6D ALTERNATIVE SHANXI

Arrive in Xi’an and transfer to your hotel. Explore on foot or by bike along the 600-year-old ancient Wall of Xi’an which overlooks the ancient capital of 13 Dynasties. We highly recommend a visit to the Shaanxi  History Museum, ‘China’s Treasure House’ housing more than 370,000  artefacts, from simple stone tools of ancient humans to the various objects of social life before 1840.  

Drive from Xi’an to the Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor (approximately 180 km, 2hr drive). En route, pass by Luochuan county to appreciate the art of Dough Modelling, where you can learn from the experts to make beautifully sculptured buns, as well as understand about the traditional craft of the Shaanxi people, Needlepoint, dating back thousands of years. This is made by binding, waving and embroidering sack pieces with coloured wool and cotton thread.

Next, drive to Hukou Waterfall (approximately 135 km, 2hr drive), and stay at the only hotel in the scenic area where you can enjoy views of the falls from your room.  

In the morning, visit the world’s only yellow waterfall and a natural and cultural heritage – Hukou Waterfall.

Next, drive to Yan’an (approximately 200 km, 2.5hr drive), via Nanniwan, the birthplace of the Yan’an spirit. Set among thousands of acres of rice fields, visit Mao Zedong’s old residence which was the former site of the 359^th Brigade, the memorials of the martyrs of the 718^th and 719^th Regiment, the old retreat of the Central Administration, and more. Arrive in Yan’An in the evening to rest at your hotel.

Tour the city and visit its main attractions: Yan’an Museum to learn about the history of the revolution in the Yan’an region through the wealth of artefacts on display; visit Zaoyuan and Yangjialing Revolutionary Sites, where Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi, Zhu De and others once resided. Next, head to Qingliang Mountain, where you can explore the Ten Thousand Buddha Caves, one of the four major grottoes in Northern  Shaanxi.

In the evening, catch the riveting ‘Yan’an Nursery School’ play which features the life of orphans who lost their parents during the revolution and overcoming obstacles during their growing years.

Head to the Loess Plateau (approximately 75km, 1hr 25min drive). The star attraction here is Yucha Grand Canyon, which has a striking resemblance to the Antelope Canyon in the United States. A power earthquake millions of years ago caused a rift in the ground, and this unique canyon landscape slowly formed by flash floods.

After the tour, visit Baota Mountain, with a panoramic view of Yan’an, and bearing the legacy of Moyan engravings from past dynasties, such as Fan Zhongyan’s ‘Jialing Mountain’ and ‘Tens of Thousands of Soldiers in the Chest’.

Morning at leisure, before your transfer to Yan’an Nanniwan Airport for your departure flight.

Depart  for Yulin (approximately 267 km, 3hr drive). You will pass Longzhou Danxia Landform Natural Landscape Park where you can hike the Wave Valley, which resembles its namesake in the United States, interesting patterns and colour of red sandstone caused by wind and rain erosion. Visit Tongwan City Ruins, the only remaining capital city of the Huns, before you arrive in Yulin in the evening and check-in to your hotel.  

Today, you will visit Red Rock Canyon, one of the most scenic spots of the Great Wall that traverse the gorge and contains rock carvings and was featured in the movie ‘Ashes of Time’. Climb Baiyun Mountain, where stands a famous Taoist shrine and the Ming-Dynasty complex in the Northwest – White Cloud Temple. There are more than 1,590 colourful murals of Taoist and Buddhist and landscape figures, more than 100 inscriptions across over 50 temple buildings, and other precious artifacts. The mountain also offers rewarding views of the Grand Canyon and rapids of the Yellow River.

If time permits, visit Xiang Lu Si Buddhist Temple at dusk, one of the most scenic spots along the Yellow River.

In the morning, the private car is taken to Yulin Yuyang Airport, take a flight, return.