Huaqing Palace occupies the base of Lishan Mountain in Xi'an's Lintong District, built around natural hot springs that Tang-dynasty emperors used as a retreat, most famously Emperor Xuanzong and his consort Yang Guifei, whose romance is commemorated throughout the site. Visitors can walk among the reconstructed bathing pavilions, including the Nine Dragon Pool and Guifei's own pool, viewed from walkways rather than entered, along with gardens and pavilions built around the spring-fed pools. The site is also historically significant as the location of the 1936 Xi'an Incident, and a small museum building near the site preserves bullet-marked walls from that event. A visit through the palace grounds, pools, and museum building takes about two hours at an unhurried pace. In the evening, an outdoor theatrical production, 'The Song of Everlasting Sorrow,' stages the Xuanzong-Yang Guifei romance against the mountain backdrop with elaborate costumes and lighting, drawing large crowds and requiring a separate ticket. Because Huaqing Palace sits on the same bus route as the Terracotta Army, many visitors combine both in a single day, visiting the palace in the late afternoon before the evening show. Weekday late-afternoon visits before the show crowds arrive are the calmest time to see the gardens and pools.
| Admission | Adult ¥120 (~$17); evening show from ¥238 (~$33) separate ticket · Child Discounted under 1.4m |
|---|---|
| Hours | 7:00 AM–6:00 PM (Mar 1–Nov 30); 7:30 AM–6:00 PM (Dec 1–end Feb) |
| Typical visit | 2 hours |
| Best time | Late afternoon before the evening 'Song of Everlasting Sorrow' show |
| Getting there | Bus 306 tourist line, same route as the Terracotta Army, alight ~5 minutes earlier at Lintong |
| Address | 38 Huaqing Road, Lintong District, Xi'an |
Weather through the year in Shaanxi
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Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Shaanxi.
Location
38 Huaqing Road, Lintong District, Xi'an
34.3606, 109.2136 View on map
Highlights
- Nine Dragon Pool and Yang Guifei's bathing pavilion
- Xi'an Incident museum with bullet-marked walls
- Gardens and pavilions built around the natural hot springs
- Evening 'Song of Everlasting Sorrow' outdoor theatrical show
Tips for visiting
- Buy the evening show ticket separately and in advance, as it often sells out on weekends
- Visit in the late afternoon to combine the grounds with the evening show
- Combine with a Terracotta Army visit, since both sit on the same tourist bus route
- Bring a jacket for the outdoor evening show, as temperatures drop after dark
When to visit
Visit in the late afternoon before the evening 'Song of Everlasting Sorrow' show, when the grounds are calmest.
Accessibility
The main grounds are paved and mostly step-free, though some garden paths and viewing areas around the pools have uneven stone surfaces.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
The palace grounds and museum take about 2 hours; add another 1-1.5 hours for the evening show if attending.
Is it worth it for kids?
The gardens and pools are generally enjoyable for children, though the evening show's length and seated format suit older children better.
Is photography allowed?
Photography is allowed throughout the grounds, though it is typically restricted during the evening theatrical performance.