In the eyes of many, hot springs emerging from underground are extremely mysterious. Many places around the world have gained fame because of their hot springs, such as Hokkaido in Japan, the town of Bath in England, the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, and the town of Évian in France, among others. The skin-beautifying and health-enhancing effects of hot springs captivate countless people, stirring their longing and inspiring them to travel thousands of miles in search of their dream "bathing pool."
Traveling far and spending a lot to enjoy such luxuries is, after all, a privilege reserved for a few. For most people, knowing how to distinguish good-quality hot spring water is the key to enjoying the best experience at an affordable price. Today, let’s take an outstanding hot spring as an example to teach you how to identify high-quality hot spring water and share some very useful tips for soaking, so that everyone can enjoy the comfort and luxury of world-class hot springs right here in China!
1. The elegant and comfortable environment of a hot spring can help relax both body and mind, enhancing the effects of the soak!
Today, we’re introducing Guiyu Hot Spring in Guiyang. It is the first ecological garden-style hot spring scenic area in Guiyang, a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, located in the “Secret Land of Central Guizhou, Ecological Wudang,” just 7 kilometers from downtown Guiyang.
As is well known, Guizhou, a plateau region often described as “no flat land for three feet,” experiences overcast and rainy weather for most of the year. The humid air causes the surrounding mountains to often be shrouded in mist. 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 around 15°C, which is mild and pleasant. A moderate and balanced amount of ultraviolet rays, along with negative ions emitted by hot springs, waterfalls, and dense forests, nourishes the land. Soaking in a hot spring in such an environment is naturally a delightful experience.
Now, let’s talk about the environment of the Guiyu Hot Spring scenic area. Nestled by the beautiful Nanming Lake and surrounded by lush mountains and trees, the area features serene and elegant landscaping. Within the scenic area, there are small bridges over flowing streams, pavilions, towers, verdant trees and fragrant flowers, and pools of clear spring water scattered like pearls across a fairyland. Unique wind-and-rain bridges and drum towers are nestled within, offering a strong sense of the local ethnic culture of Guizhou.
The Guiyu Hot Spring scenic area has over 30 hot spring pools of various sizes, including a spa zone, a children’s play area, a special medicinal pool zone, vortex baths, wave baths, stone slab baths, 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 the open-air pools, the scenic area also offers hot spring rooms, eco-friendly hot spring cottages, luxurious Chinese and Western-style suites, and independent hot spring villas, where indoor hot springs provide the same warm and comfortable 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, making it the origin of all hot spring water in Guizhou. Thanks to its advantageous geographical location, Guiyu Hot Spring avoids the oxidation caused by long-distance transportation, ensuring extremely "active" hot spring water.
Next is the temperature and water quality of the spring source. Generally, the higher the source temperature, the more effective dissolved components there are, and the better the efficacy of the hot spring. Conversely, if the source temperature is lower, the dissolved effective components are limited. The outlet temperature of Guiyu Hot Spring reaches as high as 53 degrees Celsius and is rich in over 30 types of mineral trace elements such as strontium, radon, and metasilicic acid. It is a rare carbonated hot spring, truly the "aristocrat of waters." Carbonated 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 aiding the body’s acid-base balance.
Then there is the water quality itself. Clear, colorless, and odorless water, like that of Guiyu Hot Spring, is considered excellent.
Of course, the pH level of the hot spring is also important to consider. Hot springs with a pH level below 7 are acidic and have good antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and exfoliating effects, beneficial for skin inflammation and keratinization, but those with sensitive skin should enter with caution. Hot springs with a pH level above 7.5 are weakly alkaline and can help break down oil and dirt in pores while making the skin firmer. Guiyu Hot Spring is a weakly alkaline hot spring, leaving your skin smooth and clear after soaking.
3. How to soak in a hot spring for the best results?
Guiyu Hot Spring mainly offers three types of experiences: "immersion," "showering," and "swimming." "Showering" and "swimming" are relatively straightforward — "showering" involves standing under a showerhead in some pools to spray water over your entire body from head to toe, while "swimming" means enjoying a swim in the standard-sized hot spring swimming pool in the scenic area. However, "immersion" is where the real art lies, and the "Four Seasons Pools" at Guiyu Hot Spring best embody the essence of "immersion."
The Four Seasons Pools are named after the four seasons, with each of the spring pools for spring, summer, autumn, and winter having different water temperatures. The essence of "immersion" lies in repeatedly soaking in pools of varying temperatures.
If you can tolerate high temperatures, soaking in pools above 40°C can feel especially stimulating, as if your skin is being pricked by thousands of fine needles in an acupuncture treatment.
However, when you approach the Four Seasons Pools, do not jump straight into the hottest spring pool (the Spring Pool). The correct method is to start with the coolest pools — the Autumn and Winter Pools — and then gradually move from low to high temperatures, pool by pool. This allows your blood vessels time to expand gradually, helping you adapt to higher temperatures step by step.
After selecting a pool, first test the water temperature with your hand or foot to prepare yourself mentally and physically. If the temperature feels right, don’t rush to submerge your whole body. Instead, sit at the edge of the pool, soak your feet first, and continuously splash water over your body. Once your body has fully adjusted to the temperature, you can then immerse yourself completely.
The duration of your soak is also important. Soak for about 20 to 30 minutes before getting out to rest, hydrate, and prevent dehydration, then proceed to a hotter pool. Be sure not to soak for extended periods continuously, especially in hotter pools like the Spring Pool at 45°C — it’s best not to exceed ten minutes, as prolonged soaking may lead to chest tightness, thirst, dizziness, and other symptoms. If you experience any of these, take a break at the edge of the pool and rehydrate.
Guiyu Hot Spring also offers a variety of special herbal soaking pools. For example, the lemon pool helps relieve fatigue and tension, leaving your skin smoother and softer; the eucommia pool helps eliminate toxins, enhance cellular metabolism, prevent muscle and bone aging, balance blood pressure, and reduce body fat; the ginger pool helps ward off cold, improving blood circulation in extremities and relieving cold hands and feet. In addition to these, there are also aloe vera, mugwort leaf, and angelica pools, each infusing the hot spring with unique plant and herbal benefits to maximize the therapeutic effects.
Guiyu Hot Spring is a wonderful gift bestowed upon the people of Guiyang by nature. Though it may not rival the world-famous hot springs, the high-quality natural hot spring water and tranquil 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.