Lanzhou travel guide: where to stay, what to do and where to eat in Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Dried lily bulbs (baihe) and goji berries
Price: ¥30-120 (about $4-17) per pack
Where: Supermarkets and specialty shops along Zhangye Road and Zhengning Road
Lanzhou carved gourds (kehulu)
Price: ¥20-300 (about $3-42)
Where: Souvenir shops near Zhongshan Bridge and Zhangye Road
Yellow River polished stones
Price: ¥20-500 (about $3-70)
Where: Stone shops and Binhe Road stalls
Sanpaotai (eight-treasure) tea sets
Price: ¥40-150 (about $5.50-21)
Where: Tea shops and Xiguan souvenir stores
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Zhengning Road Night Market
Lamb, noodles, desserts, cheap clothing
Where: Chengguan District
Hours: Daily 17:00-23:00
Hezheng Road Night Market
Local snacks and grills
Where: Chengguan District
Hours: Daily 18:00-23:00
Zhangye Road Pedestrian Street
Pedestrian shopping and snacks
Where: Chengguan District
Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Zhangye Road Pedestrian Street
Best for: Clothes, snacks, souvenirs
Dongfanghong Square / MixC district
Best for: International brands, restaurants
Zhengning Road Night Market
Best for: Street food and cheap goods
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
MixC Lanzhou (Dongfanghong Plaza)
Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00
Chengguan Wanda Plaza
Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Prices are fixed in malls; modest bargaining (10-20 percent) works at market stalls and souvenir shops.
Ask for the price before eating at street stalls and pay by QR code or cash.
Check stone and jade for authenticity; buy only from fixed shops.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Payment: Alipay and WeChat Pay dominate; foreign cards work at large malls and hotels, so carry some cash.
Hours: Malls typically open about 10:00 and close about 22:00.