January is Beijing's coldest month with daily lows averaging 9 celsius degrees below zero. To escape the chilling winds and icy streets, you might consider a visit to one of China's many hotsprings.

A hot spring is more than a glorified bath. Heated water can contain more dissolved particles than regular water, which is why hot spring water often has a high mineral content with proven medical benefits. One of the choices for a great Chinese hot spring is practically at your doorstep, so there's no reason not to take a soak-the water's love.

Rehai-Plentiful hot springs

China Daily claims Rehai, near Tengchong in Yunnan, is China ultimate attraction for its numerous hot springs and volcanic lakes. Tengchong has yet to become a crowded tourist destination, and has a quiet broken only by the snore of its dormant volcanoes. The geothermal heat creates a varied and fascinating landscape including sulphuric acid and poisonous carbon dioxide springs. Rest assured, there are more inviting pools for the heat-seeking traveler. Rehai, 'The hot sea', is only 12km from Tengchong and features geysers, streams and the hot springs your body craves.

Considered the main attraction at Rehai, Dagunguo, 'The big boiling bowl,' is a large spring with a high temperature. Too hot for a dip, of course, but you can sample eggs cooked in this natural pot before checking out some cooler springs such as the Frog's Mouth, Lion's Head or the Pregnant Well, which is believed to cure female health problems. The other main draw for Tengchong is the volcanoes, which number nearly one hundred, and the traditional villages of the Lisu ethnic minority. Each village enjoys its own hot spring.

Practicalities:

Hourly buses arrive at Tengchong from Kunming. Public buses, hired bicycles or cars can take you around the area if you have enough time to explore. You can take a bus from the local bus station to Rehai Park.

Historical Huaqing

Located at the north of Mount Lishan, some 30km from Xi'an, Huaqing Hot Springs is famous for its royal patronage.

Tang emperor Xuanzong spent an extraordinary amount of money to construct a luxurious palace here and gave the site its most famous tale telling the love story between himself and Yang Yuhuan. None of the beauties in his palace caught his eye, so a high-ranking eunuch arranged a visit from the exquisite Yang.

Xuanzong was taken by her radiant beauty and ordered Yang to divorce her then husband, Prince Li Mei. Later, she was named Yang Guifei, meaning 'imperial consort,' and is considered one of the four great beauties of ancient China. At Huaqing palace you can stroll by a dragon-shaped marble boat and several pavilions to reach the Imperial Pool, a unique bathtub indeed.

Nearby is Haitang Pool, intended for concubines, and the Shangshi Pool, which was set aside for officials.

You can take a bath in the Guifei pool, which has a stable temperature of 43 celsius degrees. The water contains minerals, which have a therapeutic effect on the skin and have been used to treat arthritis and rheumatism for 2,000 years.

Practicalities:

Huaqing can be conveniently reached on return to Xi'an from a visit to the Terracotta Warriors, or by taking bus 306 from the Xi'an train station. The entrance fee is 30 yuan.

The Jiuhua Resort-both romantic and healthy

The Beijing International Travel Website lists Jiuhua Resort foremost in its top ten of romantic hot springs in China.

Located in Changping district, the resort has been an imperial playground of Chinese emperors since the Yuan Dynasty. It's now owned by the Ministry of Health and offers numerous treatments, entertainment and pampering. It's also a four-star hotel with suites from standard to presidential quality. The water at Jiuhua wells up from 1,200m underground with a stable temperature around 40 celsius degrees. It's supposed to be beneficial for diseases and conditions from arthritis and muscle strain to hypertension and eczema. Even a swollen prostrate can allegedly be tamed here.

There are twenty outdoor pools for relaxation, fun and treatment at the Jiuhua Resort. Here are three of the most distinctive.

* Mud, glorious mud

The Jiuhua mud bath is rich in vitamins, minerals and has added herbs. It's almost good enough to eat. The main purpose of the bath is beautification.

* Herb time

The herbal bath is a hot spring with added special ingredients. It is touted as being beneficial for rheumatism and arthritis.

* Fit for a queen

The queen pool consists of an upper and lower pool with water that flows between them. According to records, it was used by imperial concubines during Qing Dynasty.

Practicalities:

A standard room at the hotel lists at 360 yuan per night, but it's possible to get a discount, or you can just pay 120 yuan to access all thei outdoor springs, pools and saunas, then head home when finished.

Add: Jiuhua Resort, Xiaotangshan Zhen, Changping District, Beijing

Open: 9 am to midnight

jiuhua.com.cn

(English available)

Tel: 010-6178 2288