Tangshan Hot Springs

Tangshan Hot Springs

Guide: Tangshan is located about 28 kilometers east of Zhongshan Gate in Nanjing. The water of Tangshan Hot Springs is slightly yellow, has good transparency, and no unpleasant odor. It contains over 30 chemical substances, which have therapeutic effects on skin diseases, arthritis, and neuralgia. Some can even kill parasites and promote smooth, delicate skin. Introduction: Near the spring vents of Tangshan Hot Springs, you can find many crystallized natural minerals. These include rhombohedral calcite in white, light yellow, and grayish-white colors, as well as cubic or octahedral fluorite in light yellow, light green, and pale purple. Both minerals are precipitates brought to the surface by the hot spring water and are known as sinter. The beautiful and diverse sinter formations are a crystallization of nature’s vitality.

History: Legend has it that during the Liang Dynasty of the Southern and Northern Dynasties period, an empress dowager was cured of a skin disease after using the springs, and the emperor honored them as "Sacred Springs." Since the Southern Dynasties, officials, scholars, and literati have visited here to bathe. It is said that during the Tang Dynasty, under Emperor Dezong, a scholar from Zhejiang named Han Yu was exiled here due to political reasons. He discovered the springs' benefits, bathed in them regularly, and recovered from his illness. Later, he passed the imperial examination and rose to high office. He never forgot the healing springs and eventually became the Minister of Justice. In gratitude, he used his daughter’s dowry to build the “Sacred Spring Yanxiang Temple” (commonly known as the King of Springs Temple) here. In the early years of the Republic of China, numerous officials and dignitaries built hot spring villas in the area, among which the “Tao Mansion” built in 1919 by Tao Baojin, a notable figure from Jiangning, was the most famous. In 1927, Tao gifted the “Tao Mansion” to Chiang Kai-shek and his wife as a wedding present. Dining / Accommodation / Shopping: Tangshan Town offers hot spring facilities at various levels. Notable ones include the Yishang Open-Air Hot Spring Resort in Tangshan, the Nanjing Military Region Natural Hot Spring Resort Center, Jinshang Golden River Hot Spring Club, and Tangshan Sacred Spring Hot Spring City. The Yishang Open-Air Hot Spring Resort in Tangshan has constructed 50 open-air hot spring pools and 30 high-end, private, and uniquely themed hot spring rooms. These are divided into the Flower Love Zone, Health Hot Spring Zone, Turkish Bath Zone, Finnish Bath Zone, Roman Marble Bath, Bali-style Bath Zone, and private hot spring rooms. Transportation: From Nanjing Railway Station, it takes about 35 kilometers by taxi to reach the resort—within half an hour and costing under 100 RMB. Alternatively, take the Nan-Tang bus line from the bus stop next to the train station: 4 RMB per person, around 45 minutes, then walk about 15 minutes from Tangshan Town to reach the Junshi Sanatorium. Free Shuttle Bus: Every Saturday at 9:15 AM, visitors can board Yishang’s luxury coach at the No. 17 Bus Stop at Ming Palace (heading toward Guanghua Gate), arriving at the Yishang scenic area within half an hour. At 2:00 PM, return directly to Ming Palace from the parking lot of the Yishang Hot Spring Hotel office area. Reservations can be made by calling (025-51190666 – Marketing Department). By Car: From Shanghai to Nanjing, take the Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway, approximately 280 kilometers one way with tolls around 130 RMB. The one-way trip takes about 3.5 hours. After exiting the expressway at the Tangshan exit (before reaching Nanjing), follow the signs to Tangshan, and you’ll arrive in less than 10 minutes.

Jiangsu, Nanjing