Home›Yan'an›Guide

Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site

枣园革命旧址

Plan Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site in Yan'an with the Five Secretaries statues, Secretariat hall, former residences, Serve the People speech site, and Yangjialing pairing tips.

revolutionary-sitehistoryformer-residencegardenFamily-Friendly
Quick Facts
Ticket
Free entry; real-name reservation or ID checks may apply.
Hours
Common visitor-facing hours are 08:00-18:00, with last entry around 17:30; holiday or site-specific arrangements may change.
Transport
No metro. Use city buses or a taxi to Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site (枣园革命旧址), northwest of central Yan'an.
Duration
1-2 hours
Best Time
Year-round; mornings and earlier afternoons are more comfortable in summer
Visitors
All ages
Book Ticketsvia Trip.com
How to Visit
1

Treat Zaoyuan as a garden-style former site

Zaoyuan feels different from Yangjialing. It is quieter and more garden-like, with former residences, meeting spaces, statues, and rear-valley areas spread through the grounds.

Tip:Allow about 1-2 hours and avoid rushing through it as a checklist stop.
2

Start with the Five Secretaries statues and the Secretariat hall

After entering, begin with the bronze statues of the five central secretaries, then continue to the former Secretariat hall area.

Tip:This helps you understand Zaoyuan as the former base of the CPC Central Secretariat before you move into the residences.
3

Use the residences to understand daily life and decision-making

The former residences of Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi, Zhu De, Ren Bishi, and other leaders preserve simple furnishings.

Tip:The point is not grand architecture; it is seeing how major decisions, daily work, and modest living conditions shared the same setting.
4

Do not miss the rear-valley area if you have time

If your schedule allows, continue to the site connected with the "Serve the People" speech and the related rear-valley stops.

Tip:This makes Zaoyuan feel less like a simple row of cave dwellings and more connected to specific people, texts, and events.
Highlights
  • Zaoyuan is one of Yan'an's calmer, more garden-like former revolutionary sites.
  • The Five Secretaries bronze statues form the site's most recognizable space.
  • The Secretariat hall and former residences help explain the decision-making environment of the Yan'an period.
  • The "Serve the People" speech site connects Zaoyuan with a specific historical text and event.
  • Zaoyuan pairs well with Yangjialing: one focuses more on the Seventh Party Congress and auditorium space, while the other emphasizes the Secretariat base and garden-style former site.
Insider Tips

✦Free entry still requires attention to reservation, ID-check, and last-entry rules.

✦Do not only take photos at the statues; the residences and small hall are the main substance of the visit.

✦In summer, the grounds can be sunny, so morning or earlier afternoon visits are more comfortable.

✦If you also visit Yangjialing on the same day, avoid spending too long at every residence or you may hit information fatigue.

✦Nearby streets and food areas can be useful, but do not let them cut into the former-site visit.

More Yan'an Attractions
01Nature Escape

Shaanxi Hukou Waterfall of the Yellow River

陕西黄河壶口瀑布

All Ages

Admission

Shaanxi-side adult entry is commonly listed as CNY 80; scenic shuttle is usually purchased separately. Confirm same-day price and shuttle rules before travel.

Typical Visit

1.5-3 hours on site; allow most of a day from Yan'an with road time

02City Guide

Ganquan Grand Canyon

甘泉大峡谷

All Ages

Admission

Adult ticket plus scenic shuttle is commonly sold as a combined package around CNY 168 on ticketing platforms.

Typical Visit

3-5 hours

03Historic Walk

Yellow Emperor Mausoleum

黄帝陵

All Ages

Admission

Peak-season adult ticket is commonly CNY 75; off-season adult ticket is commonly CNY 50. Sightseeing vehicle and guiding services cost extra.

Typical Visit

About 3 hours for both Xuanyuan Temple and the mausoleum area

04Historic Walk

Xuanyuan Temple at Yellow Emperor Mausoleum

黄帝陵轩辕庙

All Ages

Admission

Usually covered by the Yellow Emperor Mausoleum main ticket: peak-season adult ticket commonly CNY 75 and off-season adult ticket commonly CNY 50.

Typical Visit

1-1.5 hours for the temple alone; about 3 hours with the mausoleum area

05Urban Landmark

Baota Mountain

宝塔山

All Ages

Admission

Free main scenic-area entry from Jan 1, 2026; pagoda climbing, sightseeing shuttle, and guiding services cost extra.

Typical Visit

1.5-2.5 hours

06Historic Walk

Qingliang Mountain

清凉山

All Ages

Admission

CNY 40 adult ticket is commonly listed on current booking pages; discounted tickets may be available for eligible students or children.

Typical Visit

1.5-2 hours