China Visit Guide
Huaqing Palace hot spring pavilions with Lishan Mountain rising
Historic site · SHAANXI
Huaqing Palace — Lishan Mountain Hot Springs
华清宫骊山 · Huáqīng Gōng Líshān
About
The extended Lishan Mountain section of Huaqing Palace near Xi'an, including the cold mineral springs at higher elevation, the site of the 1936 Xi'an Incident where Chiang Kai-shek was detained, and panoramic ridge paths above the hot spring resort.
The Huaqing Palace complex at the base of Lishan Mountain is celebrated primarily as the setting for the Tang Emperor Xuanzong's legendary romance with the consort Yang Guifei (Yang Yuhuan), immortalised in Bai Juyi's poem 'Song of Everlasting Regret'. The hot spring pools where Yang bathed have become the site's most visited feature. However, the mountain above the palace — Lishan, literally Black Stallion Mountain — offers an entirely different visit focussing on landscape and modern history.
The Lishan scenic area above the palace is reached by cable car or a steep 2–3 hour ascent on foot. The upper mountain contains the cave where Chiang Kai-shek hid in his pyjamas on 12 December 1936, when his own generals arrested him in the Xi'an Incident — an event that led directly to the CCP-Kuomintang United Front against Japan. The cave (Bingjian-Ting Pavilion site) and a small memorial hall explain the incident's history. Below the cave, the bullet-pocked steps where Chiang stumbled in his flight are preserved.
Higher on Lishan, the Mother of the West Peak (Xumu Peak) carries a small Daoist temple dedicated to Nüwa, the creator goddess. The ridge path connecting this peak to the eastern summit gives panoramic views across the Wei River plain toward Xi'an and, in clear weather, the Qinling Mountains to the south. The secondary cold springs — the Jiulong Tang (Nine Dragon Pool) — at the middle elevation are quieter than the famous hot baths below.
The full Lishan visit combined with the palace hot spring pools requires a whole day.
How to get there
Tourist Bus Line 5 from Xi'an Railway Station to Huaqing Palace (approximately 45 minutes). The Terracotta Army is 12 km further east on the same road.
When to visit
Spring and autumn for clear views from Lishan Ridge. Winter evenings see a spectacular large-scale outdoor dance performance about Yang Guifei at the palace (book separately).
Other attractions in Xi'an
Other historic sites in China
- Ancient City of Ping Yao — Heritage Overview平遥古城—文化遗产综览
UNESCO · The walled city of Pingyao, inscribed by UNESCO in 1997, preserves the most complete example of Ming-Qing urban planning in China — its banking heritage, city wall, temples and courtyard residences forming a cohesive historical ensemble.
- Ancient Villages of Southern Anhui — Xidi and Hongcun皖南古村落—西递、宏村
UNESCO · UNESCO-listed pair of Ming-Qing Huizhou merchant villages in southern Anhui, renowned for whitewashed walls, inky horsehead gables and moon-shaped ponds.
- Anqing Zhenfeng Pagoda安庆振风塔
A seven-storey Ming Dynasty pagoda standing on the bank of the Yangtze River in Anqing, considered one of the finest riverside pagodas in southern China and long used as a navigation landmark by Yangtze river pilots.
- Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City良渚古城遗址
UNESCO · UNESCO-listed archaeological site in Hangzhou preserving the remains of a 5,000-year-old city with a sophisticated water-management system, jade ritual culture and social hierarchy — regarded as one of the earliest state-level societies in East Asia.
- Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom高句丽王城、王陵及贵族墓葬
UNESCO · UNESCO-listed capital cities and royal tombs of the Koguryo Kingdom in Jian, Jilin — the Chinese portion of a transnational heritage property shared with North Korea, representing one of the most powerful states of ancient East Asia.
- Classical Gardens of Suzhou (UNESCO)苏州古典园林
UNESCO · UNESCO-listed collection of private gardens in Suzhou — four inscribed in 1997 and five more added in 2000 — representing the pinnacle of Chinese garden design through the refined integration of architecture, water, rock and plant.
- Danba Tibetan Watchtowers丹巴碉楼
Clusters of ancient stone watchtowers rising above Tibetan village complexes in the Dadu River valley, said to be among the oldest surviving examples of Tibetan defensive architecture.
- Drum Tower and Bell Tower鼓楼钟楼
Yuan-dynasty drum and bell towers that kept official time for imperial Beijing. Climbable; daily drum performances.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does Huaqing Palace — Lishan Mountain Hot Springs cost to visit?
- Adult entry to Huaqing Palace — Lishan Mountain Hot Springs is ¥120, ¥60 for children. Combined Huaqing Palace and Lishan Mountain entry. Cable car ¥60 additional.
- When is Huaqing Palace — Lishan Mountain Hot Springs open?
- Huaqing Palace — Lishan Mountain Hot Springs opening hours: 7am–7pm (summer); 8am–6pm (winter). Cable car 8am–5:30pm.
- How long do you need at Huaqing Palace — Lishan Mountain Hot Springs?
- Allow 3–5 hours for Huaqing Palace — Lishan Mountain Hot Springs. Add buffer time if you plan to visit at peak season or include nearby sights in the same trip.
- When is the best time to visit Huaqing Palace — Lishan Mountain Hot Springs?
- Spring and autumn for clear views from Lishan Ridge. Winter evenings see a spectacular large-scale outdoor dance performance about Yang Guifei at the palace (book separately).
- How do you get to Huaqing Palace — Lishan Mountain Hot Springs?
- Tourist Bus Line 5 from Xi'an Railway Station to Huaqing Palace (approximately 45 minutes). The Terracotta Army is 12 km further east on the same road.
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