Huaqing Palace, at the base of Lishan Mountain in Lintong District about 25 km east of central Xi'an, preserves the site of an imperial hot spring bathing complex used by generations of Chinese emperors, most famously Tang-dynasty Emperor Xuanzong and his consort Yang Guifei. To protect the roughly 1,000-year-old spring source and its historic stone pools, the palace no longer permits full-body bathing in the original pools; instead, the scenic area allows visitors to soak their feet directly at the spring source and view the excavated Lotus Pool, Sea Pool, and other bathing chambers used by the imperial court, now displayed as an open-air museum. Standard site admission covers the palace grounds, gardens, and hot spring source area, with prices adjusted seasonally, dropping to ¥80 during the winter low season. In the evening, a separate ticketed cultural performance, 'Song of Eternal Sorrow,' stages the romantic legend of Xuanzong and Yang Guifei against the mountainside as a backdrop, drawing a different crowd than the daytime historical visit. For visitors wanting an actual full-body hot spring soak rather than a foot bath, the adjoining Huaqing Pool Hot Spring Resort Hotel and other nearby hotels draw on the same natural aquifer and offer modern bathing facilities a short walk from the historic site.
| Price | ¥150 peak season / ¥120 off-season site admission (~$21.09/$16.88); ¥80 December–February (~$11.25); foot-soak experience included |
|---|---|
| Session length | 30–60 minutes for the hot spring source area within a longer site visit |
| Hours | 07:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30) |
| Address | No. 38 Huaqing Road, Lintong District, Xi'an 710600 |
Treatments
- Foot soaking at the preserved 1,000-year-old royal spring source
- Viewing of the historic Tang-dynasty bathing pools (Lotus Pool, Sea Pool)
- Evening 'Song of Eternal Sorrow' cultural performance (separate ticket, ¥298–988)
Location
No. 38 Huaqing Road, Lintong District, Xi'an 710600
34.3614, 109.2119 View on map
Highlights
- Foot soaking directly at the preserved 1,000-year-old royal spring source
- Excavated Tang-dynasty bathing pools, including the Lotus Pool and Sea Pool, displayed as an open-air museum
- Historical association with Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei
- Evening 'Song of Eternal Sorrow' outdoor cultural performance (separate ticket)
Tips for visiting
- Understand that full-body bathing in the historic pools is not offered; this is a foot-soak and museum experience
- Combine with the Lishan Mountain hiking trail directly behind the palace using the joint entrance ticket
- Book the evening 'Song of Eternal Sorrow' show separately and in advance during peak season
- For an actual hot spring soak, walk to the adjoining Huaqing Pool Hot Spring Resort Hotel after the museum visit
Frequently asked questions
Can visitors bathe in the historic pools at Huaqing Palace?
No, full-body bathing in the original Tang-dynasty pools is not permitted to protect the historic site; visitors can only soak their feet at the preserved spring source.
Where can I actually take a hot spring bath near Huaqing Palace?
The adjoining Huaqing Pool Hot Spring Resort Hotel and other nearby hot spring hotels draw water from the same natural aquifer and offer modern full-body bathing facilities.
What is the 'Song of Eternal Sorrow' show?
An outdoor evening cultural performance staged against the Lishan Mountain backdrop, dramatizing the romance of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei; it requires a separate ticket from site admission.