Yulin

Where the Great Wall of northern Shaanxi meets the desert, with Zhenbeitai, Tongwancheng and northern Shaanxi folk customs as highlights.

Yulin lies in the far north of Shaanxi, in the transition zone between the southern edge of the Mu Us Sandy Land and the Loess Plateau, bordering Inner Mongolia, Shanxi and Ningxia. In the Ming dynasty it was one of the Nine Border Garrisons, and it is also an important energy base. Zhenbeitai is a major fortress structure along the Ming Great Wall, and Yulin Old City retains its traditional streets and lanes. Tongwancheng in Jingbian is the site of the capital of the Xiongnu state of Daxia, and the sandstone landforms of Jingbian's Wave Valley are distinctive. The Baiyunshan Daoist temples in Jiaxian and the cave-dwelling clusters in Mizhi Old Town show the flavor of northern Shaanxi. Spring and autumn are best, and summer sees large day–night temperature swings. Yulin Yuyang Airport is the main air gateway.

Destinations

• Yulin (Shaanxi)
• Jingbian
• Qikou Ancient Town

Itineraries

• Northern Shaanxi Yellow River & Loess Plateau 10-Day Grand Loop – Drive north along the Yellow River on the eastern route, head west at Yulin to see the Danxia landforms, and travel sou…
• Yellow River No. 1 Highway: Shanxi-Shaanxi Riverfront Route – Travel south along the Shanxi-Shaanxi Gorges from Laoniuwan and Qikou to Hukou, crossing the river to finish in Yan'an.