Changning Jifei Hot Springs

Changning Jifei Hot Springs

Changning Jifei Hot Springs is a national AA-level tourist attraction.

Jifei Hot Springs, formerly known as "Shiliu Hot Springs," is located 34 kilometers from Changning County. According to the *Shunning Prefecture Records*, during the Tang and Song dynasties, immortals were said to have bathed here. The area features three towering mountains, two interconnected valleys, and uniquely shaped peaks and rocks—some like towers, beasts, bamboo shoots, frogs, or bells—each with its own distinct form.

The scenic area boasts twelve zodiac-themed landscapes and twenty-four unique rock formations. Among them, the famous Male Tower and Female Tower are the most mysterious and extraordinary. The Male Tower consists of two massive stacked rocks, standing tall and majestic like a strong man reaching for the sky. The Female Tower is delicate and graceful, with its surface adorned with web-like mineral patterns formed by condensed spring water, resembling a maiden stepping out of a bath. It is hailed as the "World’s Only Natural Twin Towers." The steam rising from the hot springs creates a fairy-tale-like atmosphere. Large and small stone pots hang from cliff edges several meters above the ground, with boiling water inside that remains constant year-round. The Immortal Cave features a narrow entrance but a spacious interior, with a pool so small it could fit in the palm of a hand. A single rock divides the pool into two sections—one with scalding hot spring water and the other with icy cold water that refreshes the skin—an intriguing contrast.

Nature has bestowed Jifei with special favor, carving it into a magnificent and enchanting palace with its extraordinary craftsmanship. Here, thousands of layered peaks rise proudly, and springs gush forth from rocky crevices, their clear, emerald waters bubbling like warm spring liquid. The various spring deposits take the forms of stone towers, bamboo shoots, tables, stools, oxen, snails, lions, and tigers—all remarkably lifelike. The *Shunning Prefecture Records* from the Ming Dynasty described Jifei as: "Lofty green peaks stand like raised fists, ancient ridges woven like threads, warm vapors rising to the heavens, and pure, translucent stones gleaming through the cracks."

Even more captivating are the magical and moving legends associated with every plant, rock, mountain, and stone in this "palace." It is said that long ago, the area at the foot of Chicken Mountain in Youdian Basin was plagued by poisonous springs and foul water, harming the local inhabitants. To save the people, the heavens sent two immortals who turned stones into towers and directed water into springs. The water was both drinkable and healing. Sadly, some arrogant youths in the village openly slaughtered cattle and dogs in the hot spring valley, polluting the waters. This angered the heavens, and the two immortals, under the cover of a rainy night, lifted the stone towers and hot springs and floated away to the south. When they reached a mountain 90 li south of the basin, they startled a pair of golden roosters, which sang loudly before flying off, leaving behind stone hollows. Thinking dawn was near, the immortals accidentally dropped the stone towers and hot springs. In anger, they scattered the hot springs across rocky fissures and molded the towers into a man and a woman, condemning them to stand forever, gazing at each other from afar. The immortals then splashed a handful of dirty water on the female tower, making her extremely ugly. To this day, any misdeed near the springs is said to summon storms and winds. This mythical legend of Jifei Hot Springs is widely told among the locals.