

Lanzhou is the capital of Gansu Province, located at the geometric center of China's land territory. The urban area features a typical linear city form, situated in the upper reaches of the Yellow River within a valley basin. It experiences four distinct seasons, with winters not severely cold and summers not extremely hot. The urban area's elevation is 1,520 meters. The Yellow River flows through the city from west to east, making Lanzhou the only provincial capital with the Yellow River traversing its urban core. Influenced by the terrain flanked by mountains to the north and south, the urban area is long and narrow from east to west, stretching about 30 kilometers. Its narrowest point from north to south is approximately 1 kilometer, while the widest point is about 5–6 kilometers, characteristic of a linear basin city. The terrain is higher in the west and south, lower in the northeast. The Yellow River flows from southwest to northeast, cutting across the entire region through mountains, forming a bead-like valley alternating between gorges and basins. Notable gorges include Bapan Gorge, Chajia Gorge, Sangyuan Gorge, Da Gorge, and Wujin Gorge. Major basins include Xincheng Basin, Lanzhou Basin, Niwan-Yichuan Basin, and Qingcheng-Shuichuan Basin. Other significant valleys are the Huangshui Valley, Zhuanglang River Valley, Yuanchuan River Valley, and Datong River Valley.

Lanzhou has a plateau-type warm temperate arid to semi-arid climate. The annual average temperature is 11.2°C, with an average annual precipitation of 327 mm, concentrated mainly from June to September. The average annual sunshine duration is 2,446 hours, and the frost-free period exceeds 180 days. In spring, Lanzhou is susceptible to sandstorms.

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-------------------------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|------------| | Record high °C | 17.1 | 21.7 | 28.4 | 34.6 | 34.7 | 36.8 | 39.8 | 38.3 | 34.4 | 27.6 | 20.3 | 16.2 | 39.8 | | Record high °F | 62.8 | 71.1 | 83.1 | 94.3 | 94.5 | 98.2 | 103.6 | 100.9 | 93.9 | 81.7 | 68.5 | 61.2 | 103.6 | | Average high °C | 0.8 | 5.4 | 11.3 | 18.3 | 22.9 | 26.1 | 28.3 | 27.2 | 22.2 | 15.9 | 8.7 | 2.0 | 15.8 | | Average high °F | 33.4 | 41.7 | 52.3 | 64.9 | 73.2 | 79.0 | 82.9 | 81.0 | 72.0 | 60.6 | 47.7 | 35.6 | 60.4 | | Daily mean °C | −8.5 | −3.5 | 2.9 | 9.8 | 14.9 | 18.4 | 20.5 | 19.3 | 14.3 | 7.7 | −0.2 | −7.1 | 7.4 | | Daily mean °F | 16.7 | 25.7 | 37.2 | 49.6 | 58.8 | 65.1 | 68.9 | 66.7 | 57.7 | 45.9 | 31.6 | 19.2 | 45.3 | | Average low °C | −15.0 | −10.1 | −3.6 | 2.4 | 7.4 | 11.1 | 13.6 | 12.9 | 8.4 | 1.7 | −6.0 | −13.2 | 0.8 | | Average low °F | 5.0 | 13.8 | 25.5 | 36.3 | 45.3 | 52.0 | 56.5 | 55.2 | 47.1 | 35.1 | 21.2 | 8.2 | 33.4 | | Record low °C | −27.7 | −24.0 | −16.7 | −8.6 | −1.2 | 4.0 | 7.2 | 5.3 | 0.4 | −7.1 | −16.5 | −23.0 | −27.7 | | Record low °F | −17.9 | −11.2 | 1.9 | 16.5 | 29.8 | 39.2 | 45.0 | 41.5 | 32.7 | 19.2 | 2.3 | −9.4 | −17.9 | | Average precipitation mm | 1.5 | 1.4 | 4.6 | 12.9 | 34.0 | 40.2 | 50.3 | 51.6 | 31.4 | 15.8 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 245.9 | | Average precipitation inches | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.18 | 0.51 | 1.34 | 1.58 | 1.98 | 2.03 | 1.24 | 0.62 | 0.06 | 0.03 | 9.69 | | Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 1.9 | 2.4 | 4.5 | 5.3 | 7.5 | 9.4 | 11.4 | 11.2 | 9.9 | 6.3 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 72.5 | | Average relative humidity (%) | 53 | 47 | 46 | 43 | 51 | 59 | 64 | 66 | 69 | 65 | 62 | 58 | 57 | | Mean monthly sunshine hours | 155.7 | 179.3 | 195.4 | 224.5 | 245.9 | 234.7 | 244.8 | 241.1 | 191.5 | 186.0 | 174.0 | 151.2 | 2,424.0 |10 | | Percentage of Possible Sunshine | 51 | 59 | 53 | 57 | 57 | 54 | 55 | 58 | 52 | 53 | 57 | 50 | 55 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Lanzhou City currently administers 5 municipal districts and 3 counties.

• Municipal Districts: Chengguan District, Qilihe District, Xigu District, Anning District, Honggu District
• Counties: Yongdeng County, Gaolan County, Yuzhong County

Additionally, Lanzhou City has established the following administrative management zones:

• National-level Lanzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone
• National-level Lanzhou High-Tech Industrial Development Zone
• Lanzhou New Area: On August 28, 2012, the State Council of the People's Republic of China approved the establishment of the Lanzhou New Area, the first national-level new area in Northwest China and the fifth in China. The document explicitly stated that building the Lanzhou New Area is an important measure for deepening the implementation of the Western Development Strategy, aiming to develop Lanzhou into a modern metropolis in Northwest China by 2020. Located centrally among the three provincial capitals of Lanzhou, Xining, and Yinchuan, the Lanzhou New Area serves as a vital gateway to countries along the "Silk Road" in Central Asia, West Asia, South Asia, and Europe. It boasts a comprehensive transportation hub including an international airport, railways, and expressways, abundant land resources, large environmental capacity, and low costs for electricity and gas, making it highly suitable for industrial agglomeration and development.

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (sq km) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 620100 | Lanzhou City | Lánzhōu Shì | 13,192.31 | 4,359,446 | Chengguan District | 730000 | 54 | 47 | 14 | | 620102 | Chengguan District | Chéngguān Qū | 207.84 | 1,484,016 | Zhangye Road Subdistrict | 730000 | 26 | | | | 620103 | Qilihe District | Qīlǐhé Qū | 394.47 | 712,271 | West Lake Subdistrict | 730000 | 9 | 5 | 1 | | 620104 | Xigu District | Xīgù Qū | 358.32 | 407,010 | Fuli Road Subdistrict | 730000 | 7 | 5 | 1 | | 620105 | Anning District | Ānníng Qū | 82.33 | 439,566 | West Road Subdistrict | 730000 | 8 | | | | 620111 | Honggu District | Hónggǔ Qū | 531.14 | 143,795 | Haishiwan Town | 730000 | 4 | 4 | | | 620121 | Yongdeng County | Yǒngdēng Xiàn | 5,846.73 | 484,442 | Chengguan Town | 730300 | | 15 | 3 | | 620122 | Gaolan County | Gāolán Xiàn | 2,476.79 | 214,464 | Shidong Town | 730200 | | 7 | | | 620123 | Yuzhong County | Yúzhōng Xiàn | 3,294.70 | 473,882 | Chengguan Town | 730100 | | 11 | 9 |

5. Economy

In 2021, Lanzhou City's overall economic performance remained stable, with its regional GDP exceeding 300 billion yuan for the first time, reaching 323.129 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6.1%. Specifically, the added value of the primary industry was 6.252 billion yuan, up 7.4%; the secondary industry added 111.391 billion yuan, up 5.6%; and the tertiary industry added 205.486 billion yuan, up 6.4%. The industrial structure ratio of the three sectors was 1.94:34.47:63.59.

Throughout 2021, industrial enterprises above the designated size in Lanzhou achieved operating revenue of 241.86 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 22.6%. Total profits amounted to 14.31 billion yuan, up 146.7%. Total tax revenue reached 29.04 billion yuan, up 7.6%.

In 2021, Lanzhou's total retail sales of consumer goods reached 175.774 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 7.1%. Among the 21 major categories of retail goods from enterprises above the designated size, 14 categories saw growth in retail sales compared to the previous year. Notably, sales of new energy vehicles in the automotive category increased by 48.4%; gold, silver, and jewelry grew by 41.8%; and books, newspapers, and magazines rose by 55.8%. By location of business units, urban retail sales of consumer goods amounted to 153.746 billion yuan, up 6.8%, while rural retail sales reached 22.029 billion yuan, up 8.9%. By consumption type, catering revenue was 19.100 billion yuan, up 9.0%, and retail sales of goods were 156.674 billion yuan, up 6.9%. Online sales via public networks reached 676 million yuan, an increase of 32.2%.

6. Transportation

6.1 Aviation

Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport (Coordinates: 36°30'28.42"N, 103°36'52.44"E) is a 4E-class civil airport. In 2014, following the "State Council's Approval for Lanzhou Aviation Port to Expand Openness to Foreign Aircraft," and after approval by the Civil Aviation Administration and the provincial government, "Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport" was renamed "Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport," officially becoming an international aviation port. In 2015, its passenger throughput was 8 million, ranking 30th nationally with a year-on-year growth of 21.4%. In 2016, the throughput reached 10.89 million passengers, and by 2018, it reached 13.8582 million passengers, ranking 28th nationally. The third-phase expansion project of Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport commenced construction on September 9, 2020, with a total investment of 34.37 billion yuan and is expected to be completed in 2023.

6.2 Railway

Lanzhou is one of the important hubs of China's national railway trunk lines. The Longhai Line, Lanzin Line, Lanqing Line, Baolan Line, Lanyu Line, Lanhe Line, as well as high-speed railways such as the Xulan High-Speed Railway, Lanzin High-Speed Railway, and the Lanzhou to Zhongchuan Airport Railway, converge here.

6.3 Highway

Historically, Lanzhou was part of the famous "Silk Road." Currently, the main highways radiating from Lanzhou include:

• Lanzhou ~ Qingyang (Leijiajiao, Gansu-Shaanxi border): Part of the National Expressway Network G22 Qinglan Expressway (Qingdao ~ Lanzhou), connecting the four cities of Qingyang, Pingliang, Dingxi, and Lanzhou. Total length is approximately 530 km.
• Lanzhou ~ Tianshui (Niubei, Gansu-Shaanxi border): Part of the National Expressway Network G30 Lianhuo Expressway (Lianyungang ~ Khorgas), connecting the three cities of Tianshui, Dingxi, and Lanzhou. Planned length is approximately 400 km.
• Lanzhou ~ Jiuquan (Xingxingxia, Gansu-Xinjiang border): Part of the National Expressway Network G30 Lianhuo Expressway (Lianyungang ~ Khorgas), connecting the five cities of Lanzhou, Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan, and Jiayuguan. It is an important section of the New Silk Road and one of Gansu's key western export channels. Planned length is approximately 1,140 km.
• Lanzhou ~ Longnan (Guanzigou, Gansu-Sichuan border): Part of the National Expressway Network G75 Lanhai Expressway (Lanzhou ~ Haikou), connecting the three cities of Lanzhou, Dingxi, and Longnan. Total length is 540 km.
• Lanzhou ~ Xining (Haishiwan, Gansu-Qinghai border): Part of the National Expressway Network G6 Jingzang Expressway (Beijing ~ Lhasa), serving as a rapid inter-provincial link between the two provincial capitals of Lanzhou and Xining. Planned length is 101 km.
• Lanzhou ~ Baiyin (Liuzhaike, Gansu-Ningxia border): Part of the National Expressway Network G6 Jingzang Expressway (Beijing ~ Lhasa), serving as a rapid corridor between the two provincial capitals (capital) of Lanzhou and Yinchuan. Length is approximately 170 km.
• Lanzhou ~ Yingpanshui (Gansu-Ningxia border): A rapid corridor connecting to Zhongchuan Airport and one of Gansu's northern exits. Planned length is approximately 160 km.
• Lanzhou ~ Gannan (Langmusi, Gansu-Sichuan border): Connecting the three cities/prefectures of Lanzhou, Linxia, and Gannan. Planned length is approximately 390 km.
• National Highways 109 and 312 pass through the area.
• National Highways 212 and 568 have their zero-kilometer starting points here.
• National Highways 309 and 666 have their terminal points here.

6.4 Public Bus

There are over 120 public bus routes within Lanzhou city, with 94 directly under the Lanzhou Public Transport Group. Most routes operate on a flat fare of 1 yuan. Some longer routes, such as 102, 103, 76, 20, and 18, implement a multi-tiered fare system. Two BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) lines are currently in operation.

6.5 Taxi

The starting fare for Lanzhou taxis is ¥10 (for the first 3 km). After 3 km, the fare is ¥1.4 per km. For distances exceeding 10 km, the fare adjusts to ¥2.1 per km. A waiting fee of ¥1.4 is charged every 5 minutes. A nighttime surcharge of ¥0.2 per vehicle-kilometer applies. A 10 km trip costs approximately ¥19.8.

6.6 Metro

The Lanzhou Rail Transit is the third urban rail transit system to commence operation in Northwest China, following Xi'an and Urumqi. The long-term plan for the Lanzhou Rail Transit network consists of 8 lines, with a total network length of 227.6 km.

• Operational Lines
  • Lanzhou Rail Transit Line 1 runs east from Donggang Town in Chengguan District to Huagong Street in Xigu District, traversing Chengguan District, Qilihe District, and Xigu District. It is 34 km long with 24 stations (including 6 transfer stations). The first phase of Line 1 runs from Donggang Station to Cheng Guanying Station, is 25.9 km long, has 20 stations, all of which are underground.
  • Lanzhou Rail Transit Line 2 (Phase 1) runs from Yanbai Bridge Station to Dongfanghong Square Station. The main line is approximately 9.06 km long, entirely underground, with 9 stations.

7. Education

Regular Undergraduate Institutions:

• Lanzhou University
• Northwest Minzu University
• Northwest Normal University
• Lanzhou University of Technology
• Lanzhou Jiaotong University
• Gansu Agricultural University
• Gansu University of Chinese Medicine
• Lanzhou University of Finance and Economics
• Gansu University of Political Science and Law
• Lanzhou City University
• Lanzhou Institute of Technology
• Lanzhou University of Arts and Science
• Lanzhou Information Technology College
• Lanzhou Bowen College of Science and Technology
• Lanzhou Business School
• Lanzhou Resources & Environment Voc-Tech University, Lanzhou Petrochemical University of Vocational Technology

Research Institutions

• Lanzhou Branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
• Lanzhou Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
• Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
• Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
• Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences
• Scientific Information Center for Resources and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences
• China Railway Northwest Research Institute Co., Ltd.
• Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
• Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
• China National Biotec Group (CNBG) Lanzhou Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd.

8. Population

At the end of 2022, the city's permanent resident population was 4.4153 million, an increase of 31,000 people compared to the end of the previous year. Among them, the urban population was 3.7118 million, accounting for 84.07% of the permanent resident population (the urbanization rate of permanent residents), an increase of 0.51 percentage points from the end of the previous year. The annual number of births was 29,100, with a birth rate of 6.61‰; the number of deaths was 26,300, with a death rate of 5.98‰; the natural population growth rate was 0.64‰. At the end of the year, the city's registered population was 3.3698 million, an increase of 7,000 people compared to the end of the previous year. Among them, the urban population was 2.4873 million, and the rural population was 882,500.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 4,359,446. Compared with 3,616,163 from the Sixth National Population Census, the population increased by 743,283 over the past ten years, a growth of 20.55%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.89%. Among them, the male population was 2,239,998, accounting for 51.38% of the total population; the female population was 2,119,448, accounting for 48.62% of the total population. The sex ratio of the total population (with females as 100) was 105.69. The population aged 0–14 was 618,719, accounting for 14.19% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 3,018,648, accounting for 69.24% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 722,079, accounting for 16.56% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 509,990, accounting for 11.7% of the total population. The urban population was 3,622,550, accounting for 83.1% of the total population; the rural population was 736,896, accounting for 16.9% of the total population.

8.1 Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group population was 4,131,756, accounting for 94.78%; the population of various ethnic minorities was 227,690, accounting for 5.22%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han ethnic group population increased by 674,968, a growth of 19.53%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.82 percentage points; the population of various ethnic minorities increased by 68,315, a growth of 42.86%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.82 percentage points.

Lanzhou City is home to 36 ethnic groups, including Han, Hui, Mongolian, Zhuang, Miao, Yao, Tujia, Korean, Tibetan, Yi, Yugur, Dong, Bouyei, Tu, Manchu, and Hani. Apart from the Hui ethnic group, the population of other ethnic minorities accounts for 3.6% of the total population.

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9. Culture

As the capital city of Gansu Province, Lanzhou boasts profound historical and cultural heritage as well as rich cultural resources. The city is not only historically significant but also renowned for its unique geographical location and convergence of diverse cultures. The cultural development of Lanzhou has undergone multiple stages, from the preservation of traditional culture to modern cultural innovation, forming a distinctive cultural landscape.

9.1 Historical and Cultural Background

The history of Lanzhou can be traced back to the Neolithic Age 8,000 years ago, making it a crucial node city along the ancient Silk Road. During the Han and Tang dynasties, Lanzhou became one of the centers of Silk Road culture, nurturing a splendid civilization. In modern times, as an important rear base and transportation hub on the Eastern Front of the World Anti-Fascist War, Lanzhou has accumulated rich red cultural resources.

9.2 Cultural Resources and Heritage

Lanzhou possesses abundant cultural heritage, including the Majiayao Culture, Banshan Culture, Yellow River Culture, and Silk Road Culture. These cultural resources not only showcase Lanzhou's profound historical accumulation but also reflect its significant role in Chinese civilization. For example, the Lanzhou City Museum displays painted pottery from the Majiayao Culture and Han Dynasty bamboo slips, serving as an important window into Lanzhou's history and culture. Additionally, Lanzhou's intangible cultural heritage, such as the Taiping Drum and carved gourds, demonstrates unique ethnic artistic charm.

9.3 Cultural Activities and Facilities

In recent years, Lanzhou has further enriched the cultural lives of its residents by organizing various cultural activities and constructing public cultural facilities. For instance, events like the "Yellow River Chorus" and the Yellow River Culture Folk Art Week have attracted large audiences and boosted Lanzhou's tourism appeal. The city has essentially established a four-tier public cultural service network system, including cultural centers, libraries, museums, and art galleries, all of which offer free access to the public.

9.4 Integration of Culture and Tourism

Lanzhou actively promotes the deep integration of culture and tourism, developing projects such as the Yellow River Tower and Lanzhou Old Street, which have become landmark attractions showcasing Yellow River Culture and Silk Road Culture. Through this integration, Lanzhou has not only enhanced its cultural quality but also boosted tourism development, attracting a large number of domestic and international visitors.

9.5 Modern Cultural Development

In terms of modern cultural development, Lanzhou emphasizes the inheritance and innovation of traditional culture. For example, by organizing activities like "City of Readers · Scholarly Lanzhou," the city fosters a reading culture among its residents and elevates its cultural ambiance. Simultaneously, Lanzhou actively develops cultural industries, such as animation, gaming, and digital music, driving the prosperity of the cultural sector.

Summary

Lanzhou's cultural development not only focuses on the protection and inheritance of historical culture but also actively embraces the growth of modern culture. Through diverse cultural activities and a well-established public cultural service system, Lanzhou continuously enhances residents' cultural engagement and sense of happiness while injecting strong momentum into the city's high-quality development.

10. Sister Cities

• Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
• Akita City, Akita Prefecture, Japan
• Chorley, England, United Kingdom
• Penza, Penza Oblast, Russia

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Chengguan District

Honggu District

Han
Hui
Dongxiang
Tibetan
Manchu
Mongol
Tu
Uyghur
Tujia
Zhuang
Miao
Yugur
Bonan

Sophora japonica

Rose