Lanzhou

Lanzhou, formerly Lanchow, is the capital and largest city of Gansu province in northwestern China. Located on the banks of the Yellow River, it is a key regional transportation hub, connecting areas further west by rail to the eastern half of the country. Historically, it has been a major link on the Northern Silk Road and it stands to become a major hub on the New Eurasian Land Bridge. The city is also a center for heavy industry and the petrochemical industry. Lanzhou is the geographical center of China’s land territory, and the third largest city in Northwestern China after Xi'an and Ürümqi. Lanzhou is also an important center for scientific research and education in Northwestern China after Xi'an. The city is one of the top 50 major cities in the world by scientific research output as tracked by the Nature Index. It hosts several research institutions, including, Lanzhou University, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou University of Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, and Lanzhou Jiaotong University.