Huaqing Hot Springs


The Huaqing Hot Springs is located about 35 kilometers east of the city of Xi'an. For centuries emperors had
come here to bathe and enjoy the scenic beauty, and it has been a favorite spa since the Tang dynasty.

Historically, during the Western Zhou Dynasty the construction of the Li Palace was undertaken on this spot. In
the Qin Dynasty, a stone pool was built and was given the name Lishan Hot Springs. The site was enlarged
into a bigger palace during the Han Dynasty, and was renamed, the Li Palace. During the Tang Dynasty,
Emperor Taizong ordered the construction of the Hot Springs Palace. Emperor Xuanzong had a walled palace
built around the Lishan Mountain in the year 747. It was known as the Huaqing Palace. It also had the name
Huaqing Hot Springs because of its location over the hot springs.

The Tang Emperor, Xuanzong used to spend his wintertime in company with his favorite concubine Yang here. 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. 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.

The present-day site is only a small part of the Tang Huaqing Palace. The Huaqing Hot Springs which we see today was rebuilt on the site of the
Qing Dynasty structure. The palace covers an area of 85,560 square meters. Entering the West Gate of
Huaqing Hot Springs, you will see the Nine-Dragon Pool, the Lotus Flower Pool and the Frost Drifting
Hall, etc. All these structures were rebuilt in 1959 according to Tang architectural style.

The source of the hot springs that flows into Huaqing Hot Spring and the historical site the Five-Room
Hall, in the Xi'an Incident, are all situated to the east of the Huaqing Hot Spring. At this spa, there are
four hot springs. The water comes up the ground from the geographic faults and cracks at the stratum
about 1750-2500 meters deep.

The spring water contains limes, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, and other materials, which
makes it suitable for bathing and the treatment of quite a few diseases such as dermatosis, rheumatism arthritis, and muscular pain.