Epang Palace Site

Located 15 kilometers (9 miles) west of central Xi'an, the Epang Palace was a monumental architectural project initiated over two thousand years ago. Historical records describe it as a palace of immense scale and luxury, yet it was never actually completed. Today, the site is preserved as the Epang Palace Archaeological Park, where visitors can explore the foundational ruins and grasp the vastness of its original layout. A visit here is less about seeing a perfectly preserved palace and more about walking the same ground where you can imagine the grand vision of Emperor Qin Shi Huang that was never realized.  
  The name Epang Palace is itself a bit of a mystery, even among scholars. The most popular and poetic story holds that it was named for the ancient village "Epang" near which the palace was built. Another theory suggests "Ēpáng" was an old Qin dialect word meaning "the palace near the capital." There's even a romantic legend that it was named in memory of a beloved lady from the emperor Qin Shi Huang's past. The truth is lost to time, but the mystery adds another layer of intrigue to this already enigmatic site.  
 

This was intended to be the main ceremonial and political nucleus of Epang Palace. Its enormous rammed-earth platform remains visible today, reaching nearly 10 meters (33 feet) in height. Stretching about 1,300 meters from east to west and about 400 meters (440 yards) from north to south, it covers a staggering area of approximately 540,000 square meters (1,334 square acres), larger than 75 international football fields. Visitors walking around this vast foundation can see the exposed earthen structure and imagine how magnificent and colossal this palace would have been if its construction had been completed.  
 In his later years, Emperor Qin Shi Huang became obsessed with achieving immortality. After repeated failed expeditions to the sacred eastern islands in search of the mythical elixir of life, he decided to create his own immortal paradise closer to home. This led to the construction of Lanchi Palace, a luxurious hall set beside a large artificial lake dotted with islands, designed to resemble the legendary fairy mountains over the sea. Today, walking along the reconstructed waterways and viewing the lake site, visitors can imagine the emperor retreating here, no longer just a powerful ruler, but a mortal man yearning for eternal life amidst the tranquil landscape he designed.  
 For ancient Chinese rulers, maintaining harmony among heaven, earth, and people was a sacred duty. They believe peace and prosperity come from the blessings of the deities. To secure divine favor for the nation, the emperor would perform special rituals to seek these blessings. The Altar of Heaven was a towering structure designed for worship and communication with the celestial powers, including prayers for good fortune, stability, and a divine mandate to rule. In contrast, the Altar of Earth served practical needs. Here, the emperor thanked the earth and prayed for good harvests, rain, and fertile land to feed his people. It is important to note that the structures you see today are modern reconstructions based on historical records. Though not original edifices from the Qin Dynasty (221 - 207 BC), they allow visitors to visualize the solemn ceremonies once held here and feel the emperor's desire to connect with cosmic forces.   
 Located near the archaeological site, the Epang Palace Site Museum offers a helpful introduction to the site. It is compact and easy to explore, with about 60 cultural relics displayed across six thematic sections. Through these exhibits, visitors can see pottery fragments, architectural components, and detailed reconstructed models, gaining a clearer sense of the palace's original scale. The displays explain the historical background and layout of the site. Be sure not to miss the final model, which vividly imagines how the palace might have appeared if completed, allowing you to visualize the emperor's grand ambition in contrast to the open ruins outside.  
 

Extensive archaeological work confirms that the Epang Palace was never completed. Only the massive foundation of the Front Hall has been clearly identified. Archaeological excavations have revealed a notable absence of widespread construction debris, roof tiles, or collapsed walls at the site. Given the project's immense scale and the political turmoil that followed the Qin dynasty's rapid collapse, these findings strongly suggest that the Epang Palace was abandoned before completion.  
 Contrary to popular tales, there is no evidence that the Epang Palace was burned. Excavations have uncovered only small, isolated traces of scorched earth, not the thick layers of ash and red-baked clay after a catastrophic fire. This stands in sharp contrast to the ruins of the nearby Xianyang Palaces, the emperor's earlier palaces in Xianyang City, which show clear, dramatic signs of massive fire damage. It seems the Epang Palace was simply left unfinished rather than destroyed by flames.  
 Perhaps one of the most astonishing discoveries is that the Front Hall's massive platform was built directly on soft, muddy lake silt, indicating the site was originally a large pond or lake. This also means the builders first had to drain or divert the water from what was a large pond, then find a way to firm up the wet, unstable ground to support a building of unimaginable weight, a process far more demanding than building on solid ground. Some scholars believe this unusual choice might have been influenced by the Qin people's reverence for the virtues of water, which they associated with wealth and good fortune.  
 Admission: Free 
Opening Hours: 9:00 - 17:00, closed on Mondays
Recommended Visit Time: 2 - 3 hours to comfortably explore the park and museum  
 

Take bus 622 and get off at Fengdong Avenue Tiantai Lukou Station. Walk west for about 1,200 meters (1,300 yards) to reach the park entrance.  
 You can take Metro Line 5 to Shiqiao Flyover Station. Take Exit A, then take bus 831 and get off at Epang Palace Site Park Station. The entrance is about an 80-meter (95-yard) walk west.
 This is the most convenient option, which costs between CNY 50 and 90.  

 Further Reading:

• Xi'an Attractions - Things to Do
• What did Qin Shi Huang die from?
• Mystery about Emperor Qin Shi Huang
• 10 Facts about Emperor Qin Shi Huang You May Not Know