Revolutionary Holy Land — Yan'an
Yan'an Four-Day Classic Tour Route and Cost Guide (Average Budget 1138-3000 RMB)
Classic Route Recommendations
Day 1: First Experience of Red Culture (Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall → Wangjiaping Site → Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts Site → Erdao Street Night Market → Baota Mountain Night View)
Day 2: Natural Wonders and Historical Sites (Hukou Waterfall → Nanniwan → Yan'an Red Street)
Day 3: Geological Wonders and Cultural Exploration (Ganquan Grand Canyon → Qin Straight Road → Love Valley)
Day 4: In-depth Tour of Revolutionary Sites (Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site → Yangjialing Revolutionary Site) → Return
Route Highlights: Combines red culture, natural scenery, and northern Shaanxi folk customs, balancing classic and niche attractions, suitable for families and history enthusiasts.
Itinerary Details
Day 1: First Experience of Red Culture
07:30-09:30 Yan'an Station → Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall
• Transportation: Metro Line 2 to Baota Mountain Station (15 minutes, 3 RMB).
• Attraction: Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall (free, reservation required), displays numerous precious relics and photos; it is recommended to follow a guide for an in-depth understanding of revolutionary history.
09:30-11:30 Revolutionary Memorial Hall → Wangjiaping Site
• Transportation: 10-minute walk.
• Attraction: Wangjiaping Site (20 RMB ticket, open 8:00-18:00), former location of the Central Committee Office of the Communist Party of China, preserving old items and historical photos.
11:30-13:30 Wangjiaping → Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts Site
• Transportation: Taxi (10 RMB, 8 minutes).
• Attraction: Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts Site (10 RMB ticket), known as "China's Pushkin Academy," experience the academic atmosphere of the old art academy.
13:30-15:00 Lunch (near Erdao Street Night Market)
• Recommended Restaurants:
• Li Laoer Sheep Hoof (Erdao Street Night Market): Sheep hoof 7 RMB each, soft and flavorful, paired with garlic spicy sour soup to cut the grease.
• Northern Shaanxi Teacher’s Lamb Offal Soup: Lamb offal soup 20 RMB per bowl, with 3 RMB pancakes, authentic northern Shaanxi flavor.
15:00-17:00 Erdao Street Night Market → Baota Mountain
• Activity: Stroll through Erdao Street Night Market, try potato pancakes (10 RMB/portion), Zichang pancakes (15 RMB/set).
• Night View: Baota Mountain night sightseeing bus (20 RMB/person), climb to the top to overlook Yan'an city night view, comfortable shoes recommended.
Day 2: Natural Wonders and Historical Sites
07:30-09:30 Hotel → Hukou Waterfall
• Transportation: Yan'an South Bus Station shuttle (110 RMB/person, 2-hour ride), advance ticket purchase recommended.
• Attraction: Hukou Waterfall (100 RMB ticket + 40 RMB sightseeing bus), best photo spot is directly in front of the waterfall, experience the shock of "a thousand miles of the Yellow River gathered in one pot."
09:30-11:30 Hukou Waterfall → Nanniwan
• Transportation: Shuttle/chartered car (30 minutes, 50 RMB).
• Activity: Nanniwan free scenic area, check in at the "Do It Yourself, Self-Sufficient" slogan sign, camping, horseback riding, and boating available, suitable for family outings.
11:30-13:30 Nanniwan → Yan'an Red Street
• Transportation: Taxi (15 km, 30 RMB).
• Activity: Experience the "Return to Yan'an" performance on Yan'an Red Street (group price 198 RMB/person), watch the water curtain light show at 8:30 PM.
13:30-15:00 Lunch (inside Yan'an Red Street)
• Recommendation: Northern Shaanxi iron pot stewed lamb (double meal 150 RMB), warming and authentic, paired with sweet and soft millet cake.
Day 3: Geological Wonders and Cultural Exploration
07:30-09:30 Hotel → Ganquan Grand Canyon
• Transportation: Chartered car (5-7 seats, 300 RMB/day), 2-hour drive, advance booking required.
• Attraction: Ganquan Grand Canyon (168 RMB ticket, open 8:00-17:00), best lighting time 14:00-15:00, non-slip shoes recommended.
09:30-11:30 Ganquan Grand Canyon → Qin Straight Road
• Transportation: Continue by chartered car (30 minutes).
• Attraction: Qin Straight Road section at Fuxian Cheluliang, best-preserved Qin Dynasty highway, lush vegetation, roadside melons available for purchase (market purchase recommended, greenhouse melons are more expensive).
11:30-13:30 Qin Straight Road → Love Valley
• Transportation: Chartered car (20 minutes).
• Activity: Love Valley is formed by two gorges creating a heart shape, rich photo spots, suitable for couples and families.
13:30-15:00 Lunch (Ganquan County)
• Recommendation: Ganquan spicy pot noodles (double meal 30 RMB), handmade noodles with northern Shaanxi chili oil, rich broth.
Day 4: In-depth Tour of Revolutionary Sites
07:30-09:30 Hotel → Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site
• Transportation: Metro Line 2 to Zaoyuan Station (20 minutes, 4 RMB).
• Attraction: Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site (free), focus on the "Serve the People" speech platform, red army uniform rental for photos (30 RMB/set).
09:30-11:30 Zaoyuan → Yangjialing Revolutionary Site
• Transportation: 15-minute walk.
• Attraction: Yangjialing Revolutionary Site (free), visit former residences of leaders such as Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, recommended to take a group photo in front of the "Seventh Congress Site" stone table.
11:30-13:30 Lunch (near Yangjialing)
• Recommendation: Yan'an stir-fried pork with millet rice (40 RMB per person), sour and spicy appetizing, paired with sweet and soft millet cake.
13:30-15:00 Return Preparation
• Transportation: Depending on return time, chartered car to Yan'an Station/Yan'an South Station, or take high-speed train back to Xi'an (2.5 hours).
Cost Breakdown (Per Person)
【Table】
Item Description Budget (RMB)
Tickets Baota Mountain 60 + Hukou Waterfall 100 + Sightseeing Bus 40 + Ganquan Grand Canyon 168 + Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts 10 + Wangjiaping 20 = 398 RMB 398
Transportation City metro/shared bike 30 + Yan'an-Hukou shuttle 110 + Chartered car 300 + Station transfer 50 ≈ 490 RMB 490
Meals Breakfast 20 + Lunch 80 + Dinner 60 + Snacks 40 ≈ 200 RMB 200
Accommodation Budget hotel (near Baota Mountain) 150 RMB/night × 3 nights = 450 RMB 450
Total 1538
Budget Adjustment:
• Skip Ganquan Grand Canyon (save 168 RMB), choose Qingliang Mountain instead (40 RMB ticket).
• Lunch at Erdao Street snacks (save 50 RMB), such as potato pancakes, fried dough cakes (30 RMB per person).
• Minimum budget: 30 (transport) + 60 (Baota Mountain) + 100 (Hukou Waterfall) + 40 (sightseeing bus) + 150 (accommodation) + 100 (meals) = 480 RMB.
Quality Upgrade:
• Chartered car (7-seat business vehicle) 600 RMB/day, add Baota Mountain night view helicopter experience (special price for two 800 RMB).
• Dinner at northern Shaanxi restaurant (100 RMB per person), such as Qinling mushroom soup, fennel pancakes.
• Accommodation at Yan'an Wanda Realm Hotel (6488 RMB/night), includes Yanhu Lake night view. Total budget can reach 3000 RMB.
Seasonal Recommendations
• March-May: Baota Mountain peach blossoms, Ganquan Grand Canyon soft lighting, recommend entering early at 8 AM to avoid crowds.
• June-August: Hukou Waterfall has the largest water volume, Nanniwan Wetland Park suitable for summer cooling, recommended night light show on Red Street.
• September-November: Ganquan Grand Canyon colorful, Qin Straight Road lush vegetation, ideal for photography.
• December-February: Baota Mountain snow scenery, Yan'an Red Street Ice and Snow Festival, experience northern Shaanxi New Year customs.
Tips: Buy Hukou Waterfall tickets online in advance; wear non-slip shoes for Baota Mountain night view; bring your own tent for camping at Nanniwan; must-try Yan'an foods include potato pancakes and lamb offal soup.