2025 Zhidan Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

#earthdayjourney We visited the Zhidan Red Culture Ecological Forest Park, and it was a peaceful blend of history and sustainability. The park was created not just to honor the revolutionary roots of the region, but also to restore and protect the fragile ecosystem. We explored tree-lined paths, saw educational signs about ecological conservation, and learned how local efforts are helping reforest degraded land. Spending Earth Day here felt symbolic—a reminder that healing the planet can start with planting just one tree. I’d definitely recommend a walk here to reconnect with nature and purpose. Address: Zhidan Ecological Forest Park, South of Zhidan County, Yan’an, Shaanxi, China We explored the Zhidan Loess Plateau Sustainable Agriculture Zone, and it really opened our eyes. The local community has adopted techniques that work with the land—not against it. We saw terraced fields that reduce erosion, water-saving irrigation, and crops grown in harmony with the natural environment. It was impressive to see such thoughtful land stewardship in action. On Earth Day, walking among these green, living hills reminded us that food and sustainability are deeply connected. I’d highly recommend it for anyone interested in eco-farming. Address: Sustainable Agriculture Zone, Northwest of Zhidan County, Yan’an, Shaanxi, China We stopped by the Zhidan County Solar Energy Pilot Base, and it was like stepping into the future. Endless rows of solar panels soaked up the sun, quietly powering the region. We spoke to staff who told us how the base helps reduce the area’s carbon footprint while supporting local development. It felt powerful standing there on Earth Day, seeing clean energy in action and knowing this is what progress looks like. I’d absolutely recommend visiting for a firsthand look at how rural innovation is lighting the way forward. Address: Zhidan Solar Energy Base, East of Zhidan County, Yan’an, Shaanxi, China

1️⃣ Xi'an - Hukou Waterfall - Ganquan 2️⃣ Ganquan - Heart Canyon - Luohe Grand Canyon - Zhidan 3️⃣ Zhidan - Maoxiang Grand Canyon - Dingbian Salt Lake - Dingbian 4️⃣ Dingbian - The Wave Valley 5️⃣ The Wave Valley - Xi'an Maoxiang Canyon, a magical sculpted rock canyon on the Loess Plateau, is known as the "China Red Valley." 😍 The canyon boasts six wonders: "Wind Valley," "Heaven and Earth Valley," "Lover's Valley," "Time Flies Valley," "Palace Corridor Valley," and "Love Cave Valley." The main scenic area is about 3.5 km and takes about 1.5 hours to walk. Maoxiang Canyon is ever-changing, with fewer tourists, and feels more pristine, even surpassing Ganquan Grand Canyon. The area is privately developed, with primitive trails throughout. It can be muddy after rain, as infrastructure is still under development. ✨A beautiful place with few tourists - Maoxiang Canyon, Zhidan, Yan'an Marvel at the wonders of nature! Immerse yourself in the ribbon-like paths, squeezing sideways through the narrowest sections. The midday sun filters through the cracks overhead, creating a legendary "一线天" (a sliver of sky). Admire the ever-changing colors and touch the textured lines, feeling the traces of thousands of years of wind and rain. A place with few tourists and beautiful scenery, still under development---Maoxiang Canyon

Hidden within the Loess Plateau of Northern Shaanxi lies a little-known geological wonder—Mao Xiang Grand Canyon (Cat Alley Grand Canyon). Located southeast of Zhidan County, Yan'an, Shaanxi, and only about 2 km from the county seat, it is praised as the "First Sculpted Rock Valley in Asia." Stepping into Mao Xiang Grand Canyon is like opening a geological history book etched with the marks of time. This 9-km-long narrow canyon is a masterpiece meticulously sculpted by nature over hundreds of millions of years. Tectonic movements, wind erosion, and water erosion have created the unique Danxia landform here. At its narrowest point, only one person can squeeze through sideways. Walking through it, you are flanked by towering, steep, and curved walls, like a giant crack in the earth cleaved by an invisible hand. The textures of the canyon walls are as smooth and graceful as flowing water, resembling brown-red chocolate, shining with a captivating luster under the sunlight. The bright red sandstone contrasts with the emerald green moss, creating a strong yet harmonious color contrast, as if nature has overturned its palette, breathtakingly beautiful. Mao Xiang Grand Canyon not only boasts stunning natural landscapes but also harbors ancient and mysterious legends. Legend has it that Chen Xiang once practiced diligently here, preparing to split the mountain and rescue his mother. His divine power caused the rocks to crack, forming these narrow gaps that only cat demons and gods could pass through, hence the name "Cat Alley" (Mao Xiang). Within the canyon, six scenic spots, including Qiankun Valley, Lovers' Canyon, and Palace Corridor, each have their unique charm. Strolling through them, you'll sometimes find yourself weaving through the changing light and shadow of a narrow passage, feeling the sacredness and tranquility of the sunlight filtering through the crevices; and sometimes you'll stand in an open area, gazing up at the azure sky, marveling at the vastness of the universe. If you long for a journey far from the hustle and bustle, a close dialogue with nature, then Mao Xiang Grand Canyon is an absolute must-see treasure. Here, touch the texture of time, listen to the heartbeat of nature, and encounter your own poetry and distant lands.

The Maolane Canyon is one of the few magnificent red sandstone Danxia line valleys in Asia. The flowing curves of the valley walls are as smooth and soft as brown-red chocolate, and they are graceful and changeable. Address: Maolane Grand Canyon, Zhidan County, Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province (more than 1 hour drive from the expressway to Yan'an City) This travel bug recommends that you drive by yourself or follow the group, and it is more convenient to depart from Yan'an. If you follow the group, it is recommended to choose a small group that provides travel photography services. Tickets: Maolane Grand Canyon 168 yuan/person, including tickets and scenic spots. note: There are no small shops in the canyon, so you can bring enough water and dry food to replenish energy in time. The temperature in the canyon is a few degrees lower than outside, and it is particularly cool and comfortable to walk in summer. Tour time: The scenic spot is open from 9 am to 6 pm, and the canyon round trip takes about two hours. It is recommended to enter the valley before 4 pm at the latest. Cost: Online ticket purchase is more cost-effective, all major platforms are available, the average is about 76, the ticket includes the cost of the shuttle bus in the scenic area and the cost of rain boots, no additional charges.

3 days and 2 nights tour in Northern Shaanxi, round trip from Xi'an for only 0.68K|||What comes to mind when you think of Northern Shaanxi? Loess Plateau, wind and sand, desolation... It's time to rediscover Northern Shaanxi! . Spend 3 days and 2 nights to witness a stunning color feast🌈, explore this place crafted by nature's magic, only by visiting will you know it's worth the trip! . ✅Must-visit attractions ✨Peach blossoms bloom near the waterfall, the ice blocks on the shore begin to melt, a scene full of spring, 🌸 known as the "March Peach Blossom Flood". The water volume is large and magnificent, feel the surging waves of the Yellow River. . ✨ Comparable to the "Antelope Canyon" in the United States, the narrowest part can only allow one person to pass sideways, 🌞 at noon, the sunlight shines on the wavy rocks, the undulating layers and strong light create a spectacular light and shadow art. . ✨ Winding, narrow valleys, long valleys stretching for dozens of kilometers, the height of the cliffs on both sides varies from tens of meters to dozens of meters, 🐱 in some sections of the canyon, the cliffs on both sides protrude left and right, few people and beautiful scenery! . 📢Travel Plan (3 days and 2 nights) 🔸Impression of Northern Shaanxi | Highlights of the itinerary D1 Xi'an - Hukou Waterfall - Erdao Street Food - Yan'an ✅Gather and depart from Xi'an in the morning (6:50 Chang'an of Shaanxi Normal University/7:20 TV Tower/7:35 Conservatory of Music/8:20 Sports Park) ✅Arrive at Hukou Waterfall at noon for lunch, 📸 then visit Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area (3h drive) ✅In the afternoon, drive to Yan'an city for accommodation, for food, you can go to Erdao Street Night Market, stroll around the night view of Yan'an (2h drive) . D2 Yan'an - Wave Valley (Water Danxia, Crocodile Lake, Fire Heart Danxia, Earth Heart Danxia) - Zhidan ✅After breakfast, drive to Wave Valley Scenic Area (2h drive), the tour route is from the entrance → Glass Bridge → Flame Danxia → Red Cliff Danxia → Earth Heart Danxia → Rainbow Stairs → Turn-back Bridge → Exit ✅Tour the scenic area for 3-4h, after playing, drive to Zhidan County in the afternoon . D3 Zhidan - Cat Alley Grand Canyon - Xi'an ✅In the morning, drive to Cat Alley Grand Canyon, the rock walls in the canyon have been eroded by water and wind for billions of years, it is one of the few magnificent red sandstone Danxia line valleys in Asia ✅After taking photos and playing, drive back to Xi'an in the afternoon, 🚌 normally return to Xi'an city around 7 pm .

Exclaim the amazing work of nature! Being there is like traveling through a ribbon, where the narrowest point only allows sideways passage. The noon sun shines through the cracks in the top, this must be the legendary "One-Line Sky"! It reflects various colors and touching the lines can feel the texture of the thousand-year-old weathered patterns. This is a place being developed by Shaojingmei - the Cat Alley Canyon.