Xi'an Daming Palace National Heritage Park is located in Weiyang District, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province. It is a National 5A-level Tourist Attraction, a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level, and an important component of the World Cultural Heritage site "Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor." Built around the ruins of the Tang Dynasty Daming Palace, the park covers a total area of approximately 3.2 square kilometers, of which the palace city ruins area covers 1.6 square kilometers. Centered on the protection and display of Tang Dynasty palace ruins, the scenic area preserves more than 40 palace building foundations, including the Hanyuan Hall, Linde Hall, and Taiye Pool. Through archaeological site displays, digital reconstructions, and garden landscapes, it recreates the grand layout of the prosperous Tang imperial palace. It is a comprehensive heritage park integrating cultural experience, archaeological research, and leisure tourism.
History and Culture
Construction and Evolution
Daming Palace was first built in the eighth year of the Zhenguan era of Emperor Taizong of Tang (634 AD), originally named Yong'an Palace. After multiple expansions, it became the political center of the Tang Dynasty from the reign of Emperor Gaozong, lasting 222 years. In the third year of the Qianning era of Emperor Zhaozong of Tang (896 AD), it was destroyed in war, and the existing ruins are the rammed-earth foundations of the Tang Dynasty palace complex. As a symbol of the prosperous Tang, Daming Palace witnessed important historical periods such as the "Zhenguan Era of Good Governance" and the "Kaiyuan Flourishing Age," carrying precious heritage of Tang Dynasty court etiquette, architectural technology, and urban planning.
Archaeology and Value
Since 1957, the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences has continuously excavated the Daming Palace ruins, determining that the palace city plan is rectangular, 1.5 kilometers wide from east to west and 2.5 kilometers long from north to south, with 11 city gates and numerous architectural remains discovered. The rammed-earth platform of the Hanyuan Hall ruins is 15 meters high, 75.9 meters long from east to west, and 42.3 meters wide from north to south, making it one of the largest palaces of the Tang Dynasty; the Linde Hall has a total area of 12,000 square meters, making it the largest banquet venue in the Tang palace. After the heritage park opened in 2010, it systematically presents the historical appearance of Daming Palace through site markers, restored exhibitions, and digital technology.
Main Attractions
Danfeng Gate Ruins
Danfeng Gate is the main south gate of Daming Palace, known as "the First Gate of the Prosperous Tang." The existing ruins are the foundation of a Sui-Tang city gate, 200 meters long from east to west and 30 meters wide from north to south, with 5 gate passages. The ruins are protected and displayed with a steel structure, and the exterior restores the Tang Dynasty gate tower form, 33 meters high, recreating the majestic momentum of the Tang Dynasty palace gate with its "phoenix towers and dragon pavilions," and is a landmark landscape of the park.
Hanyuan Hall Ruins
Hanyuan Hall was the main hall of the front court of Daming Palace, first built in the second year of the Longshuo era of Emperor Gaozong of Tang (662 AD), and was the place for holding grand court assemblies, general amnesties, and other ceremonies. The existing rammed-earth platform is 15 meters high, and the "Dragon Tail Ramp" ruins at the front are 78 meters long. Through glass protective covers and 3D animation demonstrations, the ruins recreate the prosperous Tang scene of "thousands of officials gazing at Chang'an, ten thousand nations bowing at Hanyuan," and is the core area for experiencing Tang Dynasty court etiquette culture.
Linde Hall Ruins
Linde Hall is located on the west bank of Taiye Pool and was the largest banquet venue in the Tang palace, consisting of three connected halls—front, middle, and rear—with a total area of 12,000 square meters, equivalent to three times the size of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Ming and Qing Forbidden City. The existing hall foundation rammed-earth outline and column base stones remain, and a display hall nearby exhibits architectural models and unearthed artifacts, systematically introducing its functional layout and architectural techniques.
Taiye Pool Ruins
Taiye Pool was the largest royal garden lake in the Tang palace, divided into East Pool and West Pool, with a total area of approximately 160,000 square meters, embodying the gardening concept of "one pool, three mountains." The existing pool bank ruins and lake island rammed-earth foundations remain. Lotuses and reeds are planted along the pool, and walking paths are set around it, making it a leisure area for experiencing the artistic conception of Tang Dynasty gardens.
Food
Roujiamo
A classic Shaanxi snack, commonly found in restaurants around the scenic area. Shredded braised pork is stuffed into a crispy baiji bun; the meat is fragrant and the bun is soft. It is best paired with cold noodles or Bingfeng soda, averaging 10-15 yuan per serving.
Yangrou Paomo
A distinctive Muslim food of Xi'an, made with mutton soup and hand-torn bread, accompanied by vermicelli and sweet garlic. Time-honored restaurants near the scenic area require customers to tear the bread themselves, offering an authentic eating experience, averaging 35-45 yuan per bowl.
Liangpi
A popular summer snack, made with rice or wheat noodles, bean sprouts, sesame paste, and oil-splashed chili, with a smooth and tangy taste, averaging 8-12 yuan per serving around the scenic area.
Recommended Food Nearby
About 3 kilometers from the park, "Yongxing Fang" offers Zichang pancakes (5-8 yuan per serving), bowl-throwing wine (10 yuan per bowl), and other Shaanxi snacks; about 5 kilometers away, "Muslim Quarter" has Jia San soup dumplings (20-25 yuan per steamer), persimmon paste pancakes (5 yuan each), and other specialty foods.
Tickets：
The free area is open for free; the paid area ticket is 50 yuan per person.
Search the official WeChat public account "Daming Palace National Heritage Park" for the latest updates or online ticket purchases.
Opening Hours：
Heritage Area: 08:30-18:00 (open year-round);
Archaeological Exploration Center: 09:00-17:30 (closed on Mondays);
IMAX Cinema: 10:00-17:00 (about 1 hour between sessions, closed on Mondays).
Tour Routes：
Half-day tour route: Danfeng Gate entrance → Imperial Way Square → Hanyuan Hall Ruins → Xuanzheng Hall Ruins → Zichen Hall Ruins → Taiye Pool → Linde Hall Ruins → Xuanwu Gate exit
One-day tour route: In the morning, visit the core heritage area (Hanyuan Hall, Taiye Pool, etc.); in the afternoon, visit the Archaeological Exploration Center watch the film "Legend of Daming Palace"; in the evening, climb Danfeng Gate to overlook the panoramic view of the ruins.
Transportation：
Metro: Take Xi'an Metro Line 4 to "Daminggong Hanyuandian Station" (Exit D), walk 500 meters to reach the Danfeng Gate entrance.
Bus:
Hanyuandian Station: Routes 2, 262, 528, 717, 728
Daming Palace National Heritage Park Station: Routes 16, 17, 22, 46, 104, etc.
Self-driving: Navigate to "Daming Palace National Heritage Park Danfeng Gate"; the park has an underground parking lot, charged 5 yuan per hour (capped at 30 yuan per day).
Must-Visit Attractions：
Danfeng Gate Ruins: A restored Tang Dynasty city gate building, 33 meters high, a photo landmark, experience the momentum of "the First Gate of the Prosperous Tang."
Hanyuan Hall Ruins: The foundation of the Tang Dynasty main hall, with 3D demonstrations restoring historical scenes, learn about court etiquette culture.
Taiye Pool Ruins: The core of the Tang Dynasty royal garden, stroll along the pool to experience the "one pool, three mountains" artistic conception, best for enjoying lotuses in summer.
Visit Suggestions：
The heritage area is large; it is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes and bring a sun hat and sunscreen in summer.
Before visiting, you can get the "Heritage Guide Map" at the visitor center, or rent an audio guide (30 yuan per device).
The Archaeological Exploration Center is suitable for families with children, offering interactive projects such as artifact restoration and archaeological excavation.
In the evening, climb Danfeng Gate to watch the sunset, or enjoy the illuminated night view by Taiye Pool (the heritage area is open for free at night until 21:00).
Notes：
The heritage area is a cultural relic protection zone; climbing on rammed-earth foundations and touching protection facilities are prohibited.
The Archaeological Exploration Center and cinema are closed on Mondays; it is recommended to avoid visiting paid projects on Mondays.
Smoking, littering, and pets are prohibited in the park (except guide dogs).
In winter, the heritage area is relatively open; pay attention to wind protection and warmth. On rainy days, some walkways are slippery, so walk cautiously.