Ancient northern fortress city guarding the Great Wall — gateway to the Loess Plateau with dramatic landscapes and the ruins of a Hunnic kingdom.
Yulin, located in the northernmost part of Shaanxi Province at the edge of the Loess Plateau and the Mu Us Desert, is a city where ancient frontier history meets dramatic natural landscapes. Known as the "Key to the Northern Frontier," Yulin was one of the nine most important military garrisons of the Ming Dynasty, guarding the Great Wall against northern invasions.
The city's most iconic landmark is Zhenbei Tower, the "First Tower of the Great Wall," built in 1607 to command the northern approaches. Nearby, the Red Stone Gorge offers a stunning natural setting where red sandstone cliffs are carved with centuries of inscriptions and Buddhist cave temples.
Perhaps most remarkably, the ruins of Tongwan City lie about 60 kilometers from the city center. Built in 413 AD by the Hunnic leader Helian Bobo, this was the capital of the Xia Kingdom — a rare physical testament to a nomadic civilization that once challenged the Chinese empires.
The surrounding Loess Plateau landscapes are both stark and beautiful, with deep ravines, terraced fields, and unique geological formations like the Wave Valley. The region is famous for its folk songs, distinctive cuisine featuring mutton and buckwheat, and the hardy character of its people shaped by the demanding environment.
Modern Yulin is also an energy hub, with significant coal and natural gas resources fueling economic development while the city balances growth with environmental challenges.
Yulin's strategic location on the northern frontier made it a contested zone for millennia. The area was on the border between agricultural China and the nomadic steppes, with the Great Wall running through its territory.
In 413 AD, the Hunnic leader Helian Bobo established the Xia Kingdom and built Tongwan City as his capital. The city, whose name means "ruling ten thousand states," was a remarkable achievement of nomadic urban planning. It served as the Xia capital until 427 AD when it was conquered by the Northern Wei.
During the Tang Dynasty, the region was administered as part of the frontier defense system. The famous poet Wang Wei wrote about the desolate beauty of the northern frontier during this period.
The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) marked Yulin's greatest era of military importance. As one of the "Nine Garrisons" (Jiubian), Yulin was heavily fortified with walls, towers, and a permanent military garrison. Zhenbei Tower was built in 1607 as the crowning defensive structure.
The city also played a role in the fall of the Ming Dynasty. Li Zicheng, the peasant rebel who briefly established the Shun Dynasty, was born in Mizhi County near Yulin in 1606. His rebellion would eventually lead to the collapse of Ming rule.
In modern times, Yulin has transformed from a military frontier to an energy production center, with coal and natural gas fields discovered in the region.
Yulin's economy has undergone a dramatic transformation from an agricultural frontier region to one of China's most important energy production bases. The discovery of massive coal and natural gas reserves in the Ordos Basin has made Yulin a key player in China's energy sector.
The Shenfu-Dongsheng coalfield, one of the world's largest, lies partly within Yulin's territory. Natural gas from the Jingbian field supplies major cities including Beijing and Xi'an. The energy sector dominates the local economy, contributing the majority of tax revenue and GDP.
Agriculture remains important in the river valley areas, producing millet, corn, potatoes, and dates. The region's mutton and dairy products are well-regarded. Buckwheat and other drought-resistant crops thrive on the Loess Plateau.
Tourism is growing, with attractions like the Wave Valley, Zhenbei Tower, and Tongwan City Ruins drawing increasing visitor numbers. The unique landscapes and frontier history offer experiences unavailable elsewhere.
GDP reached over 650 billion yuan, making Yulin one of the wealthiest cities per capita in western China, though wealth distribution remains uneven.
Discover the culinary treasures of Yulin, from traditional street food to imperial cuisine.
A compact tour of Yulin's Ming Dynasty fortress heritage and natural scenery.
An in-depth exploration of Yulin's history, geology, and unique desert-lake landscapes.
Yulin Yuyang Airport (about 15km from city center) has flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, and other major cities.
Yulin Railway Station connects to Xi'an (about 5 hours) and other cities via conventional rail. High-speed rail is under construction.
Long-distance buses connect to surrounding cities and counties. Local buses and taxis are available within the city.
Available throughout the city
May - Jun
Mild and increasingly warm (12-25°C). Desert flowers bloom. Good for outdoor exploration before summer heat.
Jul - Aug
Hot (22-35°C) with occasional storms. Sun protection essential. Mornings and evenings are more pleasant.
Sep - Oct
Cool and crisp (8-22°C). Best season for photography with clear air and golden light. Harvest season.
Nov - Apr
Very cold (-15 to 5°C) and dry. Strong winds on the plateau. Most outdoor sites less accessible. Snow scenes can be beautiful.
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