Alashan Hot Springs

Alashan Hot Springs

Guide: The hot springs are located in Kalamayi Township, Fuhai County, 140 kilometers from the county seat and 60 kilometers from Altay City, accessible only via a simple mountain road. Introduction: "Alashan" means "Hot Spring Valley" in Mongolian. It lies within a small tributary of the Zhuo’er River in the central part of the Altai Mountains. The valley is steep, with oddly shaped rocks that resemble animals and human figures with remarkable vividness and realism. For example, on the northern slope, there is a group of "General Rocks" that look similar to the Qin Dynasty terracotta warriors unearthed in Xi'an, simple yet majestic; above the hot springs, there is a "Guanyin Rock" that resembles the Bodhisattva in a shrine, with a kind and gentle expression.

The hot springs are mainly distributed on the southern half of the mountain slope, situated along a fault zone of the Altai Mountains. Among the 24 springs, most are stone hot springs with water temperatures ranging between 30°C and 60°C. The most famous springs include the Heart Spring, Blood Spring, Cold Spring, Milk Spring, Stomach Spring, and Snake Spring. Just hearing their names is enough to spark a sense of mystery and wonder. The Milk Spring is named for its milky-white water and is an intermittent spring, erupting every 3 seconds toward the north, with water jetting up to 80 centimeters high; the Stomach Spring is named for its reputation in treating stomach ailments; the Snake Spring earned its name because two tame, non-venomous snakes are often found resting in it; the Cold Spring has relatively lower water temperature, and beside its outlet grows an upright spruce tree; the Blood Spring is named for the reddish color of its water, which comes from the red rock layers it flows through; the Heart Spring, with a rather poetic name, is so called because it pulsates intermittently like a heartbeat.

The area around the hot springs is covered with dense forests, complemented by the scattering of uniquely shaped rocks, creating an extraordinarily beautiful landscape. In the height of summer, when wildflowers are in full bloom and strawberries, hawthorns, and peonies cover the mountainsides, the place resembles a vast garden. With murmuring clear streams and drifting clouds, the valley transforms into a fairytale-like paradise.

Tip: There are many bathhouses built near the hot springs. The largest one includes a bathing facility that can accommodate more than 10 people, with water temperatures around 50°C, offering travelers a refreshing way to wash off the dust of their journey.

Xinjiang Altay