Lanzhou

Lanzhou (simplified Chinese: 兰州; traditional Chinese: 蘭州; pinyin: Lánzhōu; Wade-Giles: Lan-chou; Postal map spelling: Lanchow) is a prefecture-level city and capital of Gansu province in northwestern China. Originally in the territory of the Western Qiang peoples, Lanzhou became part of the territory of Qin in the 6th century BC. In 81 BC, under the Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), it became the seat of Jincheng county (Xian) and later of Jincheng co... more

Lanzhou (simplified Chinese: 兰州; traditional Chinese: 蘭州; pinyin: Lánzhōu; Wade-Giles: Lan-chou; Postal map spelling: Lanchow) is a prefecture-level city and capital of Gansu province in northwestern China. Originally in the territory of the Western Qiang peoples, Lanzhou became part of the territory of Qin in the 6th century BC. In 81 BC, under the Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), it became the seat of Jincheng county (Xian) and later of Jincheng commandery (jun), the county being renamed Yunwu. The city used to be called the Golden City, and since at least the first millennium BC it was a major link on the ancient Northern Silk Road, and also an important historic Yellow River crossing site. To protect the city, the Great Wall of China was extended as far as Yumen. After the fall of the Han Dynasty, Lanzhou became the capital of a succession of tribal states. Mixed with different cultural heritages, the area at present-day Gansu province, from the 5th to the 11th century, became a... less