As a city that experiences a nearly half-year long cold season, Beijing is known for its hotpot offerings, where even an international franchise like Yoshinoya gets in on the fun. But beyond that, there’s another way Beijingers like to stay warm in the colder months, and that’s by soaking in hot springs!
I first stumbled upon a hot spring hotel just down the street from where I live east of downtown Beijing. I saw the words 侊홋 (Wēnquán), which refers to hot spring, but I was intrigued because it was also a hotel. After asking some of my local friends, I discovered that hot springs hotels and hot springs “lifestyle centers” are rather common here. The lifestyle centers usually include amenities like pools, game centers, and an all-you-can-eat buffet within the price.
But what are the benefits of soaking in hot spring water, or as an uninitiated friend likes to call it, “germ soup”? Well, let’s dispel the hearsay and look at the many benefits, some of which are backed by actual scientific research!
First, a little science lesson is in order. Natural hot spring water is geothermal heated groundwater found on the surface of the Earth. Because heated water can hold much more dissolved solids than cool water, hot springs are rich in a myriad of minerals, including sulfate, iron, chloride, silica, and calcium. Because of its rich sulfur content, hot spring water can have a relaxing effect on muscular tissue. The high levels of hydrogen sulfide give hot spring water its reputation for being anti-inflammatory. Meanwhile, the silica gives your skin an anti-aging glow, much like makeup products that incorporate the useful mineral.
Second, a mythology lesson. In ancient times, natural hot springs were believed to heal and treat diseases. This belief is called balneology and was held by the Romans, Egyptians, and Greeks. Today, balneology has evolved into an actual scientific study – sometimes called bal-neotherapy – focusing on the arts, sciences, and cultures of natural mineral waters. Some even drink it!
Now, you need to know that there are naturally occurring hot springs and artificial hot springs. But what’s the difference? Well, the end product is the same, but in manmade hot springs, the minerals are added to the water. Fun fact, a patent has been filed for a new technology that allows regular tap water to be transformed into mineral water. This process was done by increasing the carbonic acid content of tap water and filtering it through a proprietary “mineral pack,” a special device with rock pillars, which helps convert it to mineral-rich, sub-acidic mineral water.
Likewise, natural hot springs are often channeled into manmade pools or spas, however, spa enterprises are not required to disclose whether their hot springs are natural or manmade. As such, it is hard to know for sure whether your hot spring is natural or otherwise. Though, perhaps it doesn’t matter much – unless germs are your concern – for artificial hot springs are more likely to be purified than their natural counterparts.
Right here in Beijing, hot spring hotels and lifestyle centers number in the hundreds. We shortlisted a couple of kid-friendly ones so your whole family can enjoy the benefits of the famed hot spring!
北京乐多港万豪酒店汤乐宫温泉
Beijing Marriott Hotel Changping
Towards the end of last winter, in April, I made a trip to the Beijing Marriott Hotel in Changping, which was introduced to me as the family-friendly hot spring staycation. Their claims to fame?
1. The water that fills your bathtub is hot spring water so you don’t even have to leave your room for the experience.
2. The kids’ water park uses hot spring water.
About a two-hour drive from the heart of Beijing, the hotel is located behind a big shopping complex and right next to a local amusement park. Both are within walking distance and of-fer plenty of entertainment options for the kids. There is also a plethora of dining and outlet shops in the area, so definitely set aside some time for that.
The hot spring water park is in the basement of the hotel and costs an additional fee, start-ing from RMB 98 for kids and RMB 238 for adults for a day ticket. There’s also a buffet op-tion if you top up some RMB 200. There is an indoor and outdoor water play area, complete with slides, waterfalls, water jets, and colored pools to add to the fun. Communal huge floats and beach balls are also provided, and kids are allowed to bring their water guns!
尚隐泉都市生活馆
Shang Yin Hot Springs Lifestyle Center
Proudly displaying a “Natural Hot Spring” sign out in the lobby, this hot spring lifestyle cen-ter in Feng Tai sports elegant Japanese decor with sliding doors, tatami floors, and wooden gazebos with soaking pools. In the same manner, the restaurant offers a Japanese, as well as Korean, buffet. Kids have both a water playground and a dry one to choose from. This center also has separate sections for men and women if that is your concern. Customers have raved about how the center provides everything they need, from slippers to toiletries and even face wash. Tickets start from a mere RMB 8 for kids to RMB 128 for adults.
Hot springs are aplenty in Beijing, so if you’re ready to take a dip, make sure to check that they at least have a good reputation (on Dianping) and clean premises. Happy soaking!
This article appeared in the jingkids 2021 September-October issue
