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| LANZHOU--- A BRIGHT
PEARL ON THE UPPER REACHES OF THE YELLOW RIVER |
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Among
the cities dotted along the entire drainage area of the Yellow
River, Lanzhou is the only one with the river flowing right through
the city proper surrounded by mountain ranges. In order to give
prominence to its unique geographical characteristics, a concept
is now put forward to green the northern and southern mountain
ranges and stress the cultural features at the two sides of the
river. At present, a comprehensive project has picked up speed
in further afforesting the mountain ranges and opening tourism
routes with the cultural features along the Yellow River. There
are several items involved in the project, such as to build bridges
successively on the Yellow River running for 40 km within the
city limits, reinforce the river embankment, dredge the water
ways for river transport and open up new tourism spots. After
the completion of the project tourists will experience the integrated
cultural features of the Silk Road, the Yellow River and the national
minorities. |
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| Lanzhou
is situated at the center of the area on the upper reaches of
the Yellow River, which is rich for natural resources. Within
the whole area, there is a large reserve of ferrous and non-ferrous
metals, noble metals and rare-earth elements with potential economic
value up to over 800 billion Yuan RMB. There can be built 25 hydro-power
stations in large and medium sizes with a total installing capacity
of 15 million kw on the Yellow River within the city boundaries.
The established hydro-power stations, Liujiaxia, Bapanxia, Yanguoxia
and Daxia together with other stations built in adjacent areas
have formed one of the biggest hydro-power generating centers
in China. |
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Yellow River not only fosters the people of Lanzhou but also helps
producing abundant local specialties. The city is famous for the
production of fruits and melons, e.g. Bailan(honey-dew) melon,
Ruan'er pear, Donghuo(winter fruit) pear, Baifen peach, etc. In
addition, its sweet lily bulbs, large-sized seeds of a seed-producing
water melon, rose, Juecai (edible fern) and water tobacco are
also renowned both at home and abroad. |
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