Sacred Sea Spring Tourist Resort

　　Arxan is located in the northeastern part of Inner Mongolia, spanning the southwestern foothills of the Greater Khingan Mountains. It is an emerging border tourism and health resort city. The area boasts the world’s second-largest cluster of mineral springs. The largest of these is the Sacred Sea Spring Sanatorium mineral spring group, which consists of 48 hot springs capable of treating rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, skin diseases, and cardiovascular conditions. The springs are divided into two groups—north and south. The southern group consists of cold springs, mainly radon springs and metasilicate springs, while the northern group features a mix of cold, warm, hot, and very hot springs, primarily sodium bicarbonate springs, radon springs, and metasilicate springs.

　　The Sacred Sea Spring Tourist Resort in Arxan was established by integrating and reorganizing the former Arxan Sanatorium of the Inner Mongolia Workers. It is a large-scale enterprise that combines mineral spring therapy, sightseeing, bathing, rehabilitation, leisure, entertainment, and dining. Along a narrow strip of land measuring 500 meters in length and 70 meters in width, there are 48 mineral springs of varying temperatures—cold, warm, hot, and very hot. The dramatic temperature differences within such a small area make it a rare phenomenon in the world. The mineral-rich waters contain abundant essential minerals and trace elements beneficial to the human body, offering significant therapeutic and health benefits. These waters are particularly effective in treating over 60 types of ailments related to the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, blood, nervous, musculoskeletal, and motor systems. Over the years, the fame of Arxan’s mineral springs has attracted numerous notable figures to visit for work guidance, bathing, and sightseeing.

　　The Arxan spring group is situated on the Arxan fault zone. Influenced by the mid-term Himalayan movement during the Cenozoic tectonic period, a series of fault zones—including the Yiershi, Arxan, and Wuchagou zones—formed in the region. Groundwater seeps along these faults to varying depths and into rock fissures of different compositions. Through prolonged geothermal and mineralization processes, the springs developed their current range of temperatures and mineral contents. The mineralized groundwater, continuously cycled by heat and replenished by surface water, rises to the surface, forming the Arxan spring group. The cold springs originate from shallow groundwater, while the warm, hot, and very hot springs come from deep underground circulation. The springs at the Arxan Sanatorium belong to volcanic mineral springs, distinct from the many circulating mineral springs found worldwide. Their formation is linked to ancient volcanic activity, featuring a unique geological structure that includes both fertile soils from the new Quaternary period and pristine volcanic rocks such as rhyolite and granite. The area is rich in rare minerals, and the groundwater enjoys a high degree of natural purification, remaining clean year-round.

　　 Spring Distribution

　　　　The 48 springs of the Arxan spring group each have distinct sources, with varying temperatures ranging from a low of 1.5°C to a high of 48.5°C—a difference of 47°C. The closest two springs are just 0.3 meters apart, yet their temperatures differ by over 14°C. Among the 48 springs, 25 are cold springs with temperatures below 25°C, 12 are warm springs ranging from 25.1–37°C, 10 are hot springs between 37–42°C, and 1 is a very hot spring ranging from 42–48°C. Such a dense distribution of springs with such dramatic temperature differences and diverse functions is rare worldwide. In addition to sodium bicarbonate springs, metasilicate springs, and radon springs, the 48 springs also include sulfate springs, salt springs, iron springs, alum springs, sulfur springs, and iodine springs. These springs are rich in essential trace elements such as radon, fluorine, lithium, and strontium, which enter the body through the skin, improve circulation, promote metabolism, regulate the endocrine and nervous systems, and thus provide health and therapeutic benefits.

　　 Therapeutic Benefits

　　　　The springs at the Arxan Sanatorium have a wide range of applications, are non-toxic, and produce no side effects. They are effective in treating 66 types of ailments across eight major bodily systems—the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, metabolic, blood, and nervous systems—as well as musculoskeletal issues, along with 30 other types of conditions. They are especially effective against challenging illnesses such as thromboangiitis obliterans and pulseless disease. Clinical evidence shows that spring therapy achieves results that many medications and physical treatments cannot, demonstrating high efficiency, rapid results, and long-lasting benefits. In the late 1970s, a coach from Jilin suffering from severe rheumatism was able to run and even officiate basketball games after just a few courses of treatment. Even more remarkably, one particular spring reacts to ailments in different internal organs—like a skilled doctor diagnosing the body—and has thus been dubbed the “Diagnosing Spring.”

　　 Celebrity Endorsements

　　　　Over the years, the fame of Arxan’s mineral springs has attracted numerous celebrities for work, bathing, and sightseeing. Former national leaders—-,—-,—-, Luo Ruiqing, and Simayi-Aimaiti have visited the area. Comrade —- inscribed the words: “Protect the springs, benefit the public, practical and beautiful.” The renowned science writer Gao Shiqi once recuperated here and wrote poetry praising the Arxan springs. Famous figures in literature and the arts, including Guo Lanying, Jiang Dawei, Zhao Benshan, Dedema, Ma Ji, Liu Wei, Hao Ran, Jiang Zilong, and Zang Tianshuo, have also visited for relaxation and sightseeing. General Yang Chengwu praised the Arxan springs as “holy and miraculous waters.”