Major city · China
Yan'an
One full day covers the main red‑tourism sites; add a night if you want a relaxed pace or to explore caves and markets.
Yan'an is the cradle of Chinese communist history, famous for its revolutionary museums, yaodong cave homes and the nearby Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor. The sights cluster in the city centre and are reachable by local bus, so a day trip works, but a night lets you sample local food and markets without rushing.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, occasional rain)
- Airport
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Yan'an110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Yan'an, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyYan'an is generally safe for tourists; stay aware of traffic when crossing streets and keep valuables secure in crowded markets.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYan'an Nanniwan Airport (Special bus routes 1, 2, 3 to city; ¥20 (≈ US$3) fare each).
- Getting aroundCity buses (routes 1‑3, 8, 23, 28, 104, K1, K6, K7, etc.) serve all major sights; taxis are cheap, about ¥20 (≈ US$3)‑30 for short trips.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealRed Date Banquet Restaurant meal¥150 (≈ US$25)
- Street or quick mealYan'an noodles¥50 (≈ US$7)
- Museum or sight ticketPagoda Mountain entryClimb tower ¥10 extra¥65 (≈ US$10)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥150–250 (≈ US$25–35) · Mid ¥250–400 (≈ US$35–60) · High ¥400 (≈ US$60)+
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- Yan'an Nanniwan Airport (Special bus routes 1, 2, 3 to city; ¥20 fare each)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Care
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Care
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Jan (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Yan'an: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
3 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
3 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
5 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
4 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
City buses (routes 1‑3, 8, 23, 28, 104, K1, K6, K7, etc.) serve all major sights; taxis are cheap, about ¥20‑30 for short trips.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Xi'an
goDoor to door: ≈3 h total
High‑speed train from Xi'an North, about 2.5 h
Visit the Terracotta Army and Muslim Quarter; return same day.
Yan'an Nanniwan Revolutionary Site
goDoor to door: ≈1 h 15 min
Local bus 1 or 2, 45 km (28 mi) SE, about 1 hLocal bus 1 or 2, 28 mi (45 km) SE, about 1 h
Historic agricultural reclamation area; free entry.
Qingliang Mountain
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Bus K1 northward, 20 km (12 mi), ~45 minBus K1 northward, 12 mi (20 km), ~45 min
Red‑tourism mountain with museums; ¥31 entry.
Beijing
overnightDoor to door: ≈12 h
Regular‑speed train from Yan'an Railway Station, 10–11 h
Long trip; better to stay overnight in Beijing.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Home Express Hotel (Yan'an Branch)
Budget option, close to city centre
Kanazawa International Hotel
Five‑star, near Yan'an Bus Station
Yan'an Jiuchao International Hotel
Four‑star, on Baimi Avenue
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥150–250 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥250–400 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- High
- ¥400 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Yan'an Revolution Memorial | Free |
| Pagoda Mountain entryClimb tower ¥10 extra | ¥65 (≈ US$10) |
| Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor (peak) | ¥91 (≈ US$13) |
| Mausoleum off‑season | ¥51 (≈ US$8) |
| Red Date Banquet Restaurant meal | ¥150 (≈ US$25) |
| Mutton soup restaurant | ¥110 (≈ US$16) |
| Yan'an noodles | ¥50 (≈ US$7) |
| Tofu banquet | ¥35 (≈ US$5) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus schedules may change; check latest times at the hotel.
- Some museum entry times end at 15:30; arrive earlier.Some museum entry times end at 3:30 PM; arrive earlier.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Yan'anYan'an
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → city centre bus: ¥20 (≈ US$3) per ride, 15‑20 min (check)
- City bus ride: ¥2 (≈ under US$1)‑3 per trip (check)
Say or show
- 对不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duìbuqǐ)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much? (duōshǎo qián?)
- 公交站在哪里？ — Where is the bus stop? (gōngjiāo zhàn zài nǎlǐ?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Yan'an. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, occasional rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Yan'an
Loading…