Major city · China
Linxia
Spend a half‑day walking the market, mosques and Red Park; add a night in a budget hotel if you arrive late from Lanzhou.
Linxia is a compact mountain town in Gansu, the cultural heart of China's Hui Muslims. Most sights are within walking distance, so a day is enough for the basics; an overnight lets you catch a bus to nearby attractions.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, possible snow)
- Airport
- LHW
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Linxia110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Linxia, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; respect local customs, especially at mosques, and keep valuables secure in crowded markets.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLHW Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport (about 2 h by bus).
- Getting aroundTown is walkable; taxis cost ¥5 (≈ under US$1) for short rides.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a local café¥10–15 (≈ US$2–3)
- Street or quick mealLamb kebab (Islamic stall)¥20–35 (≈ US$3–5)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi short ride¥5 (≈ under US$1)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entryFree
- Budget bedBudget hotel room, a night, per personCN¥110 (≈ US$16)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥150 (≈ US$25) · Mid CN¥250 (≈ US$35) · High CN¥400 (≈ US$60)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LHW Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport (about 2 h by bus)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) low), wettest Jun (9 rain days), driest Feb (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Linxia: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
5 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
4 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
6 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
5 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
4 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town is walkable; taxis cost ¥5 for short rides. Fixed‑fare minibuses depart West Bus Station for nearby villages.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Liujiaxia Reservoir
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Minibus from West Bus Station, about 30 min
Scenic lake on Yellow River.
Bingling Temple
goDoor to door: ≈2 h total
Private boat from Lianhua Tai, 45 min
Historic cliff‑side Buddhist site.
Xiahe (Labrang Monastery)
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h 30 min
Bus from Linxia, about 2 h
Longer travel; consider overnight in Xiahe.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
He Huang Pearl Hotel
Three‑star, central, ¥190/night
Hezhou Hongrui International Hotel
Four‑star, ¥220/night
Linxia Duyoufu Hotel
Two‑star, ¥110/night
Xuehe Manbo Hotel
Three‑star, ¥220/night
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥150–250 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥250–400 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget hotel room1 × 1 night × CN¥110 | CN¥110 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CN¥150 | CN¥150 |
| Lanzhou → Linxia bus (one way)1 × CN¥70 · check | CN¥70 |
| Taxi short ride in town1 × CN¥5 · check | CN¥5 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥34 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥369 per person per day, bed included | CN¥369≈ US$55 |
2026 estimate in CNY; flights and long‑distance trains excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a local café | ¥10–15 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Lamb kebab (Islamic stall) | ¥20–35 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Taxi short ride | ¥5 (≈ under US$1) |
| Museum entry | Free |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus from Lanzhou runs every 30 min, 7 am–5 pm, 2.5 h travel (check schedule).
- Taxi drivers collect passengers individually; confirm fare before boarding.
- Some attractions close on Mondays (e.g., museum).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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LinxiaLinxia
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
US consulate in Chengdu (check for updates); other embassies in Beijing.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Lanzhou → Linxia bus: ≈ ¥70, 2.5 h (check schedule)
- Taxi short ride downtown: ¥5 (≈ under US$1) per trip
Say or show
- 对不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duìbuqǐ)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duōshǎo qián?)
- 汽车站在哪里？ — Where is the bus station? (qìchē zhàn zài nǎlǐ?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Linxia. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, possible snow) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night for museum and mosque circuit if arriving late.
- Combine with a Liujiaxia Reservoir half‑day for nature.
Sources
Ask about Linxia
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