Don't stay home scrolling your phone during the holidays! Head to Huaqing Palace and see how emperors and concubines "soaked in luxury"

🌿 Want to step into the hot spring tales of the Tang Dynasty? This Huaqing Palace near Xi'an has steaming pools, with juicy historical gossip hidden between every brick!

🚇 Transportation Tips

1. Direct Metro

Starting from downtown Xi'an? Take Metro Line 9 to the terminal station "Huaqingchi Station," exit B/C, and the scenic gate is right there. Just a few yuan and 30 minutes—no traffic jams or sun exposure. A lazy traveler's dream.

2. Bus

Tourist Bus 5 (306) or Routes 914/915 also go there, costing 3-5 yuan. Downsides: frequent stops, packed like sardines during peak season, and no AC in summer (hello, heat rash)... Avoid if you're in a hurry.

3. Taxi/Self-Drive

A taxi from the Bell Tower costs about 70 yuan. For self-driving, navigate to "Huaqing Palace Parking Lot" (10 yuan per entry). Pro tip: On weekends, parking spots are competitive—arrive before 9 AM, or you might spend 30 minutes circling.

🎫 Ticket Guide

1. Buy in Advance

Adult tickets: 120 yuan (100 yuan during off-season, Dec-Feb). Scan your ID to enter directly and skip the long lines.

⚠️ On-site ticket queues can stretch to the bus stop.

2. Discount Tickets Require Original IDs

Students/seniors (65+)/military personnel get half-price or free entry—bring original IDs. Ticket checks are strict; photos won’t work.

3. Song of Everlasting Sorrow Requires Separate Tickets

The nighttime live show is breathtaking, but tickets sell fast (268-888 yuan). During peak season, book 5 days early on the official WeChat. Same-day tickets? Only corner seats left.

🗺️ Must-See Spots

💡 Pro tip: Turn right at the entrance for a free map or follow tour group flags to save on guide fees.

1. Hot Spring Royalty—Imperial Bathhouses

• Begonia Pool (Consort Yang’s Bath) 🌸: Exclusive to Yang Yuhuan, this petal-shaped pool is paved with black jade. Imagine her soaking while snacking on lychees.

• Lotus Pool (Emperor Xuanzong’s Bath) 🪷: The emperor’s larger pool features carved dragons playing with pearls—and water 2°C hotter (old Li knew how to pamper himself 😏).

• Star Pool 🌌: Where Emperor Taizong soaked post-battle. The bottom is paved with blue bricks forming the Big Dipper—pure dominance.

2. Modern History Surprise—Five-Room Hall

Chiang Kai-shek’s hideout during the Xi’an Incident! Bullet holes still mark the windows, and the desk phone displays his last call before fleeing.

3. Mount Li Cable Car for Panoramic Views (Optional) 🚠

35 yuan one-way, 10 minutes to Laomu Temple summit. On clear days, you can spot the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum mound—worth every penny.

🚫 Scam Alerts

1. Avoid "Wild Guides" at the Gate

Official guides inside cost 90 yuan per session (up to 5 people). The 20-yuan "wild guides" outside often cut tours short to drag you to shops.

2. Think Twice About Foot Soaks

The 20-yuan "imperial spring" foot soak uses recycled water. For the real deal, go to Huaqing Yu Hot Spring Hotel next door (198 yuan/person)—natural flowing water only.

3. Beware of Pomegranate Juice Scams ⚠️

"Fresh pomegranate juice" at exits is priced at 15 yuan but rings up at 25. Confirm prices before buying, or bring your own water.

🍜 Food Recs

Skip the scenic area and head 1 km west to Lintong’s local gems:

• Fushunxiang Big Plate Chicken: 46 yuan feeds two, with melt-in-your-mouth potatoes (10-min walk).

• Old Wang’s Roujiamo: Crispy buns stuffed with savory meat, 10 yuan fills you up.

• Street-Side Persimmon Cakes: 3 yuan each, fried golden with gooey centers—eat hot.

💎 Final Pro Tips

• Best Time: Arrive at 8 AM when it opens—cool, uncrowded, and perfect for photos.

• Must-Bring: ID, power bank (photos drain batteries fast), and a sunhat (no shade by the pools).

• Hidden Perk: Free Tang Dynasty dance shows at Feishuang Hall at 9:30 AM/2:30 PM—don’t miss them!

📆 If your schedule allows, don’t miss the Song of Everlasting Sorrow night show. When Mount Li lights up like the starry sky, Bai Juyi’s poetry comes alive (bring a jacket—nights get chilly).