Incredible HuaQing Aegean Hotpools

Best Hot Pools Ever

During our mini vacation to visit the Teracotta Army, we stayed at a lovely place called HuaQing Aegean Sea Hotel. Here they have some of the most beautiful Hot springs I have ever seen!

The hotel grounds themselves are beautiful and the Hot pools blew my mind. 

Take a look! Some of the landscaping was so quaint. You can almost forget you are just outside of a huge city of 8 million people.

This was on our drive there. We were all squished in the back of a taxi for about an hour, but at least we made it!

We had fun posing in the garden at the hotel.

The hot pools are incredible because there are dozens of different pools. You just follow the path around to different pools. Each has its own temperature and many have minerals and fruit added to the water to soften skin. This was the first pool we relaxed in.

When you arrive at the pool, you will receive plastic shoes and a robe for your comfort as you walk from pool to pool.

The whole place is beautifully designed.

Here is one area where many pools are right next to one another.

Everyone can find their perfect temperature.

Chinese people love to give the "peace" sign whenever they get their picture taken.

I'm not certain what made this pool red but it smelled like perfume. 

The kids enjoyed watching the whirlpool in this one.

BUBBLES!

Anyone need a shower?

We think this one had milk in it and rose petals.

A few more cool pieces of art inside the hotel.

Cool vehicle in front of the hotel.

After a long day of soaking in the pools, nothing beats a Chinese Hotpot dinner. A Hotpot is a method of cooking. They bring you a pot of broth, kept warm by a little kerosene burner. Then you go to the 'buffet' and get various meats and vegetables as well as any spices or sauce you want. To cook your food you simply drop it in the boiling pot of water. Then use chopsticks to pull it out when it is cooked. At many restaurants the Hot Pot broth is a giant bowl in the middle that everyone shares.

Dinner was very nice. The first time I had Hot pot, I had no idea what I was doing, but now that I know, it is becoming one of my favorites.

More of the lovely hotel grounds.

Cool sculptures.

This hotel even had its own little pomegranate grove. Sadly you were not allowed to pick the fruit.

At the edge of the garden they had this cool altar type thing with a big "cauldron" in the middle. Inside the "cauldron" was dried corn and beans.

Our friend said it was likely there to represent a good harvest or to offer thanks.

I'm so glad we got to have this mini vacation with our lovely friends! The Mid Autumn Festival would never have been as nice without them.

My colleagues Joe, Marcella, and Courtney.

Joe and Marcella's kids.

Petia Peter and Rachel. Without Peter we would have certainly had trouble. He was our guide, translator, taxi arranger and more!

The view from our room. Sadly it was a bit of a rainy and cloudy day but still nice out.

It was a wonderful trip and I can't wait to do it again!

**Pictures courtesy of Petia Vowell. (due to my stolen phone :( thanks sweet friend)