5-Day Travel Guide for Yan'an, Shaanxi

As a sacred place of the Chinese revolution, Yan'an combines profound red history with the unique northern Shaanxi charm, making it a highly worthwhile destination. With a budget of 5,000 RMB, you can plan an in-depth 5-day trip that allows you to visit important revolutionary sites, experience the magnificent natural scenery of the Yellow River, and savor authentic northern Shaanxi cuisine. This guide aims to help you fully appreciate the allure of Yan'an. ✨ Highlights of the Trip · In-depth experience of the revolutionary holy land: Visit multiple former sites of the CPC Central Committee to relive red memories · Stunning Yellow River wonders: Witness the Hukou Waterfall and the magnificent scene of "Yellow River water coming from the sky" · Northern Shaanxi culinary journey: Taste local specialties like Yangyu Caca and mutton offal stew · Day and night scenery experience: Visit revolutionary sites by day, enjoy the Baota Mountain light show and bustling night market by night 🗓️ Itinerary Overview Here is the overall arrangement for the five-day itinerary to give you a clear grasp of the trip: ```mermaid gantt title Yan'an 5-Day Tour Itinerary dateFormat HH:mm axisFormat %H:%M section Day 1 Arrive in Yan'an :d1_1, 09:00, 3h Baota Mountain Tour :d1_2, after d1_1, 3h Erdao Street Night Market :d1_3, after d1_2, 3h section Day 2 Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall :d2_1, 09:00, 2h Yangjialing Revolutionary Site :d2_2, after d2_1, 2h Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site :d2_3, after d2_2, 2h Qingliang Mountain :d2_4, after d2_3, 3h section Day 3 Hukou Waterfall Day Tour :d3_1, 08:00, 8h Baota Mountain Light Show :d3_2, after d3_1, 2h section Day 4 Nanniwan :d4_1, 09:00, 3h Yan'an Red Street :d4_2, after d4_1, 3h Watch the Red Show "Yan'an Yan'an" :d4_3, after d4_2, 2h ``` 🗺️ Daily Itinerary Details 🏔️ Day 1: First Impressions of Yan'an • Baota Mountain and Night Market Atmosphere · Morning: Arrive in Yan'an and settle into your accommodation. It is recommended to choose hotels near Baota Mountain or downtown, such as Yuebin Express Hotel or 7 Days Inn (Baota Mountain branch), which offer convenient transportation and affordable prices. · Afternoon: Visit Baota Mountain, the symbol of Yan'an. Originally built in the Tang Dynasty, it is the most important landmark in Yan'an. Climb to the top for panoramic views of Yan'an city and the Yan River. The scenic area is open from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, with an entrance fee of about 60 RMB. · Evening: Head to Erdao Street Night Market, the largest and most diverse night market in Yan'an. Be sure to try specialties like mutton offal stew with oil spiral bread, Yangyu Caca, and old northern Shaanxi rice noodles to experience authentic northern Shaanxi flavors. 🔭 Day 2: Red Memories • Revolutionary Site Tour · Morning: Visit the Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall to learn about the CPC Central Committee’s revolutionary history in Yan'an. The memorial hall is free but requires a reservation. Then walk to the nearby Wangjiaping Revolutionary Site. · Afternoon: Proceed to the Yangjialing Revolutionary Site, where the CPC Central Committee stayed for a long time and where the Seventh National Congress was held. Then visit the Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site, the former location of the Central Secretariat, known for its tranquil environment. In the evening, visit Qingliang Mountain to see the Ten Thousand Buddha Caves and Taihe Mountain Taoist Temple. This area is also the birthplace of the new China’s news and publishing industry. The scenic area closes at 6:30 PM. 🌊 Day 3: Natural Wonder • Hukou Waterfall Day Trip · All day: Join a day tour or hire a car to Hukou Waterfall, the largest yellow waterfall in the world. In summer, the water volume is abundant and the scene is magnificent. It is about a 2-hour drive from Yan'an city, so booking transportation in advance is recommended. At the waterfall scenic area, you can hike the Yellow River boardwalk to get close to the "water mist rainbow" and hear the roaring waves. If visiting during the rainy season, don’t forget to bring a raincoat. · Evening: After returning to Yan'an city, visit Baota Mountain to enjoy the light show. Starting at 8:30 PM every night, the show uses advanced sound, light, and electric technology to recreate the history of the Long March, which is very impressive. 🎭 Day 4: Cultural Experience • Nanniwan and Red Street Performances · Morning: Visit Nanniwan to learn about the history of land reclamation and production, and experience the spirit of "self-reliance and abundance." · Afternoon: Explore Yan'an Red Street, a 1.5-kilometer-long red-themed street featuring red education, northern Shaanxi cuisine, and light shows. · Evening: Watch the red show "Yan'an Yan'an" at the Dongfanghong Grand Theater on Red Street. This is a 360-degree panoramic stage performance telling the revolutionary story of youth joining Yan'an. 🛍️ Day 5: Northern Shaanxi Style • Farewell to Yan'an · Morning: Enjoy free time based on your departure schedule. It is recommended to visit the Jin Yan'an Scenic Area, which immerses visitors in the Northern Song Dynasty Yan Prefecture and old Yan'an city, and watch red-themed performances like "Yan'an Orphanage." · Afternoon: Purchase some local specialties as souvenirs, such as Yan'an millet and dog-head jujubes, then conclude your trip and head home. 💰 Budget Breakdown Expense Category Budget (RMB) Description Transportation 1200 Round-trip and local transportation between attractions Accommodation 1000 4 nights in budget hotels Entrance Fees 350 Baota Mountain, Hukou Waterfall, Qingliang Mountain, etc. Meals 800 About 160 RMB per day, including snacks and meals Show Tickets 200 Tickets for the red show "Yan'an Yan'an" Shopping & Others 450 Local specialties, souvenirs, and emergency expenses Total 5000 💡 Practical Tips 1. Transportation: Yan'an attractions are quite spread out. You can take city buses (such as route K209) within the city. For Hukou Waterfall, joining a day tour or hiring a car is recommended. 2. Food Recommendations: Besides night market snacks, try specialties like Zichang pancakes, mutton paomo, and northern Shaanxi stew. 3. Best Season: October offers clear autumn weather and the best views of Hukou Waterfall. 4. Notes: There is a large temperature difference between morning and evening in Yan'an, so bring a light jacket. Also, remember to use sunscreen and bring sun protection. Yan'an, a city full of red memories, not only has profound revolutionary history but also magnificent natural scenery and unique northern Shaanxi charm. We hope this guide helps you plan a fulfilling and unforgettable trip to Yan'an, where you can feel the warmth of history and the power of nature on the Loess Plateau.