Yulin City Travel

Yulin, Shaanxi — A famous frontier culture city at the intersection of the Loess Plateau and Mu Us Sandy Land. Explore Ming Dynasty Great Wall ruins, experience the history of the Xiongnu capital, and enjoy unique desert and Loess Plateau scenery.

2000+
Years of City Building History
1
World Cultural Heritage
3
National Historical and Cultural Cities
100+
Specialty Foods

Yulin City Districts and Counties Travel

Yuyang District

Yulin city center, core area of frontier culture

ZhenbeitaiHongshixiaYulin Ancient City
Hengshan District

Wuding River flows through, heartland of the Loess Plateau

Polo Ancient FortressWuding River WetlandHengshan Old Waist Drum
Shenmu City

Northwest energy hub, home of Hongjiannao

HongjiannaoErlang MountainGaojiabu Ancient Town
Fugu County

The first county where the Yellow River enters Shaanxi, important frontier trade town

Yellow River Taiji BayFuzhou Ancient CityQiangtou Agricultural Park
Jingbian County

Xiongnu capital ruins, Danxia landform wonders

Tongwancheng RuinsWave ValleyLongzhou Danxia
Dingbian County

Largest salt lake group in Northwest China, important frontier culture town

Dingbian Salt LakeMing Great Wall RuinsHuamachi Pond
Suide County

Famous cultural county in Northern Shaanxi, hometown of stone carving art

Stone Soul SquareShuzhu MountainDang Family Manor
Mizhi County

Hometown of Li Zicheng the Dashun King, famous cultural county in Northern Shaanxi

Li Zicheng PalaceYangjiagou Revolutionary SiteJiang Family Manor
Jia County

Taoist holy land on the banks of the Yellow River

Baiyun MountainIncense Burner TempleChiniuwa Folk Village
Wubu County

Important node of the Yellow River Shanxi-Shaanxi Gorge

Yellow River ErqiWubu Ancient CityChairman Mao's Eastward Crossing Memorial Site
Qingjian County

Old revolutionary base area in Northern Shaanxi, hometown of red dates

Yuanjiagou Revolutionary SiteBijia MountainTaiji Bay
Zizhou County

Heartland of the Loess Plateau, red culture sacred site

Nanfeng StockadeBuddha Hall Ecological ParkGolden Rooster Mountain

Yulin City Three-Day Two-Night Frontier Culture Tour

Explore Great Wall ruins, experience Xiongnu history, enjoy desert scenery, taste Northern Shaanxi cuisine

Duration
3 Days 2 Nights
Main Destinations
City Center, Tongwancheng Ruins, Hongjiannao
Suitable For
History enthusiasts, Culture explorers, Nature lovers
Budget Per Person
¥1000-¥1500
01
Frontier Ancient City
Zhenbeitai · Hongshixia · Yulin Old Street
Highlights

Arrive in Yulin, check into hotel then head to Zhenbeitai, climb the Ming Dynasty Great Wall site for a panoramic view of Yulin. Afternoon tour Hongshixia cliff carvings, experiencing frontier culture. Evening stroll along Yulin Old Street, tasting authentic Northern Shaanxi cuisine.

Attractions
Zhenbeitai
The most massive and majestic beacon tower among Ming Dynasty Great Wall ruins, known as the "First Platform of the Great Wall".
Hongshixia
A scenic area combining cliff carvings, grotto art and canyon scenery, known as the "Forest of Steles Beyond the Pass".
Practical Info
Accommodation Recommendations
  • Yulin Yongchang International Hotel
  • Yulin People's Mansion
  • Ancient City Characteristic Homestay
Food Recommendations
  • Yulin Lamb Noodles
  • Pin San Xian
  • Fried Soy Milk
Travel Tips
  • Zhenbeitai is windy, keep warm
  • Do not touch carvings at Hongshixia
  • Old Street night market stays lively until late
02
Xiongnu Ancient Capital
Tongwancheng Ruins · Jingbian Wave Valley
Highlights

Morning head to Tongwancheng Ruins in Jingbian County to explore the capital ruins of the Xiongnu Daxia Kingdom. Afternoon tour Wave Valley to admire the magnificent Danxia landform landscape.

Attractions
Tongwancheng Ruins
Capital ruins of the Daxia Kingdom built by Xiongnu leader Helian Bobo during the Eastern Jin Sixteen Kingdoms period, the best-preserved Xiongnu capital ruins in China.
Wave Valley
Red sandstone landform formed during the Jurassic period, wave-like textures created by hundreds of millions of years of wind and water erosion, equal in fame to the American Wave Valley.
Practical Info
Transportation Guide
  • Take shuttle bus from Yulin Bus Station to Jingbian
  • Journey about 2 hours
  • Chartered car recommended for touring
Ticket Info
  • Tongwancheng Ruins: ¥50
  • Wave Valley: ¥90
Travel Tips
  • Climbing on city walls is prohibited in the ruins area
  • Stepping on sandstone is prohibited at Wave Valley
  • Jingbian has strong winds and sand, prepare a mask
03
Desert Pearl
Hongjiannao · Shenmu Erlang Mountain
Highlights

Morning head to Hongjiannao in Shenmu City to visit China's largest desert freshwater lake. Afternoon climb Erlang Mountain for a panoramic view of Shenmu. Evening purchase Yulin specialty products and end the pleasant journey.

Attractions
Hongjiannao
China's largest desert freshwater lake, a national nature reserve with a lake area of 67 square kilometers, known as the "Desert Pearl".
Erlang Mountain
Shenmu's landmark attraction, with Ming and Qing dynasty ancient architectural complexes on the mountain. The summit offers a panoramic view of Shenmu city center.
Practical Info
Return Trip Suggestions
  • Direct shuttle bus from Shenmu to Yulin Airport
  • Journey about 1.5 hours
  • Allow sufficient time
Specialty Product Recommendations
  • Yulin Paper-cutting
  • Hengshan Lamb
  • Red Date Products
Tickets and Transport
  • Hongjiannao: ¥60
  • Erlang Mountain: Free
  • Scenic Area Shuttle: ¥30

Must-Try Foods in Yulin City

Yulin Lamb Noodles

Yulin traditional cuisine, made with quality Northern Shaanxi lamb and hand-pulled noodles. Rich broth, tender meat, a must-try delicacy when visiting Yulin.

Pin San Xian

Yulin specialty dish, cooked with three types of meat: lamb, pork and chicken. Delicious in taste and rich in nutrition.

Fried Soy Milk

Yulin traditional snack, made from soy milk. Crispy outside and tender inside, sweet and delicious, a favorite breakfast for locals.

Yulin City Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
  • Spring (April-May): Pleasant climate, less wind and sand
  • Autumn (September-October): Clear skies, beautiful scenery
  • Summer: Hongjiannao summer resort
Must-Try Foods
  • Yulin Lamb Noodles
  • Pin San Xian
  • Fried Soy Milk
  • Yellow Millet Bun
  • Bowl Tray
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: approx. ¥200
  • Accommodation: ¥150-300/night
  • Meals: ¥50-100/day
  • Transport: approx. ¥200
  • Total: ¥1000-1500
FAQ
  • Must-visit attractions in Yulin city center? → Zhenbeitai, Hongshixia
  • What is special about Tongwancheng Ruins? → Best-preserved Xiongnu capital in China
  • Best birdwatching time at Hongjiannao? → May-October
  • Is Yulin very windy and sandy? → More wind and sand in spring, prepare protective gear