|
The Huaqing Hot Springs (The Huaqing Pools or "Nine Dragons Hot Springs',) are a famous scenic hot spring spot of Xi'an with a history of more than 3000 years and were used by ancient emperors as their imperial villa and excursion center. King Youwang of the Zhou Dynasty built the Lishan Palace here. Emperor Shihuang of the Qin Dynasty built a house and a pool of stone and named them the "Goddess Hot Springs". Emperor Wendi of the Sui Dynasty expanded the facilities. Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty transformed the hot spring wells into pools, which were enclosed in the palace rooms, so they are known as the Huaqing Palace or the Huaqing Pools where Emperor Xuanzong and his concubine Yang amused themselves. From then on, "the Nine Dragons Hot Springs", "the Chenxiang Hall", etc. have been additionally built. In the Xi'an Incident in December 1936, patriotic generals Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng arrested Chiang Kai - shek here.
Many stories are told relating to the Huaqing Springs. Lady Yang is one of the four most beautiful ladies in Chinese history. It is said that certain flowers would not even open because their beauty could not compare. Lady Yang and Emperor Tang Xuanzong used to spend their wintertime at the Huaqing Palace. Lady Yang, originally called Yang Yuhuan, was bom in 718 AD in Shuzhou. By age 16 she was married to Li Mao, the ninth son of Tang Emperor Xuanzong. In 740 AD Tang Emperor Xuanzong (her father-in-law) showed interest in her and called her into the Palace. Emperor Xuanzong loved her so much that she became his favorite concubine in 745 AD. Yang Yuhuan, her cousin, and her 3 sisters enjoyed the pleasures of the springs and soon Emperor Xuanzong no longer paid attention to the state affairs. According to history, the Emperor for his concubine to bathe in specially built the Lotus Flower Pool and the Crabapple Pool. Her extravagant lifestyle led to the distraction of the Emperor and the Tang Dynasty began to flounder. We were able to see the remains of the pools. They looked quite elaborate for their age and timeframe.
The Huaqing Springs are also home to another famous incident in history, known as the Double Twelfth incident. The incident took place on December 12, 1936. Chiang Kaishek was forced to agree to fight against the Japanese invaders by General Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng. It was a successful merger that laid the foundation for the second cooperative relationship between the Communists and the Nationalists. In the Palace we were able to see the 5-room Hall where Chiang Kaishek stayed temporarily during the incident and from a great distance the Remonstration Pavilion built near the crevice where Chiang hid himself.
|
