Xian Huaqing Hot Springs is located at the northern foot of Mt. Lishan in Lindong County of Shaanxi Province, about 30 kilometers from Xian. It is recorded that as early as the Dynasties of Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui and Tang, temporary imperial living place was built here. In the 6th year of Emperor Xuanzong Reign in the Tang Dynasty(747) it was widened on a massive scale by making the hot springs into bathing pools, surrounding the Mount with palace buildings, which were to be protected by an outerround defensive wall and renamed it Huaqing Palace. As the palace was constructed upon the hot springs, it was also called Hot Spring Pools.
In 756, the palace was turned down by the fire of war. Most of the existent buildings were constructed in the Qing Dynasty and after the year of 1949. Huaqing Pools is attractive for its exquisite and picturesque view characterized by green willows, beautiful pavilions and terraces, grand halls, pink peach blossoms, rolling towers, winding corridors and long verandas. Jiulong( Nine Dragons ) Lake is crystal clear and mirrors the pavilions and towers.
The most romantic story linked to the history of the springs is that of the Chinese version of Romeo and Juliet; the story of the Emperor Xuan Zong and his concubine Yang Guifei. Yang was a poor girl who the Emperor loved and promoted to the position of "lady". The story has it that he was so attracted by her beauty that it kept him from his routine work. The whole country was being threatened and the courtiers threatened to kill the concubine, blaming her for the Emperor's misact of his duty. Strongly and madly in love, Yang hung herself to save the country and her lover's name. The springs were renamed the Huaqing springs in honor of Yang Guifei's beauty.
Transport: travel Bus 5 at xi'an train station Open time: Daily 9:00am to 5:00pm; Admission Fee: RMB 40 per person
and terraces, grand halls, pink peach blossoms, rolling towers, winding corridors and long verandas. Jiulong( Nine Dragons ) Lake is crystal clear and mirrors the pavilions and towers.
