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Yan'an — China travel

5 Days in Yan'an

Five days adds the Yellow Emperor's mausoleum at Huangling and the slot canyons of Ganquan to Pagoda Hill, the free historic sites and the Hukou Falls day trip.

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Best time: May-June or September-OctoberBudget: mid-range

Quick Answer

Is 5 days enough for Yan'an?

5 days is the sweet spot for Yan'an: enough time for the must-sees plus one day trip or food/rest day.

Source: NihaoVisit Yan'an guide

5-day Yan'an itinerary at a glance

Use our full Yan'an travel guide as the base and adapt it to 5 days. Keep the city's three signature attractions as the backbone; fill the rest with neighborhood walks, food markets, and an easy day trip.

Pagoda HillZaoyuan & Yangjialing sitesHukou WaterfallYellow Emperor's MausoleumYucha slot canyons
1
Day 1

Pagoda Hill & Riverfront

The nine-story brick pagoda (44 m) tops the 1,135 m hill; grottoes below, and the evening light show on the hill face is free from the riverbank.

Scenes from Yan'an, China
  1. yanan pagoda hill
  2. yanan qingliangshan
  3. yanan yanhe riverside
2
Day 2

Historic Sites Loop

Free entry with passport everywhere; the memorial hall (founded 1950, closed Mondays) needs about 2 h, and each courtyard site another 30-60 minutes.

Scenes from Yan'an, China
  1. yanan zaoyuan
  2. yanan yangjialing
  3. yanan revolution memorial
  4. yanan wangjiaping
3
Day 3

Hukou Waterfall Day Trip

About 3 h each way to Yichuan county; the river narrows from some 300 m to a 30 m slot and drops more than 20 m.

Scenes from Yan'an, China
  1. yanan hukou waterfall
4
Day 4

Huangling — Yellow Emperor's Mausoleum

About 2 h south on the expressway; cypress-covered Qiao Mountain holds the mausoleum and Xuanyuan Temple, where the ancient cypress is said to be some 5,000 years old.

Scenes from Yan'an, China
  1. yanan huangdi mausoleum
5
Day 5

Ganquan Slot Canyons & Departure

The Yucha canyons in Ganquan county, about 1.5 h southwest, carve sandstone into narrow red-gold slots — the main one runs about 1 km. Midday light is best; return for an evening departure.

  1. yanan yucha grand canyon

Budget for 5 days in Yan'an

TierPer day5 days total
BackpackerUSD $50–$80USD $250–$400
Mid-rangeUSD $100–$200USD $500–$1,000
LuxuryUSD $300+USD $1,500+

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Frequently asked questions

What is the daily budget for Yan'an?
Budget travelers: USD $50–$80/day. Mid-range: $100–$200/day. Luxury: $300+/day. These cover hotel, three meals, transit, and one paid attraction per day.
Do I need a visa to visit Yan'an?
It depends on your passport — see our <a href="/china-visa-2026/">China visa guide</a> for the latest country-by-country list. Most Western passport holders can enter visa-free for 30 days as of 2026.
How do I get from the airport to the center of Yan'an?
Yan'an's main airport connects to the city center via airport bus, taxi, or metro where available. See the airport transfer section of our Yan'an guide.
Can I use 5 days for both Yan'an and a side trip?
Tight. With only 5 days, focus on Yan'an proper; save side trips for a future trip.
Is Yan'an safe for tourists?
Yes. Yan'an has very low violent crime rates and is widely considered safe for foreign tourists. Standard petty-theft precautions apply. See our <a href="/is-china-safe-2026/">is China safe</a> page.

See also: Yan'an travel guide, China visa 2026, China trip cost.