Huaqing Palace at a glance
Huaqing Palace (华清宫) is a park of Tang bath ruins, halls and the slopes of Mount Lishan. The route takes in the excavated bath remains, the Wujian Hall and the mountain behind the pond. It is a walking visit of a few hours, and it is a natural second stop after the warriors, because both sights are in Lintong.
If the warriors are your main goal, start with our guide to Terracotta Army tours and add Huaqing as a half-day extra. The name “Hot Springs” does not mean you can bathe. Plan the visit as a walk through gardens and ruins.
Huaqing Palace tickets in 2026
Prices in Chinese yuan. The show has its own ticket.
| Ticket | Price | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Day ticket, adult | CNY 120 | Daytime entry to the park |
| Day ticket, half price | CNY 60 | Students enrolled in China, with proof |
| Foreign child | Free | Up to 1.2 m in height or up to and including age 6 |
| Foreign senior | – | Do not count on a free ticket |
| Song of Everlasting Sorrow show | CNY 199 to 988 | Separate ticket, no day ticket needed |
| Show, child up to 1.3 m | Free | One child per accompanying person, without a seat |
For most visitors the CNY 120 day ticket is the right choice. Add the show only if you want an evening program and can plan the ride back to Xi'an.
Our pick: the palace and the warriors in one day
This tour pairs Huaqing Palace with the Terracotta Army, both in Lintong.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Terracotta Army tours from Xi'an
Day trips to the warriors in Lintong, with live prices and availability.
What you see inside
The park mixes archaeology with landscaped paths. Walk it in this order and you avoid doubling back.
The Tang bath ruins
The excavated bath remains are the historic core of the site. Take your time here, because this is the part most people come for.
The Wujian Hall
A hall on the route. Find it on the park map and decide from there whether to continue up the slope.
Mount Lishan
The mountain is part of the visit. Note that this is Mount Lishan (骊山) at Huaqing and not the Lishan Garden (丽山园) at the Terracotta Army museum. The names sound alike and the places are separate. For the garden, read our Qin Shi Huang mausoleum guide.
The statue at the pond
The statue of Yang Guifei stands at the Huaqing pond and is a popular photo stop.
Opening hours
Two sets of hours are in use, so allow a margin.
Gate hours
The park opens at 07:30. Closing is 17:30 in winter and up to 18:00 in summer. Ticket sales and entry end at about 17:00, and one timetable shows 17:10. Do not plan to arrive at the last minute. Be inside by mid-afternoon.
Late entry and the show
The show runs after dark and has its own timetable. Your day ticket is not needed for it. If you stay for a late show, check the last Metro and a taxi option back to the city before you buy.
The Song of Everlasting Sorrow show
An evening performance (长恨歌) with its own ticket.
Tickets cost CNY 199 to 988, depending on the seat. One child up to 1.3 m can enter free without a seat for each accompanying person.
| Version | Season | Start times |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | March to the end of October | 20:10, 21:35, 23:00 and 00:25 the next day |
| Winter | December to the end of February | 18:30, 19:55, 21:20 and 22:45 |
Start times change with demand, and not every slot runs every day. A pause is announced for 1 December to 25 December 2026. For November, March or any date near a season change, check the current calendar before you plan around the show. For most visitors the earlier winter times are easier to combine with a return to Xi'an.
Combining Huaqing with the warriors
Both are in Lintong, but they are separate visits with separate tickets.
Morning: the Terracotta Army
The museum asks for about 1.5 hours for each of its two areas, without the trip and the entry checks. Book your timed ticket with your passport first. See our Terracotta Army tickets guide.
Afternoon: Huaqing Palace
A walk through the ruins and the slope fits an afternoon. Arrive with time to spare before the ticket desks stop selling.
Evening: the show
Only if you have energy left. A show means a long day in Lintong, and the late slots end after you would normally be on your way back.
A short history note: Huaqing is also one of the places linked to the Xi'an Incident of 12 December 1936. That event belongs to the twentieth century and has nothing to do with the Qin era of the warriors.
Huaqing Palace: frequently asked questions
How much is a Huaqing Palace ticket?
The adult day ticket is CNY 120 in 2026, and the half-price ticket is CNY 60. The show needs a separate ticket.
Do I need the day ticket for the show?
No. The show has its own ticket, and you do not need the day ticket for it.
Can I bathe in the hot springs?
Do not plan on it. The name suggests a spa, but the park is a visit to ruins, halls and gardens.
Can I see Huaqing and the Terracotta Army in one day?
Yes, with an early start. A workable plan is the warriors in the morning and Huaqing in the afternoon. Adding the show makes the day long.
Is this the official Huaqing Palace website?
No. This is an independent visitor guide. Tickets and the show are sold by the park, and the prices and hours here are for planning.