Lanzhou History

As early as 15,000 years ago, people started live in this area. And around 5,000 years ago, the residents of Lanzhou created the "Majiayao Culture," which is based on colored pottery.

The history of Lanzhou city can date back to more than 2200 years ago. The earliest mention of the city can be found as preserved records that show a City on this location already existed during the Reign of the Qin Dynnasty (221 BC - 206 BC). Lanzhou city was part of the territory of Longxi from which it was administered during that time.

Han dynasty (206 B.C.–220 A.D.)
Lanzhou was made the seat of the Jincheng Commandery. Later it was recognized as Jincheng County. With its original meaning being “the Golden City,” it was a major link on the ancient Silk Road and also an important historic Yellow River crossing.

Northern Wei Dynasty
After the fall of the Han Dynasty, Lanzhou became the capital of several tribal states. The Northern Wei dynasty (386–534) re-established the Jincheng Commandery, renaming the county “Zicheng.”

Sui Dynasty
The city was named “Lanzhou prefecture” for the first time, retaining this name under the Tang Dynasty (618–907). In 763, the area was overrun by the Tibetan Empire and in 843 it was conquered by the Tang. It later fell into the hands of the Western Xia Dynasty (which flourished in Qinghai from the 11th to 13th century) and was subsequently absorbed by the Song Dynasty (960–1126) in 1041. The name Lanzhou was re-established, and the county got renamed “Lanzhuan.”

Ming Dynasty & Qing Dynasty
The prefecture was demoted to the level of county and placed under the administration of the Lintao superior prefecture; but in 1477, Lanzhou was again recognized as a political unit. The city acquired its current name in 1656, during the Qing Dynasty. When Gansu was made a separate province in 1666, Lanzhou became its capital. In 1739, the seat of Lintao was transferred to Lanzhou, which was later made a superior prefecture actually called Lanzhou.

During the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945)
Lanzhou, linked with Xi'an by highway in 1935, became the terminus of the 3,200 km Chinese-Soviet highway, used as a route for Soviet supplies destined for the Xi'an area. This highway remained the primary traffic route of northwestern China, right until the completion of the railway from Lanzhou to Urumqi, Xinjiang. During the war, Lanzhou was heavily bombed by the Japanese.

In 1941, Lanzhou City was re-established after part of Gaolan County had lined out its administration area. On August 26, 1949, the city of Lanzhou was liberated and became the political, economic and cultural center of Gansu Province.

Lanzhou--Ancient Stop alongside China Silk Road
Lanzhou is located in the upstream of the Yellow River in China, the city is surrounded by mountains. During the Han Dynasty, 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.

In history, Lanzhou was a significant communication centre along the ancient Silk Road that witnessed its rise and fall. There are numerous soldiers, envoys, merchants, monks and poets came and went from the west to the east and vice versa, passing through Lanzhou during Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD). According to the historical records,people who had travelled along the ancient Silk Road was the Chang’an (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 Xinjiang area, they followed this route to reach Central Asia and even Europe at the end. Lanzhou was a busy center amd all the markets and business activities were flourishing since here was an important stop along the silk road. People found lots of silk products sold to the West and new goods introduced to the East as well.

The ancient Silk Road left plenty of historical relics and brilliant cultural heritages in Lanzhou, silk road tour expereince is the main reason why the visitors travel arounf Lanzhou city.