Also known as the Huaqing Hot Springs, the Huaqing Pool dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618 BCE – 907 BCE). It is a collection of five hot spring pools – the Haitang, Lotus, Prince, Shangshi, and Star pools – accompanied by other noteworthy rooms with scenic views surrounding the entire place.

Even though it has been centuries, its popularity still stems from it being the location of the tragic love story between the emperor and his favourite consort during the Tang Dynasty. Back then, royal family and high-ranking officials were permitted to use the hot springs; then Emperor Xuanzong’s consort Yang Guifei (or Yang Yuhuan) was one of the rare few allowed to utilise it as well. Yang Guifei was initially married to Xuanzong’s son Li Mao but the emperor eventually fell in love with her and made her his consort. However, she was subsequently ordered to be put to death when one of her cousins was blamed for the An Lushan Rebellion. The Huaqing Pool is also well-known for the 1936 Xi’an Incident, when the leader of the Chinese Nationalist Party was detained by his own party’s officials and made to work with the Chinese Communist Party to fight the Japanese.

Learn more about China’s rich history as you take a step into one of its most significant tourist attractions. As the imperial pools are located a short distance away from the Terracotta Army, you can incorporate both sites into a day’s itinerary.