Lanzhou: A Bowl of Beef Noodles That Conquers the World! The First Bridge Over the Yellow River + Danxia Landforms, Northwest China's Romance Beyond Imagination

Some say that a train station is a city's first calling card, carrying people's first impressions or farewell memories of a city, especially during the era of green-painted trains, which is why cities generally place great importance on the construction of their train stations.

But there happens to be a train station in China that has had its name "misspelled" for 70 years, yet it remains uncorrected to this day. Experts even say: leaving it as is makes it more beautiful!

This station with the "wrong" character is none other than Lanzhou Station.

The only train station in the country with a "misspelled" character.

Many friends who have arrived in Lanzhou by train may have been puzzled: why is the top horizontal stroke of the character "兰" (lán) longer than the bottom one? Isn't this a mistake?

Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province, is such a major city in the northwest, and Lanzhou Station is a crucial transportation hub in the region. How could they get the character "兰" wrong? Has no one noticed? Were the workers too careless?

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But if you knew the story behind the characters "兰州," you wouldn't have this misunderstanding!

The story dates back to 1952 when Lanzhou Station was completed. At the time, as a newly built transportation hub, it bore the important mission of connecting the east-west and north-south routes, and its signage design was a top priority.

After much consideration, the renowned calligrapher Zhang Bangyan was invited to inscribe the characters to showcase Gansu's unique cultural heritage.

As a native of Gansu, inscribing the characters for Lanzhou Station was also a way to contribute to his hometown, so Mr. Zhang Bangyan naturally took the task very seriously.

He tried hundreds of templates but was never fully satisfied. Initially, he even attempted using traditional characters for the inscription, but since the station serves the public, he eventually abandoned the idea.

However, simplified characters seemed too ordinary, lacking artistic flair and local character. Thus, he decided to redesign the character "兰." After much thought and revision, he made the top horizontal stroke longer than the bottom one.

Unexpectedly, after the station opened, this minor "mistake" led to generations of residents and various groups suggesting or complaining over the past 70 years, urging the station to correct this "obvious error."

Logically, faced with so many complaints and social pressure, the relevant authorities should have addressed it long ago. Yet, the Lanzhou authorities not only left it unchanged but also treated it as a "treasure."

Even more puzzling, the station even established an award called the "Award for Enduring Unfairness" to comfort staff who faced pressure over this issue.

Of course, it's not some "conspiracy theory." As Mr. Zhang Bangyan later explained:

The inverted three strokes of "兰" symbolize the mutual humility of the people of Lanzhou, while the hook at the end of "州" represents their resilience and determination. This unique writing style not only gives Lanzhou Station distinctive cultural charm but also reflects the spirit of its people.

Though some still don't understand it, these two characters have accompanied Lanzhou through 70 years of trials and tribulations, becoming a unique landmark.

So if you ever have the chance to visit Lanzhou, take a look at these two special characters.

Lanzhou, a treasure of a city, often misunderstood!

When it comes to Lanzhou, it’s certainly no stranger to most people:

The "Reader" magazine many read during their school years was published in Lanzhou, smokers know Lanzhou cigarettes, even those who’ve never been to Lanzhou have tried Lanzhou beef noodles, and it’s also one of the most frequently mentioned cities in folk songs...

© Tuchong: Jianwang's Travel Photography World

But these are Lanzhou, yet not entirely Lanzhou.

Just like the misunderstanding of "Lanzhou Station," many labels about Lanzhou are also misinterpreted. Some even say that if there were a top three list of China’s most misunderstood provincial capitals, Lanzhou would definitely be on it.

When people think of Lanzhou, the first impression is often the ubiquitous Lanzhou beef noodles.

However, the Lanzhou beef noodles found nationwide are actually run by people from neighboring Qinghai. Lanzhou only has beef noodles, which are a staple in the Northwest food scene and have been featured in "A Bite of China."

Lanzhou’s image as part of the Northwest is so deeply ingrained that many assume it’s all desert and wasteland.

But as the only provincial capital through which the Yellow River flows, it’s surrounded by valleys, plateaus, grasslands, deserts, and Gobi—almost every type of terrain, with both mountains and water.

As a provincial capital, Lanzhou is a modern city, yet it’s often misunderstood as a barren land. Locals traveling outside are

even frequently asked if they rode camels to school as children.

Little do they know that with over 2,200 years of history, it has long been a transportation hub "connecting all directions and spanning thousands of miles." High-rises stand staggered, cable cars traverse the city, and ancient sheepskin rafts still ferry people across the river.

Yet the often-misunderstood Lanzhou and its people don’t loudly complain—they just keep their heads down, quietly moving forward and living their lives.

Holding onto these "misconceptions," a visit reveals Lanzhou as unexpectedly treasure-filled: rugged yet artistic; quiet yet lively; ancient yet punk.

It’s also delicious and fun, yet often treated merely as a transit stop to Dunhuang, Zhangye, or Gannan.

Misunderstood Lanzhou is truly aggrieved,

but it’s also a genuine hidden gem:

Lanzhou is worth a stop for its own sake!

The city itself is a unique landscape,

deserving of a few extra days of your time.

I suggest you don't miss these 10 experiences:

Have a steaming bowl of "Niu Da"

Oat noodles, fermented noodle soup, fried sauce noodles, lamb noodle slices...

So many types of noodles that you'll be spoiled for choice.

Among them, the most popular is beef noodles.

No matter the size, there's at least one beef noodle restaurant,

and each one has a slightly different flavor.

Beef noodles, locally known as "Niu Da,"

emphasize "clear broth, white radish, red chili oil, green cilantro, and yellow noodles."

Those in the know often order "meat and egg combo,"

and if you love spice, add a spoonful of chili oil—

it’s incredibly fragrant and mouthwatering.

Wander the streets and sample all of Lanzhou’s snacks

If you say Lanzhou has nothing fun to do, fine.

But if you claim Lanzhou has nothing delicious,

all ten Lanzhou locals will argue with you!

Whether it’s the fermented skin noodles that wowed "Day Day Up,"

or gray beans, high-pole cold skin, sweet fermented rice milk tea—

the variety of snacks will leave you stuffed.

Tip: For those only in Lanzhou for a few days, the one-stop snack solution = Xiguan Cross during the day + Zhengning Road Snack Street at night. If you dislike crowds, try the culturally rich Old Jiuquan Road (South Pass Ethnic Flavor Street).

Grilling skewers and drinking beer with a few friends at night,

Lanzhou nights are filled with meat, alcohol, and stories.

You can choose to visit snack streets like Zhengning Road or Nanguan Night Market,

where stalls line the 300-meter-long street, allowing you to eat while strolling.

Snack stands are packed one after another—walk and nibble along the way.

The most iconic feature of Zhengning Road,

is the white-bearded Grandpa Ma’s stall featured in *A Bite of China*.

But finding the real Grandpa Ma isn’t easy,

as the street is crowded with countless white-bearded grandpas.

You can also gather a few friends,

and finish off the meal with a bowl of flatbean noodles to cut the grease.

In Lanzhou’s nights, nothing feels more satisfying than this.

Near Lanzhou Railway Station, there’s a sightseeing bus route

that passes by the "Lanzhou Bund" (South Binhe Road),

the Mother of the Yellow River statue, Zhongshan Iron Bridge,

White Pagoda Mountain Park, Waterwheel Expo Garden, Yellow River Tower,

and other classic attractions along the line.

△Mother of the Yellow River sculpture ©Tuchong: Light_Grid

If time allows, you can leisurely bask in the sun by the Yellow River

along South Binhe Road.

Experience the leisurely life of the locals.

△Waterwheel Park©Tuchong: JIA_Vision

And when night falls,

watching the lights along the riverbank gradually light up,

admiring the twinkling reflections on the river.

Drifting on the Yellow River in a sheepskin raft

To experience the grandeur of the Yellow River up close,

the "First Cableway over the Yellow River in the World,"

or take a ride on an ancient sheepskin raft.

©Tuchong:目中无人工作室

Visit the First Bridge over the Yellow River: Zhongshan Bridge

Zhongshan Bridge is a landmark of Lanzhou,

bearing witness to the city's historical changes through the ages.

If you visit Lanzhou, Zhongshan Bridge is a must-see.

Witness this magical land that has slept for millions of years.

This is currently the closest to a city's main urban area in China.

©Tuchong: HANDLOVE

Its vibrant colors rival the Rainbow Mountains of Zhangye.

Especially after rain, the colorful rocks,

blend with green grass, blue skies, and white clouds.

Depicting a magnificent scene of "sunrise over crimson Danxia, more radiant than flames,"

leaving one in awe of nature's miraculous craftsmanship.

Overlooking the mighty Yellow River and Zhongshan Bridge,

a "portrait" of Lanzhou city,

then ascend White Pagoda Mountain. At the White Pagoda Temple atop the peak,

you can overlook the entire city of Lanzhou and the rolling Yellow River.

© Tuchong: Miaomiao Kan Shijie

See China's tourism symbol, the "Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow,"

just to witness the "Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow."

Numerous exhibition areas, including Yellow River civilization and Silk Road culture,

stroll through Wuquan Mountain, Lanzhou Mountain, and Beishan,

Some say White Pagoda Mountain on the north bank of the Yellow River,

while Wuquan Mountain and Lanzhou Mountain in the south,

along with Beishan in Chengguan, are reserved for locals.

The dense forests of Wuquan Mountain and Lanzhou Mountain,

are perfect for weekend relaxation and a temporary escape for the soul.

It is the surging Yellow River flowing through the city,

the galloping hooves of Huo Qubing at Wuquan Square,

the Zhongshan Bridge and cableway spanning the Yellow River,

and the beef noodle shops lining every street and alley...

There are a thousand Lanzhous in a thousand people's hearts.

Lanzhou is a city that defies definition,

What Lanzhou is like, you'll only know by seeing it for yourself.