Lanzhou overview

Lanzhou once was famed for the Yellow River crossing of the iconic Silk Route. Now it is best known as the most polluted city in the world. Awarded the latter title in 1998, the years since have done little to counter the ubiquitous smog, which renders this once proud city a now charmless monument to blue-collar toil. Gansu’s capital, Lanzhou exploded with development after the communists took over, with the rail link bringing industrialisation on a huge and devastating scale. The city became overdeveloped and remains best used for its transit potential. There are numerously more beautiful destinations nearby, including many that feature on world-famous epic overland journeys. With Tibet, Sichuan and Xinjiang all easily accessed the best thing to do in Lanzhou is book your ticket out.