Weiyang Palace, Xi'an, China

Standing: Must see · Heritage site
Rank: Rank 54 of 2,466

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

About Weiyang Palace

Weiyang Palace was the principal imperial palace of the Western Han dynasty in Chang'an, today's Xi'an. Emperor Gaozu of Han ordered its construction in 200 BC under the supervision of chancellor Xiao He. With audience halls, government offices, residential quarters, gardens and ritual spaces, it was the political centre of the Western Han empire, and its walled compound of about 4.8 square kilometres made it one of the largest palace complexes known from ancient China. Its name is usually rendered as "endless". In 2014 the site was inscribed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

What's inside

What survives today is mainly rammed-earth foundations, including the remains of the Front Hall, government offices, gates and palace walls. The site is protected within the Han Chang'an City archaeological park, where visitors can see the palace platforms and how Weiyang Palace related to the wider Han capital. The walled compound was rectangular, about 2,150 metres east to west and 2,250 metres north to south, with one main gate on each side; the eastern and northern gates, facing the city, had gate towers.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

Place details and sources

Short name: 未央宫 OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09
Type of place: Attraction OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09
Heritage designation: part of UNESCO World Heritage Site Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Operator: 西安汉长安城国家大遗址保护特区管理委员会 OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09
Wikipedia article: Weiyang Palace Wikipedia · Checked 2026-09-09

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Common questions

When was Weiyang Palace built?

Emperor Gaozu of Han ordered its construction in 200 BC.

What can you see at the site today?

Mainly rammed-earth foundations, including the remains of the Front Hall, government offices, gates and palace walls.

Is Weiyang Palace a World Heritage Site?

Yes. Since 2014 it has been part of the UNESCO Silk Roads: Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor World Heritage Site.

Where it is

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Nearby

30 min
83 min walk
Guangren Temple
- Must see · Heritage site
- Place of worship
1 hr 30 min
92 min walk
Great Tang West Market Museum
- Must see
- Museum
3 hours
90 min walk
Xi'an City Wall
- Must see
- Historic site