Huaqing Pool
» Xi'an, Shaan Xi

华清池 ‘不尽温柔汤泉水,千古风流华清宫’

Huaqing Pool (Huaqing Palace) is located in the Lintong District, at the foot of Lishan Mountain, about 30 kilometers east away from Xi'an City. Lishan Mountain is covered with pines and cypress and looks very much like a dark black galloping horse from a long distance away and so it is called "Li Shan", or "Black Horse Mountain."

Lishan Mountain, 3,000 years ago, the King of Western Zhou had a palace built against the mountain because of the hot spring at the foot of the mountain. According to the legend, Qin Shihuang, the first Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, was spat and got sores on his face because he wanted to take liberties with a fairy maiden. And then the fairy maiden forgave him and hinted him to wash his sore face in the hot spring. To his surprise, his faces become well soon. So the Hot Spring was also called "Fairy Lady Spring". This Hot Spring was the resort palace of many emperors in following dynasties. Especially, Emperor Xuan Zong (Li Longji) of the Tang Dynasty had more luxurious palaces built over the hot spring around the mountain in the period of Tian Bao (724-756 A.D.) and named it Huaqing Palace, which was destroyed due to wars and long time. The Huaqing Hot Spring Palace that we can see today was rebuilt on the site of the Qing Dynasty structure after 1949.

In the record of the history, the luxurious imperial bath-pools known as the Lotus Flower Pool and the Crabapple Pool were specially built by order of Emperor Xuanzong for his concubine Lady Yang to bathe in.

Lady Yang is one of the four most beautiful ladies in China's history. It is said that various flowers are shame to open just because of her beauty. Lady Yang and Emperor Tang Xuanzong used to often spend their wintertime and take bath in Huaqing Spring Palace. This made the Palace famous very much. Lady Yang, originally called Yang Yuhuan, was born in 718 A.D. in Shuzhou. At her age of 16, she married Li Mao, the 9th son of Tang Emperor Xuanzong. In 740 AD (the 28th year of Kaiyuan period), Tang Emperor Xuanzong (her father in-law) took fancy to her and called in her in the Huaqing Palace due to the recommendation of Gao Lishi, a court eunuch. Emperor Xuanzong loved her so much that he made her most favorite concubine in 745 A.D. Yang Guozhong, Lady Yang's cousin, was made chancellor and her other 3 sisters were made also Madame Hanguo, Madame Guoguo, and Madame Qiguo respectively.

They sought pleasure and made merry day and night. The Emperor no longer paid attention to state affairs. It caused the rebellion of an Lushan and made the prosperous Tang Dynasty begin to decline. In the palace, the ruins of the imperial pools of the Tang Dynasty were discovered, including the Lotus Flower Pool, the Crabapple Pool and so on. Now they have been opened to the public as Tang Dynasty Imperial Bathing Pools Museum.

The site of Xi'an incident can be seen also inside the Huaqing Palace, known as Double Twelfth incident started by General Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng, in which Chiang Kaishek was forced to agree the proposal to fight against Japanese invaders. The Xi'an incident took place on December 12, 1936. It was a successful remonstration that laid the foundation for the second cooperative relationship between the Communists and Nationalists. Now in the palace, visitors can see the Five-room Hall where Chiang Kaishek stayed temporarily during the incident and the Remonstration Pavilion built near the crevice where Chiang had hidden himself. They have become the witnesses of the history.

  Weather

  1. Is the weather fine all year round in Xi'an?
  2. What is the best season to visit Xi'an?

  Food

  1. What can we have for dinner in Xi'an?
  2. What is Xi'an local delicacy?

  Shopping

  1. Can I use my credit card when visiting the attractions in Xi'an?
  2. Where can I buy chinese medicine?
  3. Where can I find the department stores and supermarkets?
  4. What souvenirs can we buy in Xi'an?

  Travel

  1. What taboos do we need to pay attention to in Xi'an?
  2. What should we prepare for our visit to Mt.Huashan?
  3. Where can I meet muslim friends in Xi'an?
  4. What about the toilet facilities in Xi'an?

  Customs

  1. Where can I see Shadow Puppets in Xi'an?
  2. Why does Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show become so popular here?
  3. How about the dress for Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show?

  Other Hints

  1. What is Xi'an time?
  2. What to pack for Xi'an tours?
  3. Where is the post office in Xi'an?
  4. Is the internet bar available in Xi'an?
  5. What about other useful numbers in Xi'an?
  6. What is emergency number in Xi'an?
  • Is the weather fine all year round in Xi'an?

    Xi'an is in a warm temperate zone, and has a continental monsoon climate with four distinct seasons; Xi'an is hot and wet in summer, dry and seldom snowy in winter and is prone to extended spells of rain in spring and autumn.

    The temperature during spring (March to May) increases rapidly, but is prone to fluctuation. The average temperature in March is 7.9 centigrade, rising to 14.1 centigrade in April and 19.4 centigrade in May.

    Summer in Xi'an (June to August) becomes both hot and humid, with the highest average temperature being 32 centigrade and the maximum temperature of ten above 40 centigrade.

    Xi'an also experiences a fair amount of precipitation during autumn, (September to November). The early autumn period is cool and can be overcast, late autumn is usually fine.

    Winter (December to February) is dry and cold with a little snow. The coldest month is January, with an average temperature of 0 Centigrade.


  • What is the best season to visit Xi'an?

    Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best seasons during the year for Xi'an tour. With the pleasant temperature, gentle breezes and warm sunshine, spring is a good time of year for outdoor activities and traveling. Late autume is also worth to visit here.


  • What can we have for dinner in Xi'an?

    As the capital of table delicacies, Xi'an is famous for the delicious Shaanxi snacks, the delicate Guangdong cuisine, in a sweet and mild flavor. Various kinds of fashionable foreign delicacies, and the popular Sichuan cuisine, such as hot pot, in a spicy flavor.


  • What is Xi'an local delicacy?

    When you are travelling in Xi'an, one delicacy you will surely to find on the menu is the dumpling.

    Xi'an, an ancient city that has been the nation's capital during no less than eleven dynasties spanning more than a thousand years is regarded as the home if not the birthplace of the great dumpling tradition.

    It was here that the art of creating the most tasty and delicate of dumplings was refined and no visit to the city is complete unless you partake of a dumpling dinner.


  • Can I use my credit card when visiting the attractions in Xi'an?

    No, most attractions are not allowed to pay credit card, for your convinence, it is much better to bring some cash money along the trip. most 4 star hotels or 5 star hotels provide a good service to exchange into RMB at front desk.


  • Where can I buy chinese medicine?

    You can also find the traditional chineses medicine market in Xi'an, which embody the local culture of chinese medical treatment.

    In Chinese medicine, the links between body, mind and spirit have always been recognized and indeed lie at the heart of the system. There is a saying like western medicine cure the external causes but Chinese Medicine cures the internal causes.


  • Where can I find the department stores and supermarkets?

    Department stores

    Minsheng Department Store, at No. 103, Jiefang Lu
    Parkson Shopping Center is popular in Xian and now there are three Parkson:

    1. Xi'an Luck Parkson: 119, Dong Dajie (Opposite the Hyatt Regency Hotel)
    2. Xi'an Shidai Parkson: Shidai Shengdian Plaza, Xi Dajie
    3. Xi'an Chang'an Parkson: 38, Chang'an Zhong Lu

    Supermarkets

    1. South Gate Branch (Downtown) is situated in Fen Xiang, Nan Dajie.
      Bus: No. 600, 603
    2. Chang'an Lu Branch (South Suburb) is located at the northeast corner of the crossing of Shida Lu and Chang'an Lu.
      Bus: No.19, 44, 101, 215, 239, 408, 600, 603
    3. Jin Hua Lu Branch (East Suburb) is situated near the crossing of Changle Lu and Jinhua Lu.
      Bus: No. 4, 10, 11, 13, 27, 43, 105, 209, 303, 402, 604, 605
    4. Lian Hu Branch (West Suburb) is located at the southwest of the crossing of Daqing Lu and Taoyuan Lu.
      Bus: No.2, 12, 45, 103, 104, 207, 210, 222, 223, 224, 301, 303, 605, 803
    5. North Suburb Branch is located along the Bei Erhuan Lu (Northern 2nd Ring Road).
      Bus: No. 18, 17, 238, 228, 236, 609, 600
    6. Nan Erhuan Branch is situated along the Nan Erhuan Lu (Southern 2nd Ring Road).
      Bus: No.24, 46, 308, 311, 608


  • What souvenirs can we buy in Xi'an?

    Xi'an is a great place to do some fantastic Chinese souvenir shopping, especially for cultural items.

    Some excellent offerings specific to Xi'an include: Chinese calligraphy rubbings, Tang pottery replicas, Terracotta Warrior replicas, Folk paintings, Folk paper cuttings and Green porcelain.


  • what taboos do we need to pay attention to in Xi'an?

    Xi'an is a multiethnic regin, of which the population of Islam is approximately one half, it is a taboo to eat pork and the flesh of animals which died of natrual course, in order not to trouble yourselves, you'd better not to eat anything made of pork and talk about pig in any muslim restaurant.


  • What should we prepare for our visit to Mt.Huashan?

    Famed as the most precipitous of the five moutains in China, Mt.Huashan is a hardship jouney for xi'an tour. You might prepare a long gown and a pair of jogging shoes in case of raining and dropping of.


  • Where can I meet muslim friends in Xi'an?

    Muslim quarter is a shopping center where many muslime friends gathered there. This area is paved with dark colored stone with green trees providing heavy shade during summer. There are many restaurants and stores on the street. The owners are all Moslems.

    Moslem Street has a long history. It is said that in olden days, foreign diplomatic envoys and merchants lived here then they married and had children, so gradually the population increased.

    Today, most of the inhabitants of Moslem Street are the descendants of those immigrants.


  • What about the toilet facilities in Xi'an?

    Most toilet facilities in emporiums, shopping centers, supermarkets, stations and scenic spots are free. The other will charge no more than 0.5 Yuan.


  • Where can I see Shadow Puppets in Xi'an?

    Shadow Puppets was shaped in an art form of famouse traditional folk custome.The Chinese shadow puppets have existed in China for over a thousand years.

    The Shadow Play is hold in an old house of the Qing Dynasty. The show is about 15 minutes long and performed in a very small room. you can go Gao'a family where near to Drum Tower to see the show, the performance costs about 40 yuan for each one.


  • Why does the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show become so popular here?

    The Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show, a wonderful performance of the ancient music and dance, is a must when you visit Xian.

    The city, which was formerly known as Chang'an has a very long history, and was the imperial capital during 13 dynastic periods. Of these, the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) was the most prosperous and glorious of all.

    The Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show is an outstanding exponent of this ancient stable and prosperous society, keeping alive its splendid culture and providing an insight into the peaceful life style of the period.


  • How about the dress for Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show?

    There is no special dress requirement for this show, but some travelers like to dress up.

    If you have time to change your clothes after the day's tour, we suggest that you dress as you would for any formal occasion, like the Opera in Beijing, and the welcome and farewell dinners during the Yangtze Cruise.

    Jackets and ties for gentlemen and a formal dress or gown for ladies are recommended.


  • What is Xi'an time?

    Equal to Beijing, Xi'an is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (London) and 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (New York), is the standard time used in China.


  • What to pack for Xi'an tours?

    Besides the medicines you usually take at home, you need to bring pain killers, anti-inflammatory prescriptions and medicines for colds, fever and diarrhea. These medicines are especially helpful if you are going to visit Xi'an.


  • Where is the post office in Xi'an?

    1. City Center: Bell Tower Post Office, Northeast corner of Bell Tower Square
    2. South Suburb: Xiao Zhai Branch, No.3 Xiao Zhai Xi Lu
    3. North Suburb: Bei Guan Branch, No.18 Bei Guan Zheng Jie

    Opening Hours 8:30-18:00


  • Is the internet bar available in Xi'an?

    Yes, it is. tourists can easily find internet bars near colleges or universities, usually it costs you 1 - 2 Yuan per hour, but those with better facilities and faster connection speeds may cost more.


  • What about other useful numbers in Xi'an?

    Zip code Inquiry: 184
    Taxi Complain: 88624509
    Consumption Complain: 12315
    Telephone Number Inquiry: 114
    Public Buses Complain: 16801315
    China Mobile Customer Hotline: 10086
    China Unicom Customer Hotline: 10010
    China Telecom Customer Hotline: 10000


  • What is emergency number in Xi'an?

    Fire: 119
    Traffic: 122
    Ambulance: 120
    Police: 110


The favorable geographical condition and natural environment make it one of the cradles where ancient people settled. Huaqing pool is also a favorite place for emperors to build their palaces as a resort. Since ancient times, it has ever been a famous bathing and tourist destination.In 1998, it was liasted as one of the "Chinese Famous Gardens."

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