Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

Zhongchuan is among the airports farthest from their own city in China: over 67 km north of Lanzhou, a good hour by taxi or shuttle, with the high-speed train as an alternative taking about 45 minutes to the railway station. Over such a long distance the choice is clear-cut: anyone with a very early morning flight or a late departure is better off stopping in the new Gaolan area, a few minutes from the terminal, while anyone who wants to see Lanzhou and the Yellow River still has to accept the hour-long transfer into town.

Zhongchuan airport area (Gaolan)

Airport area · About 11 km from the terminal in Gaolan county; central Lanzhou remains over 67 km away, a good hour by taxi or shuttle.

Best for: Very early morning flights or late-night landings, when the hour-long transfer to Lanzhou would cost too much sleep.

Pros

By far the closest point to the terminal among the properties in this guide
Designed specifically for transit passengers, with dedicated shuttles to the airport

Cons

A newly built, isolated area, without Lanzhou's city life
Visiting the city still requires about 60 minutes of travel, in both directions

Recommended hotels in this area

Ibis Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport: About 11 km from the terminal, designed specifically for transit passengers or anyone with an odd-hour flight; among the closest properties to the airport in the whole area.

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Anning and the Yellow River

City centre · About 55-60 km from Zhongchuan Airport, an hour by taxi or shuttle; the airport shuttle departs right in front of the hotel every half hour.

Best for: Anyone who wants to see Lanzhou, the riverfront and Zhongshan Bridge, accepting the hour-long transfer from the airport.

Pros

On the bank of the Yellow River, near the Gansu Provincial Museum and Zhongshan Bridge
Airport shuttle stop right at the entrance, with departures every 30 minutes

Cons

Still an hour from the airport: best avoided for very early morning flights
A more residential and university district than a touristy one, unlike the old town near the railway station

Recommended hotels in this area

Sheraton Lanzhou Anning: Opened in 2024, on the bank of the Yellow River in Anning district; 354 rooms, an indoor pool and an airport shuttle stopping at the entrance every half hour.

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