Zhongshuitang Hot Spring

Zhongshuitang Hot Spring

Zhongshuitang Hot Spring

Zhongshuitang Hot Spring is located in Zhongshuitang Village, Sansumu Township, Liangcheng County, Ulanqab City, Inner Mongolia. Originally named "Horse Paw Spring," it is also known as Daihai Hot Spring due to its proximity south of Daihai Lake. The warm mineral water gushes out year-round, relieving pain and curing ailments, earning fame beyond the Great Wall. Even during the freezing depths of winter, the spring water does not freeze but instead emits billowing steam. The colder the weather, the more steam rises, and the higher the water temperature seems, even feeling slightly hot to the touch. It is truly a heavenly gift and a treasured spring beyond the Great Wall.

There are many legends about the formation of Zhongshuitang Hot Spring. One says that in the 17th century during the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Kangxi was touring the northern frontier when he arrived at Zhongshuitang Village on the northern shore of Daihai Lake in Liangcheng County. It was the peak of summer, the sun blazing fiercely, leaving both men and horses exhausted. Just as people worried about how to quench their thirst, Emperor Kangxi’s horse suddenly neighed loudly, reared up on its hind legs, and pawed the ground forcefully—out burst a clear spring. To commemorate this event, the spring was named "Horse Paw Spring." A Hui Xiang Temple was built, and a hot spring pool was constructed, traditions that have continued to this day. Another tale tells of Kublai Khan, the founding emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, who during a military campaign on the northern shore of Daihai Lake, fell into a deep pit. Suddenly, the ground beneath him gave way, and spring water gushed out, covering him. His soldiers, unable to see him, thought he had drowned and wept bitterly. But before long, Kublai Khan emerged, steaming and wet, smiling as he said, “Today I stomped my foot and created a spring. I’m taking a warm bath—whether you’re happy about it or not, why cry over thinking I died early?” This spring is the very one now known as Zhongshuitang Hot Spring. Though folklore remains unverifiable, it is certain that Zhongshuitang Hot Spring was formed no later than the Qing Dynasty. Historical records indicate that during summertime, nobles, scholars, monks, and dignitaries from surrounding regions would gather in Liangcheng to worship, preach, soak in the springs, or admire Daihai Lake, enjoying the rustic charm. However, in the 1970s, villagers attempted to blast and expand the spring, resulting in a sharp decline in water flow until it eventually dried up.

In May 1989, geological survey teams from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region conducted detailed explorations and began drilling near "Horse Paw Spring." By October 1990, the new spring was completed. The water surged forth like a silver serpent the width of a bowl, a spectacular sight. The former "Horse Paw Spring" not only retained its charm but also saw a dramatic increase in water volume. Measurements show the spring water maintains a constant temperature of 38°C, with a daily output of 2,700 tons, making it a rare geothermal resource in Inner Mongolia. In the summer of 1991, the Daihai Hot Spring Bathing and Therapy Center officially opened. Today, the center boasts multi-story buildings,

bustling with visitors, and has become a renowned therapeutic and tourist destination on the frontier. The spring water contains various trace elements such as strontium, lithium, zinc, and selenium, as well as a certain amount of silicic acid and minute radioactive elements. It can treat various skin conditions including vitiligo, psoriasis, scabies, varicose veins, skin allergies, and cracks. It also provides auxiliary benefits for rheumatic pain in the waist and legs, stomach disorders, and more. Its development potential is vast—not only for medical use, but also for extracting useful chemical elements and compounds applicable in industry, culture, sports, and especially agriculture. Applications include building geothermal greenhouses, seedling cultivation, vegetable growing, mushroom cultivation, poultry incubation, and breeding warm-water fish and aquatic plants.

Since the 1980s, particularly the 1990s, with the rapid growth of tourism, Zhongshuitang Hot Spring has evolved into a summer resort area integrating "bathing therapy, entertainment, dining, travel, and accommodation." Facilities include the Baogang Resort, Inner Mongolia Post and Telecom Resort, Inner Mongolia Electric Power Happy Valley, Liangcheng Finance Hot Spring Resort, Local Taxation Training Center, and Transportation Resort, all offering excellent environments for rest and recuperation. Currently, Daihai Hot Spring hosts several large bathing centers that combine bathing, lodging, dining, and shopping, with hundreds of beds available. As the Daihai Hot Spring Bathing and Therapy Center and its supporting Daihai Tourism Base projects continue to develop, this destination will become an even more captivating and desirable spot for therapy and travel.