Huaqing Palace 华清宫

About Huaqing Palace

The Tang palace itself survives mainly through archaeology, while later garden buildings frame the excavated bathing pools. Lotus Pool and Begonia Pool make the imperial use of the springs tangible, and the Pear Garden remains introduce the court’s music and performance culture. Looking at these physical remains first helps separate the Tang site from the later architecture and modern performances inspired by Xuanzong and Yang Guifei.

The palace originated as the Tangquan Gong (汤泉宫), a hot-spring palace that Emperor Taizong (唐太宗) had built at the foot of Mount Li in 644, the eighteenth year of the Zhenguan era, under the supervision of Yan Lide (阎立德). In 747, the sixth year of the Tianbao era, Emperor Xuanzong (唐玄宗) renamed it Huaqing Palace and expanded it into a large palace and garden complex used by Tang emperors for tours, residence and court events. The site was listed among the fourth group of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level in 1996.

The palace complex covered about 1,300 mu (亩), built along the contours of Mount Li and enclosed within an outer wall that was itself divided into courtyards by inner walls. The palace city at its center had a trapezoidal layout, flanked to the east and west by administrative buildings and the residences of nobles and officials; a garden area lay to its south, following a 'front palace, rear garden' arrangement. To the north lay grounds for ball games, horse racing and military drills, including the Hall for Discussing Military Affairs (讲武殿), the Dancing Horse Platform (舞马台), and both a large and a small ball court.

What to look for

• The excavated Lotus and Begonia bathing pools, associated with Xuanzong and Yang Guifei.
• The Pear Garden archaeological displays, introducing music and performance at the Tang court.
• The garden setting below Mount Li, which explains the choice of the hot-spring retreat.

Location & getting there

Getting to Huaqing Palace

Take Metro Line 9 to Huaqingchi station and follow the B or C exit approach to the scenic area at 3 Huaqing Road, Lintong.

• Check the entry arrangements separately for daytime visiting and any evening performance.