Xingqing Palace Park

Xingqing Palace Park, Xi'an

Overview

Located to the north of the West Xianning Road in the Beilin District of Xian, the Xingqinggong Park (Xingqing Palace Park) is a famous historical and cultural relic in Xian. 

History & Background

Xinqing Palace was built on the former site of the Xingqing Palace of the Tang Dynasty. The site proper initially formed one part of the Longqing Fang (Fang refers to the living quarters) in the city of Chang'an. It also served as the official residence of Li Longji when he was made the crown prince. Later he became the Tang Dynasty Emperor 

Xuan Zong. His former residence was reconstructed into a palace named the Longqing Palace two years after he succeeded to the throne (721 AD). 

Before long, the Longqing Palace was renamed the Xingqing Palace, to avoid using the same character Long as in the Emperor's name. Extension work on the palace was undertaken once again in later years. As a result, parts of the neighbouring Fang, such as Yongjia, Daozheng, Xing'an and Shengye were successively absorbed by the palace. 

Emperor Xuan Zong began to administer state affairs here in 728 AD, and the palace consequently became the center of feudal dominations in the Tang Dynasty. In the year 753 AD, it was completed with its surrounding walls. The Xingqing Palace, the Taiji Palace and the Daming Palace were then known as the three interior palaces.

In the Song Dynasty (960-1279), people went hiking in spring around the site of the palace. During the Yuan (1271-1368) and Ming (1368-1644) Dynasties, men of letters often sailed on the nearby lake to exchange their prose and verses.

The main scenic attractions

The Xingqing Lake
The Xingqing Lake, the primary scenery in the park, is located in the centre of the park, and covers an area of ten hectares. It was equal to nearly 1\5 of the total are of the whole park. It was laid out on the site of the original Dragon Pool of the Xiangqing Palace in the Tang Dynasty. According to historical records, Emperor Xuan Zong used to go boating, sightseeing and feasting together with his concubines and officials here on the lake.

The ChenXiang Pavilion
It is said that the Chenxiang Pavilion was built with agolloth eagle-woods; hence its name, around the pavilion, there are varieties of precious flowers, such as tree and herbaceous peonies. Emperor Xuan Zong, together with his favorite concubine Yang Guifei, used to share the pleasure of appreciating flowers in bloom every year. He once met the famous poet, Li Bai here and asked him to improvise a poem about the peony blossom.

The Government Administration Building
The Government Administration Building is located in the southwest corner of the Xingqing Palace. Emperor Xuan Zong named it the Government Administration Building just to indicate that he would be industrious in state affairs, and be concerned about the joys and sorrows of the people. He was one of the emperors who made the greatest achievements in Chinese history. During his early years in power, he roused himself, and vigorously acted to make the Tang Dynasty the most prosperous dynasty of all. The feudal society of China was thus led to its peak. 

The Flower Shedding Brilliance Gallery
The Flower Shedding Brilliance Gallery was one of the main structures of the Xingqing Palace. Emperor Xuan Zong gained his imperial crown by staging a palace coup. To keep his brothers from doing the same thing, he had this building built in the Xingqing Palace. He gave it the name the Flower Shedding Brilliance Gallery, so it would serve as a metaphor to indicate that brothers ought to be dear to each other, and help each other, like the shedding of brilliance between flowers and calyxes.

Information

How to get to Xingqinggong Park

By bus:
1.Take bus 7, 45, 351, 402, 410, 512, 607, 800, 910, or Exclusive Educational Line, get off at Xingqinggong Park Station, and go to the park through the South Gate;

2. Take bus 228, 237, 240, 401, 408, 517, 525, 602, or 903, and get off at the East Gate of Xingqing Park Station

By metro:
Take metro line 3 to Xianning Road Station, then walk northwest for around 0.7 mile (1.2 kilometers) to get to the park.

Admission Fee: Free of charge

Opening Hours: March, April, September, October:  6:00-19:30
                          May, June, July, August:  5:30-20:00
                          November, December, January, February:  6:30-18:30