01Historic Walk
Gansu Provincial Museum
甘肃省博物馆
All Ages
Admission
Free entry; real-name reservation recommended
Typical Visit
2-3 hours
Quick Facts
Ticket
Adult ticket is CNY 100; eligible concession ticket is CNY 50. Children 1.2 m and under are free.
Hours
Evening operations start from 19:30. No single fixed last departure is published; sailings and piers change with water and weather conditions.
Transport
No direct metro. Board at the scheduled Baitashan Pier (白塔山码头), Yellow River Mother Pier (黄河母亲码头), Yanchangbao Pier (盐场堡码头), or Lanzhou Port Pier (兰州港码头).
Duration
40-50 minutes on the water; allow extra time for boarding
Best Time
Clear evenings outside flood-control periods and heavy rain
Visitors
All ages
How to Visit
1
Choose a night-cruise product and boarding pier
Peak-season information lists evening departures from 19:30, with adult tickets at CNY 100 and concession tickets at CNY 50; boarding piers include Baitashan Pier, Yellow River Mother Pier, Yanchangbao Pier, and Lanzhou Port Pier.
Tip:Routes are not necessarily identical across piers, vessels, and departures, so choose the pier before planning your riverside walk.
2
Collect tickets and wait at the selected pier
Arrive at the chosen pier in advance, follow boarding instructions, and use the cruise to view Zhongshan Bridge, Baitashan, and the lit riverbanks.
Tip:Do not leave a pier-to-pier transfer until boarding time; distances along the river can take longer on foot than expected.
3
Follow crew instructions once aboard
Use the designated gangway, wear a life jacket when required, and remain in approved passenger areas during the cruise.
Tip:Boarding and disembarking are the most crowded moments; do not rush or step across gaps between the vessel and the pier.
4
Treat the cruise as a separate evening activity
Focus on the river, Zhongshan Bridge, Baitashan, and the illuminated waterfront, then continue by foot or car after disembarking.
Tip:Do not assume that performances, tea, snacks, or VIP services are included with a standard ticket.
5
Keep a land-based backup plan
If rain, water level, or river flow prevents sailing, switch to an evening walk around Zhongshan Bridge, the riverside promenade, and Baitashan.
Tip:There is no single reliable published last departure; piers and sailings can change with water and weather conditions.
Highlights
- View Zhongshan Bridge and Lanzhou's riverside lights from the water.
- Several piers make it easy to connect with different riverfront routes.
- A low-walking evening activity after a full day in the city.
- River conditions can change the pier, departure pattern, and experience.
Insider Tips
✦Navigate directly to your selected pier, not a generic Yellow River cruise location.
✦Bring a windproof outer layer for waiting by the river at night.
✦Ticket eligibility and concession fares depend on the actual product and supporting documents.
✦Do not build your whole day around an assumed final sailing.
✦During flood-control periods or after heavy rain, retain a replaceable land-based evening plan.
More Lanzhou Attractions
02City Guide
Zhongshan Bridge
中山桥
All Ages
Admission
Free entry
Typical Visit
30-60 minutes
03City Guide
White Pagoda Mountain Park
白塔山公园
All Ages
Admission
Free entry to the park; paid on-site services may be separate
Typical Visit
1.5-2 hours
04City Guide
Yellow River Mother Statue
黄河母亲雕塑
All Ages
Admission
Free entry
Typical Visit
20-40 minutes
05City Guide
Lanzhou Waterwheel Expo Park
兰州水车博览园
All Ages
Admission
Free entry
Typical Visit
45-90 minutes
06City Guide
Yellow River Building
黄河楼
All Ages
Admission
Adult admission is CNY 30; ticket-and-show packages are sold separately.
Typical Visit
1.5-2 hours