Hello everyone, I’m Michael Zhang, a Chinese traveler with years of international experience exploring the world’s historic landmarks and cultural wonders. Each time I return home, I’m once again amazed by the depth and richness of China’s history. As someone fascinated by ancient civilizations and royal heritage, I hope my words can guide you through places that time has gently preserved. Today, I’ll take you to Huaqing Palace in Xi’an—a site where romance, politics, and Tang Dynasty grandeur come together. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a photography lover, or simply seeking a place to relax in an ancient hot spring, Huaqing Palace offers a truly timeless experience.

Summary

Huaqing Palace Overview

Located at the foot of Mount Li (Lishan) in Xi’an, Huaqing Palace was built upon the ruins of the original Tang Dynasty royal hot spring complex and has become one of the most iconic destinations representing Tang imperial culture in China.

Dating back to the Zhou Dynasty, this site was once known for its natural open-air hot springs. During Emperor Xuanzong’s reign in the Tang Dynasty, he transformed it into a magnificent palace, famously described as “surrounded by mountains and centered around the thermal pools.” Thanks to its enduring hot spring resources, legendary stories such as “The Beacon Fire of the Kings”, the romantic tale of Emperor Xuanzong and Lady Yang, and its role in the historic Xi’an Incident, Huaqing Palace is recognized worldwide as a symbol of Tang culture. Today, it proudly holds the title of a National 5A Tourist Attraction in China.

  • Address: No. 38, Huaqing Road, Lintong District, Xi’an (Apple Maps / Amap)
  • Opening Hours:
    • Summer: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
    • Winter: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Recommended Visit Duration: 3–5 hours
  • Best Travel Season: March – October
  • Ticket Price: 108 CNY
  • Ticket Purchase: Trip.com Discounts, Klook Deals, KKday Offers
  • Compare Ticket Prices: Click to View
Statue of Lady Yang at Huaqing Palace

Huaqing Palace Map

Huaqing Palace scenic area guide map

Why You Should Visit Huaqing Palace

A Living Showcase of History and Culture

Huaqing Palace is best known as the romantic setting of Emperor Xuanzong and Lady Yang’s legendary love story. Visitors can still see the remains of the imperial hot spring baths—such as the Lotus Pool and Crabapple Pool—mentioned in the Tang poet Bai Juyi’s “Song of Everlasting Regret.” The line “He granted her a bath in the Huaqing Pool on a chilly spring day” remains one of the most quoted verses in Chinese literature.

Where Imperial Architecture Meets Natural Beauty

Nestled against Mount Li and facing the Weishui River, Huaqing Palace harmoniously blends royal architecture with nature. Scenic highlights like Nine-Dragon Lake and Feishuang Hall showcase the grand aesthetics of Tang palace gardens. As night falls, the illuminated pavilions and their reflections on the lake create a dreamlike atmosphere.

Diverse Experiences and Activities

Visitors can explore the Huaqing Hot Spring Heritage Museum, which displays archaeological finds from the Tang Dynasty, or enjoy the spectacular live performance of “The Song of Everlasting Regret.” This open-air show vividly brings to life the love story between Emperor Xuanzong and Lady Yang through music, dance, and water effects.

Top Things to Do in Huaqing Palace

Main Attractions

Tang Imperial Hot Spring Museum

If Huaqing Palace has a soul, it must be the hot spring. The Tang Imperial Hot Spring Museum best captures the luxurious life of the Tang royal family. It preserves the original remains of the imperial bathing site from the Tang Dynasty. The museum centers around the archaeological excavation site, combining modern exhibition technology to let visitors feel as if they’ve traveled back over a thousand years to witness Emperor Xuanzong and Lady Yang bathing in the hot spring with their own eyes.

Ancient imperial hot spring site at Huaqing Palace

Huan Garden (Site of the Xi’an Incident)

Walking into Huan Garden on the west side of Huaqing Palace, you shift from the romantic atmosphere of the Tang era to the turbulent modern history of China. This was one of the key sites of the Xi’an Incident. On December 12, 1936, Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng launched the historic event here, forcing Chiang Kai-shek to form a united front against Japan—an act that changed the course of China’s war history.

Today, the garden is carefully preserved. Landmarks such as Bingjian Pavilion and Chiang Kai-shek’s Bedroom stand as solemn witnesses of that era. Surrounded by pines and cypresses, the air feels both tranquil and heavy with history. For visitors interested in modern Chinese history, this is not just a sightseeing spot—it’s a place to truly feel the weight of the past.

Former Xi’an Incident site inside Huaqing Palace

Hall of Eternal Life (Changsheng Hall)

The Hall of Eternal Life is one of the most romantic landmarks within Huaqing Palace. More than just an ancient hall, it symbolizes the love story between Emperor Xuanzong and Lady Yang. It was here, legend says, that they vowed to “be birds flying side by side in the sky, and branches growing together on earth.” Their devotion inspired generations of artists and writers, leading to the timeless literary masterpiece The Palace of Eternal Life.

Today, the hall retains its Tang-style elegance with red columns, golden tiles, and ornate carvings, immersing visitors in the splendor of imperial romance.

Changsheng Hall reflecting in the pond at Huaqing Palace

The Song of Everlasting Regret Performance

If daytime at Huaqing Palace lets you sense history, then nightfall truly brings it to life through the grand “Song of Everlasting Regret” performance. Based on the love story of Emperor Xuanzong and Lady Yang, this large-scale live show uses Mount Li as its backdrop and the palace architecture as its stage. Combining lighting, music, fountains, and live actors, it presents a visually stunning epic of Tang Dynasty romance.

Each act feels like a poem in motion, blending art and emotion under the open sky. The performance is widely considered one of the best evening shows in Xi’an and an unmissable highlight of visiting Huaqing Palace.

  • Ticket Purchase: Trip.com Discounts
  • Showtime:
    • March–November: Four shows at 19:10, 20:35, 22:00, and 23:25
    • December–February: Three shows at 18:30, 19:55, and 21:20
The Song of Everlasting Sorrow performance at Huaqing Palace

Mount Li (Lishan)

If Huaqing Palace symbolizes Tang Dynasty romance, then Mount Li represents its spiritual essence. This mountain has long been a royal retreat and the source of the palace’s famous hot springs. Today, visitors can take the Lishan Cableway, which starts inside Huaqing Palace, to reach the summit. The ride offers a panoramic view of the entire complex, while the top features landmarks like the Beacon Tower and Bingjian Pavilion, blending breathtaking scenery with layers of history.

  • Tickets: Entry to Mount Li is included with the Huaqing Palace ticket, but the cableway requires a separate ticket.
  • Cableway Ticket Purchase: Trip.com Discounts
Cable car view over Lishan Mountain and Huaqing Palace

Huaqing Palace Ticket Guide

Huaqing Palace Ticket Prices

  • Includes: Huaqing Palace + Mount Li access, valid for two days
  • Adult: 108 CNY (120 CNY on-site)
  • Child: 60 CNY, for ages 6–17
  • Free: Children under 1.2 meters (including 1.2m) or under 6 years old, and seniors aged 65 or above

Where to Buy Tickets

  • Online: Official WeChat account or third-party booking platforms.
  • Offline: Tickets are available at the entrance, but buying on-site is not recommended since “The Song of Everlasting Regret” show tickets often sell out early. Booking online in advance ensures availability and better seating.

Since The Song of Everlasting Regret is performed at night, here are two recommended routes:

  • Route 1 (Huaqing Palace + Terracotta Warriors): Enter Huaqing Palace through Xiwangjing Gate in the morning → Tang Imperial Hot Spring Museum → Five-Room Hall → Hall of Eternal Life → visit Lishan Garden and the Terracotta Army in the afternoon → return at night to watch the Song of Everlasting Regret performance.
  • Route 2 (Huaqing Palace + Mount Li Hiking): Spend the full day at Huaqing Palace. Hike or take the cableway up Mount Li in the morning, visit the Tang Imperial Hot Spring Museum in the afternoon, and enjoy The Song of Everlasting Regret in the evening.

Across from Huaqing Palace, Xiaxi Street is full of local eateries. Around noon, it’s packed with locals enjoying quick street meals. Must-try dishes include tofu in duck blood soup, cold noodles, and braised beef slices—each one unforgettable.

  • Xiaxi Street Address: Xiaxi Street, Lintong District, Xi’an (Apple Maps / Amap)
Local Shaanxi noodles and tofu in spicy sauce near Huaqing Palace

It’s best to stay near Xi’an Bell Tower, where most major attractions are located, including the Xi’an Bell Tower, Drum Tower, City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Gao’s Grand Courtyard, and the Great Mosque of Xi’an. From here, there are also direct buses to the Terracotta Warriors, Mount Hua, and Hukou Waterfall. For more details, check out the Xi’an Hotel Recommendation Guide.

Mehood Lestie Hotel (Xi’an Bell and Drum Tower South Gate Branch)

Mehood Lestie Hotel (Xi'an Bell and Drum Tower South Gate Branch)
  • Location: 8 minutes walk to Bell Tower Metro Station, 9 minutes walk to Guangji Street Metro Station
  • Price Range: 268 RMB
  • Check Rates:Trip.com Specials, Compare on Klook
  • Rating: Trip 4.8
  • Special Amenities: Laundry room, family rooms

The hotel is ideally located directly opposite the Drum Tower, making it easy to find. It offers convenient access to public transport, being just a few minutes walk from the subway station, with numerous bus stops and a taxi stand right outside, making it easy to travel anywhere.

The rooms are spacious, including a comfortable cage sofa bed. The cleanliness is top-notch with well-maintained showers, bathrooms, and window sills. The amenities including towels and bath towels are of high quality. It’s a hotel with great value for money.

Orange Crystal Xi’an Bell Tower Hotel

Orange Crystal Xi'an Bell Tower Hotel
  • Location: 10 minutes walk to Yongning Gate Metro Station, 13 minutes walk to Bell Tower Metro Station
  • Price Range: 358 RMB
  • Check Rates:Trip.com Specials
  • Rating: Trip 4.8
  • Special Amenities: Laundry room, gym, robot meal delivery, family rooms

Superb hotel location for easy travel, situated near characteristic streets and alleys and right at the exit of Metro Line 2, making famous attractions accessible on the same line. It’s a 10-20 minute walk to the Bell Tower, City Wall, Muslim Quarter, and various major shopping malls.

Rooms are equipped with smart home technology, clean and sanitary, with comprehensive facilities, and breakfast is quite abundant.

Bell Tower Hotel

Bell Tower Hotel
  • Location: 5 minutes walk from Bell Tower Metro Station, 12 minutes walk from Guangji Street Metro Station
  • Price Range: 366 RMB
  • Check Rates:Trip.com Specials, Compare on Klook
  • Rating: Trip 4.5
  • Special Amenities: Family rooms

An iconic hotel near the Bell Tower, this established hotel boasts a prime location in the Bell Tower business district, with the Muslim Quarter and Kaiyuan shopping mall nearby, all within walking distance. The hotel is conveniently situated next to the subway, just a two-minute walk away.

The hotel offers comfort and security. Although the room facilities are slightly dated compared to others in the area, it still offers great value for money.

How to Get to Huaqing Palace from Downtown Xi’an

Since there’s a metro line connecting downtown Xi’an to Huaqing Palace, independent travelers are recommended to take the subway. Families with children may find taxis more convenient since the distance isn’t far.

By Metro

There are multiple subway transfers from downtown Xi’an to Huaqing Palace, but it’s still fairly convenient. From the Bell Tower area, take Metro Line 2, transfer to Line 1 at Beidajie Station, and then switch to Line 9 at Fangzhicheng Station. Get off at Huaqingchi Station.

  • Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes
  • Cost: 8 CNY

By Taxi or Ride-Hailing

Because the distance from downtown Xi’an to Huaqing Palace isn’t too far, taking a taxi or ride-hailing service can be an easy and affordable choice, especially for groups.

  • Duration: 50 minutes
  • Cost: 40 CNY

FAQ

Is Huaqing Palace stroller and wheelchair friendly?

Yes, it is. Huaqing Palace has well-designed accessible ramps throughout most areas, making it convenient for strollers and wheelchairs. You can also rent wheelchairs at the visitor center.

Where can I store my luggage?

The visitor center provides free luggage storage, including large suitcases. It’s secure and convenient for all travelers.

Essential Xi’an Travel Resources