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    Lanzhou: A Golden City along the Silk Road


    Posted on: April 12, 2017 | | 中文

    Lanzhou City (source: The Welsh Horizon)

    Located in the upstream of the Yellow River of China, Lanzhou is surrounded by mountains to its south and north. The city actually extends around 50 kilometers along the river, which runs across it from east to west and forms spectacular and amazing scenery. The city’s history can be traced back to 86 BC. It was referred to as a “Golden City” because its defense walls were “as strong as hard gold”. Later, it was called Lan Zhou, or “Lu Du” (capital city in inland) and “the City of the Yellow River” in ancient literature. Presently, Lanzhou is the capital of Gansu Province of China, and an important industry base and comprehensive transportation hub in Northwest China, and a key city for construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt.

    The Yellow River of China flows through Lanzhou

    The Yellow River of China flows through Lanzhou (source: China.org.cn)

    Historically, Lanzhou was a significant communication centre along the ancient Silk Road that witnessed its rise and fall. Since the two Han Dynasties of China (Western and Eastern Han, 202 BC – 220 AD), numerous soldiers, envoys, merchants, monks and poets came and went from the west to the east and vice versa, passing through Lanzhou. According to archeological findings, people who had travelled along the ancient Silk Road normally started from the Chang’an (present-day Xi’an) and went westward to their first big stop – Lanzhou – for provisions and continued their journey to Zhangye and Dunhuang in Hexi Corridor, entered today’s lands of Xinjiang, and finally reached Central Asia and even Europe. Markets and business activities were flourishing in the then Lanzhou, with silk products sold to the West and new goods introduced to the East as well. Lanzhou was certainly a crucial hub and commercial centre at that time for linking the major cities of the Western Regions with inland China and playing an important role in promoting economic and cultural exchanges between the West and the East.

    The ancient Silk Road left plenty of historical relics and brilliant cultural heritages in Lanzhou, which are quite attractive to visitors at home and abroad. The city has 6 antique units under provincial level of protection and over 50 cultural relics and 50 historical remains, 12 ancient cities and 15 odd ancient architectures. Lanzhou is considered as a grand tourism center for the Silk Road Tour, covering an area of 2000 kilometers with several famous spots, including the Mogao Grottoes of Dunhuang, Maiji Mountain Buddha Caves of Tianshui, Grand Buddha Temple of Zhangye, Bingling Temple of Yong Jing, etc.

    Bingling Thousand - Buddha Caves - Lanzhou: A Golden City along the Silk Road

    Bingling Thousand - Buddha Caves (source: Top China Travel)

    The running Yellow River never stops flowing and Lanzhou City and its people live with the river and develop along the river. It is now the biggest city at its upstream. A famous riverside sightseeing district has been built at the south bank of the river in the city, stretching out for dozens of kilometers with quite a few stops and manmade and natural scenes established for citizens and visitors to enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Yellow River. Visitors can also take sheep leather ferry boats – the major transportation means in the old days – to cross the river and experience the traditional way of commute in old times, and have a bird’s eye view of the grand Lanzhou city at the top of Gaolan Mountain. The views are even better at dawn.

    White Pagoda Mountain Park - Lanzhou: A Golden City along the Silk Road

    White Pagoda Mountain Park (source: Top China Travel)

    Lanzhou enjoys many privileges, including its geographic location and transportation network. Relying on its advanced communication facilitation, Lanzhou has witnessed rapid development in its industry, agriculture, commerce and logistics sectors. With the operation of the new Euro-Asia Continent Bridge, and the implementation of the ‘One Belt and One Road’ initiative, the strategic position of Lanzhou has been further enhanced to serve as a linkage for strengthening cooperation between east and west China, as well as between China and Central and West Asia, Middle East and Europe. In modern times, Lanzhou is embracing the world in full spirit.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021