Huaqing
Hot Spring (huaqing chi)is situated 30 kilometers
east of Xian at the foot of the Lishan Hills. The
Springs were a popular retreat with Emperors more
than 2500 years ago, many of whom enjoyed bathing
in the perfectly clear mineral water. Today 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!
Legend has it that the pools were fully established
here in the Qing dynasty. The most romantic story
that accompanies the history of the springs is that
of the Chinese equivalent of Romeo and Juliet; the
story of the Emperor Xuan Zong and his concubine Yang
Guifei. Yang was a poor girl who the Emperor took
a fancy to and promoted to the position of "lady".
Legend has it that he was so enamoured by her beauty
that it distracted him from his daily work. The Empire
was being threatened and the courtiers threatened
to kill the concubine, blaming her for the Emperor's
mismanagement of his nation. 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.
There are numerous classical style buildings at the
site and many frescoes decorate the walls here. It
is usually very busy, as the story of Yang Guefei
is very popular with the Chinese. Today, visitors
can bathe in the 43 degree C water. There is a "Hot
Springs Bathhouse" which is rather like a private
bathroom in a five star hotel. More atmospheric and
cheaper too is the communal bathhouse.
How to get there: The easiest way to reach the Huaqing
pool is to take bus No.306, 307 at the east of the
railway station (30 minutes is enough); or an "Eastern
Tour" from Xian or the Green Bus from the Bell
Tower, and setting off every 10 minutes, which could
get to Emperor Qinshihuang's Tombs and The Terracotta
Warriors. The Green Bus is the cheaper option but
there is no tour guide.
