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Huaqing Hot Spring

As one of the best Tang Palace Cultural Tourism Landmark Scenic Spots in China, Huaqing Hot Springs is located 30 kilometres east of Xi'an, it was once the playground of Tang dynasty emperors, though there have been buildings there as early as the Western Zhou with later additions built during the Qin and Sui dynasties.

The Scenic Spots in the Palace：
Huaqing Palace has a long history. Emperors of Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui and Tang dynasties have was built the Court in here. In the scenic area there are many Iconic building complex such as Lishan National Forest Park, Jiulong Lake and Furong Lake Scenic Spot, Tang Liyuan Site Museum and other cultural areas, like Feishuang Hall, Longevity Hall, Changsheng Palace, Huanyuan Palace and Yuwang Palace to name just a few.

Lishan Hot Spring:
Lishan Hot Spring is favoured by emperors of all dynasties because of its early development and utilization, and it enjoys the reputation of "the first imperial spring in the world". As early as 6,000 years ago in Yangshao culture, Jiangzhai ancestors began to use Lishan hot springs. Lishan Hot Spring, with its long history and rich cultural connotations, is an indispensable part of the history and culture of the Chinese nation.

Tang Dynasty Imperial Hot Spring Relics Museum:
Huaqing Hot springs are famous because of Yang Guifei, a regular guest and the central character in one of China's most enduring legends of ill-fated love. As the Tang Dynasty Poet Baijuyi Said:'In heaven we would be better than wingbirds, and on the ground we would never be separated from each other'.
Yang Guifei, also known as the fat concubine well-proportioned women were considered the epitome of beauty during the Tang dynasty- was a girl of humble origins but of exceptional beauty. She attracted the attention of Tang dynasty emperor Xuanzong, Who became so enamored by her beauty, he ignored his imperial duties. As the empire began to crumble from rebellion, the emperor was forced to flee Xi'an. While on the run, the emperors courtiers, blaming Yang Guifei for the ruin of the empire, forced the emperor to order her to hang herself. The emperor, literally sick with grief, abdicated the throne to one of his sons.

The Five-Room Hall:
The Five-Room Hall was built during the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and Empress Dowager Cixi was lived there, when she fled from Beijing during the occupancy of the Eight-Power Allied Force. The hall was also the residence of Chiang Kai-shek, when he was visited Xian. The famous Xian Incidence also happened in the hall. Visitors even can see the holes in the glass which were caused by guns that night. By visiting the Huaqing Hot Spring, you will not only enjoy the scenery, but also taste the joy of imagining yourself back in the days of the Tang Dynasty.

The historical dance drama ‘The Song of Everlasting Sorrow’
The first large-scale live-action historical dance drama 'The Song of Everlasting Sorrow' was created by Shaanxi Tourism Group Company, and it is honored as the ‘Model Works of the Chinese Tourism Cultural and Creative Industries’. The theme of this dance drama is the love story between Emperor Xuanzong and his concubine Yang Guifei, it reproduces the moving chapters as described in the long poem 'The Song of Everlasting Sorrow' the place where the story was happened. The performance has integrated the history with reality, the culture with nature the earth life with fairyland and the tradition with fashion.
The dance drama 'The Song of Everlasting Sorrow' is performed every night from April to October, the duration is 70 minutes, It includes 10 scenes, which are 'The Yang’s Beauty Grows Up', 'Chosen to Accompany the Emperor', 'Whisper in a Silent Evening', 'Bath in Huaqing Pool in Early Spring', 'The Summit of Huaqing Palace Reaches the Sky', and other performances. By means of mountain and river scene, classic music and dance narrative poem, high-tech lighting, acoustics and special effects, it shows the magnificent and prosperity of Tang Dynasty and it can bring the travelers to appreciate the love story, which was happened at the foot of Lishan Mountain and the bank of Huaqing Hot Spring 1000 years ago.

Travel Tips of Huaqing Hot Spring:
1. The dance drama can be seen in the scenic area.
2. The scenic area launched a historical dance drama "Song of Everlasting Hatred" in 2007, and in 2012 launched a multimedia video drama "The Hall of Everlasting Life in the Metallurgical Territory". Among them, "Song of Everlasting Hatred" is only performed in April-October. The ticket price for ordinary seats is between 200 to 300 RMB.
3. There is also the '1212 Xi'an Incident' which was adapted from historical events, which truly and vividly shows the little-known historical origin of the "Xi'an Incident".
4. If you want to try to soak in hot springs here, you can stay in the hotel in Huaqing Palace, where you can enjoy the natural Lishan hot springs.

The admission fees: 108 RMB/Person
Tickets for performance: 200 RMB to 300 RMB

Opening time:
Peak Season: From 1^st March to 30^th November, ( 7.00 AM-6.00 PM).
Off-season: From 1^st December to 29^th February (7.30 AM - 6.00 PM).
The free opening time of Xuanjie Changshengdian Experience Hall in the scenic area: 9.00 AM - 4.30 PM every day (every Tuesday morning equipment maintenance, 1.00PM - 4.30PM), if there are other changes, the temporary announcement of the scenic area shall prevail; the time of Huaqing Palace Lantern Festival (6.00 AM - 10.00 PM).

The Performance Time:
Xi'an Incident Performance: Performance Time: The first 10.30 AM-11.30 PM, the second 2.30 PM - 3.30 PM.
"Song of Everlasting Hatred" performance: 31^st March to 31^st October(8.00 AM to 11.30 PM); 1^st November to 30^th March.
Bus Lines: 914 and Tourist Bus 5 at the East Square of Xian Railway Station.

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