Yanan Shaanxi, China Travel Guide
Absolutely required for communication, social media, and mobile payments. Download & set up before arrival.
Another dominant mobile payment app, useful for transactions across China.
The leading ride-sharing app for taxis and private automobiles.
Required for accessing Google services, Western social media, and many foreign websites. Download and set up NordVPN before you arrive in China.
A Chinese-based online travel agency with an English interface, useful for booking domestic flights, trains, and hotels.
Baidu Maps (百度地图) or Amap (高德地图) are the most accurate navigation apps for China. Download them and learn basic usage.
Baidu Translate, Google Translate (with VPN), and Pleco (for Chinese dictionary) are highly useful for overcoming language barriers.
Download offline maps of Yan'a before arrival. This navigation works even without an internet connection.
12306.cn is the official China Railway booking website. Third-party apps like Trip.com are often easier for foreigners.
Trusted travel blogs and tour guides (like Lonely Planet) for broader context and traveler experiences.
Official China National Tourist Office website provides overarching information about travel inside China.
Refer to the official websites of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your home country for the latest visa requirements and application procedures.
Podcasts on Chinese history, specifically the Communist Revolution or Mao Zedong's time in Yan'an, offer valuable context.
Download & set up your VPN Before arriving in China for accessing Western services.
Download and set up WeChat Pay/Alipay. Link an international card if possible.
Download Baidu Maps or Amap for accurate getting around in China.
Before you leave, compile a physical "emergency packet" with photocopies of your passport, visa, insurance details, and embassy contacts. Keep this separate from your main documents.
Documentaries about the Chinese Communist Revolution or Mao Zedong's time in Yan'an offer visual context.
Books on Chinese Communist Revolution history expand your knowledge.
Edgar Snow's 'Red Star Over China' provides a firsthand perspective.
Revolutionary songs from the Yan'an era (e.g., 'The East is Red') sense the historical spirit.
Explore folk music and dances of Shaanxi.
Online learning platforms like Skillshare offer photography courses to capture your journey.
Online travel forums (e.g., TripAdvisor, Reddit r/Chinatravel) offer recent traveler experiences and tips.
Apps like Duolingo, HelloChinese, or Memrise for learning basic Mandarin phrases and improving communication. Start with Babbel.
Explore academic articles or historical analyses of Yan'an's significance.
Confirm all flight, train, and hotel reservations a week before departure. Inform your bank and credit card companies of your travel plans to avoid card freezes.
