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Top 10 attractions in Yan'an

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Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River
No. 8 of Best Things to Do in Shaanxi

Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River

8.3
4.6/5
17.9k reviews
The Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River is located on the riverbed of the Yellow River in the Qin-Jin Grand Canyon, where the provinces of Shanxi and Shaanxi face each other across the river. The main stream of the Yellow River, originally hundreds of m wide, suddenly narrows to dozens of m and plunges into a deep trough with a drop of 20–30 m, resembling water being poured from a giant pot—hence the name "Hukou" (Pot Mouth). Due to the large amount of sediment carried by the river, the waterfall presents a rare golden-yellow view: the turbid waves roar down with a sound like distant thunder rolling through the valley, while the rising mist lingers before the cliff, earning the nickname "smoke rising from the water." On sunny days, sunlight casts a rainbow over the waterfall, known as "a rainbow playing in the water." The mist may drench visitors even without wind or rain, creating the wonder called "rainfall under a clear sky." Hukou waterfall is regarded as the symbol of the "soul of the Yellow River" and the spirit of the Chinese nation. In 1938, when poet Guang Weiran crossed the Yellow River, he witnessed the roaring waves of Hukou and the boatmen's chants, which inspired him to create the now-legendary Yellow River Cantata. Liang Heng's essay of the same name was selected for middle school Chinese textbooks, and the back of the fourth series CNY 50 banknote also features this scene. Many first learned about it through textbooks and currency before visiting in person. In the past, cargo ships had to leave the water and bypass the waterfall here, leaving behind the maritime memory of "sailing on dry land." The scenery here varies with the seasons: In early spring, the upstream ice melts and the water level rises sharply, coinciding with the blooming of mountain peach blossoms on both banks, known as the "March peach blossom flood." In midsummer, the rainy season brings abundant water, with muddy waves towering into the sky. After fall begins, the rainy season subsides, and the water becomes high and steady. As the fall breeze sweeps by, rainbows often appear, earning the name "Hukou autumn breeze." In deep winter, layers of ice form along the banks, and overflow freezes into inverted ice peaks, glistening under the sunlight, creating the spectacular "upside-down ice peaks." The viewing platform on the Shaanxi side stretches along the cliff top on the western bank, offering a commanding view of the "thousand-mile Yellow River funneled into one pot" and the ten-mile-long Dragon Trough below the waterfall. During high-water seasons, the mist is heavy, and clothes get soaked quickly, so remember to protect your camera and phone; the boardwalk is slippery, so watch your step while walking and taking photos.Yichuan · 26.6 km from downtown
Baota Mountain
No. 19 of Best Things to Do in Shaanxi

Baota Mountain

7.4
4.5/5
4.9k reviews
Baota Mountain is located in the center of Yan'an city, by the side of the Yan River, and is named after the pagoda on the mountain. The pagoda was first built in the Tang Dynasty, and the existing structure is a pavilion-style brick pagoda rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty. The pagoda, together with the mountain, the Yan River, and the bridge, forms the city skyline of Yan'an and is also a symbol of the revolutionary holy land in people's hearts. The poet He Jingzhi wrote in "Returning to Yan'an" the famous line, "How many times in my dreams have I returned to Yan'an, embracing Baota Mountain with both hands," adding emotional weight to this mountain. The mountain is densely scattered with historical sites, including Song dynasty cliff carvings, Fan Gong Well, beacon towers, Star-gazing Tower, Jialing Academy, ancient city walls, and the former site of the Japanese Workers' and Peasants' School. Among them, the inscriptions "Jialing Mountain" in clerical script and "My chest harbors tens of thousands of armored soldiers" by Fan Zhongyan of the Northern Song dynasty have long been renowned. An iron bell cast in the Ming dynasty still hangs beside the pagoda, which was used for timekeeping and alarms during the CPC Central Committee's Yan'an period. Ascending the mountain path to Star-gazing Tower and beacon tower areas offers panoramic views of Yan'an city and the Yan River. After nightfall, the mountain and pagoda illuminate, and gazing back at the lit pagoda from near Yan River Bridge remains a favorite photo spot for many travelers.Yan'an · 781m from downtown
Ganquan Canyon
No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Yan'an

Ganquan Canyon

7.2
4.7/5
2.8k reviews
Ganquan Canyon is located in Ganquan County, Yan'an, Shaanxi, and is also known as Yucha Canyon. It is a group of red sandstone fissures hidden deep in the ravines of the Loess Plateau, hailed as a "natural fissure wonder of the Loess Plateau." Legend has it that an ancient earthquake split the mountain, and years of rainwater and flash floods carved out the now winding and graceful ravines. Due to its striking resemblance to Antelope Canyon in the U.S., it is often called the "Chinese Antelope Canyon" by photography enthusiasts. The attraction consists of multiple ravines, including Huashu Gully, Longba Gully, Mudan Gully, and Thread of Sky Gully. Among them, Huashu Gully is renowned for its smooth, layered rock walls, offering both an easy hike and stunning photo opportunities, making it the highlight of the area. The true highlight of this canyon is its play of light and shadow. Around noon on sunny days, sunlight pours straight down through the narrow gap overhead, with warm hues of ochre and gold flowing slowly along the curves of the rock walls, while moss clinging to the surfaces adds a touch of emerald green. Standing at the canyon floor and looking up, the sky narrows into a bright, slender line—between the alternating light and shadow, every casual snapshot becomes strikingly picturesque. On overcast days or during early/late hours when light slants in, the rock walls appear noticeably duller, somewhat diminishing the visual impact. Here are a few tips for your visit: Huashu Gully is gentle and open, ideal for leisurely photography; Longba Gully alternates between wide and narrow sections, offering more adventurous fun; the narrowest part of Yixiantian is particularly cramped, so extra caution is needed when passing through. Some gullies occasionally have accumulated water and mud, making the paths slippery—wearing anti-slip shoes is advisable. If you're here for the light effects, try to schedule your gully visit around noon on sunny days.Ganquan · 39.9 km from downtown
The Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor
No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Yan'an

The Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor

6.9
4.6/5
4.3k reviews
The Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor is located on Qiao Mountain in Huangling County near Yan'an. The Yellow Emperor is regarded as the ancestor of Chinese civilization. The mausoleum is surrounded by ancient evergreen trees which have been protected for generations. In addition to the mausoleum, the site is also home to the Xuanyuan Temple, which is named after the Yellow Emperor's personal name Xuanyuan. It was constructed during the Han dynasty and is surrounded by a number of ancient evergreen trees, one of which is believed to have been planted by the Emperor himself 5,000 years ago.Huangling · 1 km from downtown
Yangjialing Revolutionary Site
No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Yan'an

Yangjialing Revolutionary Site

6.7
4.8/5
1k reviews
Yangjialing Revolutionary Site is a place where the old generation of central-government leaders, such as Chairman Mao, lived in Yan'an for a long time. Yangjialing Revolutionary Site is divided into two parts, the south part and the north part along the road. The south side of the road is the central auditorium of the year. The north side of the road is the former residence of Mao Zedong, Zhu De, Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi, and other central government leaders. The 7th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which is of historical significance, was held in the central auditorium. At the meeting, Mao Zedong Thought was determined as the Party's guiding ideology. In 1946, Mao Zedong met with the American journalist Anna Louise Strong here and proposed the famous theory that "All the reactionaries are paper tigers."Yan'an · 4.2 km from downtown
Nanniwan Scenic Area
No. 10 of Best Things to Do in Northern Shaanxi

Nanniwan Scenic Area

5.8
4.5/5
152 reviews
At present, the large terraced fields reclaimed in the past in Nanniwan, the exhibition hall of the large-scale production movement in Naniwan, the Jiulong Spring and the monument to the martyrs are available for tourists to visit.Yan'an · 28.3 km from downtown
Yanchuan Yellow river Qiankun Bay Scenic Area
No. 12 of Best Things to Do in Northern Shaanxi

Yanchuan Yellow river Qiankun Bay Scenic Area

5.8
4.6/5
1.1k reviews
Qiankun Bay lies in the Tugang Township, Yanchuan County, Yan'an City, and is a national geological park. Stepping out over Qiankun Bay and walking into the Qiankun Pavilion, you will have a panoramic view of the Qiankun Bay. They bay is shaped like the yin-yang fish of the Tai Chi Diagram, surrounded by lush green hills. People live on the mountain and yellow cattle on the grassy shore drink from the river. In addition to its magnificence and beauty, Qiankun Bay also paints a picture of life on the Loess Plateau.Yanchuan · 26.8 km from downtown
Yan'an Red Street
No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Yan'an

Yan'an Red Street

5.8
4.9/5
309 reviews
Yan'an Red Street is located at No. 1 Huanhu Road, Science and Technology City, High-tech Zone, Yan'an City. It is a super-large red tourism comprehensive project integrating patriotic education, folk culture experience, tourism, leisure and vacation. Red Street bids farewell to the single function of traditional red tourism. It not only has food, accommodation, travel, entertainment, shopping, intangible cultural heritage, and activities, but also has a complete range of land and water projects, which can greatly meet the comprehensive needs of tourists for red tourism. Yan'an Red Street covers an area of 26.76 hectares, with a total construction area of 74,900 square meters and a block length of 1.5 kilometers. Based on the historical context of Yan'an from 1935 to 1948, four red cultural blocks and five red themed squares are formed, namely "Red Journey", "Red Life", "Red Time" and "Red Age". With the planning and design of traditional ancient city buildings, historically restored buildings, northern Shaanxi residential buildings, and the landscape of the Long March Cultural Park, it reproduces the glorious journey of the Red Army's reunion in northern Shaanxi, the fiery years of Yan'an, and the great victory. Yan'an Red Street is planned according to the format of "food and beverage", "non-heritage specialties", "retail", "red training and experience", "main store paradise and homestay", attracting many tourists and opening on June 12, 2021 The number of tourists exceeded 2 million in the first month, and on the first day of opening, it also set a record of 260,000 passengers in a single day. Yan'an Red Street uses high-tech means to create an immersive experience. It has the domestic large-scale red indoor scene experience drama "Return to Yan'an", and the interactive military paradise "Training Ground" with 24 ballistic tracks, the largest shooting range in Northwest China, etc. Create multiple dynamic sensory experiences, combine education with travel, and entertain with education. Yan'an Red Street focuses on innovating a new model of red tourism and building a new brand of Chinese red culture.Yan'an · 3.4 km from downtown
Qingliang Mountain
No. 20 of Best Things to Do in Northern Shaanxi

Qingliang Mountain

5.2
4.4/5
323 reviews
Qingliang Mountain has always been a famous scenic spot in Yan'an, and many famous literati have written poems and inscriptions on or about it. The scenery of Qingliang Mountain includes attractions such as the Ten Thousand Buddha Cave and Taihe Mountain Taoist Temple. Qingliang Mountain is also the birthplace of news broadcasting and publishing in the People's Warlord Era. Therefore, Qingliang Mountain has another name: “News Mountain”. The “Yan'an Qingliangshan Press and Publication Revolution Memorial Hall” is built on the mountain. It is a museum for journalism and publication.Yan'an · 2.1 km from downtown
Huangdi Mausoleum Xuanyuan Temple

Huangdi Mausoleum Xuanyuan Temple

5
4.6/5
159 reviews
Xuanyuan Temple, also known as the Yellow Emperor Temple, was built in the Han Dynasty. The Xuanyuan Temple is built on the mountains and beside the water, facing the south and the Xuanyuan Temple. The Hall of the First Ancestors of Humanities was built in the Ming Dynasty, with seven rooms wide and three rooms deep. On the forehead of the door hangs the four characters of "The First Ancestor of Humanity" inscribed by Mr. Cheng Qian when he sacrificed to the mausoleum in 1938. On the east side of Xuanyuan Temple is the Stele Gallery, which stores more than 50 ancient and modern stone tablets. The most famous one in the Xuanyuan Temple is the Yellow Emperor's Hand Planting Cypress, which is located 2 meters on the left side of the Xuanyuan Temple gate. According to legend, it was planted by Xuanyuan Huangdi himself. It is more than 5,000 years old and is the oldest cypress in the world. The cypress tree is more than 20 meters high and 11 meters in diameter at breast height. The worship hall was newly built in 2004. In the middle of the eaves of the main hall hangs three big characters "Xuanyuan Hall" in the official script written by the famous calligrapher Huang Miaozi. The front of the main hall is paved with granite, and there are "Three Mountains and Five Sacred Mountains" stones on display. Around the square are 9 pairs of bronze ox tripods with a height of 2 meters.Huangling · 1.2 km from downtown

Experiences you can't miss in Yan'an

Featured Day tours in Yan'an

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Ganquan Yucha Grand Canyon Day Trip (Includes entrance fee, round-trip transportation, family group tour, vacation group tour)
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5.0/5
· 1 review· 30 booked
Duration: 11.3 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
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FromBRL 1,179.00
Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River 1-day tour [door-to-door pickup│optional skip-the-line]
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews· 73 booked
Duration: 11 hrs
English
Free cancellation
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FromBRL 216.53
1-day tour to Ganquan canyon [round-trip shuttle bus from Xi'an] with optional premium small group
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FromBRL 216.53
1-day tour to Hukou waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River and Huangdi mausoleum Xuanyuan temple in Shaanxi + optional Chinese/English-speaking guide
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5.0/5
· 4 reviews· 23 booked
Duration: 14.3 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
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FromBRL 239.08
Shaanxi Hukou Waterfall One-Day Chinese Group Tour with Optional First-Class Bus and Fast Track Entry
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Save BRL 3.16
FromBRL 312.10BRL 315.26
Shaanxi Hukou Waterfall Tourist Area One-Day Tour: Ticket Booking + Private Car Transfer
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Duration: 10.5 hrs
English
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Save BRL 2.56
FromBRL 253.75BRL 256.31
Hukou Waterfall & The Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor Day Tour: Tickets + Private Car Transfer
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Duration: 12 hrs
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FromBRL 452.51BRL 457.08

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What travelers say about Yan'an

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IVERSON3520October 13, 2026
5.0
Great! The Shanxi and Shaanxi combined ticket is fantastic. Two days valid, excellent value for money. Both places are quite fun. In Shaanxi, you can book a free show of the "Yellow River Cantata," which is very good and worth the ticket price. The shuttle bus is very convenient, with frequent departures and short waiting times. A great travel experience, highly recommended.

Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River

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夜阑月色溶溶October 7, 2026
5.0
Because we had children with us, we opted to take the sightseeing bus up and down, which was very relaxing. We got a close look at the pagoda, took photos, and learned about its history, especially the plaques at the north and south gates: "Soaring high above the heavens, overlooking the mortal world"—for over 1000 years, the pagoda has achieved this.

Baota Mountain

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M27***68October 9, 2026
5.0
I visited Ganquan Grand Canyon during the National Day holiday, avoiding the crowds at major cities and tourist attractions. It was a less crowded but still excellent experience! Recommended by China National Geographic magazine, definitely worth a visit! It's chilly and damp inside the canyon, so be sure to wear a thick coat. I wouldn't recommend coming in winter; it would probably be too cold.

Ganquan Canyon

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大洋咆哮者October 14, 2026
4.0
The scenic area was larger than I expected. I went on the seventh day of the National Day holiday, and surprisingly, it wasn't too crowded, considering it's in a county town. But as descendants of the Yellow Emperor, having come all the way to Yan'an, I figured I should at least see it. The scenic area is half modern architecture and half historical sites, especially the several thousand-year-old cypress trees and some inscriptions by famous figures. The two Yellow Emperor Temples, one ancient and one modern, each have their own unique characteristics and are definitely worth seeing. However, there's one thing I really want to complain about: Didi (a ride-hailing app) is completely banned in Huangling County. You have to hail a taxi on the roadside, and the only ones you can find are very old-fashioned taxis—old and smelly. The drivers don't use meters and even share rides. But I don't want to complain about any of that because it's practically impossible to hail a taxi. It's impossible to find a car near the hotel or the scenic area entrance. I waited for over ten minutes before finally getting one, and I almost missed my train. You can't be picky. People say Didi disrupts market order, but in my opinion, it's precisely because there's no market competition that the travel experience in Huangling is so terrible. This problem really needs to be addressed.

The Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor

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博😘😘肖November 1, 2025
5.0
From a historical perspective, both Yangjialing and Zaoyuan were important locations for the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) during the Yan'an period, carrying profound historical memories. However, they differ in details. Yangjialing is renowned as the cradle of revolutionary spirit and a witness to many important historical events; while Zaoyuan is known for its garden-like environment and its status as an important base for national revolutionary tradition education. Furthermore, Yangjialing and Zaoyuan differed in the location of their administrative offices and the revolutionary tasks they undertook. Yangjialing was the former site of all the CPC Central Committee's administrative offices, undertaking the important tasks of commanding the anti-Japanese war and the War of Liberation behind enemy lines, leading the Great Production Movement and the Rectification Movement; while Zaoyuan was the former site where the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee moved from Yangjialing, primarily undertaking tasks such as leading the entire Party in the Rectification Movement and the Great Production Movement in the liberated areas, and preparing for the Seventh National Congress of the CPC.

Yangjialing Revolutionary Site

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M84***97January 19, 2025
5.0
This is the birthplace of China's military reclamation and agricultural reclamation. It is built by the mountains and rivers. The attractions here include the Thousand Mu Rice Field with a history of more than 70 years, the Party Emblem Square, Taobao Valley, the Wetland Park, the Great Production Memorial Hall, and the former site of the Central Administration Bureau Cadre Rest Home. [星R] We mainly went to the Thousand Mu Rice Field (Figures 1-3). The weather was very good today. The blue sky and white clouds matched the green rice fields and it was really a good photo! The Wetland Park (Figures 4-5) also has good scenery. There are some rafting and boating entertainment projects, which are more suitable for picnics and relaxation with friends on weekends. Due to time constraints, we could only visit the Great Production Memorial Hall in a hurry. It was the first time to experience viewing the exhibition in a wheelchair [笑泣R] Figures 9 and 10 are the scenes of Nanniwan last autumn.

Nanniwan Scenic Area

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M29***12August 7, 2026
4.0
Located in Qiankunwan Town, Yanchuan County, Yan'an City, with a core area of ​​27.4 square kilometers, it is the core area of ​​the Yellow River Meander National Geopark and has been rated as a national 5A-level tourist attraction.

Yanchuan Yellow river Qiankun Bay Scenic Area

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Anonymous userJune 2, 2025
5.0
The stay experience was great! The room was clean and tidy, the bedding was soft and comfortable, and the facilities were complete and new. The front desk service was warm and thoughtful, and the response was timely. The breakfast was rich and delicious, and the location was convenient. It was very cost-effective and highly recommended!

Yan'an Red Street

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mablesMay 8, 2024
5.0
Qingliang Mountain On one side is Taihe Mountain, a folk Taoist temple and the original name of Qingliang Mountain On the other side is Wanfo Cave, a cave statue from the Song Dynasty. Because it was once the printing place of Xinhua News Agency (the printing workshop is inside the cave), it has been spared from destruction and is relatively intact, which is amazing

Qingliang Mountain

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M57***27April 25, 2025
4.0
The Xuanyuan Temple and the Priest Hall are nice and spacious. However, the overall design of the scenic area is unreasonable, the local management service awareness is limited, the ticket price is too expensive, and the staff try their best to sell incense, which is contrary to the respect for the ancestors of the Chinese nation.

Huangdi Mausoleum Xuanyuan Temple

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Frequently asked questions

What are the recommended tours and excursions in Yan'an?

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Ganquan Yucha Grand Canyon Day Trip (Includes entrance fee, round-trip transportation, family group tour, vacation group tour), Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River 1-day tour [door-to-door pickup│optional skip-the-line], and 1-day tour to Ganquan canyon [round-trip shuttle bus from Xi'an] with optional premium small group. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of October 15, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Yan'an is around BRL 216.53 – BRL 1,623.26. Rates vary by duration, group size, transportation, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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