In the eyes of many, hot springs gushing from underground are incredibly mysterious. Many places around the world have gained fame because of their hot springs, such as Hokkaido in Japan, Bath in England, the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, and Évian-les-Bains in France, to name a few. The skin-enhancing and fitness benefits of hot springs captivate countless people, stirring yearning and driving them to travel thousands of miles in search of their "dream bath."
Opting for distant, expensive getaways is, after all, a luxury for the few. For most, knowing how to identify high-quality hot spring water allows you to enjoy the best at lower prices. Today, let’s take an outstanding hot spring as an example to teach you how to recognize good hot spring water and share some very useful soaking tips, so everyone can experience world-class hot spring comfort right here in China!
1. The elegant and comfortable environment of a hot spring can relax your body and mind and enhance the soaking experience!
Today, we’re introducing Guiyu Hot Spring in Guiyang. It is the first ecological garden-style hot spring resort in Guiyang, a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, located in the "Mysterious Land of Central Guizhou, Ecological Wudang," just 7 kilometers from downtown Guiyang.
As is well known, Guizhou, a plateau region dubbed "no flat land for three feet," experiences rainy and humid weather for most of the year, with mist often shrouding its mountains. Guiyang, the provincial capital of Guizhou, has an elevation of up to 1,200 meters and is also surrounded by green hills. Influenced by the subtropical humid monsoon climate of Guizhou, the area maintains an average annual temperature of 15°C, which is mild and pleasant. Moderate and balanced ultraviolet rays, along with negative ions emitted by hot springs, waterfalls, and dense forests, nourish the land. Soaking in a hot spring in such an environment is naturally a delightful experience.
Speaking of the environment of the Guiyu Hot Spring scenic area, it nestles by the beautiful Nanming Lake, surrounded by mountains and lush trees. The landscape design of Guiyu Hot Spring is also very serene and elegant. Within the resort, there are small bridges over flowing streams, pavilions, verdant trees and fragrant flowers, and clear springs scattered like pearls in a fairyland. Unique wind-and-rain bridges and drum towers are nestled among the scenery, offering a strong sense of Guizhou’s local ethnic culture.
The Guiyu Hot Spring scenic area features over 30 hot spring pools of various sizes, including a spa zone, children’s play area, special medicinal pool zone, vortex bath, wave bath, stone slab bath, fish therapy, and a standard-sized hot spring swimming pool. The pools are surrounded by plants such as banana trees, potted plants, flowers, osmanthus trees, and bamboo, instantly helping visitors relax and immerse themselves in the hot spring experience. Of course, if you prefer not to soak in open-air pools, the resort also offers hot spring rooms, eco hot spring cottages, luxurious Chinese and Western-style suites, and independent hot spring villas, where indoor hot springs provide the same warm and cozy feeling.
2. The quality of a hot spring depends on its "activity," temperature, water quality, and pH level.
To judge the quality of hot spring water, several factors are considered. The first is the distance from the source. Guiyu Hot Spring is built on the central Guizhou hot spring fault zone, with water sourced from 1,900 meters underground—the origin of all hot spring water in Guizhou. Thanks to its advantageous location, Guiyu Hot Spring avoids the oxidation caused by long-distance transportation, ensuring highly "active" hot spring water.
Next is the spring water temperature and quality. Generally, the higher the spring temperature, the higher the dissolved effective components, and the better the efficacy of the hot spring. Conversely, if the spring temperature is low, the dissolved effective components are limited. The outlet temperature of Guiyu Hot Spring reaches up to 53 degrees Celsius and is rich in over 30 mineral trace elements such as strontium, radon, and metasilicic acid. It is a rare carbonic acid hot spring, truly the "aristocrat" of waters. Carbonic acid hot springs not only promote blood circulation and reduce the burden on the heart but also slow and deepen breathing, enhancing lung gas metabolism and helping maintain the body’s acid-base balance.
Then there’s water clarity. The best hot springs, like Guiyu, are crystal-clear, colorless, and odorless.
Of course, the pH level of the hot spring is also important. A pH level below 7 indicates an acidic hot spring, which has good antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as exfoliating properties. It can help with skin inflammation and keratinization, but those with sensitive skin should be cautious. A pH level above 7.5 indicates a weakly alkaline hot spring, which helps break down oil and dirt in pores and makes the skin firmer. Guiyu Hot Spring is a weakly alkaline hot spring, leaving your skin smooth and refreshed after soaking!
3. How to Soak in a Hot Spring for Maximum Benefit?
Guiyu Hot Spring mainly offers three types of experiences: "immersion," "shower," and "swimming." "Shower" and "swimming" are relatively straightforward—"shower" involves standing under a showerhead in some pools for a full-body rinse, while "swimming" means enjoying a swim in the standard-sized hot spring swimming pool in the resort. "Immersion," however, is where the art lies, and Guiyu’s "Four Seasons Pools" best embody the essence of "immersion."
The Four Seasons Pools are named after the four seasons—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter—each with different water temperatures. The essence of "immersion" lies in repeatedly soaking in pools of varying temperatures.
If you can handle high temperatures, soaking in a pool above 40°C feels especially stimulating, as if your skin is being pricked by thousands of tiny needles in an acupuncture treatment.
However, when you approach the Four Seasons Pools, don’t jump straight into the hottest Spring Pool. The correct method is to start with the coolest Autumn and Winter Pools, then gradually progress to the lower-temperature pools before moving to the hotter ones. This allows your blood vessels time to expand gradually, helping you adapt to higher temperatures step by step.
After choosing a pool, first test the water temperature with your hand or foot to prepare both mentally and physically. If the temperature feels right, don’t rush to submerge yourself fully. Sit at the edge of the pool first, soak your feet, and splash water over your body. Once you’ve fully acclimated to the temperature, you can then immerse your entire body.
Be mindful of soaking time as well. Soak for about 20 to 30 minutes before getting out to rest, drink water, and rehydrate to prevent dehydration. Then, move on to a higher-temperature pool. Avoid soaking for extended periods continuously, especially in the hotter Spring Pool at 45°C—limit soaking to no more than ten minutes to avoid discomfort such as chest tightness, thirst, or dizziness. If these symptoms occur, get out and rest at the poolside while rehydrating.
Guiyu Hot Spring also offers many unique herbal soaking pools. For instance, the Lemon Pool helps relieve fatigue and tension while making the skin softer and smoother. The Eucommia Pool helps cleanse the body, enhance cellular metabolism, prevent muscle and skeletal aging, balance blood pressure, and reduce body fat. The Ginger Pool warms the body, improves blood circulation in extremities, and alleviates cold hands and feet. Other pools include the Aloe Vera Pool, Mugwort Leaf Pool, and Angelica Pool. Each plant-based herbal infusion maximizes the therapeutic effects of the hot spring.
Guiyu Hot Spring is a wonderful gift bestowed upon the people of Guiyang by nature. Though it may not rival world-famous hot springs, the high-quality natural hot spring water and serene garden environment offer a truly premium experience. In fact, you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy top-tier hot spring water here.