Baota Mountain
Baota Mountain, located in Yan’an City, Shaanxi Province, is a historic and cultural landmark renowned as the cradle of the Chinese Revolution. Rising 1,135 meters above sea level, it features the iconic Baota Pagoda, originally built in the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) and later symbolizing Communist resilience during the 1935–1948 Yan’an Era. The site, part of a UNESCO World Heritage cluster, integrates revolutionary relics, Buddhist heritage, and natural scenery, attracting over 3 million visitors annually.
Historical Overview
The mountain’s history spans over 1,300 years, with the Baota Pagoda constructed in 690 CE under Emperor Wu Zetian. In 1935, the Communist Party of China established its revolutionary base here, using caves as offices and the pagoda as a strategic lookout. Key events include Mao Zedong’s 1945 speech at the pagoda square, marking the end of the Long March. Recent developments include a 2016 upgrade of the Revolutionary Memorial Hall and the 2022 opening of a digital exhibition on Yan’an’s wartime history.
Structural Layout
The site is divided into three zones:
- Revolutionary Core Zone: Includes the Baota Pagoda, Memorial Hall, and Mao Zedong’s former residence.
- Cultural Heritage Zone: Features the Tang Dynasty pagoda, Buddhist carvings, and a 1,000-year-old ginkgo tree.
- Natural Scenic Zone: Offers hiking trails, viewpoints, and seasonal cherry blossoms.
Key landmarks include the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Stone and the Long March Square.
Major Attractions
- Baota Pagoda: A 44-meter brick pagoda with views of Yan’an City and the Loess Plateau.
- Yan’an Revolutionary Memorial Hall: Exhibits over 5,000 artifacts, including Mao’s manuscripts and wartime telegrams.
- Long March Square: A 20,000-square-meter plaza with bronze statues of revolutionary leaders.
- Tang Dynasty Stone Inscriptions: Carvings from 700 CE depicting Buddhist teachings.
- Cave Dwelling Exhibits: Reconstructed caves used as Party headquarters during the 1940s.
Suggested Itineraries
- Classic Route (2–3 hours):
Entrance → Long March Square → Baota Pagoda → Memorial Hall → Sun Yat-sen Stone
Highlights: Revolutionary history and pagoda views. - Cultural Route (3–4 hours):
Add Tang Dynasty inscriptions, ginkgo tree, and cave exhibits.
Highlights: Ancient heritage and natural scenery. - Comprehensive Route (Full Day):
Include all zones, plus a hike to the summit and lunch at a local farmhouse.
Ticket Purchase
- Admission: ¥60 (peak season, April–October); ¥40 (off-season). Free for children under 1.4m.
- Combo Tickets: ¥100 includes admission and guided cave tour.
- Online Booking: Available via Trip.com or the official WeChat account (ID: Baota2025).
- By Bus: Yan’an City Center Station to Baota Mountain (30 minutes, ¥5).
- By Taxi: ¥20–¥30 from downtown Yan’an.
- By Tour Bus: Daily tours from Xi’an (4 hours, ¥120 round trip).
Best Time & Tips
- Peak Season: May–October (mild weather, clear pagoda views).
- Avoid: Winter (snow closes trails) and Chinese New Year (crowded).
- Essentials: Wear sturdy shoes for caves, bring a light jacket for mountain breezes.
- Prohibited: Smoking, climbing on relics, and loud noises in sacred zones.
- Local Dish: Try “Yan’an Fried Bun” (youbao) stuffed with local apples at mountain-top stalls.
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What Our Clients Say?
Based on 10,000+ traveler reviews
Daniel Dorothea
Canada
Reviewed on April 29,2025
Shopping on Nanjing Road in Shanghai was just amazing! It's truly the "First Commercial Street of China", where tradition and modernity blend perfectly. You can find awesome souvenirs and experience the trendy vibes in cool stores. The neon lights at night are just spectacular, shining bright like Times Square in New York. The food here is incredible too. I had a feast for my taste buds. Shanghai, I'll definitely be back!
Destination(s):
Shanghai
Date of
Experience:
May 08,2024
Elvis Eva
Canada
Reviewed on June 20,2025
As a solo traveler from Canada, I was nervous about navigating China alone—but this 11-day tour was PERFECT! From hiking the Great Wall at sunrise (Day 3) to gasping at the Terracotta Army (Day 5), every day delivered ‘pinch-me’ moments. The real showstopper? Zhangjiajie’s Avatar Mountains (Day 7)! Our guide made the stone pillars come alive with stories.
Massive thanks for handling all logistics—bullet train tickets, entry passes, car! And the 4-star hotels surprised me.
Destination(s):
Beijing Xian Zhangjiajie Shanghai
Date of
Experience:
June 02,2025
Simon
America
Reviewed on May 29,2025
Our 2-day Zhangjiajie tour was beyond spectacular! As someone who’s visited Beijing and Shanghai for work, this trip revealed China’s wild, magical heart. Day 1 in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park felt like stepping onto Pandora—I’m a huge Avatar fan, and Yuanjiajie’s floating peaks left me breathless. The misty pillars and lush valleys like pure movie magic!
Then came Fenghuang Ancient Town, we eat dinner beside the thundering waterfall. It seems Unreal! The night views of stilt houses glowing over the river were straight from a fairy tale.
For fellow Avatar lovers and adventure seekers: Don’t miss this bucket-list experience! 10/10 would return.
A Well-Traveled Film Buff, May 2025
Destination(s):
Zhangjiajie
Date of
Experience:
May 08,2025
