Top 10 hot spring resorts in Beijing

Beijing, a city rich in geothermal resources, truly is a haven for those in search of a blissful, relaxing spa to transport them away from the stresses and strains of daily life and work, especially during the cold wintertime.

Most of the city's hot spring resorts are clustered in its northern areas, especially Xiaotangshan town in Changping district, where locals began to utilize the steamy mineral water for bathing, health and therapeutic purposes early in the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420 – 589). During the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911), the imperial families and senior officials went there for R&R, rest and relaxation.

For most Beijing tourists, one of the must-dos on the list in winter is to melt the frost away by getting comfortable in a steaming spa after a day of Great Wall hiking.

Here, we have compiled the 10 most popular hot spring resorts in Beijing:

Jiuhua Spa & Resort

Built in 1997, Jiuhua Spa & Resort is one of the most popular hot spring resorts in Beijing. Located in Changping's Xiaotangshan town, the large-scale hot spring site was originally a winter imperial attraction favored by ancient emperors. With a constant temperature of around 40°C all-year-round, the transparent and soothing spring water contains various beneficial minerals and microelements, including strontium, lithium and metasillicio acid. The resort, fashioned after the Qing imperial style, features amenities, including different styles of spas, a sauna bath, massage services and fitness facilities -- just to name a few.

Reference Price: 300 yuan, including spa, swimming, Chinese herbal medicine bath and sauna

Address: Daliushu roundabout, Xiaotangshan town, Changping district.

How to get there

Public Transport: Take Bus 912 or 984 and get off at the terminal, or take a 15-minute taxi ride from Lishuiqiao Station on Subway Line 13.

Self Drive: Drive north along Badaling Expressway, turn east at Beiliuhuan, exit at Beiyuankou of Xiaotangshan, drive 2 kilometers north until you see the Daliushu Roundabout and then turn right after 500m.

Website: www.jiuhua.com.cn