Occupying a commanding location on the Yellow River, Hekou Ancient Town was once known as "the first Strait of Gansu." The town has been serving as an important ferry port on the upper reaches of the Yellow River since ancient times. It was not only a key town on the ancient Silk Road, but also a border pass and a water transportation hub for ancient dynasties over the centuries. This small town houses an illustrious history and a rich culture in Lanzhou City, Gansu Province.

Hekou Ancient Town has some well-preserved ancient buildings dating back from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, including three ancestral temples built during the Qing Dynasty, over 200 ancient residences, and many historical sites ranging from ancient merchant's wharves, strategic fortresses and transportation infrastructure. The town also still retains many historical relics, including over 100 gauze lamps.

The town is a living fossil for the study of Ming and Qing architecture in northwest China. In particular, the ancient residences in Hekou are some of the most intact and well-preserved in Lanzhou City, offering both important historical and cultural value. They provide evidence of the evolvement of traditional Chinese society, and offer rare historical insight into the study of traditional agrarian societies.

In recent years, local authorities have launched a range of restoration projects to protect the wealth of ancient relics and residences. At the same time, the locals bolstered these efforts by establishing a range of businesses, activities and supporting tourism facilities.

Among these diverse entertainment activities, the large-scale nightly water-dance show tells the tales of ancient legends through the use of cutting-edge sound and light technology, providing a visual feast for visitors. What's more, the tourist spot offers "Script Killing," an interactive game experience that aims to tell local history and culture.

In addition, many cultural events and festivals are often held in Hekou Ancient Town, such as drama performances and photography competitions, attracting tens of thousands of visitors there. In 2019, the town was selected as one of the famous historical and cultural towns in China. After the final phase of renovation work, it was listed as one of China's national-level tourism and leisure blocks in 2023.