Hidden Waterfall Off-the-Beaten-Path

Yan'an Three Days and Three Nights Travel Guide｜Red Holy Land · Loess Plateau Charm (Including Scenic Recommendations and Detailed Expenses)

Yan'an, located in northern Shaanxi Province, is the holy land of the Chinese revolution and a brilliant cultural gem on the Loess Plateau. Here, you will find not only revolutionary historical sites but also the magnificent Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River, unique northern Shaanxi folk customs, and rich loess culture. This three-day, three-night itinerary takes you through the mists of history to feel the power of faith and the grandeur of nature.

Scenic Highlights (Must-Visit)

1. Baota Mountain – Yan'an landmark and symbol of the revolution, climb to the top for a panoramic view of Yan'an
2. Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site – Former residences of leaders like Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, a red memory
3. Yangjialing Revolutionary Site – Venue of the 7th National Congress of the CPC, the fate of China in cave dwellings
4. Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall – Comprehensive understanding of Yan'an’s thirteen years of revolution (free)
5. Hukou Waterfall | The largest waterfall on the Yellow River, majestic and breathtaking (better viewing from Shaanxi side)
6. Nanniwan | The birthplace of “self-reliance and abundant harvest,” pastoral scenery
7. Yan'an 1938 Cultural Block – Immersive red-themed street area, beautiful night views
8. Ganquan Grand Canyon (optional) | “China’s Antelope Canyon,” a spectacular red sandstone geological wonder

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Yan'an + Baota Mountain + Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall + Night Tour of 1938 Cultural Block
- Arrive at Yan'an Station by high-speed train or bullet train, take bus or taxi to city center hotel (¥20-30)
- Check in at a city center hotel (e.g., All Seasons, Home Inn, Yanlv Hotel, ¥260/night, ¥520 per person for three nights)
- Afternoon:
- Climb Baota Mountain (ticket ¥65, includes guide): Yan'an landmark with a Ming Dynasty pagoda on top, overlooking the Yan River and cityscape.
- Visit Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall (free, reservation required): The most authoritative red-themed museum in China, fully displaying the Yan'an years from 1935-1948.
- Evening: Stroll along Yanhe Bridge and watch the Baota Mountain light show (daily 19:30-20:30)
- Dinner: Taste northern Shaanxi specialties
- Recommended: Stewed lamb (¥68), Yangyu Chacha (potato dish) (¥18), Qianqian rice (¥12), fried dough (¥5), average ¥60 per person
- Night tour of Yan'an 1938 Cultural Block: Vintage streets, red slogans, light projections, great for photos and check-ins (free)

Day 2: Zaoyuan + Yangjialing + Nanniwan (One-day deep red tour)
- Morning:
- Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site (ticket ¥65): Visit the former Central Secretariat site, cave dwellings of five secretaries, shaded by green trees, rich in history.
- Yangjialing Revolutionary Site (ticket ¥50): The hall of the 7th National Congress, central auditorium, leaders’ residences, experience “Marxism-Leninism in cave dwellings.”
- Lunch: Farmhouse meal near the scenic area (millet porridge + stewed dishes + coarse grain cornbread, ¥40 per person)
- Afternoon: Travel to Nanniwan (40 km from city center, carpool ¥60 round trip)
- Free admission, pastoral scenery, visit Nanniwan Great Production Exhibition Hall (free)
- Walk through rice fields and wetlands, experience the tranquility of “Northern Shaanxi’s Jiangnan.”
- Return to city in the evening, dinner options:
- “Old Yulin Restaurant”: Northern Shaanxi mixed three delicacies (¥58), braised donkey intestine (¥32), average ¥60 per person

Day 3: Hukou Waterfall One-Day Tour + Return
- Early morning departure to Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River (Shaanxi side, about 150 km from Yan'an city, 2.5-hour drive)
- Option 1: Join a local one-day tour group (includes transport + ticket + guide, ¥260/person)
- Option 2: Carpool round trip (about ¥120/person, tickets purchased separately)
- Scenic area tickets:
- Hukou Waterfall (Shaanxi side) ticket ¥90 + shuttle bus ¥40 = ¥130
- You can walk down to the viewing platform to experience the roar and shock of “Yellow River water coming from the sky” up close
- Summer has large water volume and majestic power; winter offers the “ice waterfall jade pot” spectacle
- Lunch outside the scenic area (hand-pulled noodles + Guokui flatbread, ¥35 per person)
- Depart back to Yan'an city around 3-4 pm, take high-speed train or bus for return trip depending on schedule

💰 Expense Details (Per Person)

| Item | Cost (CNY) |
| Round-trip transportation (high-speed train/bus) | ¥300 |
| Local transportation (bus + taxi + carpool) | ¥100 |
| Accommodation (3 nights economy hotel) | ¥520 |
| Meals (3 days, including main meals + snacks) | ¥220 |
| Attraction tickets (Baota Mountain + Zaoyuan + Yangjialing + Hukou + shuttle) | ¥345 |
| One-day tour group (including Hukou transport) | ¥260 (optional) |
| Souvenirs (Yan'an millet ¥40, dog-head jujube ¥30, paper-cutting ¥50) | ¥60 |
Total approximately ¥1185 (without tour group about ¥925; with tour group about ¥1200)

> 💡 Tips:
> - Yan'an has a dry climate with large temperature differences between day and night; use sun protection in summer and keep warm in winter.
> - Hukou Waterfall has Shaanxi and Shanxi sides; the Shaanxi side offers better views and convenient parking.
> - Free guided tours are available at Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall, Zaoyuan, and Yangjialing (scheduled sessions), check times in advance.
> - Best travel season: May to October, pleasant climate, large water volume at Hukou, lush greenery at Nanniwan.

Three days and three nights, step into Yan'an:
Listen to the Yan River whisper beneath Baota Mountain,
Touch the warmth of faith in Zaoyuan cave dwellings,
Stand before Hukou Waterfall,
Feel the unceasing spirit of the Yellow River flowing through the nation.

Yan'an,
Not just a red memory,
But a symbol of resilience, simplicity, and upward spirit
On the Loess Plateau.

Come,
Take a trip to Yan'an,
Let your soul
Be reignited
At the intersection of history and nature.