Shibadagou Hot Springs

Shibadagou Hot Springs

Shibadagou Hot Springs

A thousand springs in Changbai’s Dragon Pool, warm currents rise to reveal hot springs. The Shibadagou Hot Springs in Changbai County, Jilin Province, have been hailed as “miraculous springs” by locals for over a hundred years due to their legendary healing properties.

Since joining the army in Changbai in 1977, I’ve bathed in the Shibadagou Hot Springs countless times, yet each experience feels different. Especially this most recent visit—I can say I went with almost a sense of pilgrimage. To be honest, it wasn’t to worship those springs themselves, but to follow in the footsteps of history and pay homage to the person who first discovered these miraculous springs.

The story goes back to 1901, at the beginning of the last century. According to historical records, in the 27th year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty, when Li Shichen, the prefect of Tonghua, came to inspect the borders of Changbai, one of his attendants, Lu Xunchang, shot and injured a tiger along the way. Soldiers were ordered to track the tiger by its blood trail heading west. They chased it to the hills of Shibadagou, where the tiger turned south. The soldiers pursued it another five li south of Shibadagou Village but still couldn’t find the tiger. Instead, they discovered several steaming springs emitting a strong smell of sulfur. When touched, the water felt smooth as ointment, warm but not scalding—truly a fine spring. Overjoyed, they thought, “We didn’t catch the tiger, but finding a hot spring is not bad either,” and gave up the chase. Unexpectedly, upon returning, their superior, seeing them empty-handed, didn’t even let them explain before giving them a severe beating. He then gave them a deadline to retrieve the injured tiger. The soldier, dragging his injured leg from the beating, went back to track the tiger. Along the way, the more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and he eventually deserted. With great difficulty, he made his way to the hot springs to bathe and heal. In less than half a month, his wounds and injuries were completely healed. From then on, the reputation of the Shibadagou Hot Springs spread far and wide, and the title of “miraculous springs” was born. Ever since, hunters, loggers, and pioneers who were injured would come to bathe in the springs for healing. Travelers from near and far seeking treatment came in an endless stream.

Over the years, every time I’ve bathed in the Shibadagou Hot Springs in Changbai, I’ve felt refreshed and invigorated. Patients with arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, neurasthenia, stomach ailments, and skin conditions often come here to bathe, and before they know it, their illnesses improve. Later, water quality tests revealed that the Shibadagou Hot Springs are a type of sodium bicarbonate-heavy spring, containing dozens of chemical elements such as calcium, magnesium, and sodium alkali carbonate. Not only can it improve blood circulation, soften the skin’s keratin layer, and relieve itching, but valuable chemical elements and compounds can also be extracted from it for use in atomic and chemical industries, making its applications extremely broad. It’s clear that the springs not only hold medical value but also have significant uses in industrial and agricultural production. Industrially, they can be used in boilers, leather tanning, dyeing, brewing, and more. Agriculturally, they can aid in seedling cultivation and seed soaking.

Bathing in the Shibadagou Hot Springs is not only exhilarating and supremely comfortable, but it also gives one the feeling that “the mystical mineral pool water is pure, washing away the dust and leaving one feeling light.” At moments like these, I’m deeply grateful to the discoverer of the springs. Without his actions back then, without his courage and boldness, what would these springs be like today? Would they have even been discovered?

The location of the Changbai Shibadagou Hot Springs is also a scenic and picturesque tourist destination. Less than a li to the south stand two elegant peaks like a pair of fairies leaning on each other’s shoulders, whispering their inner affections. Below the mountains, a small stream winds through the valley, its waters shimmering and mountain shadows dancing—a uniquely beautiful scene, truly breathtaking. It’s an ideal spot for healing, convalescence, travel, and vacation.