Photo: nciku

China was one of the first countries to ever start using hot springs and is now one of the greatest users of hot spring bathing in the World. With other 5000 years of hot springs history, this is one aspect of Chinese culture that most sets it aside from that of the West.

Lingquan – Mythical Springs of the Yellow Emperor

The earliest recorded instance of hot springs is the 4000-year-old tale of the Yellow emperor taking a dip in the Mount Huang springs in modern day Anhui province. It was here among the bubbling waters of Purple Cloud Peak (Ziyun feng) that the mythical Yellow emperor was said to have sprouted wings and flown into the air, at the same time being totally rejuvenated, his white hair turning black and frail body regaining another lease of life. It was then that the emperor declared that the springs be called ‘Lingquan’, or ‘Sprit Springs’.

The springs are still there to this day and produce an average of 400 tons of water all year round on a daily basis, at a temperature of some 42 C. The Mount Huang springs are said to be beneficial for nervous system problems, skin and digestion. It’s no wonder that legend has it that this is where the Yellow Emperor found transformation.

How to get there:
By air:
Huangshan’s newly built airport is impressively modern, with flights to and from Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen, Xi’an, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen and Hefei.

By train:
Take train No. T45 from Beijing or T559 Y219 from Shanghai to Huangshan.

By Bus:
Huangshan is easily accessible by bus from Hangzhou West Bus Station and Shanghai Long Distance Bus Station.

 

 

 

Photo:1155815

Huaqing Pools - Sui and Tang

Whilst historically the use of hot springs really took off under the First Emperor, under the Sui and Tang dynasties things really got steamy. The Sui royal family had the Huaqing pools built and even established an official civil service post in charge of overseeing the royal spas. However, it was not until emperor Taizong in 645 AD constructed luxurious add-ons to the Mount Li complex, that the importance hot spring culture in China really took hold.

Indeed, it was the whilst bathing at the Mount Li springs that emperor Xuanzong was supposed to have spotted the famous beauty Yang Guifei and thus began his infatuation with her.

Huanqing Pool Hot Spring
Add: 38 Huaqing Lu, Lintong District, Xi'an 西安临潼区华清路038号
Tel: 029-83818888
Website: http://www.tour-hqc.com/
Hot to get there:
From Xi’an :
Take tourist bus No. 306 from Xi’an Train Station

 

Photo: chinahighlights

Warm Baths – Song Dynasty

Warm Springs is located on Mount Lu, Jiangxi province. The favorite playground of the royal consorts and princes since retreating south of the Song dynasty from Xi’an – in 1149 the area got the royal seal of approval and has been a very popular spot ever since.

The sight on Mount Lu, which was originally established by a local scholar-official Yi Zhongcheng, was noted for its excellent mineral water quality and is still highly spoken of when it comes to skin treatments.

Wentang Hot Spring
Add: Wentang County, Yichun City, Jiangxi Provice 江西省宜春市温汤镇
Travel Tips:
There are trains to Yichun City from Beijng, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Nanchang.
Wentang County is only 18 kilometers away from Yichuan City. Visitors can take bus No. 116 or 118 from Yichuan City to Wentang County.

 

Photo: Xinhua

Small Spa Mountain – Ming and Qing Era

Known during the Mongol Yuan dynasty as the Holy Bath, Xiao Tang Shan (Small Spa Mountain) is where the Kangxi emperor came to relax and read memorials and the site of a Qianlong period palace.

Northeast of Beijing, this spa is also praised for its great treatment of skin aliments. Noted as one of the 31 famous hot springs of China in the Classic of Waterways, it received endless praise from some of China’s last great emperors.

Xiaotangshan Hot Spring
Add: Xiaotangshan Hot Spring Resort, Changping District, Beijing 北京昌平小汤山温泉区
Tel: 010-88517186
How to get there:
Take bus No.643 from Andingmen.

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