Getting There
Yan'an Airportis 10km (6 miles) northeast of town. ACAAC shuttle bus(tel.0911/211-1111) costing ¥5 (60¢) runs between the airport and the Minhang Binguan (Jichang Lu); it departs from the CAAC office an hour before flights and meets all arrivals. Yan'an is connected by air with Beijing and Xi'an (daily).
The Yan'anrailway stationis at the south end of town, with services from Xi'an (4761/4762, 7551/7552; ¥76/$9.20 hard sleeper, or ¥96/$12 for soft sleeper). The best chance of getting a sleeper leaving Yan'an is through your hotel or CITS. At the station, same-day tickets go on sale at 3:30pm. Arrive by 3:15pm and be prepared to fight your way to the window.
Busesarrive and depart from the railway station parking lot and theqichezzhan (bus station)east of town on Dong Guan Jie. From Pingyao or Taiyuan, it's easiest to go to Xi'an first, then transfer to bus or train for Yan'an. Buses connecting Xi'an and Yan'an leave throughout the day for the 6- to 7-hour journey costing ¥40 to ¥120 ($4.90-$15). Overnight buses also connect Yan'an to Luoyang and Yinchuan.
Getting Around
Shaped like a Y, the city of Yan'an traces the Yan River as it forks to the east and west. The town is small by Chinese standards and easy to navigate on foot, since its commercial district is concentrated in a few blocks around Zhongxin Jie (Central St.) and Da Qiao Jie (Big Bridge St.). Citybusrides cost ¥1 (15¢). Rates for the two types oftaxisare ¥5 (60¢) or ¥6 (75¢) for the first 3km (2 miles), then ¥1.20 (15¢) per kilometer or ¥1.30 (15¢) per kilometer. Between 10pm and 7am, the first 3km (2 miles) are ¥5.90 (75¢) or ¥6.90 (85¢). Most destinations within the city are under ¥10 ($1.25).
Tours
CITS(tel.0911/212-3320) is a short distance down the alley next to the Yan'an Binguan. The office is on the second floor of the brick compound to your right. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to noon and 2 to 6pm, but the office is occasionally empty even then.
Fast Facts
Banks, Foreign Exchange & ATMs-- TheBank of China,at Zhongxin Jie and Bei Guan Jie, changes cash. It's open Monday through Friday from 8am to noon and 2:30 to 6pm (to 5:30pm in winter).
Internet Access--Huanying Wangba,a small 24-hour Internet room, is in Quyi Guan, the lane next to the Yan'an Binguan, at the top of the outdoor stairway. The access rate is ¥2 (25¢) per hour. Keep your eyes open as you travel around the town and you'll find many other Internet cafes conveniently located around the city. Dial-up is tel.163.
Post Office-- The post office is on Zhongxin Jie, south of Yan'an Binguan. It also offers 24-hour Internet access.