If you’re going to visit the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, also put Lishan Mountain on your itinerary, which is located only a 15-minute drive away. Its main peak reaches an elevation of 1,302 meters (4,272 feet), but Lishan is way more than a giant mountain with beautiful scenery. It is a living history book of China, where breathtaking natural beauty and thousands of years of cultural heritage are blended together.
The mountain is famous for the “Lishan Sunset.” During autumn evenings, the setting sun can paint the entire mountain in gold and crimson, and the whole landscape will be like a dream.
Meanwhile, the many historical stories associated with the mountain have made this site even more romantic, such as King You of Zhou’s famous beacon-fire incident and the legendary love story between Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and Consort Yang.
Read on to find insider tips to visit the Lishan Mountain.
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- Visitor Information
- Why Visit Lishan Mountain?
- How to Visit Lishan Mountain – Three Recommended Routes
- Highlights on Lishan Mountain
- Best Season and Best Time of the Day to Visit
- Nearby Attractions
- Recommended Restaurants
- The History of Lishan Mountain
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Plan Your Tour with China Xian Tour
Visitor Information
- Address: No. 3 Huancheng East Road, Lintong District, Xi’an
- Highest Peak Elevation: 1,302 meters
- Opening Hours: 07:00–18:30
- Ticket Price: RMB 120/USD 17.7 per person (joint ticket for Huaqing Palace and Lishan Mountain; no need to buy ticket separately)
- Recommended Visit Duration: 2–3 hours
- Best Viewing Spots: Beacon Tower, Laomu Hall, and Wanzhao Pavilion (the best location for sunset)
- Cable Car Price: RMB 35 one way/RMB 60 round trip
- Distance from Downtown Xi’an: Approximately 32 km (about 50 minutes by car)
- Distance from the Terracotta Warriors: ~ 15 minutes by car
Why Visit Lishan Mountain?
If you’re looking for a place where you can embrace culture, history and natural scenery all at the same time, then Lishan Mountain is the answer. With the convenient facilities, exploring it will be easier than you’d imagine.
1. Popular Sunset Spot Along the Scenic Mountain Road
The winding road circling Lishan Mountain is famous among locals and online visitors. Its many curves and mountain views also give it a nickname, “Xi’an’s Mount Akina.”
A popular attraction along the route is the “Fujiwara Tofu Shop.” It may sound familiar if you know the Japanese manga Initial D. Today, coming to Lishan is not only about the sunset, for many locals, it’s also about an activity that combines nostalgia, fashion, photography, and social gatherings.
2. The Natural Backyard of the Terracotta Warriors
The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor was built against the slopes of Lishan Mountain. In traditional Chinese geomancy, or to say, feng shui, the mountain was considered a natural protective barrier for the emperor’s tomb complex.
3. The Legend of Nüwa
In Chinese mythology, the creator goddess, Nüwa, repaired the sky with the colorful stones after a great catastrophe, and this is supposed to happen in Lishan.
This ancient legend adds a mysterious and spiritual vibe to this spot. If you’re interested in traditional Chinese mythology and folklore, it’ll surely be a rewarding destination.
4. The Romance of the Tang Dynasty
The famous love story between Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and Consort Yang also happened in nearby Huaqing Palace.
Their romantic and sorrowful story has been narrated by countless Chinese poems, songs, paintings, and performances. As a result, visiting Lishan and Huaqing Palace together allows you to experience the elegance, prosperity, and romance of the Tang Dynasty.
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How to Visit Lishan Mountain – Three Recommended Routes
Route 1: Terracotta Warriors + Huaqing Palace + Lishan Mountain + The Song of Everlasting Sorrow Show
Highlights
This route takes you to travel through three major dynasties of Chinese history in a single day.
The Terracotta Warriors show the military achievements and grandeur of the Qin Dynasty.
At Lishan Mountain and Huaqing Palace, travelers can fully explore the glamour of Tang Dynasty, including the palace culture, imperial history, and legendary romance.
In the evening, you can watch The Song of Everlasting Sorrow, a spectacular outdoor performance, which set against the backdrop of Lishan Mountain. Through advanced lighting effects and immersive storytelling, the performance will lead you to see both the glory of the Tang Dynasty and the tragic love story of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei.
Route 2: One-Day Tour of Lishan Mountain and Huaqing Palace
Suggested Route
- West Gate of Huaqing Palace
- Lishan Cable Car Station
- Cable car ride to the mountain
- Viewing platform overlooking the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor
- Laomu Hall
- Chaoyuan Pavilion
- Beacon Tower Summit
- Wanzhao Pavilion
- Bingjian Pavilion
- Five-Room Hall
- Tang Imperial Bath Museum
- Jiulong Lake
Highlights
Taking the cable car to go uphill can save some energy, so that you can focus on exploring the mountain’s most important attractions, including the Beacon Tower.
Those interested in evening entertainment may also choose to watch The Song of Everlasting Sorrow after completing the tour.
Route 3: Hiking Route and Scenic Mountain Road Sunset Experience
Suggested Route
- West Gate of Huaqing Palace
- Mingsheng Palace
- Chaoyuan Pavilion
- Shangshan Lake
- Beacon Tower
It is recommended to begin the hike two to three hours before sunset. By the time you reach the Beacon Tower, you can enjoy the famous Lishan Sunset while the mountain roads wind below. The panoramic views are especially popular among photographers.
Then you may choose to ride a horse to descend along the historic mountain trail, which is easy and atmospheric. Horse-riding fees generally range from RMB 80 to RMB 200 per person for a one-way trip.
Along the way, you can stop at popular photo locations such as the Fujiwara Tofu Shop and admire the iconic curves of the mountain road from eye level.
Highlights
Experienced travelers consider this a hidden gem as it combines outdoor adventure, spectacular scenery, traditional culture, and unique photo opportunities.
If you are seeking the most immersive and atmospheric Lishan experience, this is your route.
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Highlights on Lishan Mountain
- Beacon Tower (烽火台): It was originally used to transmit warning signals. In the late Western Zhou period, King You lit it up on the mountain just to please his consort Bao Si, which finally caused the king to lose his kingdom.
- Bingjian Pavilion (兵谏亭): An ancient building located at the summit of Lishan Mountain. It spots a crucial event in modern Chinese history.
- Eastern mausoleum of Qin Dynasty (秦东陵): It was discovered in 1986, confirmed as the Eastern Tomb of the Qin Dynasty, serving as the burial site of Qin Shi Huang’s royal ancestors.
- Laomu Hall (老母殿): Situated halfway up Mount Li, Laomu Hall is a renovated ancient building that serves as a great location for sightseeing. This temple is dedicated to venerating the Mother of Lishan.
- Sunset Pavilion (晚照亭): Sunset Pavilion on Lishan Mountain is an ancient building offering great sunset views. At dusk, you can come here to overlook Huaqing Hot Spring and the entire Lintong area.
- Renzong Temple (仁宗庙): Renzong Temple is located at the top of Lishan Mountain. It got its name during the Kangxi period of Qing Dynasty. In 1957, the Renzu Temple was scheduled to be destroyed, thankfully, the locals’ protection prevented its destruction.
Best Season and Best Time of the Day to Visit
Best Seasons
Spring (March–May)
- Average temperature: 13–22°C (55–72°F)
- Azalea flowers will bloom across the mountain.
- Weather is ideal for photography, and nature exploration.
Autumn (September–November)
- Average temperature: 9–23°C (48–73°F)
- The mountains are covered in colorful autumn foliage, becoming an oil painting.
- Late October is the peak season for viewing red leaves.
Best Time to Watch the Sunset
- Approximately 17:30–18:30 each day (depending on season)
- Sunset light can spread across the mountain ridges and valleys, making it the most beautiful moment of the day at Lishan Mountain. Wanzhao Pavilion is the best viewing location.
Nearby Attractions
Huaqing Palace
It is located at the foot of Lishan Mountain, serving as a royal retreat during the Tang Dynasty. Emperor Xuanzong and Consort Yang spent a lot of time together at this place.
Major attractions include:
- The Begonia Bath ruins associated with Consort Yang
- The Five-Room Hall, famous for witnessing the Xi’an Incident
- Historic gardens and imperial architecture
- The evening performance The Song of Everlasting Sorrow
Huaqing Palace is rich in both history and culture. It is one of the most important attractions in the Xi’an area.
Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum (Terracotta Warriors)
It’s regarded as one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world, being located in the same Lintong district as Lishan Mountain.
The two attractions are very close to each other and are commonly visited on the same day. It is a must-visit site in Xi’an.
Lishan Scenic Mountain Road
This is a favorite destination for drivers, motorcyclists, and cyclists.
It’s approximately 40 kilometers long, and no entrance ticket is required. There will be excellent mountain views throughout the route, and it’s particularly famous for sunset photography.
Recommended Restaurants
Daqin Xiaoyan (Immersive Qin Dynasty-Themed Dining)
Address: No. 9 Fenghuang Avenue, Lintong District, Xi’an
This restaurant is fully themed around Qin Dynasty culture. The architecture and interior design can take you back to the Qin dynasty.
For a more immersive meal, you can use the free dressing service and change into traditional Qin-style costumes while dining. There are also cultural etiquette performances before meals, which can better enhance your experience.
Each dish is accompanied by explanations of its historical background, giving you more information about Qin history.
Xi’an Restaurant (Traditional Shaanxi Cuisine)
Address: No. 44 Huaqing Road, Lintong District, Xi’an
Xi’an Restaurant is one of China’s most famous time-honored restaurants and it’s certainly a representative of authentic Shaanxi cuisine.
It is conveniently located opposite, just opposite the scenic area and just steps from Huaqingchi Metro Station.
Popular signature dishes include:
- Hulu Chicken
- Guanzhong Four Small Bowls
- Biangbiang Noodles
- Roujiamo (Chinese Hamburger)
- Paopao Fried Rice Cake
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The History of Lishan Mountain
The mountain’s shape resembles a galloping black horse from afar, and in Chinese, Li (骊) exactly means “black horse”, so that’s how Lishan Mountain got its name. The mountain is closely tied to three famous periods of Chinese history: the fall of the Western Zhou Dynasty after King You’s beacon-fire incident, the construction of the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang and the Terracotta Warriors during the Qin Dynasty, and the Tang emperors’ retreats to nearby Huaqing Palace for hot springs and leisure. Walking in the mountain, every step reveals a piece of the story of a thousand years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy a separate ticket for Lishan Mountain?
No. The RMB 120 joint ticket includes admission to both Huaqing Palace and Lishan Mountain.
How can I get to Lishan Mountain?
- Metro: Take Line 9 to first arrive at Huaqingchi Station. Then exit through Exit B or C.
- By car: Approximately one hour from downtown Xi’an.
How much do I need for a hiking tour?
The uphill hike usually takes about 1–1.5 hours. A complete round-trip hike generally takes 2.5–3 hours.
Is there a cable car?
Yes. One-way ticket: RMB 35, Round-trip ticket: RMB 60
Are there many English signs?
English signs are relatively limited throughout the mountain.
International visitors are encouraged to save this travel guide before visiting.
Are drinks and snacks available on the mountain?
Yes. You can find them in small shops. However, expect prices to be higher than those in downtown Xi’an.
What shoes should I wear?
The mountain includes many stairways and walking paths. So it’s better to prepare walking shoes or athletic shoes.
Plan Your Tour with China Xian Tour
Lishan Mountain brings together more than three thousand years of Chinese history, connecting the stories of the Zhou, Qin, and Tang dynasties. It offers beautiful natural scenery and also legends, mythology, imperial history, and archaeological wonders.
After visiting the Terracotta Warriors, continue your adventure at Lishan Mountain. You can embrace stunning sunsets and fascinating stories all at once.
Based in Xi’an and with 20 years expertise, China Xian Tour is your best travel partner who’ll introduce the hidden stories, secure all seats and tickets and take you to explore the most of Xi’an. Contact us now, and the best Xi’an tour starts from here.
