- David Thyne
At the first Shanghai Get-Together I met several American expats. I am very grateful that they shared their experience with me.
Living in Lanzhou
Lanzhou is the capital of the Gansu Province in China, as well as the largest city in the area. It is known by its nickname as ‘The Golden City’ in tribute to its former name in Ancient China. It is also known for being a major transport hub to eastern China with an extensive rail network. The city is popular with tourists, and expats living in Lanzhou will find plenty of things to see and enjoy, including the Maiji Caves, which can be found on the southwest side of the Maiji Mountain, and feature fascinating structures which have been carved and developed over hundreds of years. The city is also home to the Provincial Museum of Gansu, where visitors can find out more about the province and its history. As a diverse city, expats living in Lanzhou will find plenty of things to do and see in terms of culture, including Chinese opera and many traditional Gansu eateries.
Join Our Exciting Events in Lanzhou
Attend our monthly events and activities for Lanzhou expatriates to get to know like-minded expatriates in real life.
Want to see all the upcoming events in Lanzhou?
Connect with Like-Minded Expatriates in Lanzhou
Meet other expats like you in Lanzhou
Our Global Partners
Share your hobbies and interests with expats in Lanzhou
Moving to Lanzhou
Lanzhou is often described as being more of a traditional Chinese city, compared to other large cities in the country, whilst also having a lower cost of living. There are a wide range of shopping and leisure activities available, especially in the downtown area. Any expat moving to Lanzhou will find that getting around is easy thanks to a subway, the Lanzhou Metro, and a new bus network, developed as a form of sustainable travel. Lanzhou enjoys a lot of sunshine, with hot summers and cold but dry winters. For expatriates moving to Lanzhou with their children, there are a number of schools available, including international schools, and the city is a popular place for those wishing to come to the city to teach English and other languages. Expats living in Lanzhou can also benefit from joining InterNations, a fantastic website with a member base made up of expats from all over the world. Not only will members be able to seek advice about moving to Lanzhou from those who have gone through the same before, but they will also be able to share their own experiences with fellow expatriates.
Working in Lanzhou
Lanzhou is one of the main industrial centers of Gansu and has seen a major transformation over the years, making it an important producer of many materials and products. Some of the largest industries in the area include textiles, rubber, petrochemicals, machinery and more, as well as one of the largest oil refineries in the area. This ensures that there are a number of work opportunities in these fields as well as those involved with the city’s natural resource industries such as gold, coal, hydropower and more. Other work opportunities for expats in Lanzhou are offered through education at the city’s many universities including Lanzhou University, as well as in agriculture. For more information about being an expatriate working in Lanzhou, the InterNations website is a fantastic place to get help and advice from fellow expatriates. Expats can communicate and network with expats from over 190 different nationalities, who can offer great advice on expatriate life in new location like Lanzhou.