Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor, Yan’an

Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor, Yan'an

(延安市黄帝陵景区 yán ān huáng dì líng jǐng qū)

The Yellow Emperor Mausoleum, located in Huangling county, Yan’an city, Shaanxi province, is in memory of Huangdi, or the Yellow Emperor, who is regarded as one of Chinese people's most important ancestors, along with the Yan Emperor and Chi You.

He was given the name Yellow Emperor as it represents the color of the vast Loess Plateau, where he was born.

According to legend, the Yellow Emperor became immortal and took a dragon to heaven, leaving his clothes to be buried in his tomb. The site has been renovated and expanded many times, and today stands about 4 meters tall with a circumference of 50 meters.

Almost every ruler of China over the past 5,000 years has offered a tribute of some form at his tomb. The mausoleum has more than 100 stone steles, some carved with words of respect, others with dates of various renovation projects, and about 80,000 cypress trees, including 30,000 that are over 1,000 years old, forming China's largest ancient cypress forest.

The mausoleum is listed as a top-level tourist attraction and a State-protected historical site. An annual memorial for the Yellow Emperor is held at the site on Tomb Sweeping Day and is regarded as an important event for Chinese living around the world.

Scenic Spot Level: AAAAA

Ideal Sightseeing Season: Suitable for all seasons

Opening Hours: 8:00 -- 19:00

Ticket Price: 75 yuan ($10.8) during the peak season (March 1 to Nov 30)

50 yuan during the low season (Dec 1 to the last day of February)

Free Tickets:

① Children below 1.2 meters;

② Disabled persons, those aged 70 or above with valid certificate.

Half Price:

① Children between 1.2 and 1.4 meters;

② Active servicemen, the elderly (65 to 69 years old) with valid certificate;

③ Full-time university bachelor or junior degrees with registered student ID card.

Tour Guide Fee: 20 to 40 yuan

Address: Qiaoshan Mountain, Huangling county of Yan'an city, Shaanxi province

Website: http://hdl.yanan.gov.cn/(Chinese)

Note:

1. Self-guided tour machines are available at the scenic area, 20 yuan for each.

2. Chartered high-speed train service runs between Xi'an and the Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor, which operates between April 1 and 4 every year in time for China's Qingming Festival.

3. The scenic area is closed during the half-day national memorial activities on Qingming Festival.