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🎫 Tickets Booking · Lanzhou
Last verified 30 Jun 2025
Everything you need to secure museum slots, Yellow River night-cruises and Bingling Temple boats—without guesswork.
1 Overview
•
Real-name QR is required for the Gansu Provincial Museum (free, timed entry; closed Mondays). Expect a daily cap of ~2,000 across AM/PM sessions.
•
Boats are mandatory to reach Bingling Temple Grottoes via Liujiaxia Reservoir; service is seasonal (best Jul–Nov) and weather/water-level dependent.
•
Core city sights (Zhongshan Bridge, Waterwheel Garden, White Pagota Hill) are free or walk-up; book Yellow River Night Cruise separately.
2 Pre-Booking Essentials
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Passport | Needed for all real-name tickets (museum) and pier ID checks (cruises). |
| Wallets | WeChat/Alipay easiest; third-party OTAs (Trip.com) often accept foreign cards for cruises. |
| Timing | Museum slots go fast on weekends/holidays; book as soon as your dates open. |
3 Booking-Alerts (2025)
Bingling Temple Grottoes (via Liujiaxia)
🟧
Capacity: Boat seats + ¥50 entry
Release: On-day boat purchase at Liujiaxia pier; private speedboats fill when 6–9 pax
Platform: Pier booths; some OTAs/agents pre-arrange boats.
Yellow River Night Cruise (Lanzhou)
🟩
Capacity: Vessel capacity
Release: Evening sailings ~19:30–23:00; choose deck
Platform: Trip.com or pier ticket window.
Waterwheel Garden
🟩
Capacity: —
Release: Walk-up; generally free entry
Platform: N/A (public park).
Zhongshan Bridge (Yellow River Iron Bridge)
🟩
Capacity: —
Release: Open all day; free
Platform: N/A (public landmark).
4 Booking Windows & Platforms
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Museum: Two sessions (AM/PM). Bring passport and arrive 15–20 min early for security. If slots are gone, check again after 12:00 for same-day no-show releases.
•
Bingling boats: Large cruise boats are cheaper but slower; speedboats cost more per person or require pooling a group; operations vary with water level/season.
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Night cruise: Choose sunset departures for skyline photos of Zhongshan Bridge and White Pagoda Hill; deck selection affects views.
5 Payment & Pick-Up
| Method | Works for |
|---|---|
| WeChat / Alipay | Museum reservations, most piers/parks. |
| Foreign cards via OTA | Yellow River night cruise; some private Bingling transfers. |
| Cash | Useful at Liujiaxia pier / small kiosks where QR may drop. |
6 Cancellations & Refunds
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Museum: Free tickets—cancel in-app to avoid blacklisting on future dates. (Policy posted in reservation flow.)
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Cruises/boats: OTAs typically allow free cancel ≥ 24 h; pier purchases vary—confirm before paying.
7 Pro Tips
1
Target the AM slot at the museum for clear views of the star exhibits (e.g., the iconic bronze "Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow").
2
Check water levels the day before Bingling; in shoulder seasons boats may run fewer departures.
3
Group up at Liujiaxia if you want a speedboat—prices assume a full boat; pooling cuts costs.
4
Night-cruise deck: second deck balances wind and skyline angles; pier staff can seat you by view if you ask early.
5
Mondays: Plan non-museum days—Gansu Provincial Museum is closed.
Book smart and keep Lanzhou about grottoes, bridges and river breezes—No Tourist Traps. No BS.