Lanzhou can be the bridge and link between eastern and central China and western China. The four main railway lines of Longhai Line, Lanxin Line,Lanqing line and Baolan Line converge here. The transportation tools are all mature and developed,such as air flights, railway trains,express trains ,road bus, metro subway, taxi, bicycles.

The foods in Lanzhou is quite unique compared to that of central China, having been influenced by ethnic groups - especially the Hui people. Besides the beef noodles, there are so many local delicacies that cannot be tasted in other places, as well as Sichuan cuisines, hotpot, potterypot and western food.

Lanzhou has a good selection of handicrafts and local specialties from all parts of Gansu Province. You can go to the Center Square,the commercial center in Tielu Xincun and the commercial center in Nanguan-Xiguan (the most important commercial district). Also the worthy mention is the commercial center on Xijin Road near the western railwaystation.

Located in the northwest of Gansu Province, the Hexi Corridor has been an important and strategic route leading to the Western Regions since ancient times. It is an important part of the famous Silk Road. Sandwiched by Qilian mountain and Northern(Beishan ) Mountains, it starts from Wushaoling in the east and ends at Yumenguan pass in the west.

Zhangye City is located in the central part of the Hexi Corridor, bordering on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in the south, Badain Jaran Desert in the north, Jiuquan City in the west , Wuwei City in the east . It belongs to the typical continental grassland desert climate,which is mainly controlled by the westerly circulation in the middle and high latitudes and influenced by the polar cold air mass. The climate is characterized by dry climate, long cold winters, short warm summers, less and concentrated precipitation, and windy and sandy weather.

Zhangye was the transportation center of the ancient Silk Road along the Hexi Corridor. After the founding of new China, the transportation industry developed rapidly. The Lanzhou-Xinjiang Railway, which was officially opened in 1956, runs through the whole territory and was transformed into a double-track railway in 1994. There are also nine special railway lines in the area.