Travel to Xichang in Winter – Breathe Warmth at Luoji Jiushijiu Li
As the year 2013 quickly draws to a close, the dry and cold winter weather can't help but make us long for the bright sunshine of Xichang... Around this time in previous years, it was practically the season when families from all over Sichuan would head to Xichang. Stroll around Qionghai, climb Mount Lu, and enjoy grilled fish and roast suckling pig – these are essential activities for anyone visiting Xichang, and this year is no exception. But this year, before you set off for Xichang, we’d like to add a new destination to your vacation list – Luoji Jiushijiu Li.
The World’s Largest Hot Spring Waterfall
Luoji Jiushijiu Li is located 39 kilometers south of Xichang, the “Little Spring City,” and is a national 4A-level scenic area. Luoji Jiushijiu Li is the most concentrated area of attractions within the Luoji Mountain range and is considered the core zone of the mountain. This core scenic area stretches 99 li (approximately 50 kilometers) in length, with each li featuring its own unique scene and every nine li showcasing a wonder – hence the name Luoji Jiushijiu Li, meaning “Ninety-Nine Li of Luoji.” Spanning two counties and one city, the area covers 2,400 square kilometers and features four major scenic zones: Hundred Waterfalls Valley, Above the Clouds, Luoji’s First Peak, and the Millennium Primeval Forest.The hot spring waterfall located in Hundred Waterfalls Valley is the world’s largest hot spring waterfall and a must-visit spot for every traveler to Luoji Jiushijiu Li. The hot spring gushes out from the mountainside, with crystal-clear water that is even safe to drink. It’s incredibly refreshing. Especially enchanting are the pools formed where the hot spring flows through caves in the mountains, offering a bathing experience like a fairyland. The temperature of the spring remains relatively constant throughout the seasons – spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Even during storms or heavy winds, the water stays as clear as a mirror. The spring water cascades down in three tiers, forming a waterfall approximately 7 meters wide and over 20 meters long, giving visitors the feeling of “a high cliff with a galaxy falling from the heavens.” Beneath the spring’s outlet lies a naturally formed long pool that can accommodate more than 20 people for a bath at the same time. Even more magical is the waterfall’s curtain that hangs outside the pool, earning it the nickname “Water Curtain Cave.” On either side of the cave are smaller pools, each able to hold two people – known as the “Mandarin Duck Pools,” perfect for couples. At the third tier of the waterfall, amidst the pure white rush of water, you can let the falls massage you, knead, push, and pat you – an experience more soothing than any artificial massage, instantly wiping away travel fatigue and offering one of life’s greatest pleasures.
Visitors at the Luoji Jiushijiu Li Hot Spring Waterfall
In October 2013, this hot spring waterfall was officially certified by the World Record Association as the world’s largest hot spring waterfall and the one with the highest daily volume of hot spring water. Due to its uniquely natural and pristine landscape, it was ranked as the best hot spring in Sichuan as early as 1994. In this cold winter, basking in the sun-kissed hot springs of Luoji Jiushijiu Li in Xichang, a gift from nature, is surely an incredibly enjoyable experience. In addition, Hundred Waterfalls Valley also boasts the world’s largest cluster of waterfalls, as well as rare global sights such as the Rainbow Waterfall and Peacock Waterfall. With hundreds or even thousands of waterfalls of various sizes scattered throughout Luoji Jiushijiu Li and peculiar rocks and mountains dotting the landscape, visitors are bound to feel as though they’ve stepped into a paradise on earth.