Major Economic Indicators (2010)
Yan'an, the most significant symbolic location of the Chinese revolution, was the endpoint of the Long March, and the center of the Chinese communist revolution from 1935 to 1948.
Yan'an is located in the northern part of Shaanxi Province, bordering Shanxi Province and Gansu Province and the Yellow River. It covers an area of approximately 36,712 sq km. The population of the city amounted to 2.2 million by the end of 2009.
Yan'an has a semi-arid continental climate with plenty of sunshine, four distinct seasons, and a large temperature between day and night. The average temperature is 7.7-10.6°C. The average annual precipitation reaches 500 mm, while the average annual sunshine totals to 2,300-2,700 hours.
Yan'an is rich in mineral resources. Proven reserves of natural gas amount to 3.3 billion cubic meters, while proven reserves of coal and petroleum amount to 7.1 billion tons and 430 million tons, respectively. Yan'an is an important energy base for Shaanxi Province.
Transportation in Yan'an is very convenient. State Highway 210 (which runs from Baotou of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to Mashan of Guangxi Autonomous Region), the Xi'an-Yan'an Railway and the Beijing-Hancheng Railway run through the city. In addition, Yan'an has its own airport, which is located in the eastern part of the city and operates flights to Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi province and Beijing, the capital of China.
Yan’an boasts a profound revolutionary history. In October 1935, after the 12,500 km Long March, the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants' Red Army established a revolutionary base to defend China against Japanese aggression.
From 1937 to 1947, Yan’an was the designated home of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Chinese communists view Yan'an as the birthplace of the revolution.
Yan'an is recognized as a holy land changing the destiny of China during periods of war. Before the founding of New China, it was the citadel of the CCP for 13 years and consequently has many revolutionary sites and martyrs' cemeteries. Currently, it attracts millions of tourists who wish to recall those impassioned revolutionary days.
Yan’an is rich in cultural landmarks and revolutionary sites. They include Yan'an Precious Pagoda, which was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and became a symbol of the Chinese revolution, since the CPC established its headquarters in Yan'an in July 1937, as well as Yangjialing Village and Date Garden where the CPC Central Committee directed the war against the Japanese, and Cool Hill, where Xinhua News Agency, the Xinhua Broadcasting Station, and Jiefang Ribao (Liberation Daily) have had offices.
Yan'an is well-known for its distinct and delicious foods including Deep-Fried Cake (You Gao), one of the most outstanding representatives of Yan'an snacks. It is made of broom corn millet and dates. The well-prepared cake is golden in color, soft, smooth and delicious in taste. Another snack, Bean Jelly (Liang Fen), made of mung beans, haricot beans, potatoes or buckwheat, is seasoned with sauces, vinegar and spices, and is very tasty and refreshing.
