Can I actually bathe in the Huaqing hot springs?

No. The famous Tang-era imperial pools, including the reconstructed bath of Yang Guifei, are historical exhibits you view rather than soak in. Huaqing Pool is a heritage garden and palace site covering 85 hectares, not a working spa. Entry is 120 RMB. Commercial hot-spring resorts exist nearby, but they are separate from this site.

Should I visit Huaqing Pool with the Terracotta Warriors?

Yes, that is the standard plan. Huaqing Pool sits in Lintong, roughly 30 km east of Xi'an and on the route to the Terracotta Army, so most day trips combine both. Allow three to four hours here. Doing them together saves a return journey and makes for a full, efficient day east of the city.

Is the evening Song of Everlasting Sorrow show worth booking?

If you enjoy spectacle, yes. The 70-minute outdoor opera dramatizes Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei's love tragedy against the real Mount Lishan backdrop, and it is internationally praised. Tickets are around 298 RMB and sell out, so book ahead. Note it runs in the evening, which means staying late rather than returning to Xi'an for dinner.

Huaqing Pool, Xi'an: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

Tang-era imperial hot springs (8th century) — the love-tragedy setting for Emperor Xuanzong + Yang Guifei. 5 km from Terracotta Warriors.

At a glance

What it is: Heritage Site
Also known as: 华清池 (Huáqīng Chí)
Opening hours: 7 AM – 6 PM
Time needed: 3-4 hours
Best time to visit: Combine with Terracotta Warriors as day trip
Getting there: Taxi / DiDi from metro
English: English tours available
Cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard
Entry: Passport booking required
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi
Address: 38 Huaqing Rd, Lintong District · 临潼区华清路 38 号

See Huaqing Pooltickets & tours

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Huaqing Pool sits 30 km east of Xi'an in Lintong (en route to Terracotta Warriors) — the imperial hot springs since the Zhou dynasty, but famously the setting for the Tang Emperor Xuanzong's love affair with Yang Guifei (the 'Tang Dynasty's Cleopatra'). The pools where Yang Guifei bathed are reconstructed; the gardens cover 85 hectares with the Tang-era Long Hen Hall, the 1936 Xi'an Incident villa (where Chiang Kai-shek was kidnapped by his own generals, sparking the Second United Front against Japan), and Mt. Lishan walking trails behind. Entry 120 RMB. The 'Song of Everlasting Sorrow' evening live show (¥298, 70-min outdoor opera narrating the Yang Guifei story) is internationally acclaimed — book ahead. Combine with Terracotta Warriors on the same day trip.

Highlights

Yang Guifei Bath ReconstructionThe Tang-era imperial pools
'Song of Everlasting Sorrow' Evening Show¥298; 70 min outdoor opera; book ahead
1936 Xi'an Incident VillaWhere Chiang Kai-shek was held captive

What Chinese travelers actually do here

Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.

▸Most travellers underrate the 1936 Xi'an Incident villa here, where Chiang Kai-shek was seized; the bullet-marked windows are a highlight.
▸Climb partway up the Mount Lishan trails behind the gardens for a quiet view most day-trippers skip entirely.
▸Pair it with the Terracotta Warriors the same day, since both sit in Lintong on the same eastern route.
▸Book the evening Song of Everlasting Sorrow show ahead, as the roughly 298 RMB tickets sell out fast.
▸Visa and Mastercard are accepted here, unlike many Xi'an cultural sites that take cash only.
▸The reconstructed Yang Guifei bath is smaller than photos suggest; manage expectations and read the legend first.
▸Reaching Lintong usually needs a taxi or tour transfer, so confirm your return ride before the gardens close.

Photos

Woman in a black bikini enjoying a sunny day by the poolside.

Woman in blue bikini and hat poses at a poolside under a clear sky.

Beautiful young woman enjoying a sunny day in a swimming pool outdoors.

High-angle view of a tranquil resort pool with sunlit pergola and swimmers, perfect for summer vacation vibes.

Stunning aerial view of a uniquely shaped modern swimming pool in an outdoor setting.

Cosplayer in fantasy attire posing by a swimming pool. Vibrant and artistic.

A modern pool design with unique landscaping featuring elevated planters in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.

Cosplayer posing as a fantasy character with antlers by a swimming pool.

Beautiful traditional Chinese architecture reflected in a tranquil canal.

A young woman enjoys a sunny day at the pool, showcasing summer vibes.

Woman in orange bikini lounging by the pool, exuding relaxation and summer vibes.

Young woman enjoying water splash at a serene poolside atmosphere in a resort.

Peaceful waterfall flows over rocks into a turquoise pool in a natural setting.

A person in a fantasy mermaid costume posing by a pool, showcasing elegant cosplay artistry.

What travelers say (1 review)

Romance·TripAdvisor·4/5

Tang imperial hot springs — Emperor Xuanzong + Yang Guifei love-tragedy setting. 'Song of Everlasting Sorrow' evening show (¥298) is internationally acclaimed.

2026-04-18

Frequently asked questions about Huaqing Pool

Can I actually bathe in the Huaqing hot springs?: No. The famous Tang-era imperial pools, including the reconstructed bath of Yang Guifei, are historical exhibits you view rather than soak in. Huaqing Pool is a heritage garden and palace site covering 85 hectares, not a working spa. Entry is 120 RMB. Commercial hot-spring resorts exist nearby, but they are separate from this site.
Should I visit Huaqing Pool with the Terracotta Warriors?: Yes, that is the standard plan. Huaqing Pool sits in Lintong, roughly 30 km east of Xi'an and on the route to the Terracotta Army, so most day trips combine both. Allow three to four hours here. Doing them together saves a return journey and makes for a full, efficient day east of the city.
Is the evening Song of Everlasting Sorrow show worth booking?: If you enjoy spectacle, yes. The 70-minute outdoor opera dramatizes Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei's love tragedy against the real Mount Lishan backdrop, and it is internationally praised. Tickets are around 298 RMB and sell out, so book ahead. Note it runs in the evening, which means staying late rather than returning to Xi'an for dinner.