Heat springs eternal
By Li Jing (Beijing Weekend)
Updated: 2004-05-27 15:40

You walk out along a rock path before arriving at your destination: a steaming pool of naturally heated water. A babbling stream runs past and behind you is the trickle of hot water entering via a small waterfall. Along with the odour of sulphor emanating from the spring, you can smell nature all around. Almost immediately you feel the tension leave your body.

Surprisingly enough, this refreshing hot spring experience can be found not so far from downtown Beijing. Traffic permitting, it takes just 30 minutes to reach a group of hot spring resorts which are located around Xiaotangshan. There, an annual Spring Culture Festival is underway.

Xiaotangshan has been famous for its hot springs for more than 300 years. Local legend has it that the imperial family of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) went there to relax.

The spring bathing culture has been well developed recently in Xiaotangshan. Most hot springs are now privately run. The best are those bathing facilities that are complimented by beautiful traditional structures.

You can easily spend a whole day relaxing at some of the best-developed spas. Many provide lodging as well if a day is not enough for you.

Dozens of hot spring exit points have been discovered and many resorts have been built close by.

The springs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are clear, others can be milky-white, brownish, or even blackish, depending on the minerals they contain.
Indoor and outdoor spring pools are available in many villas.

For those who don't want to stay at just one spring site, most offer one- or two-day visiting options which include scenic spots like the Ming Tombs, Juyongguan Pass, Shisanling Reservoir, the Silver Pagoda, Chinese Aviation Museum, and several high-rated golf courses.

In addition to the benefits of relaxation and cleanliness, others believe in the healing powers of hot springs.

Of course, relaxation is essential for health and healing. However, most spring resorts also claim to treat and relieve a multitude of specific ailments.

For a foreign visitor, this is perhaps one of the most memorable cultural experiences and it will certainly spoil you.

Here are some famous resorts or villas offering hot spring entertainment in Xiaotangshan.

About 30 kilometres north of downtown, Xiaotangshan was a lake before the Cretaceous period (that's around 65 million years ago). The lake sank with the passing of time.

The temperature of water here ranges from 29 C to 90 C. People have used hot spring water in therapeutic baths for more than 200 years to treat rheumatism and other ailments.

Jiuhua Hot Spring Villa

This was one of the earliest resorts to open.

The site eventually developed into a well-known resort in Beijing because it attracted not only the wealthy but also indigent health seekers from around China, thanks to the special treatments and various Chinese medicated diets offered there.

By using and protecting the hot springs and their watersheds, the resort continues to provide visitors with activities such as hiking, picnicking and scenic drives.

Price: About 900 yuan (US$108) per person per day, including dining, accommodation, hot spring bathing and any other entertainment.

How to get there: Drive north from Anhui Overpass in the North Fourth Ring Road. It is 25 kilometres north of the overpass.

Tel: 6178-2288

Fulaigong (Floral Palace) Hot Spring Resort

About 5 kilometres east of Jiuhua Hot Spring Villa, this is a four-star resort that was opened early last year with both outdoor and indoor hot spring pools.

The most popular activity is to bathe in spring water with peach blossoms in it. That is a tradition favoured by emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Xiaotangshan High-tech Agriculture Garden, Yinshan Pagoda Forest, International Golf Course and China Aviation Museum are located around the resort.

Location: 200 metres north of Daliushu Huandao, Xiaotangshan Town, Changping District.

Tel: 6178-5588 ext 85007.

Longmai Hot Spring Resort

It lies just one kilometre east of the Floral Palace.

Hotel services are available. Chinese traditional medicine bathing is an attractive draw for visitors.

How to get there: Drive along Jingtang Road to Daliushu Huandao, then turn right.

Tel: 6178-1021