Huaqing Hot Springs

A Brief Introdution
Situated at the northern foot of Mt. Lishan in Lintong County, 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from Xian City, Huaqing Hot Spring is famed for both its dainty spring scenery and the romantic love story of Emperor Xuanzong (685-762) and his concubine Yang Guifei in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Its long history and location among the wonderful landscapes of Xian should entice any visitor to visit and bathe in this hot spring.

History & Background
It was built in 723 by Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang dynasty as part of the Huaqing Palace, using the locally-occurring geothermal heating, and is famous as the supposed scene of Xuanzong's romance with his consort Yang Guifei. This site was also the scene of the 1936 Xi'an Incident, when Chiang Kai-shek was kidnapped by former warlord Zhang Xueliang and forced to participate in a United Front with the Chinese Communist Party to oppose Japanese encroachment on China.

The palace thus has a history of 3,000 years and the hotspring a history of 6,000 years! Ranked among the Hundred Famous Gardens in China, it also has the status as a National Cultural Relic Protection Unit and a National Key Scenic Area.

The most romantic story that accompanies the history of the springs is that of the Chinese equivalent of Romeo and Juliet. The Tang Emperor, Xuanzong used to spend his wintertime in company with his favorite concubine Yang here. Lady Yang, who was recognized as one of the most enchanting ladies in ancient China, was spoiled by the Emperor. He cavorted with the beautiful lady all day and night and did not deal with the state affair anymore. He built the luxurious palaces in this area for their personal pleasure and didn’t deal the state affair anymore. Desperate and madly in love, Yang hung herself to save the country and her lover’s name. The springs were renamed the Huaqing or “The Fair” springs, in honor of Yang Guifei’s beauty.

The springs is said to have remained so pure after so many years because the essence of Yang’s beauty infused the waters at her death. Today, there are pictures and poems about their love story hanging all over the place. This is a favorite site for Chinese tourists. In fact, there is not a great deal to actually see here, but the history behind the area is very vivid and colorful!

Structure & Architecture
Entering the gate which bears the inscription 'Huaqing Chi' (Huaqing Hot Spring) by Guo Moruo, a noted literary in China, visitors are greeted by two towering cedars. By continuing inward passing two symmetrical palace-style plunge baths and turning right, you will see the Nine-Dragon Lake. Despite the fact that the lake is artificial with an area of 5,300 square meters (6339 square yards), it constitutes one of the main enchanting sceneries in the Huaqing Palace.

You will see lotus floating on the water and emitting sweet fragrance, and a white marble statue of Yang Guifei - recognised as one of the four most beautiful women in ancient China - stands tall by the lake like a shy and appealing fairy. Mirrored in the lake you will see a surrounding complex of constructions interspersed with willows and rocks, including Frost Flying Hall (Feishuang Hall) in the north, Yichun Hall and Chenxiang Hall respectively in the east and west as well as Nine Bend Corridor and Dragon Marble Boat.

The magnificent Frost Flying Hall used to be the bedroom of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei, with red supporting pillars and fine-patterned carving. Living in a place so full of spice must have made the inhabitants invigorated and pleased.

Huan Garden is the former garden of the Huaqing Palace. There lie the Lotus Pavilion, Viewing Lake Tower (Wanghu Lou), Flying Rainbow Bridge (Feihong Qiao), Flying Glow Hall (Feixia Ge), and Five-Room Hall (Wujian Ting). 

Highlight
By visiting the Huaqing Hot Spring, you will not only enjoy the scenery, but also taste the joy of imagining yourself back in the days of the Tang Dynasty.

The first pleasure to experience is to have a bath in the imitational Guifei Pool. With an even temperature of 43 degree (109 F), the ever-flowing water of the hot spring contains minerals and organic materials that have therapeutic effects on the skin. Water originating from four spring reaches a discharge level of 112 tons per hour. In the bath pool, you can experience the same comfort as did the Emperor Xuanzong or Yang Guifei.

Transportation
1. Take Tourism Bus No.5 (306), the special route bus from Railway Station to the Terracotta Warriors via         Huaqingchi Station, at the East Square of Xian Railway Station and get off at Huaqingchi Stop. 
    Bus fare: CNY6
    Estimated Travel Time: 45mins.
2. Bus 307 from the south gate of Tang Paradise to Huaqingchi Station.
    Bus fare: CNY 7
3. Bus 914 and 915 also run to Huaqing Hot Springs and Terra Cotta Warrors (Not Recommend)

Travel Guide

Admission Fee: CNY 150 (Mar. – Nov.)
                      CNY 120 (Dec. – Feb.)
Opening Time: 7:00 – 19:00 (Mar. – Nov.)
                     7:30 – 18:00 (Dec. – Feb.)
Address: Foot of Mount Li