Chongqing Xiquan Hot Spring

Chongqing Xiquan Hot Spring

Xiquan Hot Spring is located at the foot of Bayue Mountain in Tongliang County, Chongqing. Here, the peaks are towering and layered, with lush bamboo and trees, entwined vines, and verdant greenery as far as the eye can see. Also known as Xiquan Mountain, the hot spring lies within Wentang Gorge. At the western entrance of the gorge, there is a hot spring that has been continuously gushing year-round, with a daily output of over 2,000 tons. Because the water is warm like soup, it was formerly called "Tangquan" (Soup Spring), the gorge was called Tangxia (Soup Gorge), and the gorge entrance was called Tangxiakou (Soup Gorge Mouth). During the Anti-Japanese War, because the spring was located to the west of Chongqing, then the wartime capital, it began to be called Xiquan (West Spring). The hot spring water is of good quality, containing various elements such as sulfur, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, and is classified as a sulfur mineral spring. The water temperature remains around 35°C year-round, making it suitable for warm bathing to relieve fatigue and for swimming and fitness.

The Wentang Gorge of Xiquan Mountain is only 60 kilometers from Chongqing city and is the most serene and distinctive section along National Highway 319. It boasts overlapping mountains, steep cliffs, dense forests, and elegant bamboo, as well as the unique advantage of Xiquan, the highest-altitude among Chongqing’s four famous springs, which makes it ideal for swimming and summer retreats. Its attractions include Xiquan, one of the four famous springs, the ancient site of Tieweizhai, the Martyrs' Cemetery, natural landscapes such as Baishiyai, Shamao Rock, Dengjiagou Bamboo Forest, Jiangjiawan Waterfall, Taiyangping, Sanchagou, Yangtianwo Cave, Nantianmen, Qinglong Lake, the summer villa Lin Mansion of Lin Sen, former Chairman of the Kuomintang, the summer villas of high-ranking Kuomintang general Bai Chongxi, and the tomb of Bai Chongxi’s mother, among other scenic spots.

Xiquan is one of the four major hot springs and was developed earlier, but in the past, due to inconvenient transportation, it received fewer visitors. In recent years, with the restoration of the “Ancient Xiquan” and the construction of the adjacent “China Dragon Hot Spring Resort,” the concept of Xiquan is no longer limited to its original area. The “China Dragon Hot Spring Resort” located at the foot of Bayue Mountain in Tongliang houses several sizable resort hotels that can accommodate tourists. Nearby attractions such as Qinglong Lake, Bayue Mountain, and Tongnan Giant Buddha are also great destinations for leisure and vacation. Additionally, visitors can experience the ancient Tongliang Dragon Culture and explore the famous ancient towns of Shuangjiang and Anju.

During the Anti-Japanese War, when the Nationalist government relocated inland, the spring was called Xiquan (West Spring) because it was located to the west of Chongqing city. At that time, military and political dignitaries built villas in the gorge for both air-raid sheltering and summer retreats, greatly enhancing Xiquan’s prestige. According to the person in charge of the Chongqing Ancient Xiquan Tourism Development Company, during this period, Chiang Kai-shek, Soong Mei-ling, Zhang Qun, and patriotic generals Feng Yuxiang and Zhang Zhizhong all visited Xiquan multiple times for leisure and enjoyment.

Lin Sen, Chairman of the Nationalist Government, chose the “Wangxiangtai” (Looking Homeward Terrace) on Laoying Ridge to build his “Lin Mansion.” From the south side of the mansion, one could overlook the fields below, and directly ahead lay Huangjiapo. Nearby stood a thousand-year-old sweet gum tree, along with surrounding lush bamboo and woods, adding endless beauty to the Lin Mansion.

Bai Chongxi, Deputy Chief of Staff of the National Military Council, was drawn to the natural scenery on both sides of Tangxiakou. On the western side of the gorge, by a small stream, he constructed the “Bai Mansion.” At the spot where the sound of rushing water was the loudest, he built a rectangular pavilion named “Wanlai Pavilion” (All Sounds Pavilion), where he relaxed, read, reviewed official documents, and received guests. After Bai Chongxi’s mother passed away, she was buried near the Lin Mansion and Bai Mansion.

Qian Dazhong, Director of the Personal Staff Office of the National Military Council, also chose a location east of the hot spring to build the “Qian Mansion.”

At that time, Bai Chongxi and Qian Dazhong founded Xiquan Primary School near the hot spring. In 1942, they established Xiquan Middle School at Lijiawan at the western entrance of the gorge, with Bai Chongxi as chairman and Qian Dazhong as principal. They hired well-known teachers, and the school adopted the motto: “Gang (Willpower), Cheng (Integrity), Hong (Ideal), Yi (Perseverance),” developing a rather distinctive educational approach. During this period, veteran paper-making expert Zhang Yonghui and others, recognizing the clear water quality and abundant bamboo resources in the Xiquan area, pooled funds to establish an experimental paper mill.

Since the 1960s, the Xiquan Swimming Pool has been selected as a training base for swimmers by provincial, regional, and county authorities. After investment from the county and funding from the city in 1981, the pool was expanded and renovated, with new swimming facilities added. Now, the pool covers an area of 1,600 square meters. It receives over 2,000 foreign visitors annually, trains more than 80 swimming students per year, and accommodates over 360 short-term training students from within and outside the province. Students trained here have collectively won over 150 gold medals.

The Xiquan Gorge features diverse peaks and valleys, lush bamboo and trees, clean and warm springs, and picturesque landscapes. Anyone driving through the gorge cannot help but feel as if “they are gazing upon the scenery of Wuxia Gorge, transported here.” Coupled with the numerous “wartime capital culture” sites, this naturally blessed hot spring has tremendous potential for development. In the Dongshan area where Xiquan is located, driving up to the mountaintop and then turning left leads to another scenic spot—the Xiquan Erdaohe Scenic Area—Qijiang Qinglong Lake. There, with its clear mountains and beautiful waters, it is an excellent place for summer retreats and camping.