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 south through Yan'an to complete a comprehensive tour of Northern Shaanxi.
Take the eastern route through Hancheng, Hukou, and Qiankun Bay, head north to Mizhi and Yulin to see cave dwelling estates and the Great Wall, then take the western route through Tongwancheng and the Wave Valley to Yan'an, before returning to Xi'an via the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor and Tongchuan. The 10-day drive is long but daily distances do not exceed 400 km. Ideal for returning visitors who want an in-depth look at the Loess Plateau and don't mind long drives. Not recommended in winter due to dust storms and poor road conditions.
Hukou Waterfall has high water levels during the Peach Blossom Flood in April-May and the Autumn Flood in September-October. Traffic jams are common around Yichuan during the National Day holiday.
Day by day
Day 1 · Xi'an to Hancheng Temple of Sima Qian
Hancheng（Temple and Tomb of Sima Qian、Hancheng Ancient City、Hancheng Confucian Temple）
Take the highway northeast from Xi'an to Hancheng (about 2.5 hours). Visit the Temple of Sima Qian first, then enter the ancient city in the evening.
Stay: Hancheng Old Town
Day 2 · Dangjia Village to Hukou Waterfall
Hancheng（Dangjia Village） → Yan'an & Hukou Waterfall（Hukou Waterfall）
Explore Dangjia Village in the morning, then drive along the Yellow River Scenic Highway to Hukou (about 1.5 hours). Stay overnight in Yichuan.
The waterfall viewing paths may be restricted during ice run and high water periods; check announcements before arrival.
Stay: Yichuan County Town
Day 3 · North Along the Yellow River to Qiankun Bay
Yan'an & Hukou Waterfall（Qiankun Bay of the Yellow River）
Drive north from Yichuan to Qiankun Bay (about 150 km). Take G242 (about 2.5 hours).
Arriving in the afternoon is best, as sunset offers the finest view of the river bends.
Stay: Around Qiankun Bay Scenic Area
Day 4 · Suide & Mizhi Cave Dwellings & Ancient City
Yulin (Shaanxi)（Jiang Family Manor、Mizhi Old Town、Li Zicheng Palace）
Drive north from Qiankun Bay through Suide to the Jiang's Manor (about 3 hours), continue to Mizhi Ancient City, and head to Yulin in the evening (about 1.5 hours).
Stay: Yulin Old Town
Day 5 · Zhenbeitai & Shimao Ruins
Yulin (Shaanxi)（Zhenbeitai Fortress、Hongshixia Gorge、Gaojiabao Ancient Town、Shimao Archaeological Site）
Visit Zhenbeitai and Hongshixia in the northern suburbs of Yulin. Drive northeast to Gaojiabu and Shimao (about 1.5 hours), and return to Yulin for the night.
Parts of the Shimao Ruins are under excavation; confirm the open areas upon arrival.
Stay: Yulin Old Town
Day 6 · Tongwancheng & Wave Valley
Yulin (Shaanxi)（Tongwancheng Ruins、Longzhou Danxia Wave Valley）
Take the Baomao Highway from Yulin and transfer toward Jingbian to reach Tongwancheng (about 2 hours). Drive to the Wave Valley in the afternoon (about 1 hour).
The Wave Valley closes earlier in autumn and winter; confirm opening hours and shuttle bus schedules before entering.
Stay: Jingbian County Town
Day 7 · Ganquan Grand Canyon to Yan'an
Yan'an & Hukou Waterfall（Ganquan Grand Canyon (Yucha)）
Drive south from Jingbian to Ganquan Yucha Grand Canyon (about 3 hours). After visiting, head to downtown Yan'an (about 1 hour).
The canyon carries a risk of flash floods on rainy days and may close during the rainy season; check in advance.
Stay: Baota Mountain · Erdao Street
Day 8 · Yan'an Revolutionary Sites Day Trip
Yan'an & Hukou Waterfall（Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site、Yangjialing Revolutionary Site、Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall、Baota Mountain）
Short trips within the city by taxi or rental car. It takes about 20 minutes from Zaoyuan to Yangjialing. Ascend Baota Mountain in the evening.
Stay: Baota Mountain · Erdao Street
Day 9 · Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor to Yuhua Palace
Yan'an & Hukou Waterfall（Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor） → Tongchuan（Yuhua Palace）
Take the Baomao Highway south from Yan'an to the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor (about 2 hours), continue to Yuhua Palace (about 1 hour), and stay overnight in Yaozhou.
Stay: Yaozhou District
Day 10 · Yaowang Mountain & Yaozhou Kiln to Xi'an
Tongchuan（Yaowang Mountain、Yaozhou Kiln Museum）
Visit Yaowang Mountain and the Yaozhou Kiln Museum in Yaozhou in the morning. Take the highway back to Xi'an in the afternoon (about 1 hour).