By 1952, a total of 252 waterwheels were installed on both sides of the Yellow River to work day and night for irrigation, forming a splendid view. This is why Lanzhou is also called the "City of Waterwheel".

The Lanzhou Waterwheel Park is located in the belt-shaped park on the southern bank of the Yellow River in the eastern section of Hebinzhong Street. Surrounded by parks, it links the Zhongshan Bridge and Yellow River Cableway on the east, connects with "Yellow River Mother Statue" and "Green Hope" sculpture on the west, borders Westlake Park on the south, faces Jiuzhou Terrace and White Pagoda Hill Park across the river, and sits close to "White Horse Statue".

Lanzhou hosts a Waterwheel Expo on the southern bank of the Yellow River in the eastern section of Hebinzhong Street. The expo is a theme park of three parts – the waterwheel zone, the waterwheel square and the cultural plaza.