Lanzhou University, founded in 1909, (SC: 兰州大学, TC: 蘭州大學, PY: Lánzhōu Dàxué) is a famous university located in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China. It provides programs for undergraduate, graduate students on four campuses--three in Lanzhou city centre and one in Yuzhong (榆中), which is 45 minutes away from the main campus. Total enrollment is approximately 20,000. Undergraduate students study at the Yuzhong campus.

Lanzhou University had formerly been one of China's premier institutions of higher learning. It once had some of the best facilities and most prestigious professors in all of China. It still maintains its position as the best university in Northwestern China.

Currently Lanzhou University maintains one of China's top ten Ph.D. programs in physics, chemistry, and geography and highly-ranked programs in biology, botany, history, media, ecology and Chinese literature.

Lanzhou University's main campus is a ten minute walk from Lanzhou Train Station. Parts of the campus are considered highly aesthetically pleasing, particularly in comparison to the rest of highly-industrialized Lanzhou, with a small park and man-made pond. Although the old dormitory buildings were in disrepair, the campus is currently undergoing a complete overhaul of its image. New dormitories are currently being built, with some finished already.

Lanzhou University employs instructors from outside China in foreign languages (e.g. English, Russian and Japanese) and in physics, as well as frequently inviting guest lecturers from a variety of fields. It also has a popular Friday gathering within the gardens of the university to allow students to practice their English language skills. Non-university students are generally allowed to attend such gatherings.