White

The Best View of the "Golden City"

Rising majestically on the northern bank of the Yellow River, directly opposite the historic Zhongshan Bridge, White Pagoda Mountain Park (Baita Mountain Park) serves as the grand backdrop to the city of Lanzhou. Known as "Baita Mountain" due to the pristine white pagoda that crowns its summit, this park is celebrated as the "Best Viewing Platform overlooking the Golden City" (Lanzhou). With an elevation of approximately 1,700 meters, the mountain offers a commanding vantage point. From the summit, visitors can witness the dramatic curve of the Yellow River as it flows eastward, the iron steel silhouette of the Zhongshan Bridge, and the sprawling modern skyline of Lanzhou, creating a scene often described as "The White Pagoda Layered Peaks embracing the Golden City".

A Monument to Tibetan-Han Connection

The history of the mountain is deeply rooted in the religious and political exchanges between the central Chinese dynasties and Tibet. The original White Pagoda was constructed during the Yuan Dynasty to commemorate a famous Tibetan lama from the Sakya school who passed away in Lanzhou while on his way to meet Genghis Khan. Although the original structure collapsed, the current pagoda was rebuilt during the Jingtai period of the Ming Dynasty (1450–1456) by the eunuch Liu Yongcheng and expanded during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1715), when it was renamed Ci'en Temple.

The pagoda itself stands 17 meters high, a seven-story, eight-sided brick structure that elegantly blends traditional Chinese pavilion architecture with the solid, rounded base typical of Tibetan stupas. This architectural fusion symbolizes the cultural harmony of the region.

The "Three Treasures" and Architecture

Culturally, White Pagoda Mountain is famous for its "Three Treasures of the Town Mountain": the Elephant Skin Drum, the Bronze Bell, and the Redbud Tree.

• 1.The Bronze Bell: Cast during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, this bell weighs 153 kilograms. Historically, it served vital roles, ranging from sounding alarms during air raids to signaling time for Lanzhou University in the early days of the People's Republic.
• 2.The Elephant Skin Drum: Though the original is a relic of the past, legend holds that its deep resonance could be heard throughout the city.
• 3.The Redbud Tree: Legend says the tree withered after the drum and bell fell silent, though the story remains a poetic part of the park's lore.

In 1958, the site was expanded into a public park. Renowned architect Ren Zhenying designed a stunning complex known as the "Three Terraces" (San Tai), utilizing ancient architectural styles to create a series of pavilions, corridors, and halls that climb the mountainside,. These structures, with their flying eaves and red pillars, are nestled among lush greenery, making the park a "green lung" for the city.

The Visitor Experience

4.Visiting White Pagoda: Mountain is often combined with a walk across the Zhongshan Bridge.

• 5.The Climb: Visitors can hike up the winding paths, passing through the grandeur of the layered architectural terraces. For those seeking a more relaxed ascent, a cable car spans the Yellow River, offering a thrilling aerial view of the turbulent waters below.
• 6.Cultural Sites: Beyond the pagoda, the park houses the Gansu Yellow River Rare Stone Museum, displaying unique stones shaped by the river, and a Stele Forest containing historical calligraphy and inscriptions that highlight the region's multi-ethnic history.
• 7.Nightscape: In the evening, the silhouette of the White Pagoda is illuminated, reflecting shimmering lights onto the river surface, creating a romantic atmosphere perfect for photography.