Create meetup in Shanghaichevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
explore Shanghai Guides
bar_chart Trends in Shanghai
Things to Do in Yan'an (2026)
Yan'an is the cradle of the Chinese Communist Revolution, and no visit is complete without exploring the Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall. Located at No. 1 Zao Yuan Road… 🏛️ Revolutionary History
Yan'an is the cradle of the Chinese Communist Revolution, and no visit is complete without exploring the Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall. Located at No. 1 Zao Yuan Road, the museum is open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM and offers free admission with a valid ID. The exhibits detail the party's history from 1935 to 1948, with original artifacts and immersive dioramas.
🏔️ Pagoda Hill
The iconic Pagoda Hill (Baota Shan) is Yan'an's most recognizable landmark, standing at the top of a hill overlooking the city. You can climb the 44-meter-tall Ming Dynasty pagoda for panoramic views of the Fen River valley. Admission is 30 CNY, and the site is open from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Visit at sunset for the best photo opportunities.
🏡 Cave Dwellings
Experience traditional Yan'an life by visiting the Yangjialing Revolutionary Site, where Mao Zedong and other leaders lived in cave dwellings (yaodong) during the 1940s. The site at No. 1 Yangjialing Road is open from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, and entry costs 20 CNY. These hillside caves are cool in summer and warm in winter, offering a glimpse into the spartan conditions of the era.
🎭 Folk Culture
For a taste of local Shaanbei culture, catch a performance of the Yan'an Yangge dance or listen to Xintianyou folk songs at the Yan'an Grand Theatre. Tickets range from 50 to 150 CNY, and shows typically run on weekends at 7:30 PM. The theatre is at 1 Binhe Road, and it's wise to book ahead during peak seasons.
🍜 Local Cuisine
Don't leave Yan'an without trying the famous Yan'an lamb paomo (bread soaked in lamb stew) at the old-town restaurant Laosunjia, located at 88 Center Street. A bowl costs around 25 CNY and is best enjoyed with a side of pickled garlic. For a sweet treat, sample the local date cakes (zao gao) sold by street vendors near Pagoda Hill for about 5 CNY each.
🚌 Getting Around
Yan'an's city center is compact and walkable, but to reach outlying revolutionary sites like the Nanniwan Scenic Area, take bus route K1 from the central bus station for 2 CNY. Taxis start at 7 CNY for the first 3 kilometers, and ride-hailing apps like Didi are widely available. For a more immersive experience, rent a bicycle from shops near the train station for about 30 CNY per day.
🌃 Evening Strolls
After dark, head to the Yan'an Night Market on Jiefang Road, open from 6:00 PM to midnight. Here you can browse stalls selling local handicrafts, snacks, and souvenirs. The nearby Yan'an Riverside Park offers a peaceful walk along the Fen River, with illuminated bridges and pagodas reflecting on the water. Entry is free, and the park stays open until 10:00 PM.
🎟️ Budget Tips
Many of Yan'an's revolutionary sites offer free admission on Tuesdays, so plan your itinerary accordingly. A combined ticket for the main attractions (Pagoda Hill, Yangjialing, and the Revolutionary Memorial Hall) costs 80 CNY and is valid for three days. Student discounts are available with a valid ID, reducing prices by half at most sites.
agree with the combined ticket tip, saved me some hassle too. one thing i'd add is the small revolutionary museum at zao yuan, it's like a 10 minute walk from the main memorial hall and way less crowded. has this room set up exactly as mao's office looked, even his old desk is there. free entry with the same id check
if you're into hiking, the trail behind yangjialing goes up to a little watchtower ruin. took me about 20 minutes and the view over the valley is better than from pagoda hill imo. nobody else was up there when i went, just wind and birds
the date cakes are def better fresh, that's a solid tip. also try the cold skin noodles (liang pi) from a cart near the night market entrance, they do a version with sesame sauce that's real good for like 8 yuan. spicy though so ask for less chili if you're not about that
the guide mentions the combined ticket but doesn't say you can buy it at any of the three sites. i grabbed mine at the memorial hall ticket window, saved me queuing twice. also if you're there on a tuesday like they suggest, the memorial hall can get crowded with school groups by 10am, so go early or aim for late afternoon.
for real the night market on jiefang road is worth a wander even if you're not hungry. there's this old guy near the south end who makes handmade sugar paintings, he does little animals and characters for like 10 yuan. watched him do a dragon once, took him maybe two minutes and it looked spot on
also if you're doing the combined ticket thing, hit pagoda hill first thing in the morning. less people and the light is way better for photos before the haze kicks in. the stairs are no joke though, my legs felt it the next day
the date cakes from the vendors near the pagoda are solid but some of them sit out all day. grab one from a cart that's actually cooking them fresh, you can smell the difference. they're best warm
Shanghai hidden gems beyond the Bund?
honestly skip the bund crowds and head to the former french concession around wukang road. grab a coffee at some random lane spot, the whole area has these old lane houses that feel way more real than the skyline. also check out the rock bund art museum near the south bund, it's in this old industrial building with killer views and barely any tourists last time i was there. if u want food, go to tianzifang but skip the main alleys and wander into the side lanes, you'll find a tiny dumpling place that's like 15 yuan for 10 pieces
if you're around on a weekend morning, hit up the antique market on dongtai road before it fully gentrifies. it's mostly gone now tbh but there's still a few stalls tucked near the intersection with liuhe road, you'll find old propaganda posters and weird mao-era knickknacks for like 20 kuai. also the shanghai natural history museum in jing'an is underrated, the building itself is this wild spiral shape and the dinosaur skeletons are legit impressive, plus it's like 30 yuan entry. for a quiet evening walk i'd do the suzhou creek path near the north bund but go west from the waibaidu bridge, past the old post office building, there's a stretch where the lights hit the water just right and nobody's around
yeah if you want something totally different check out the long museum (long museum west bund) it's this massive space with rotating contemporary art, way less crowded than the power station of art. also walk the suzhou creek trail near the north bund, it's kinda rough around the edges but you get these weird views of old factories mixed with new towers