White Pagoda Hill Park (白塔山公园, Baitashan Park, Baita Park), located in the northern part of Chengguan District in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China, is named after the White Pagoda Temple situated on its peak. The park, along with the Lanzhou Yellow River Iron Bridge, forms a magnificent and iconic scene, symbolizing Lanzhou City.
The White Pagoda was originally built during the Yuan Dynasty, reportedly by Kublai Khan to commemorate the Tibetan Buddhist teacher Saban, who passed away in the area. It was later reconstructed in the Ming Dynasty. The pagoda features an octagonal seven-tier structure standing approximately 17 meters high. Each of its faces is adorned with carvings of Buddha statues, and iron horse bells hang from the eaves. The exterior of the pagoda is coated with white plaster, giving it the appearance of being made from white jade. Each tier is decorated with small dragon heads, from which hang wind chimes that produce a clear, melodious sound as they sway in the breeze.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of White Pagoda park
- Vlog about White Pagoda Hill Park
- Attractions near White Pagoda Hill Park
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 6.30 – 20.00; Last admission: 19.30 (30th April – 31st October) 7.00 – 19.00; Last admission: 16.30 (1st Novmber – 31st March) |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0931-8360800 0086-0931-8366114 |
Location and Transportation
White Pagoda Park is located in the northern part of Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China. The specific address is No. 1 Baitashan Road. To get there, you can take bus 20, 53, 131, or Q35 and get off at Baitashan Park Stop (白塔山公园站).
Highlights of White Pagoda park
Panoramic View of Lanzhou
Reaching the top of White Pagoda Mountain provides a stunning panoramic view of Lanzhou. Ancient artifacts such as elephant-skin drums and bronze bells from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, which are considered treasures of the mountain, can also be found there. The view from the top includes the cityscape of Lanzhou with the Yellow River running through it, surrounded by a cluster of buildings on both sides. This scene is particularly breathtaking at dusk or after dark when the city lights up, offering a perfect opportunity for photography enthusiasts to capture the city’s beautiful nightscape.
Lanzhou Stele Forest
On the northwestern side behind the mountain lies the Lanzhou Stele Forest, a courtyard resembling an ancient setting. The inner walls of this courtyard are adorned with reproductions of calligraphic stone inscriptions from various historical periods, ranging from ancient times to the modern era. Notable replicas include the Stele of the Western King of Xining, the Huian West Table, and the Chunhua Pavilion Post. Additionally, there are stone inscriptions featuring unique scripts such as Oracle Bone Script, Tibetan, Western Xia Script, and Phags-pa Script, making it a fascinating spot for visitors interested in historical calligraphy.
Beautiful Scenery
The climbing path up White Pagoda Mountain is lined with three levels of ancient structures, including large archways, city towers, and temple pavilions. The path is shaded by numerous trees, creating a rare, lush environment in the northwest, making the climb pleasant and refreshing. Some of the courtyards within these structures have grassy lawns that bloom with wildflowers during the spring and summer seasons, adding to the park’s beauty. Along the way, vendors sell handicrafts such as gourd carvings and Yellow River stone carvings, usually priced at a few dozen yuan each, offering visitors a chance to purchase unique souvenirs.
We arrived at Zhongshan Bridge around eight o’clock. Although I knew it was the off-season, I didn’t expect it to be this deserted. There were hardly any people at Zhongshan Bridge and Baita Mountain Park, and half of the stalls in Muta Lane Snack Street were closed. This is likely due to the cold weather and the fact that it was after the opening hours of Bai Ta Mountain Park, so I can understand the low crowd numbers. However, the… Read more »
The Baita Mountain Park in Lanzhou is partially closed, and you can only visit the western half of the park. Unfortunately, you can’t climb up to the White Pagoda anymore.
The White Pagoda Park in autumn is like a beautiful painting, and it’s free to visit!
I hiked up Baita Mountain with some friends. Overall, the difficulty wasn’t high, but for someone like me who hasn’t exercised in a long time, it was still a challenge. Throughout the hike, I was the only one seen using a trekking pole.