Huaqing Pool, Xian is a popular tourist site in Xian. Though, there are not many artifacts to see here, but the history behind this area is so vivid and colorful that it has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Xian. The Huaqing Hot Spring or Huaqing Pool is situated 30 kilometers to the east of Xian, at the foot of the Lishan Hills. The springs were a popular retreat for the Emperors more than 2500 years ago. Many of them enjoyed bathing in the perfectly clear mineral water of the pool.
Legend behind the Huaqing Pool, Xian goes like this - that the pools were fully established here in the Qing dynasty. There is a romantic story that accompanies the history of the springs and is that of the Chinese equivalent of Romeo and Juliet. The story is about the love of the Emperor Xuan Zong for his concubine Yang Guifei. The Emperor was smitten by the beauty of Yang, a poor girl who he took a fancy to and promoted to the position of "lady".
It is said that he was so enamored by her beauty that it distracted him from his daily work. The position of the Empire was being threatened and the courtiers threatened to kill Yang, blaming her for the Emperor's mismanagement of his nation. Distressed and madly in love, Yang hung herself to save the honor of the country and her lover's name. The springs where the Emperor and Yang used to meet were renamed the Huaqing or "The Fair" springs, in honor of Yang Guifei's beauty.
You will find numerous classical style buildings at the site and many frescoes that decorate the walls here. The Huaqing Pool in Xian is a very busy attraction, as the story of Yang Guefei is very popular with the Chinese. Today, the visitors are allowed to bathe in the 43 degree C water.
There is a "Hot Springs Bathhouse" which is more like a private bathroom of a five star hotel. The communal bathhouse is more atmospheric and cheap.
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