Linxia is only accessible by road.
By bus
Most travelers are coming or going to Lanzhou, which is about three hours away. Buses run throughout the day and leave from Lanzhou's West Bus Station. Alternatively it shouldn't be too hard to arrange a private taxi to take you out here. Ask any of the people hanging around the bus station for a ride updated August 2008.
From Lanzhou - Only Lanzhou Nanzhan Lanzhou South Bus Terminal, near Lanzhou University of Technology shortly Li Gong Da serves the buses to Linxia, Gannan including Xiahe, Hezuo and Langmusi, etc.. 2/3 of the road Lanzhou-Linxia is highway, thus trip time shortened now, for about 2.5 hrs. Be careful to the people around you outside the gate of Lanzhou Nanzhan. Frequency: about every 30 minutes serves a bus to Linxia, starting 7am-5pm.
From Linxia - There are 2 bus stations in Linxia. One is called Linxia Xizhan West Terminal, which is operated by state-owned trans company. The other is named Linxia Nanzhan South Terminal, operated by private sectors, i.e., individuals. Fares are almost the same.
Usually, people in China like to take state-owned buses for their travel, maybe for the sake of safty.
The South Bus Station is at Jiefang Road
Lanzhou
takes about 4 hoursMenda Tianchi
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takes about 4 hours