As the nippy winter weather sets a chill on the capital, a relaxing trip to a hot spring is coming into season for pleasure seekers.
　　China’s feudal emperors have been used to soaking in hot springs since ancient time. Nowadays, hot springs are more and more popular with common people. As the capital of several dynasties, Beijing is also affluent in this resource. In such cold weather, a hot spring tour is no doubt an ideal one for anyone who wants to relax and extend a trip.
　　“Hot tears of the earth”
　　Hot springs, the “hot tears of the earth”, are one of the most precious gifts that the earth has given to us. Ever since ancient times, people have recognized the rejuvenating and therapeutic properties of these natural resources.
　　Hot springs are formed by natural waters that emerge from the bowels of the earth and that possess therapeutic properties. It is said to have a positive effect on disorders of the nervous and digestive systems, the circulation, and the organs. People have used hot springs to keep in good health for ages.
　　The practice was highly popular in ancient China and the many benefits it brought in terms of health and beauty were well documented. Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of the Han Dynasty reputedly bathed in a hot spring to treat a poison wound.
　　
　　In his timeless masterpiece A Song of Unending Sorrow, the great Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi (772-846) wrote of the famous Yang Yuhuan, whose beauty is said to have caused the dynasty’s downfall, bathing in a hot spring: “It was early spring. They bathed her in the Huaqingchi, which warmed and smoothed her creamy-tinted, crystal-like skin.”
　　Hot springs are generally formed in two ways. After a volcanic eruption, lava trapped beneath the earth’s crust heats the water in sedimentary rocks, which partially vaporizes and rises to the surface, creating a sulphur spring. The other common form of hot spring occurs when rainwater filters down through the earth’s surface and is heated by hot air released through the earth’s crust. Bubbling to the surface again it becomes a carbonated spring.
　　As hot springs generally come from deep below the surface of the earth, when they emerge, they bring along a high concentration and great variety of minerals that are mostly foreign to the human body and benefit our general health. Specific properties of hot springs vary depending on chemical composition, mineral concentration and water temperature.
　　Recently, there are reports such as travel agencies noted that the winter with some lines into the “cool down”. While the situation is different, hot springs tours are seen to come. More and more people began collecting information for the upcoming weekend preparation.
　　From late October, there are already people signing up hot travel routes, and into November, more and more people signed up, accounting for almost a shortterm travel market. The main travel routes, as the needs of tourists set, a separate group, then a meeting is basically a group. At present, the main push of the spring market, the basic line for 2 days travel tour on the basis of a leisure and entertainment attractions, within a one night stay in the area, allow ample time for visitors to relax, the more comfortable and relaxing trip, the price is relatively affordable, usually below 500 yuan.
　　While in the past hot springs mainly had a recreational function, while present development and usage of hot springs not only focuses on the traditional aspect of soaking, but also includes health benefits as a major drawing point. Modern applications of hot springs include hydrotherapy, spring pools, spring saunas, spring massage pools, health bathing houses, and spring health centers. Many enterprises have invested in the construction or renovation of spring hotels, and have even purchased modern scientific hot spring equipment, transforming the traditional concept of hot spring soaking into the added-value concept of hot spring hydrotherapy. Now, while enjoying the traditional comfort of soaking in a hot spring, people can receive additional health benefits by taking advantage of the physical properties of water using hydro jets that splash columns of water onto the body, ultra-sonic massage equipment, and the water’s natural buoyancy, made possible through the installation of modern equipment and the professional assistance of hot spring hydro therapists. Next to their therapeutic effects, hot springs can also be used to boil eggs, irrigate crops and keep animals.
　　In recent years, there are a great variety of hot springs, such as milk, wine, flowers and spa, aromatherapy spa, hot springs with the fish, in addition to the hot springs of the project, and now the hot springs area is also considered very good for tourists, foot, massage, food, games, water development projects and other facilities are basically to increase appeal to tourists. More and more citizens are enthusiastic about winter spring tour.
　　A hot spring bath is definitely a joy for the coldest season. Soaking in a hot spring with a loved one, sipping fragrant tea, watching the falling leaves and whirling snowflakes through the window and enjoying the spring-like warmth inside the room, you might suddenly feel you have found the elusive Shangri-la.
　　Xiaotangshan: “Ancient Town of Hot Spring”
　　Most of the hot springs around Beijing are in the vicinity of Xiaotangshan (小汤山 Xiǎo tāng shān), which was a popular bathing resort for the Qing emperors.
　　Xiaotangshan is a small town in the Changping District of Beijing, and enjoys the fame as the “Ancient Town of Hot Spring”, ranking the first of China Top Ten Hot Springs. This renowned hot spring spot can be traced back to Northern and Southern Dynasties, and covers a history of almost 1500 years. A famous people named Li Daoyuan (郦道元) mentioned it in his book “Commentary on the Waterways”. In Yuan Dynasty, people named it as “Saint Spring”. And dating to Qing Dynasty, emperors like Emperor Kangxi and Qianlong built residence here. Empress Dowager’s also had her bathing pool here.
　　The temperature of the water here is usually 40℃to 60℃, the highest can reach 76℃. There are many minerals and trace elements in the water, such as strontium, lithium, selenium, silica acid, etc. The reason for its formation is related to the fault.
　　The remained evidence of these royal bathing pools is only two huge dry ponds. According to the records, the last time when the spring emerged is in the mid 1970s. Some local villagers said that even in the 1950s, especially in the fall and winter, mist weathered everywhere. The water is clear and too deep to see the bottom. You could only see the string of bubbles rising to the deck of the pool. We can find he traces of the water layers by the edge of the pond, which recording the downing levels of the spring through those years.
　　In the late 1970s, people drilled over 20 hot wells in Xiaotangshan. Spa hotels and hot spring resorts appeared gradually.
　　There are many more, less common types of hot springs, which according to traditional Chinese medicine, are beneficial to the body in different ways.
　　Carbonated springs have a low water temperature and help improve blood circulation and the function of the heart and blood vessels.
　　The water feels cold at the beginning, but gradually warms up and heats the body slowly. It does not place an extra burden on the heart by quickening the pulse. Carbonated springs can be beneficial to people suffering from high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis and rheumatism.
　　Sulphur springs, also called “boiled egg springs” for their sulphurous smell, are best for treating chronic skin diseases, and have a soothing, detoxifying and softening effect.
　　Salt springs leave a layer of salt on the skin after the bath, which is good for skin tissue and beneficial to people with skin problems. They are also good for people with anaemia, diabetes and bronchial problems caused by allergy, but are unsuitable for those with high blood pressure.
　　Sodium bicarbonate springs can nourish, whiten and soften the skin. They can also relieve inflammation and help reduce scar tissue caused by burns.
　　Pure springs are mild, colorless and odorless. They help improve blood circulation and relieve pain, which makes them a popular choice for the elderly.
　　At present, Changping has over 40 hot spring enterprises, offering more than 700 hot pools, most of which are in Xiaotangshan. I think that answers any questions of quantity. The local government there also hopes to turn Xiaotangshan into a famous-brand hot spring through this cultural festival in order to promote the industry, exploit hot spring resources and boost the development of the tourism economy in Changping.
　　Xiaotangshan is also home to many famous geothermal enterprises. Take Longmai Hot Spring as an example, it is a great resort combining the mysterious culture of China with the pleasure of travel, which is the first imperial villa village in China and the biggest entertainment palace offering indoor hot springs in Asia.
　　It is close to Snow World Ski Field and Jundushan Ski Resort. There are also 39 villas in the holiday village, built in classical style and offering indoor hot spring swimming pools and big gardens. Each villa can hold 20-30 people, and is equipped with conference room, chess room and gymnasium. In addition, a fishing center, shooting range, golf course and tennis courts are also available. Here is a fresh hot spring, which is second to none, and there are more than 80 hot spring bathing pools, which are hidden in green bamboo of the hot spring palace. Pavilions, terraces and towers are connected to each other, and I believe that you can always find your own private hot spring spa space.
　　Jiuhua Spa and Resort is also a good choice. The resort’s main attraction is a big lake surrounded by small hot spring pools. The pools are labeled according to the herbal medicines they contain to serve as a guide to visitors. Paths leading to the pools are paved with cobble stones, which massage the soles. Beside the lake is a spring that spews hot gas. The water temperature can get as hot as 80 C, which can reportedly boil eggs.
　　Fengshan Hot Spring resort, tucked in Fengshan Mountain, is near tourist attractions such as Mangshan National Forest Park and Shisanling Ming Tombs. The resort, which resembles a spacious tropical greenhouse, has small and big indoor hot spring pools on two floors. The small one can fit at most two persons, while the big pool can accommodate 10 or more. Some pools are equipped with sensors that automatically provide water.
　　The resort also has outdoor pools located in the mountain. Unluckily this is not popular in winter. The few souls who brave the frigid air are rewarded with soothingly hot water. Some even get in the mood for a drink.
　　If you are a shy person, or you want to have a good time only with you families and friends, you can choose local farmyard inn, most of them have hot spring service, too.
　　Since most of Beijing’s hot springs are located in beautiful scenic areas, when going to soak in one of the numerous hot springs you will not only be able to get away from hectic life in the city but will also be given the opportunity to enjoy gorgeous scenery while listening to the voices of nature, thus adding a new dimension to recreation and health. Therefore, coming to Beijing on a hot spring tour will definitely pay off.
　　Tips for Hot Spring Tour:
　　Don’t take a hot spring bath on an empty stomach, as it may cause nausea.
　　Don’t take a hot spring bath when you are physically tired or sleepy, as it may cause you to faint. Don’t take a hot spring bath directly after a meal, as it may cause indigestion.