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Baita Park白塔山公园
Baita (White Pagoda) Mountain Park rises directly across the Yellow River from Zhongshan Bridge — a hillside of pavilions, temples and a 13-story white pagoda originally built in the Yuan dynasty, with the best panoramic views over Lanzhou's river valley cityscape.
Lanzhou · Visitor Guide2026-10-19
Quick Answer
Is Baita Park worth visiting?
The hillside park across the Yellow River from Zhongshan Bridge: pavilions and a Yuan-era white pagoda on a 200-meter climb (or cable car) — Lanzhou's best panorama at dusk.
Quick facts
| Ticket | Free (cable car ¥40-60 return) |
|---|---|
| Hours | 06:30-21:30 |
| Recommended duration | 1-2 hours |
| Best time to visit | Sunset for city views |
| How to get there | Cross Zhongshan Bridge on foot; cable car from the riverside |
| English signage | basic |
| Wheelchair accessible | No |
What to expect
The white pagoda that gives the park its name dates to the Yuan era (commemorating a Tibetan lama) and was rebuilt in the Ming. Terraced paths climb past temples and bell towers to viewpoints over the river bends — Lanzhou is a valley city squeezed between mountain ranges, and this is the classic vantage.
A cable car crosses from the riverside near Zhongshan Bridge, and on the hilltop there is a small amusement area and teahouses. Locals fly kites and do evening exercise here.
How to get there
Walk across Zhongshan Bridge and enter the park on the north bank; or take the cable car from the south riverside (¥40-60 return).
Best photo spots
- The white pagoda against the dusk sky
- Panoramas over the Yellow River bends
- The cable car crossing the river
Tips
- Steep stair sections — the cable car saves the climb
- Go up before sunset, stay for the city lights
- Pair it with Zhongshan Bridge directly across the river — cross on foot, ride down by cable car
- Kite flying and evening exercise draw locals after work; weekends are busier on the summit
Frequently asked questions
How high is the climb?
Roughly 200 meters of elevation gain on stairs — 30-45 minutes at an easy pace, or take the cable car.
How much is the cable car?
¥40-60 return from the south riverside near Zhongshan Bridge. It saves the 200-meter climb and the ride itself crosses the Yellow River.
Can I visit at night?
The park is open 06:30-21:30 — stay for the city lights, then walk back across the illuminated Zhongshan Bridge.
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Other things to do in Lanzhou
Zhongshan Bridge
The Yellow River's first iron bridge (1907) — now a pedestrian promenade, famous red structure spanning China's second-longest river in central Lanzhou. Free. 30 minutes.
Zhongshan Bridge
Lanzhou's "First Bridge over the Yellow River": a 1907 German-built steel truss, pedestrian-only now, linking the riverside promenade to Baita Mountain Park — best at sunset.