Yan'an

Things to do in Yan'an

Search attractions or local attractions & tours
Search

Explore top experiences

Top 10 attractions in Yan'an

View all Attractions
Baota Mountain
No. 19 of Best Things to Do in Shaanxi

Baota Mountain

7.3
4.5/5
5k reviews
Baota Mountain is located in the center of Yan'an city, by the side of the Yan River, and is named after the pagoda on the mountain. The pagoda was first built in the Tang Dynasty, and the existing structure is a pavilion-style brick pagoda rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty. The pagoda, together with the mountain, the Yan River, and the bridge, forms the city skyline of Yan'an and is also a symbol of the revolutionary holy land in people's hearts. The poet He Jingzhi wrote in "Returning to Yan'an" the famous line, "How many times in my dreams have I returned to Yan'an, embracing Baota Mountain with both hands," adding emotional weight to this mountain. The mountain is densely scattered with historical sites, including Song dynasty cliff carvings, Fan Gong Well, beacon towers, Star-gazing Tower, Jialing Academy, ancient city walls, and the former site of the Japanese Workers' and Peasants' School. Among them, the inscriptions "Jialing Mountain" in clerical script and "My chest harbors tens of thousands of armored soldiers" by Fan Zhongyan of the Northern Song dynasty have long been renowned. An iron bell cast in the Ming dynasty still hangs beside the pagoda, which was used for timekeeping and alarms during the CPC Central Committee's Yan'an period. Ascending the mountain path to Star-gazing Tower and beacon tower areas offers panoramic views of Yan'an city and the Yan River. After nightfall, the mountain and pagoda illuminate, and gazing back at the lit pagoda from near Yan River Bridge remains a favorite photo spot for many travelers.Yan'an · 781m from downtown
Yangjialing Revolutionary Site
No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Yan'an

Yangjialing Revolutionary Site

6.7
4.8/5
1k reviews
Yangjialing Revolutionary Site is a place where the old generation of central-government leaders, such as Chairman Mao, lived in Yan'an for a long time. Yangjialing Revolutionary Site is divided into two parts, the south part and the north part along the road. The south side of the road is the central auditorium of the year. The north side of the road is the former residence of Mao Zedong, Zhu De, Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi, and other central government leaders. The 7th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which is of historical significance, was held in the central auditorium. At the meeting, Mao Zedong Thought was determined as the Party's guiding ideology. In 1946, Mao Zedong met with the American journalist Anna Louise Strong here and proposed the famous theory that "All the reactionaries are paper tigers."Yan'an · 4.2 km from downtown
Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site
No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Yan'an

Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site

6.5
4.8/5
1.1k reviews
The Zaoyuan Revolution Former Site was previously the manor of a landlord. After the CPC Central Committee moved to Yan'an, it became the site of the former CPC Central Committee Investigation Department. The site was renamed "Yan Yuan," and there are Chinese characters "Yan Yuan" written by Kang Shu on both sides of the stone pillars at the gate of the site. The site now comprises the small hall of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and the former residence of Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and Liu Shaoqi. It is also a garden-style revolution commemoration site and a major base for providing traditional revolutionary education in China, attracting countless travelers throughout the year.Yan'an · 7.7 km from downtown
Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall
No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Yan'an

Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall

6.1
4.8/5
704 reviews
Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall is seated east of the Yanhe River, northwest of Baota District of Yan'an and west of the revolutionary site in Wangjiaping. It is a large revolutionary memorial hall. The memorial hall displays a large number of valuable historical documents, charts and photos that demonstrate the revolutionary struggle of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China after arriving in the north of Shaanxi. With a traditional national style, it has a plain and simple exterior and compact, grand and magnificent structure.Yan'an · 2.9 km from downtown
Nanniwan Scenic Area
No. 9 of Best Things to Do in Northern Shaanxi

Nanniwan Scenic Area

5.8
4.5/5
152 reviews
At present, the large terraced fields reclaimed in the past in Nanniwan, the exhibition hall of the large-scale production movement in Naniwan, the Jiulong Spring and the monument to the martyrs are available for tourists to visit.Yan'an · 28.3 km from downtown
Yan'an Red Street
No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Yan'an

Yan'an Red Street

5.8
4.9/5
309 reviews
Yan'an Red Street is located at No. 1 Huanhu Road, Science and Technology City, High-tech Zone, Yan'an City. It is a super-large red tourism comprehensive project integrating patriotic education, folk culture experience, tourism, leisure and vacation. Red Street bids farewell to the single function of traditional red tourism. It not only has food, accommodation, travel, entertainment, shopping, intangible cultural heritage, and activities, but also has a complete range of land and water projects, which can greatly meet the comprehensive needs of tourists for red tourism. Yan'an Red Street covers an area of 26.76 hectares, with a total construction area of 74,900 square meters and a block length of 1.5 kilometers. Based on the historical context of Yan'an from 1935 to 1948, four red cultural blocks and five red themed squares are formed, namely "Red Journey", "Red Life", "Red Time" and "Red Age". With the planning and design of traditional ancient city buildings, historically restored buildings, northern Shaanxi residential buildings, and the landscape of the Long March Cultural Park, it reproduces the glorious journey of the Red Army's reunion in northern Shaanxi, the fiery years of Yan'an, and the great victory. Yan'an Red Street is planned according to the format of "food and beverage", "non-heritage specialties", "retail", "red training and experience", "main store paradise and homestay", attracting many tourists and opening on June 12, 2021 The number of tourists exceeded 2 million in the first month, and on the first day of opening, it also set a record of 260,000 passengers in a single day. Yan'an Red Street uses high-tech means to create an immersive experience. It has the domestic large-scale red indoor scene experience drama "Return to Yan'an", and the interactive military paradise "Training Ground" with 24 ballistic tracks, the largest shooting range in Northwest China, etc. Create multiple dynamic sensory experiences, combine education with travel, and entertain with education. Yan'an Red Street focuses on innovating a new model of red tourism and building a new brand of Chinese red culture.Yan'an · 3.4 km from downtown
Wangjiaping Revolutionary Site

Wangjiaping Revolutionary Site

4.6
4.5/5
182 reviews
Wangjiaping Revolutionary Site is located about 4 kilometers northwest of Yan'an City. From January 1937 to March 1947, it was the location of the Central Military Commission (Central Revolutionary Military Commission) and the Eighth Route Army Headquarters (later renamed the PLA General Headquarters). It was here that the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army fought an arduous eight-year war of resistance. On the east side of the auditorium, tourists can visit the reception room; on the west side of the auditorium, there is the backyard of the Military Commission Staff Office; on the front yard of the Staff Office and on the nearby mountainside, there are many old residences. In addition, in the old site, tourists can also visit the data room, conference room, policy research room and other places of the Military Commission.Yan'an · 2.6 km from downtown
Yangjialing Chairman Mao's Former Residence

Yangjialing Chairman Mao's Former Residence

4.4
4.8/5
62 reviews
The former residence of Chairman Mao in Yangjialing is a row of three-hole earthen caves connected to the stone mouth. The Chairman lived here from November 1938 to May 1943. During this period, the Chairman wrote important works such as "On New Democracy", "Reforming Our Study", "Rectifying the Party's Style", and "Economic and Financial Issues". The Chairman met with American journalist Anna Louise Strong at the small stone table in front of the Yangjialing cave. In response to the "fear of the United States" that was popular at the time, he made a famous statement. In October 1943, the Chairman moved from here to Zaoyuan one after another. The Yangjialing Revolutionary Site where the attraction is located is located in Yangjialing Village, 3 kilometers northwest of Yan'an, Shaanxi, covering an area of ​​101 acres. The old site preserves the Central Auditorium, the former residence of celebrities, etc., with a total of 18 stone caves, 19 earthen caves connected to the stone mouth, 23 bungalows, and dozens of earthen caves.Yan'an · 4.3 km from downtown
Jin Yan'an Tourist Resort

Jin Yan'an Tourist Resort

4.4
3.9/5
38 reviews
Jin Yan'an Tourist ResortCentered around the theme of "Yan'an Memories" and guided by the planning concept of "Mirroring History, Capturing Yan'an's Essence," this project traces the historical and cultural development of Yan'an city. It meticulously reconstructs the city's historic architectural districts, reviving the 1,000-year-old Northern Song Dynasty-era Yanzhou cityscape and the 1930s streetscape of old Yan'an. The development seamlessly integrates revolutionary history, cultural immersion, folk performances, live-action shows, themed courtyard homestays, authentic food streets, and urban leisure experiences. It has now evolved into a comprehensive cultural hub featuring ten core offerings: cultural-themed streets, local cuisine, cultural courtyard homestays, revolutionary education programs, creative industries, corporate team-building, red tourism studies, performance arts, educational initiatives, and wellness activities – serving as a vital historical and cultural bridge between old Yan'an and the modern city.Yan'an · 8.9 km from downtown
Pagoda Mountain - Enemy Watching Tower

Pagoda Mountain - Enemy Watching Tower

4
4.7/5
15 reviews
Pagoda Mountain - Enemy Watching Tower, originally named Wangkou Terrace, is a watchtower built by the famous Northern Song Dynasty general Fan Zhongyan when he was stationed in Yanzhou to observe enemy movements and command the war against Western Xia. Because it is located on the peak of Baota Mountain, the stars at night seem so close that one could reach out and pluck them, hence its name. The original tower was destroyed, and it was rebuilt on the original site in 1987. Standing on it, one can take in the panoramic view of the three rivers, which offers a unique charm.Yan'an · 1.1 km from downtown

Experiences you can't miss in Yan'an

Featured Day tours in Yan'an

View all Day tours
1-day tour to Ganquan canyon [round-trip shuttle bus from Xi'an] with optional premium small group
󱌍
4.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 13.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
From€38.33
Ganquan Yucha Grand Canyon Day Trip (Includes entrance fee, round-trip transportation, family group tour, vacation group tour)
󱌍
5.0/5
· 1 review· 30 booked
Duration: 11.3 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for tomorrow
From€208.71
1-day tour to Hukou waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River and Huangdi mausoleum Xuanyuan temple in Shaanxi + optional Chinese/English-speaking guide
󱌍
5.0/5
· 4 reviews· 23 booked
Duration: 14.3 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for tomorrow
From€42.33
Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River 1-day tour [door-to-door pickup│optional skip-the-line]
󱌍
5.0/5
· 2 reviews· 77 booked
Duration: 11 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for tomorrow
From€38.33
Shaanxi Hukou Waterfall Tourist Area One-Day Tour: Ticket Booking + Private Car Transfer
󱌍
Duration: 10.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for tomorrow
From€45.37
Shaanxi Hukou Waterfall One-Day Chinese Group Tour with Optional First-Class Bus and Fast Track Entry
󱌍
From€55.81

Free things to do in Yan'an

More ways to travel from Yan'an

Private Tours in Yan'an

View More Private Tours in Yan'an

Group Tours in Yan'an

View More Group Tours in Yan'an

What travellers say about Yan'an

user-avatar
夜阑月色溶溶October 7, 2026
5.0
Because we had children with us, we opted to take the sightseeing bus up and down, which was very relaxing. We got a close look at the pagoda, took photos, and learned about its history, especially the plaques at the north and south gates: "Soaring high above the heavens, overlooking the mortal world"—for over 1000 years, the pagoda has achieved this.

Baota Mountain

user-avatar
博😘😘肖November 1, 2025
5.0
From a historical perspective, both Yangjialing and Zaoyuan were important locations for the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) during the Yan'an period, carrying profound historical memories. However, they differ in details. Yangjialing is renowned as the cradle of revolutionary spirit and a witness to many important historical events; while Zaoyuan is known for its garden-like environment and its status as an important base for national revolutionary tradition education. Furthermore, Yangjialing and Zaoyuan differed in the location of their administrative offices and the revolutionary tasks they undertook. Yangjialing was the former site of all the CPC Central Committee's administrative offices, undertaking the important tasks of commanding the anti-Japanese war and the War of Liberation behind enemy lines, leading the Great Production Movement and the Rectification Movement; while Zaoyuan was the former site where the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee moved from Yangjialing, primarily undertaking tasks such as leading the entire Party in the Rectification Movement and the Great Production Movement in the liberated areas, and preparing for the Seventh National Congress of the CPC.

Yangjialing Revolutionary Site

user-avatar
西格玛 123July 18, 2025
5.0
枣园革命旧址是国家5A级景区,位于陕西省延安市城西北,是一个园林式的革命纪念地。这里原来是一家地主的庄园,在中共中央进驻延安后,作为中央社会部驻地,并改名为“延园”。1944年至1947年3月,中共中央书记处成员由杨家岭迁驻此地,在这里领导全党开展了整风运动和解放区军民开展的大生产运动,筹备了中国共产党“七大”。

Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site

user-avatar
老尤🇨🇳August 10, 2023
5.0
Yangjialing Revolutionary Site, the revolutionary environment of the older generation of revolutionaries was very difficult. The driver who rushed over from Xi'an kept urging me to go there, so I just took a quick look. Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site, the revolution has achieved certain results and the environment has improved, but it is still quite difficult. Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall, a very good revolutionary education base, very suitable for bringing children to learn about the history of the Chinese revolution. Wangjiaping Revolutionary Site, the victory of the revolution is in sight.

Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall

user-avatar
M84***97January 19, 2025
5.0
This is the birthplace of China's military reclamation and agricultural reclamation. It is built by the mountains and rivers. The attractions here include the Thousand Mu Rice Field with a history of more than 70 years, the Party Emblem Square, Taobao Valley, the Wetland Park, the Great Production Memorial Hall, and the former site of the Central Administration Bureau Cadre Rest Home. [星R] We mainly went to the Thousand Mu Rice Field (Figures 1-3). The weather was very good today. The blue sky and white clouds matched the green rice fields and it was really a good photo! The Wetland Park (Figures 4-5) also has good scenery. There are some rafting and boating entertainment projects, which are more suitable for picnics and relaxation with friends on weekends. Due to time constraints, we could only visit the Great Production Memorial Hall in a hurry. It was the first time to experience viewing the exhibition in a wheelchair [笑泣R] Figures 9 and 10 are the scenes of Nanniwan last autumn.

Nanniwan Scenic Area

user-avatar
Anonymous userJune 2, 2025
5.0
The stay experience was great! The room was clean and tidy, the bedding was soft and comfortable, and the facilities were complete and new. The front desk service was warm and thoughtful, and the response was timely. The breakfast was rich and delicious, and the location was convenient. It was very cost-effective and highly recommended!

Yan'an Red Street

user-avatar
Ethan_PiuJuly 6, 2020
5.0
The Wangjiaping Revolutionary Site is next to the Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall. Walk in from the alley and you will find Wangjiaping Primary School inside. Parking is available both at the site and at the memorial hall. The Wangjiaping Revolutionary Site is relatively small and can be visited within half an hour. There are waist drum performances inside, which are quite interesting.

Wangjiaping Revolutionary Site

user-avatar
路上风景线September 24, 2025
5.0
Chairman Mao's Former Residence in Yangjialing, Baota District, Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province, is a significant witness to China's revolutionary history. This residence not only served as the site of Mao Zedong's early revolutionary activities, but also serves as a significant historical relic of the Chinese Communist Party's leadership of the Chinese Revolution. Historical Background: Chairman Mao's Former Residence in Yangjialing was one of Mao Zedong's residences during his time in Yan'an, reflecting his perseverance in the revolution under difficult circumstances. It was a crucial location for Mao to discuss strategy and conduct work with his comrades, and it also bears witness to many significant historical events. Architecture and Environment: The residence retains its original appearance, remaining simple yet full of life, showcasing Chairman Mao's unpretentious lifestyle. The tranquil, tree-lined surroundings offer visitors an immersive historical experience. Cultural and Educational Value: As a key site for patriotic education, Chairman Mao's Former Residence in Yangjialing vividly recreates the revolutionary life of the Yan'an period through a wealth of exhibits and artifacts, inspiring young people to remember their historical mission and uphold the revolutionary spirit. Overall Evaluation: Chairman Mao's Former Residence in Yangjialing not only holds significant historical value, but also serves as a crucial site for carrying forward the revolutionary legacy and promoting revolutionary traditions. With its authentic historical atmosphere and profound cultural heritage, it has become an important place for tourists and researchers to commemorate the martyrs and learn the revolutionary spirit.

Yangjialing Chairman Mao's Former Residence

user-avatar
M35***20March 27, 2025
5.0
I am a local in Yan'an. I want to take my family out for a walk every holiday. Jin Yan'an is really a surprise every time I come! There are performances everywhere in the block, which is very atmospheric. My favorite is the bonfire party. I feel good when I dance together. After May Day, I will bring my family here to stay for a few days to experience the homestay here.

Jin Yan'an Tourist Resort

user-avatar
行走毛毛July 17, 2022
5.0
It is really not easy to climb up to the Zhaixing Tower. You need to climb the mountain for a long time before you can stand under the Zhaixing Tower. As for what kind of story this tower has, you can see the photos I uploaded, but I have to say that standing on the Zhaixing Tower to enjoy the scenery is a good choice, and you can see very far away.

Pagoda Mountain - Enemy Watching Tower

Popular cities near Yan'an

Frequently asked questions

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include 1-day tour to Ganquan canyon [round-trip shuttle bus from Xi'an] with optional premium small group, Ganquan Yucha Grand Canyon Day Trip (Includes entrance fee, round-trip transportation, family group tour, vacation group tour), and 1-day tour to Hukou waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River and Huangdi mausoleum Xuanyuan temple in Shaanxi + optional Chinese/English-speaking guide. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of October 19, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Yan'an is around EUR 38.33 – EUR 287.35. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

Get help anytime, anywhere within 30 secondsContact customer support

Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.