Overview
Huaqing Palace sits at the foot of Mount Li, 30 km east of Xi'an, and has served as a royal hot-spring retreat for over 3,000 years. Famous as the love nest of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei.
Highlights
- Hot spring pools: Excavated Lotus Pool and Haitang Pool, now glass-covered.
- Song of Everlasting Sorrow: Dramatic open-air musical against Mount Li.
- Xi'an Incident site: Bullet holes preserved where Chiang Kai-shek was captured in 1936.
History
Thermal springs usage dates to the Western Zhou dynasty (11th century BCE). The 1936 Xi'an Incident forced the united front against Japan.
Visitor Tips
- Evening show: Book in advance (from ¥268); April–October.
- Combine with Terracotta Army: Same bus route (Bus 914).
- Duration: 1.5–2.5 hours.