Yan'an

Yan'an (延安; Yán'ān) is a city in Shaanxi Province.

Understand

It is hard to believe that a city, so in the middle of nowhere, is considered a major pilgrimage site. Not a religious pilgrimage, but a pilgrimage site for those who follow the Communist philosophy. This is considered to be the "Cradle of Chinese Revolution"; it is where the Communists established their main base after the Long March. After Chairman Mao's birthplace in Shaoshan, is the number two pilgrimage site for those who are interested in recent Chinese history.

Get in

By plane

• 1 Yan'an Nanniwan Airport (延安南泥湾机场), Shangjiagou, Baota District (宝塔区尚家沟) (a special bus service operates between the airport and the city; Routes 1 and 3 terminate at the Yikang Garden Hotel while Route 2 terminates at the Zaoyuan Hotel; the fare is ¥20 on all routes), ☏ +86 911 8812211, yajc@westaport.com. Flights are available from many other Chinese cities, including Beijing, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Guilin, Hangzhou, Hohot, Jinan, Jinggangshan, Lanzhou, Nanjing, Sanya, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Taiyuan, Tianjin, Wuhan, Urumqi, Xi'an, Xichang, Xingyi, Xining, Yinchuan, Zhengzhou, and Zunyi. (updated May 2021)

By train

• 2 Yan'an Railway Station (延安站), Liulin Road, Baota District (宝塔区柳林路) (there is a bus stop outside the station, which is served by bus nos. 10, K7, 22, K30, K206, K302, K303 and the Nanniwan Tourist Bus (南泥湾旅游公交); the railway station is just over 200 meters from the Yan'an South Bus Station). (updated May 2021)

Yan'an is on one of the railway routes between Beijing and Xi'an. Several regular-speed trains a day are available from Beijing West Railway Station (10-11 hrs), Taiyuan (6-7.5 hrs), Xi'an (3.5-7 hrs). There are also daily direct trains from Hohhot (9-10 hrs), Baotou (7-8.5 hrs), Chongqing (13 hrs), Chengdu (14 hrs), Shanghai (24.5 hrs). (Current schedule (in Chinese))

From Xi'an and Chengdu, you can also take a high-speed train to Yan'an. A high-speed train from Chengdu East station takes 7 hours while a high-speed train from Xi'an North Station takes just 2.5 hours.

By bus

• 3 Yan'an Bus Station (延安汽车站), 24 Dongguan Street, Baota District (宝塔区东关街24号) (the Dongguan Street (东关街) bus stop is about 100 meters west of the bus station; local buses that stop at the Dongguan Street bus stop include bus nos. 8, 23, 28, 29, 104, K1, K4, K6, K8, K16, K19, K21, K22， K26, K30, K204, K206 and K302 as well as Airport Bus Routes 1 and 3), ☏ +86 911 2121275. (updated May 2021)
• 4 Yan'an South Bus Station (延安汽车南站), Qilipu Street, Baota District (宝塔区七里铺大街) (about 300 meters north of Yan'an Railway Station; there is a bus stop outside the bus station, which is served by bus nos. 18, K1, K3, K7, K11, K12, K13, K22, K30 and K206, as well as Airport Bus Routes 1, 2 and 3), ☏ +86 911 2491167. (updated May 2021)

car

• 1 Yan'an Bus Station, Dongguan Street, Baota District, Yan'an City, ☏ 0911-2112531/2113350FORMATNOCC. The main long-distance bus stations in Yan'an mainly go to Xi'an, Yulin, Xianyang, Baoji, Pingliang, Linfen, Lanzhou, Shijiazhuang, Luoyang, Beijing, Yinchuan, Taiyuan, Baotou and other places. 

• 2 Yan'an South Bus Station, Qilipu Street, Baota District, Yan'an City (Diagonally opposite the railway station), ☏ 0911-2491167/2492777FORMATNOCC. It mainly travels to counties and cities south of Yan'an, as well as Chongqing, Wuhan and Zhengzhou. 

See

In and around Yan'an there are several spots related to the history of the Chinese Communist Party. The place where Mao and his comrades lived and worked, places where party conferences were held and many more.

• Phoenix Hill (凤凰山). Lantau Peak is located in Yanan city centre, Yanan is one of the four famous mountains. Lantau Peak's highest elevation 1132 meters, mountain range rover, overlooking the breathtaking views of the Yanan. 
• Yan'an Nursery. A communist play that is part of the 2-day tours from Xi'an. In Chinese: 延安保育院. Usually costs extra and a bit like an opera yet if you do not understand Chinese you can forget about enjoying it. ¥150. (updated Mar 2015)
• Zaoyuan 枣园. "Date Park" is a small public park that has the old housing of the Communist leaders. The part itself has not much to see but many souvenirs to buy. Free. (updated Mar 2015)
• 1 Yan'an Revolution Memorial (延安革命纪念馆), Wangjiaping Road, Baota District (宝塔区王家坪路) (bus nos. 3, 8, 23, 28, 104, K1, K6, K7, K12, K13, K16, K103, K202, K203, K208, subroute 23 (副23路) and the Education Bus (教育专线) all stop outside the museum), ☏ +86 911 8213694, +86 911 8213666. 08:00-16:00, no entry after 15:30. A large museum covering the history of the Communist Party's activities in Yan'an from 1935 to 1948. Free. (updated May 2021)
• 2 The Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor (Qiaoshan, Huangling County, Yan'an), ☏ +86 0911-5212742. 07:30-18:30. The Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor is the mausoleum of Xuanyuan, the founder of the Chinese nation. Peak season（3月1日-11月30日）￥91.00；Off-season（12月1日-2月28日）￥51.00. 
• 3 Pagoda Mountain (Southeast of Yan'an). 07:30-19:00. It is a landmark building in Yan'an, a revolutionary holy land. ￥65，Climb the tower￥10. 
• Nanni Bay (45 kilometers southeast of Yan'an), ☏ +86 0911-2113735. 08:30-17:30. In March 1941, the 359th Brigade of the Eighth Route Army, led by brigade commander Wang Zhen, launched a famous mass production movement in Nanni Bay. Nanni Bay is the birthplace of Yan'an spirit and the birthplace of China's agricultural reclamation. free. 
• Qingliang Mountain (Yan'an North Bank in the central part of Yan'an), ☏ +86 0911-2112719. 7：30~19：30. Qingliang Mountain is located in Yan'an. It is a mountain range with a rich historical and cultural background. It is located about 20 kilometers northwest of Yan'an which belongs to the typical landform of the Loess Plateau. Qingliang Mountain is high in altitude, steep in the mountains and dense in vegetation. It is a tourist destination featuring natural landscapes and historical sites. Qingliang Mountain is most famous for its position in the history of the Chinese revolution. During the Anti-Japanese War, Qingliang Mountain was an important strategic location in Yan'an, and the surrounding mountains also provided the Red Army with the advantages of concealment and defense. Many relics and memorial facilities related to the Yan'an period have been preserved on the mountain, which is one of the important places to learn about the history of the Chinese revolution. ￥31. 

Buy

• Dog Head Dates (狗头枣). Called Dog 's-head date as they are supposedly as big as a dog's head. These are healthy dates and one of the best places to buy them in China. You have to pay almost double in Beijing for example. People will let you try them from plates but be aware that this often means you are then led to a place to buy some. Better to just avoid the sellers unless you are prepared to buy from them. (updated Mar 2015)
• 1 Yan'an Cultural Market (延安文化街市), Nanbin Avenue, Baota District. Located on Nanbin Avenue, Baota District, Yan'an City, it provides rich local specialties, red cultural souvenirs and handicrafts. It is a good place to experience the local characteristics and culture of Yan'an. (updated Dec 2024)
• 2 Yan'an Red Bookstore (延安红色书店), No. 28 Baimi Avenue, Baota District. Focusing on revolutionary history books, literary works and cultural and creative goods, it is a must-visit bookstore for red culture lovers. (updated Dec 2024)
• 3 Yan'an Specialty Supermarket (延安特产超市), No. 88, Center Street, Baota District. Focus on selling special agricultural products in Yan'an, such as red dates, millet, apples, etc. This is a good place for tourists and local residents to buy Yan'an traditional cuisine and specialties, especially suitable for buying local snacks and gift boxes such as dried red dates and yellow rice cakes. (updated Dec 2024)

Eat

Red Date Banquet Restaurant (红枣宴餐厅), Red Date Food Square, Beiguan Street, Baota District. A special restaurant with red dates as the main ingredient, located in the Red Date Food Square on Beiguan Street, Baota District, Yan'an City. The restaurant integrates Yan'an specialty red dates into a variety of dishes, which not only retains the traditional local flavor, but also shows unique creative cooking techniques. The red jujube stewed chicken soup here is fresh and rich in flavor, the jujube puree steamed bun is soft and sweet, and the jujube cake is a must-see choice for dessert lovers. 150. (updated Dec 2024)

Mutton soup restaurant (羊肉汤馆), No. 56, Baimi Avenue, Baota District, ☏ 0911-3335281NOCC. Mutton Soup Restaurant is a restaurant specializing in Yan'an traditional cuisine, located at No. 56 Baimi Avenue, Baota District. This restaurant is famous for its delicious and rich mutton soup, which is deeply loved by local residents and tourists. The mutton soup is made of local high-quality mutton, which is carefully boiled over low heat. The soup is clear but not greasy, and the aftertaste is endless. In addition to mutton soup, it also serves pot helmet sandwich pork with great local characteristics. The pot helmet has a crispy skin and a tender and juicy mutton stuffing inside, which has become a snack not to be missed. The restaurant also offers a variety of local side dishes, with mutton soup and pot helmet, which are very rich. 110. (updated Dec 2024)

Yan'an Noodle Restaurant (延安面馆), No. 100, Center Street, Baota District. Yan'an Noodle Restaurant is a restaurant that focuses on serving traditional Yan'an noodles. This noodle restaurant is popular for its handmade noodles. The noodles are chewy and smooth, with rich sauces and rich side dishes, showing the unique charm of Yan'an cuisine. The signature dishes of the restaurant are noodles and oil noodles. The noodles are famous for their sour, spicy and fragrant taste. The soup base is made of high-quality meat and a variety of ingredients, with a variety of side dishes and bright colors. Oil-splashed noodles are characterized by thick handmade noodles and hot oil-splashed noodles, which are fragrant and rich in taste. In addition, the restaurant also offers some authentic side dishes, such as hot and sour shredded potatoes, cold tofu, etc., which are more delicious with noodles. 50. (updated Dec 2024)

Yan'an Tofu Banquet (延安豆腐宴), No. 22, West Street, Baota District. Yan'an Tofu Banquet is a special restaurant with the theme of tofu. The restaurant uses Yan'an's local specialty soybeans as raw materials, and carefully produces a variety of creative dishes mainly based on tofu, showing the unique charm of Yan'an's food culture. The signature dishes of the restaurant include stuffed tofu and pot tofu. Stuffed tofu combines fresh and tender tofu with a variety of fillings, which is rich in taste and exquisite in appearance; pot tofu is fried until golden and crispy, with special sauce, with rich fragrance and endless aftertaste. In addition, the restaurant also provides a variety of traditional and innovative tofu dishes such as tofu brain and tofu soup. Each dish pays attention to the freshness of the ingredients and the meticulousness of the production. 35. (updated Dec 2024)

Drink

Yan'an Red Date Tea (延安红枣茶). It uses local red dates, goji berries and other natural ingredients, which have the effect of toning blood and nourishing the skin. It is a traditional healthy drink in Yan'an. Warm taste, suitable for drinking in all seasons, especially conducive to women's health care. 10-20. (updated Dec 2024)

Yan'an millet porridge (延安小米粥). It is made of local millet, with a soft taste and nourishing the body. Low-fat and low-sugar, it is an ideal choice for breakfast or night snack. 5-15. (updated Dec 2024)

Yan'an apple juice (延安苹果汁). It is pressed with local fresh apples, which retains the natural flavor and nutrition of apples. Reason for recommendation: Refreshing and thirst-quenching, rich in vitamin C. 8-18. (updated Dec 2024)

Yan'an tea (延安茶叶). Yan'an specialty tea has a unique aroma, and Yan'an hair tip and other types are common. Reason for recommendation: It is suitable for tea lovers. The tea fragrance is rich and the aftertaste is endless. 30-80. (updated Dec 2024)

Sleep

Top-grade

• Kanazawa International Hotel, No. 24 Dongguan Street, Baota District (Near Yan'an Bus Station), ☏ +86 0911-8896005. Five-star hotel. 
• Yan'an Jiuchao International Hotel, The middle section of Baimi Avenue, Baota District (Next to the fire brigade), ☏ +86 0911-8691111, 8688333NOCC, 8685900NOCC. Four-star hotel. 
• Sheng Shixiang International Hotel (Nanshili Shop, Baota District (formerly Petroleum Pipeline Company)), ☏ +86 0911-8691111, 8688333NOCC, 8685900NOCC. Four-star hotel. 

Fast

• Home Express Hotel (Yan'an Branch). 

Yan'an is not a usual destination for foreign visitors, so some communication skills will be needed to find a place in a local budget hotel. One option is to take the local bus from the train station to the town center, and get off in the center, in the stop just beneath an obvious triple-pedestrian-bridge. A local guest house (40-70Y per night per room) can be found just in front of the bus stop, on the second floor.