Weinan 渭南市 — Gateway to Mount Hua & Huaqing Hot Springs
Weinan sits east of Xi'an and is home to some of Shaanxi's most spectacular destinations. Mount Hua (华山), one of China's five sacred Taoist mountains, is famous for its perilous cliff-side plank walk. The city also encompasses Lintong District, home to Huaqing Hot Springs — where Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei's love story unfolded.
Adventure seekers come for Mount Hua's extreme hiking trails. History buffs come for the hot springs, the Bell Tower of Puzhou, and ancient battlegrounds. Weinan connects them all.
One of China's five sacred Taoist mountains, known as the "Number One Most Precipitous Mountain under Heaven." The five peaks (East, West, South, North, and Central) form a flower shape. The West Peak's plank walk — a narrow wooden path bolted to a vertical cliff face — is one of China's most thrilling hikes. Cable cars make it accessible to most visitors.
Hours: 7:00–19:00 (peak), varies by season
Admission: ¥160, West Peak cable car ¥140, North Peak cable car ¥80
A Tang Dynasty imperial hot spring palace famous for the tragic love story of Emperor Xuanzong and his concubine Yang Guifei. The hot spring pools used by the royal family are preserved. The site is also where the 1936 Xi'an Incident took place — Chiang Kai-shek was arrested here. The evening show "The Song of Everlasting Sorrow" is spectacular.
Hours: 7:00–18:00
Admission: ¥120, Evening show ¥258–988
One of the largest freshwater wetlands in northwest China, along the Yellow River. Reed marshes stretch for kilometers, best visited in autumn when the reeds turn golden. The area is also famous for the "Book of Songs" (诗经) — many poems describe the romance and beauty of this region.
Hours: 8:00–18:00
Admission: ¥60