Yan'an is located in the northern part of Shaanxi Province, in the central-southern Loess Plateau. It has a warm temperate semi-arid continental monsoon climate with four distinct seasons: dry and windy spring, hot and less rainy summer, cool autumn, and cold dry winter.
Yan'an is one of the important birthplaces of the Chinese nation and also a revolutionary holy land. From 1935 to 1948, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China led the War of Resistance Against Japan and the Liberation War here, nurturing the Yan'an Spirit.
Yan'an's culture is characterized by Loess culture and red culture. Northern Shaanxi folk songs, Ansai waist drum, paper-cutting and other folk arts are well-known. The cuisine mainly features northern Shaanxi noodles and mutton, such as Yan'an rolled noodles, lamb paomo, and oil cake.
Today, Yan'an has developed into a famous red tourism city while promoting energy, agriculture, and eco-tourism. Urban infrastructure is continuously improving with convenient transportation, making it an excellent destination to experience revolutionary history and Loess Plateau customs.
The best time to visit 延安 is Spring and Autumn (April-May, September-October).
Spring (April-May): Temperatures warm up, flowers bloom, suitable for outdoor visits to revolutionary sites and natural scenery.
Autumn (September-October): Clear and crisp weather, pleasant autumn colors, the best time to enjoy the Loess Plateau scenery.
Summer is hot and winter is cold, but in winter you can experience northern Shaanxi folk customs and ice-snow activities with fewer tourists.
The Central Red Army arrived in northern Shaanxi after the Long March, making Yan'an the new center of the Chinese revolution.
The CPC Central Committee moved into Yan'an, and for the next thirteen years, Yan'an served as the command center for the War of Resistance Against Japan and the Liberation War.
The Seventh National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held at Yangjialing in Yan'an, establishing Mao Zedong Thought as the guiding ideology of the party.
Recommended places to visit
The iconic landmark of Yan'an. The pagoda at the top was built in the Tang Dynasty and is a symbol of the revolutionary sacred place. Offers a panoramic view of Yan'an city.
Former site of the CPC Central Committee, including the Central Auditorium and Central Office Building, where the Seventh National Congress of the CPC was held.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Included in the tentative list of World Cultural Heritage, it is the mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor, the ancestor of the Chinese nation, with high historical and cultural value.
Explore rich intangible cultural heritage and traditional crafts
National intangible cultural heritage, popular in Ansai District, Yan'an. The performance is magnificent, known as 'the first drum in the world'.
National intangible cultural heritage, including Xintianyou and minor tunes. The melodies are high-pitched and melodious, reflecting the life of northern Shaanxi people.
Must-know transportation for exploring the city
Located in Baota District, Yan'an, with flights to major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi'an.
Depends on route
High-speed rail station connecting Xi'an, Beijing, etc. Xi'an to Yan'an takes about 2.5 hours.
High-speed second class about 100 RMB
City buses cover major attractions and urban areas, fare 1-2 RMB, with special tourist lines available.
1-2 RMB
Taste the most authentic and popular local specialties
Thin and chewy noodles made from wheat flour, served with chili oil, vinegar, and other seasonings, sour and spicy.
Classic northwestern dish: crumbled flatbread soaked in lamb broth, served with vermicelli and cilantro, savory and tender.
Former site of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, with former residences of leaders like Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai. The environment is quiet and elegant.
A large revolutionary history memorial hall displaying a large number of precious cultural relics and pictures, comprehensively showing the revolutionary history of the Yan'an period.
The mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor, the ancestor of the Chinese nation, located in Huangling County, Yan'an. It is a sacred place for Chinese people at home and abroad to seek roots and worship ancestors.
The largest yellow waterfall on the Yellow River, located in Yichuan County, Yan'an. It is magnificent and known as 'the Yellow River comes from the sky'.
Northern Shaanxi specialty pastry, deep-fried, crispy outside and soft inside, sweet and delicious.
Specialty snack from Zichang County, Yan'an. Thin pancakes made from buckwheat flour, rolled with dried tofu, shredded potatoes, etc., dipped in sauce.
Slow-cooked lamb offal in lamb bone broth, served with vermicelli and chopped green onions, delicious and warming.