Lanzhou Shuimo Danxia National Park showcases Danxia landscapes. [Photo/Gansu Daily]

As the winter sun warms the banks of the Yellow River, Lanzhou has rolled out a "golden season" program to boost tourism during the cooler months. Centered around five key areas — entertainment, accommodation, performances, tours, and flights — the city offers 185 special events and 26 preferential policies, inviting residents and visitors alike to experience a season rich in culture and value.

Under the entertainment initiative, the 23rd Lanzhou Spring Festival Temple Fair is set to open on Feb 17, 2026, featuring lion dances, Taiping drums, and other intangible cultural heritage performances both online and offline. A Lantern Festival riddle-guessing event will also be held in March.

More than 10 starred hotels in Lanzhou are offering discounts of 10 to 30 percent on rooms. Some are providing extra benefits such as complimentary breakfast for extended stays, while others have bundled hotel stays with attraction tickets or river cruise passes.

The performance lineup includes three symphony concerts at Lanzhou Concert Hall in November and December. During Spring Festival, folk performances such as Yongdeng stilt-walking will be staged at the Shuimo Danxia National Park, allowing visitors to engage with local traditions.

For tours, 26 separate discounts are available at major attractions like Shuimo Danxia National Park, Yellow River Tower, and Qingcheng Ancient Town. Visitors can enjoy half-price admission by presenting their boarding passes.

To improve accessibility, the new flight season has added five intercity routes, bringing the total to seven. These "air shuttle" flights link Lanzhou with Jiayuguan, Zhangye, and five other cities, cutting an 8-to-10-hour land journey to just 1.5 to 2.5 hours by air.

By integrating these five areas, Lanzhou aims to provide a vibrant, convenient, and affordable winter-spring travel experience, reinforcing the city's image as a warm and welcoming destination during the cold season.