Huaqing Palace
Huaqing Palace Overview
A refined Tang-style imperial garden complex located at the northern foot of Mount Li. It is globally renowned for its natural hot springs, the romantic tragedy of Emperor Xuanzong and Consort Yang Guifei, and its pivotal role in modern history as the site of the 1936 Xi'an Incident.
Huaqing Palace Opening Hours & Tickets
- 07:30–18:00 (Palace grounds); Evening show usually starts around 20:00 (verify seasonally)
- Best season: March–May (Spring blossoms) and September–November (Autumn colors)
- Ticket note: A combined ticket covers both the Palace and Mount Li. The 'Song of Everlasting...
Essential Huaqing Palace Visitor Information
- Enquiries: +86 29 83812003
- Large tourist parking lot
- Multilingual audio guides
- Hot spring foot bath zones
- Luggage storage
- Shuttle buses to the Terracotta Army
- Wheelchair accessible paths (Palace area only)
How to Get to Huaqing Palace
Take Metro Line 9 to 'Huaqing Chi' Station (Exit B); multiple direct tourist buses also run from the Xi'an Railway Station area.
Huaqing Palace Travel Safety & Advice
Dial 120 for medical emergencies; the primary tourist service center near the East Gate provides basic first aid and lost-and-found services.
Practical Info
- No. 38 Huaqing Road, Lintong District, Xi'an, Shaanxi
- 07:30–18:00 (Palace grounds); Evening show usually starts around 20:00 (verify seasonally)
- +86 29 83812003
We keep this guide current.
Ratings
★★★★☆
4.2
(5 reviews)
On-site notes & editorial review
Tickets
- A combined ticket covers both the Palace and Mount Li. The 'Song of Everlasting...
Online booking may be required
Tips
Visit in the late afternoon to explore the grounds, then stay for the evening show. Ensure you have pre-arranged transportation back to Xi'a...
Reality Check
- Extremely crowded during public holidays
- Significant uphill walking if exploring Mount Li on foot
- Evening show tickets (Song of Everlasting Sorrow) sell out weeks in advance during summer
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Recent Reviews
A great place to dive into Tang dynasty history. The on-site museum has some beautiful artifacts, though I wish the audio guide had more depth. The 'Nine-Dragon Pool' is impressive. We spent about 3 hours here which was enough. One tip: the food stalls near the entrance are overpriced, better to eat elsewhere. Solid 4 stars for the cultural experience.
Visited on a weekday and it was peaceful. The gardens are lovely, especially the old pine trees and the view of Li Mountain behind the palace. We took the cable car up the mountain for a panoramic view - stunning! The hot spring source is still active and you can see steam rising. A serene escape from the city. Will definitely come back in autumn.
Honestly, I was a bit let down. Maybe I had too high expectations after reading about the love story of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei. The place felt overly commercialized with souvenir shops everywhere. The famous bathing pools were just empty stone pits with no water. For the entrance fee, I expected more preservation and atmosphere. Disappointing.
Pretty impressive overall, but be prepared for the crowds. The palace grounds are well-maintained and the historical exhibits are informative. I wished the signage had more English translations though. Also, the hot spring pools are cool to see but you can't actually touch the water. Still, a solid 4-star experience if you're into Chinese history.
Absolutely magical! The blend of Tang dynasty architecture with the natural hot springs is breathtaking. We visited in the late afternoon when the crowds thinned out, and the sunset over the palace grounds was unforgettable. The 'Song of Everlasting Sorrow' show in the evening is a must-see - the lighting and music transported us back in time. Highly recommend spending at least half a day here.
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