DATE: 3/22/2007
LOCATION: Xi’an, China
NAME: The Qin Baths (Hua Qing Chi)
ENTRY COST: 70 RMB Entry per person
RATING: 3+
1 – Avoid, 2 – OK if nothing better to do, 3 – Worth seeing, 4 – Worth special trip, 5 – DO NOT MISS!
DESCRIPTION: During the Qin Dynasty and for various other Dynasties and even modern China, the Hua Qing Chi baths were visited by royalty and other notables to bath in the natural hot springs that are found on the site.
Given its long history, the site is a mix of Dynastic culture and modern history and includes the home and field headquarters of General Chiang Kai-shek used in 1936 during the time of civil unrest and Japanese incursions into China;s north east region. The size, historical and Dynastic lifestyle references and just the pleasant strolls through the well kept grounds made this a visit worth seeing.
OTHER COMMENTS: During my visit, one of the main pools had been converted into a stage setting for a soon to be broadcast Chinese CCTV spectacular.
There is also a ski likft ride to the top of the hill behind the park that I did not explore as it was getting late and the cab driver had to get his cab back to Xi’an so the night driver could take over.
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