Last weekend, I went to Riyuegu (日月谷) Hot Springs with some friends. Hot spring resorts are very popular in China, probably because they provide one of the few ways to escape the crowded cities into a more relaxing environment. Of course, popular hot springs can also get pretty crowded (I went to one in Fuzhou that was packed with people), but at least you can avoid much of the noise and never-ending construction prevalent throughout most cities in China.
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| Resort entrance (with ever-popular ducks) |
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| Foreigners (老外) trying to decipher Chinese map of the resort |
The Riyuegu hot springs apparently have a long and special history (as does just about every tourist oriented destination in China). According to Riyuegu's website: "More than 400 years ago during the Ming Dynasty, a royal
court official immersed himself in the springs and felt such joy he recorded
his experience of this 'heavenly gift' on a stone plaque. I didn't notice the plaque, but in fairness, I was too busy relaxing and enjoying all the various forms of water entertainment.
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| Some hot springs include special ingredients such as aloe vera, green tea and various fruit scents |
In addition to the natural hot springs, Riyuegu also offers several swimming pools, one complete with water slides (although out of order), a water volleyball net and several water basketball hoops (of course you have to rent the basketball by the hour). Also, there are numerous hot springs that include various types of water massage devices.
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| Relaxing after a competitive game of water basketball horse |
One of the most interesting things you can experience at Riyuegu is soaking your feet (or as much of your body as you want) in small pools filled with flesh-eating fish. Actually, it's not as bad as that sounds since the fish are very small and basically eat the dead skin so it's really just a natural pedicure of sorts.
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| Fish feasting on my foot |
Riyuegu's website further states that you can "[f]eel a palpable energy flowing from the natural hot
springs revered for its rejuvenating and healing powers. Step in and immerse in paradise itself…" I have to admit that though relaxing, the only palpable energy I felt was in one hot spring where you sit near a electric panel in the water which emits a not too powerful electric current. This felt palpably strange at first (causing muscles in lower back to tense) and a bit painful if you get too close, but not too bad.
Here's a few more photos I took at Riyuegu which may help you to feel that palpable energy and healing power (without having to risk being electrocuted or having fish eat your feet).
There's also a hotel at the resort, but we just spent an afternoon there. All in all, it's definitely an enjoyable experience and nice way to relax and feel like there is actually nature in China, even when you're still in (or not far out of) a busy city where nature takes a back seat to bustling modernity.
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