There's more to be found at hot springs than hot water


Updated: 2006-12-30 09:33

How to get there: Take Litanglu from Lishuiqiao and turn right at Mafang Beiqiao.

Tel: 010-51650066

Yiquan (Tonic Spring) Recreation House: Take a spa in a courtyard

Although it doesn't have many recreational activities, Xiaotangshan Modern Scientific Agricultural Garden, Yiquan boasts a pretty, clear and quiet environment.

Twenty-seven courtyards stand in a line with bamboo doors and hanging red lanterns. Stepping into the courtyard, clients are instantly wrapped in simplicity, romance and comfort.

There are eight guesthouses in each courtyard, all decorated with bamboo furniture. Every courtyard has two private hot springs with a public one located inside a wooden pavilion outside the courtyards. Though labeled as a "public" hot spring, only those who have rented a courtyard have access to this 'public' one.

A standard room at Yiquan is not like any standard room in the common sense. It's also an independent courtyard.

Tips:
Courtyards are only rented as a whole set. Clients can't book a single room in the courtyard. The courtyard has a KTV room, card room as well as a kitchen. Clients may cook for themselves with fresh vegetables picked from the nearby garden and seasonings provided by Yiquan. Nearby the Hundreds of Birds' Garden also open for free to Yiquan clients.

Price: Seventeen standard courtyards are priced at RMN 700 per set; 3 suite courtyards are priced at RMB 880 per set; the rest 5 courtyards are priced between RMB 5,800 and RMB 6,800. Clients may enjoy a 40 percent discount off this price.

How to get there: The spa is three kilometers south of Xiaotangshan Daliushu Island. Follow the northern bank of the Wenyu River east until you reach the spa.

Tel: 010-60672756/60671967/60671884

Yujinxiang (Tulip) Spa Holiday Village: Privately intimate

What makes Yujinxiang a must-see destination is its newly-built Wenquan Xiaoyuan (hot spring garden). The Japanese style wenquan xiaoyuan has an additional suite and one more independent bathroom than ordinary spa villas making it more private. The hot water at Yujinxiang is collected from 3,000 meters underground and may smell somewhat like rotten eggs, yet the nose will get used to it in a couple of minutes. A wooden bucket bath is a good idea right after a hot spring bath. There are five options for bucket bath and the flower petal is the most popular for its long-lasting fragrance, relaxation and skin-tightening .

Tips: Clients may have fun at the big Morui Water World that boasts surfing, four different speed water slides and 21 spas. Morui Water World also offers a free buffet and shows water movies at 8pm every night. Morui Water World is open from 9:30am to 10:30pm and the tickets are priced at RMB 138 for each adult.

Price: Ten wenquan xiaoyuan are priced at RMB 2,240 per night. A rooftop spa session costs RMB 48 per person.

How to get there: Take the Airport Expressway to the Weigou Exit and continue south along Dongweilu for 1km.

Tel: 010-68000189


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