🏯 Huaqing Palace — Hot Springs, History & Tang Dynasty Romance

At the foot of Lishan Mountain in Xi’an’s Lintong District, Huaqing Palace (华清宫) blends imperial grandeur with natural beauty. Known for its steaming hot springs, the site was once a royal retreat for Tang emperors, most famously Emperor Xuanzong and his beloved concubine Yang Guifei. Their romance is immortalized in Chinese poetry, and walking here feels like stepping into those verses.

The palace grounds feature elegant Tang-style architecture, tranquil ponds, and lush gardens set against mountain backdrops. Don’t miss the Nine Dragon Lake, Furong Garden, and the Hot Spring Bath Relics, where ancient stone pools still remain. In winter, the mist from the hot springs adds a dreamy atmosphere to the whole park.

Huaqing Palace also holds a darker chapter of modern history — it was the site of the Xi’an Incident in 1936, a turning point in China’s fight against Japanese invasion. The memorial hall on site tells this story in detail.

💡 Tips:
• 📍 About 30 km from Xi’an city center; often paired with a visit to the Terracotta Warriors.
• 🎟️ Entry includes access to hot spring sites, gardens, and museums.
• 🌅 Visit in late afternoon to enjoy both the daytime beauty and evening lights.
• 🎭 In the evening, you can watch the “Song of Everlasting Sorrow” outdoor performance — a spectacular retelling of the Xuanzong–Yang Guifei love story.

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Post by NatDiscoversAsia | Aug 13, 2025