Yanan

Yanan, also spelled Yan’an (Chinese: 延安市), is a prefecture-level city in the northern part of Shaanxi Province, China. It lies on the Loess Plateau and is characterized by rugged hills and river valleys. The municipal government governs the urban core, Baota District, along with several surrounding counties. The area experiences a temperate continental climate with hot summers and cold winters.

Yanan is best known for its role as the headquarters of the Chinese Communist Party from 1935 to 1948, during the Long March and the anti-Japanese war period. The city became a center for political organization, education, and cultural development, giving its name to the “Yan’an era.” The period left a lasting imprint on Chinese political history, reflected in preserved sites and museums such as the Yan’an Revolutionary Memorial Hall.

Today, Yanan’s economy blends agriculture with mining and services. The region produces wheat, corn, and potatoes, while coal and other minerals contribute to local industry. Tourism anchored in wartime heritage and natural scenery has grown, with visitors drawn to historic sites and scenic areas on the Loess Plateau.

Culturally, Yanan remains a symbol in Chinese collective memory. The city preserves a mix of traditional Loess culture and modern development, with museums, memorial sites, and educational institutions that reflect its historical significance and ongoing regional growth.