The Huaqing Pools (the Huaqing Hot Spring or Nine Dragons Hot Springs) are famous scenic hot spring spot of Xi'an with a history of more than 3000 years. The hot springs maintain a temperature of 44 degrees Celsius perennially with a steady flow. Rich in a multitude of mineral resources, the hot springs are curative to rheumatism, muscle strains and paralysis. This is why the ancient emperors frequented the place. King Youwang of the Zhou Dynasty (11th Century-256B.C.) built the Lishan Palace here. Emperor Shihuang of the Qin Dynasty (221-206B.C.) built a house and a pool of stone and named them the "Goddess Hot Spring". Emperor Wendi of the Sui Dynasty (581-618A.D.) expanded the facilities. In 747, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty transformed the hot spring wells into pools that were enclosed in the palace rooms, so they are known as the Huaqing Palace or the Huaqing pools where Emperor Xuanzong and his favorite concubine Yang amused themselves. From then on, "the Nine Dragons Hot Springs" and "the Chenxiang Hall", etc. have been additionally built.

The Huaqing Pool is also the site of the Xi'an incident, where Chiang Kai-shek was kidnapped in 1936 by two of his generals Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng. He was later released on the condition that he agreed to a united front against Japan.