Yan'an Travel Guide

Yan'an sits in the center of Shanxi Province, northern China, and is a major communist pilgrimage site. Despite its remoteness, it is considered the cradle of Chinese civilization and is accessed by National Highway 210.

Worth It?: Only really for those interested in China's recent political history.
What to Do: visit communist icons, climb Baota Pagoda.
Best Time to Go: between late May and September.
How Long?: Two days or less to explore Yan'an and surroundings.
Trivia: Yan'an was center of the Chinese communist revolution between 1935 and 1948.

The town is positioned on the Loess Plateau amid mountains and forests. It is the so-called Cradle of Chinese Revolution where the Communists set up base after the Long March. Yan'an will appeal to those interested in the origins and history of the Chinese Communist Party.

Major city attractions include the Revolutionary History Museum, the Yangjialing Revolution Headquarters, and the Bao Pagoda. Although not a bustling city as with the big eastern beasts, Yan'an does have a decent helping of bars and clubs that are aimed mainly at the wealthy.

Travel to Yan'an - Getting There

Yan'an Ershili Pu Airport receives flights from Beijing and Xi'an, with flight times of 1 hour, 30 minutes and 40 minutes respectively. Long distance trains and buses also run direct from Beijing and Xi'an. Xi'an is to the south and is the capital of Shanxi.

Yan'an Things to Do

Yan'an Attractions

Revolutionary History Museum

Geming Lishi Jinian Guan is near the Yangjialing Revolution Headquarters and is one of the best museums of its type in the country.

Baota Hill

the main attraction here is the nine-story, 44-meter-tall pagoda which was built in the Tang Dynasty.

Side trips from Yan'an

Yulin: an interesting, small town to the north of Yan'an with plenty of charm and many old sights, including a fortress and beacon tower.