Weiyang Palace Site (Han Chang'an City)
未央宫遗址
The palace ruins of Western Han Chang'an, where the massive rammed-earth platform of the front hall still stands. Part of the 'Silk Roads' World Heritage Site, it marks the starting point of the route.
Weiyang Palace was the main palace of Western Han Chang'an. It was built under the direction of Prime Minister Xiao He and completed in 200 BCE. For more than 200 years it was the political center of the Western Han dynasty, and later it served as the palace city for several other dynasties. It covers about 4.8 square km. Today it is the Weiyang Palace National Archaeological Site Park of Han Chang'an City. In 2014, it was inscribed as the starting point of the 'Silk Roads: the Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor Network' World Heritage Site. The park features the massive rammed-earth platform of the front hall, where visitors can climb up for distant views. Other highlights include the ruins of the Shaofu, the Jiaofang Palace, and the Tianlu and Shiqu pavilions, along with reconstruction models of Han palaces. Admission is free, and a visit takes about 2 hours. The park is large, so shared bikes are recommended. It is about 8 km northwest of the Xi'an city center, and a taxi is the most convenient way to get there.
Opening hours
About 08:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Hancheng Lake
- Guangren Temple
- Datang West Market
- Sajinqiao Food Street
- Xi'an City God Temple
- Great Mosque of Xi'an
- Gao Family Courtyard
- Muslim Quarter (Beiyuanmen)