Ansai District Travel
Yan'an Ansai District, Shaanxi — Hometown of Chinese Waist Drum, birthplace of Loess culture, home to the world intangible cultural heritage Ansai waist drum, spectacular Loess Plateau landforms and rich northern Shaanxi folk customs. 2-day 1-night in-depth tour includes cultural experience, geological wonders, and food exploration.
Ansai District Two-Day One-Night Loess Customs Tour
Feel the shock of the waist drum, experience Loess culture, explore plateau geology, taste northern Shaanxi cuisine
Arrive in Ansai, check into hotel then head to Waist Drum Mountain scenic area, summit to overlook the magnificent landforms of the Loess Plateau with thousands of ravines. Afternoon visit Loess Customs Park to learn about the development history of Ansai waist drum. Evening enjoy a professional waist drum performance, feeling the shock of the Number One Drum Under Heaven.
- Ansai Hotel
- Loess Plateau Homestay
- Farm Stay near Waist Drum Mountain
- Ansai Stewed Lamb
- Oil Cake
- Buckwheat He Le Noodles
- Please confirm waist drum performance times in advance
- Windy at the summit, bring a jacket
- Best photo time is evening
Morning visit Ansai Culture Museum to systematically learn about intangible cultural heritage including waist drum, paper-cutting and farmer painting. Afternoon head to Fengjiaying Folk Village to experience original northern Shaanxi residential life and participate in waist drum making. Before ending the trip, purchase Ansai paper-cutting and other specialty handicrafts.
- Culture Museum to Fengjiaying Village about 20 minutes by car
- Chartered car or local day tour recommended
- Walking required within the village
- Waist Drum Mountain: ¥40
- Culture Museum: Free
- Fengjiaying Village: ¥30
- Folk experience activities can be booked in advance
- Wear comfortable shoes for dirt roads in the village
- Handicrafts can be bargained
Must-Try Foods in Ansai District
Ansai Stewed Lamb
Made with free-range goats from the Loess Plateau, slowly stewed with northern Shaanxi特有的 spices, tender meat, rich and delicious soup.
Oil Cake
Northern Shaanxi traditional snack, made from soft millet flour, crispy outside and tender inside, can be dipped in honey or sugar, sweet and delicious.
Buckwheat He Le Noodles
Ansai specialty noodle dish, pressed from buckwheat flour, served with lamb minced meat sauce or sour soup, healthy and nutritious with unique flavor.
Yellow Steamed Bun
Northern Shaanxi traditional staple food, fermented and steamed from millet flour, soft and slightly sweet texture, can be stuffed with various dishes.
- Spring (April-May): Apricot blossoms in bloom
- Autumn (September-October): Clear skies
- Lunar New Year month: Ansai Waist Drum Competition
- Ansai Stewed Lamb
- Oil Cake
- Buckwheat He Le Noodles
- Yellow Steamed Bun
- Millet Porridge
- Tickets: approx. ¥70
- Accommodation: ¥150-250/night
- Meals: ¥40-70/day
- Transport: approx. ¥100
- Total: ¥500-800
- How long does it take to climb Waist Drum Mountain? → About 40 minutes
- Where to see authentic waist drum performances? → 3 shows daily at Loess Customs Park
- What's special about Fengjiaying Village? → Original northern Shaanxi folk experience
- What souvenirs to buy in Ansai? → Paper-cutting, waist drum models, millet