Attractions · Yan'an

Baota Mountain is Yan'an's landmark. The ancient pagoda on the hill was first built in the Tang dynasty and rebuilt in the Ming; an octagonal, nine-storey brick tower 44 metres high, it gives a view over the whole city from the top, with the river like a ribbon and the loess hills and gullies spread below. The hill also holds the Zhaixing Tower, beacon towers and the Fan Gong Well, and revolutionary sites including the Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall stand at its foot; after dark the illuminated pagoda is the best spot for photographing the city panorama. Highlights include the pagoda, the Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall, the Zhaixing Tower and the beacon towers. Tip: go up in the evening to enjoy both sunset and the night view. Practical info: located on Baota Mountain Road, Baota District, Yan'an, Shaanxi Province; ticket ¥60; opening hours 08:00–18:00. Best season: autumn (Sep–Oct) is clear and brisk, with the fragrance of ripening jujubes; spring (Apr–May) brings blossom across the Loess Plateau. Combine with the Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site, Hukou Waterfall (Shaanxi side) and the Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall for a half- or full-day itinerary.

Tip: Go up in the evening to enjoy both sunset and the night view.

• Address: Baota Mountain Road, Baota District, Yan'an, Shaanxi Province
• Ticket: ¥60
• Opening: 08:00–18:00

Zaoyuan was the seat of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee. Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi, Zhu De and other leaders lived and worked here, and cave dwellings, the auditorium and other revolutionary sites are preserved in the grounds. Highlights include Mao Zedong's former residence, Zhou Enlai's former residence, the auditorium of the Central Secretariat and the Xingfu Canal. Tip: book in advance and bring your ID card. Practical info: located on Zaoyuan Road, Baota District, Yan'an, Shaanxi Province; admission free (reservation required); opening hours 08:00–17:30. Best season: autumn (Sep–Oct) is clear and brisk, with the fragrance of ripening jujubes; spring (Apr–May) brings blossom across the Loess Plateau. Combine with Baota Mountain, Hukou Waterfall (Shaanxi side) and the Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall for a half- or full-day itinerary. Check the day's opening and booking policy before you go, and allow enough time.

Tip: Book in advance and bring your ID card.

• Address: Zaoyuan Road, Baota District, Yan'an, Shaanxi Province
• Ticket: Free (reservation required)
• Opening: 08:00–17:30

Hukou Waterfall is the largest waterfall on the Yellow River and the second largest in China. The river is constricted here into a channel 50 metres wide before plunging into a deep groove to form a great group of falls of immense power. Highlights include the main waterfall, the Ten-Li Dragon Groove, the 'smoke from the riverbed' and the rainbow crossing. Tip: water volume is greatest and the scenery most spectacular in spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October). Practical info: located at Hukou Town, Yichuan County, Yan'an, Shaanxi Province; ticket ¥100; opening hours 07:30–18:30. Best season: autumn (Sep–Oct) is clear and brisk, with the fragrance of ripening jujubes; spring (Apr–May) brings blossom across the Loess Plateau. Combine with Baota Mountain, the Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site and the Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall for a half- or full-day itinerary. Check the day's opening and booking policy before you go, and allow enough time.

Tip: Water volume is greatest and the scenery most spectacular in spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October)…

• Address: Hukou Town, Yichuan County, Yan'an, Shaanxi Province
• Ticket: ¥100
• Opening: 07:30–18:30

The Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall opened in January 1950; its name was inscribed by Guo Moruo. In 1973 it moved to its present Wangjiaping site, adjoining the Wangjiaping revolutionary site. The permanent exhibition follows the thirteen years the CPC Central Committee spent in northern Shaanxi (1935–1948), using a large body of documents, historical photographs, objects and reconstructed scenes to cover the Long March's arrival, the anti-Japanese national united front, the mass production campaign and the rectification movement — the outline of Yan'an's revolutionary routes. Highlights include the main exhibition on the thirteen years in northern Shaanxi, historical photographs and original documents of the Yan'an period, reconstructed cave-dwelling and market scenes, and the adjacent Wangjiaping revolutionary site. Tip: admission is free but real-name booking is required; book ahead in high season. Allow 2–3 hours; see the memorial hall first, then Yangjialing and Zaoyuan, so the historical thread is easier to follow. Practical info: located at Wangjiaping (Shengdi Road), Baota District, Yan'an, Shaanxi Province; admission free (real-name reservation required); opening hours 08:00–17:00 (Apr–Oct); 08:00–16:00 (Nov–Mar), open year-round.

Tip: Admission is free but real-name booking is required; book ahead in high season.

• Address: Wangjiaping (Shengdi Road), Baota District, Yan'an, Shaanxi Province
• Ticket: Free (real-name reservation required)
• Opening: 08:00–17:00 (Apr–Oct); 08:00–16:00 (Nov–Mar), open year-round

Yangjialing was the seat of the CPC Central Committee from 1938 to 1947, and the 7th National Congress was held here. Mao Zedong and other leaders lived and worked here, leaving a valuable revolutionary legacy. Highlights include the Central Auditorium, Mao Zedong's former residence, Zhu De's former residence and Zhou Enlai's former residence. Tip: it is close to Zaoyuan, so the two can be visited on the same day. Practical info: located on Yangjialing Road, Baota District, Yan'an, Shaanxi Province; admission free (reservation required); opening hours 08:00–17:30. Best season: autumn (Sep–Oct) is clear and brisk, with the fragrance of ripening jujubes; spring (Apr–May) brings blossom across the Loess Plateau. Combine with Baota Mountain, the Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site and Hukou Waterfall (Shaanxi side) for a half- or full-day itinerary. Check the day's opening and booking policy before you go, and allow enough time.

Tip: It is close to Zaoyuan, so the two can be visited on the same day.

• Address: Yangjialing Road, Baota District, Yan'an, Shaanxi Province
• Ticket: Free (reservation required)
• Opening: 08:00–17:30