Huaqing Palace sits at the northern foot of Mount Li in Lintong district, about 30 kilometres from Xi’an, and is among the most storied places in Chinese history. Natural hot springs have drawn rulers here for thousands of years, but it was the Tang emperor Xuanzong who expanded it into a lavish winter palace, and his love story with the consort Yang Guifei made it famous in poetry and drama. Today the grounds are a landscaped park of halls, pavilions and a lake, with a white marble statue of Yang Guifei at Nine-Dragon Lake. The imperial bathing pools are preserved as archaeological remains, though bathing in them is not permitted. The site has a second chapter too: in December 1936 the Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek was detained near here in the Xi’an Incident, and the hall where he stayed is part of the visit. It pairs naturally with the Terracotta Army, which is only a short distance away.
How to visit
Huaqing Palace is about 30 kilometres from central Xi’an, and the easiest way is a tourist bus or a hired car, often combined with the Terracotta Army in a single day. Local buses also connect the railway station area with the site, and taxis or ride-hailing cars take under an hour. The grounds are open from early morning to evening for most of the year, with shorter hours in the winter months.
What to expect
The heart of the site is the area around the former imperial pools, where you can see the foundations of the bathing complex that Tang emperors used. Nearby are the halls of the palace garden, Nine-Dragon Lake and the Five-Room Hall associated with the 1936 incident. Many visitors then climb or ride up Mount Li behind the palace for a view over the plain. Allow around two hours for the palace itself.
Making the most of it
Go in the morning, before tour groups reach the lake, and read a short summary of the Yang Guifei story beforehand because it brings the site to life. A guide helps with the layering of Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang history. The famous evening performance of The Song of Everlasting Regret runs only from late March to the end of October, so it will not be on in November, but the park and its lake are lovely on a clear winter day.
If you want a full day, pair Huaqing Palace with the Terracotta Army and return to Xi’an for dinner in the Muslim Quarter. Wear comfortable shoes for the hillside paths.
What to expect
The experience
A walk through a landscaped palace park with the preserved imperial pools, a lake, pavilions and the hillside of Mount Li behind.
Best time
A clear morning, before tour groups reach the lake, on a weekday.
How long
About two hours at the palace, longer if you climb Mount Li.
Tips
Wear comfortable shoes, read the Yang Guifei story beforehand, and note that the evening show does not run in winter.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History lovers and anyone combining a day of Tang dynasty stories with the Terracotta Army.
- Families
- The open grounds and lake suit children, though the history will mean more to older ones.
- Couples
- Walk around Nine-Dragon Lake and tell the story of the emperor and his consort.
- Pair with
- The Terracotta Army, a short distance away.
- Time needed
- Two hours, or a full day with the Terracotta Army.
Good questions
Where is Huaqing Palace?+
It lies at the foot of Mount Li in Lintong district, about 30 kilometres from central Xi’an. Tourist buses, taxis and day tours all reach it.
Can you bathe in the hot springs?+
No, the imperial pools are preserved as historic remains and bathing in them is not permitted. You can see the foundations and the carefully labelled pool sites.
What is the Xi’an Incident?+
In December 1936 the Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek was detained here by his own generals, which led to a pause in the civil war. The hall where he stayed and the hillside nearby are part of the visit.
Is the evening show on in November?+
No, the Song of Everlasting Regret performance runs only from late March to the end of October. In winter you can still enjoy the park by day.
Can I combine it with the Terracotta Army?+
Yes, the two are close together and are often visited on the same day trip. Start with the Terracotta Army at opening and finish at the palace.
