Lanzhou is the capital city and the political, economic and cultural center of Gansu Province. It covers an area of 13,100 square kilometers including 1631.6 square kilometers of urban area. The total population of the city is 3.1364 million.

Like a shining pearl on the ancient Silk Road, Lanzhou, a vital and historical city on the upper reaches of the Yellow River, became prosperous together with the famous Silk Road. There are many interesting sights in Lanzhou, such as Zhongshan Bridge, the First Iron Bridge over the Yellow River, Xinglong Mountain, dubbed the most famous mountain in west Gansu Province, national forest parks in Tulugou, Shifogou and Xujiashan Mountain, and natural beauties like Five Springs Hill and White Pagoda Hill. Besides, there are many historical sites in Lanzhou including fortresses and old temples along the ancient Silk Road and ruins of the Great Wall. Also Lanzhou is rich in folk cultural heritages, such as ancient tombs, painted porcelains, bamboo slips used for writing on during the Han Dynasty and sheepskin rafts used for crossing the Yellow River. In recent years, a scenic route of 50 kilometers has been built along the Yellow River based on the special urban environment of the city, the scenic route is a combination of Silk Road culture, Yellow River culture and ethnic minority culture and has become an important symbol representing the image of Lanzhou, as well as a popular tourist attraction in the city. Among many places along this scenic route, the Waterwheel Park deserves particular attention, it reproduces an important irrigation tool used by local people since ancient times.