Shawan Hot Springs

Shawan Hot Springs

Shawan Hot Springs is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Shawan Hot Springs is located 78 km southwest of Shawan County, accessible via a tourist highway with relatively good transportation conditions.

Shawan Hot Springs lie in the Jin'gou River Valley, surrounded by mountains on the east, south, and west, with the Jin'gou River flowing north. In terms of formation, they are fault springs that emerge from fissures in limestone, tuff, or sandstone. The water is transparent, with temperatures ranging from 35 to 54 degrees Celsius. Bubbles emerge at the outlets, accompanied by a strong smell of hydrogen sulfide—this is due to the water having flowed through sulfur deposits before surfacing. The water is alkaline-rich, and laboratory analysis also detected elements such as chlorine, lithium, boron, barium, chromium, and copper. It has been designated as a high-temperature hydrogen sulfide spring. This thermal spring offers effective treatment for conditions such as neurodermatitis, polio, eczema, and psoriasis, with a general cure rate of around 80%.

Legend has it that Shawan Hot Springs were discovered and utilized more than 200 years ago. During the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, an old temple known as Laojun Temple was built here. There are about a dozen hot springs of varying sizes in the area, among which the three main ones are located beneath Laojun Temple and are referred to as Spring No. 1, Spring No. 2, and Spring No. 3. These springs converge into streams, with flow rates of 10 liters per second, 2 liters per second, and 3 liters per second respectively. There is also an "Eye Spring" with a flow rate of 0.5 liters per second, which is said to be effective in treating eye diseases.

The climate in the Shawan Hot Springs scenic area is cool and pleasant, with the highest temperature reaching 20°C and the lowest dropping to -14°C. Summers are free from extreme heat, and winters are not harsh. The scenery along both banks of the Jin'gou River is picturesque and charming, making it an ideal destination for sightseeing and tourism. In 1952, Shawan established a sanatorium here, and in 1967, built bathing facilities and wards covering an area of 1,500 square meters. Currently, there are 3 bathing pools, 58 patient rooms, 250 beds, as well as supporting living facilities including a service vehicle, ambulance, shop, and cafeteria.