WHEN talking about Chongqing, most people omit the fact that it’s known as the “hot spring capital” and the hot spring resorts here have a good reputation throughout the country. There are a total of 146 discovered hot spring sites across the city. Among them, there are exquisite indoor Japanese-style hot spring houses, comprehensive entertainment places and private clubs. In this article, you’ll discover several hot spring resorts and hotels where you can enjoy a cozy winter in Chongqing.

Haichang Tangdu

Haichang Tangdu hot spring house is a Japanese-style hot spring house. Even the bathroom amenities are all Japanese brands. There are many detailed designs in the hot spring house which will warm your heart, among them is that even the water dispenser has Braille signs.

There are separate nude hot spring sections for men and women. Good friends can have a gathering here, chatting away while taking a soak in the hot spring.

In the resting area, there are single recliners where you can lie down comfortably to watch TV or read books, a sofa, KTV rooms for two people and mahjong machines. It also provides kimono-renting services and Japanese updo hair setting. The Japanese-style door curtain, lantern wall and paper doors serve as great photo-op backgrounds.

Additionally there is a wooden house camping base nearby, suitable for families to spend the night under the starry sky.

Tianxing Intl. Hot Springs

Jinfo Mountain in Nanchuan District enjoys a similar reputation to Emei Mountain and Qingcheng Mountain. It’s also a typical karst table mountain. It is an isolated mountain with cliffs up to 300 meters surrounding its relatively flat top. The mountain is reputed as the “Snowland in the South.”

In winter, when the mountain turns into a snow wonderland, dipping in a hot spring at the foot of the mountain is an amazing experience. You can also feast your eyes on cloud seas and soft rime and enjoy snow fun such as snowmobile in the ski resort on the northwest hillside.

Tianxing Town is located at the foot of the west side of Jinfo Mountain. The architectures here feature Chongqing-style stilted buildings from the Republic of China era. Here you can buy special local products like square bamboo shoots and experience local arts including opera, facial makeup, red lanterns and oiled paper umbrellas.

Ronghui Hot Springs

Located in the downtown area in Shapingba District, the Ronghui Hot Springs enjoys an advantageous geographical location: It’s less than one kilometer to both Three Gorges Plaza and Shaping Park. It’s the first five-star hot spring in Chongqing.

It has health-preserving hot spring pools each with different characteristics and private hot spring rooms. Spa service is also a featured event here, and is a perfect choice for relaxing your body and mind after a wonderful time in the hot spring.

One of the highlights is the popular red-soup hot spring which looks like spicy hot pot. The red hot spring is made with traditional Chinese medicinal materials including folium artemisiae argyi and Polygonum multiflorum.

North Hot Spring

(Bolian Resorts & Spa)

This hot spring with an exuding lingering smog is surrounded by tranquil and lush mountains, which is an ideal choice for chasing away the coolness of autumn after feasting on hot pot. Among countless hot springs in Chongqing, North Hot Spring has earned itself an excellent reputation.

As a boutique hotel brand, Bolian has acquired the most time-honored hot spring in northern Chongqing, the North Hot Spring, and built its hotel on the cliff over the Jialing River.

Bordering the Jialing River to the north and Jinyun Mountain to the south, North Hot Spring bears a rare sense of silence and solemnity with a superior geographical environment and a thousand-year history.

You can also visit the time-honored Hot Spring Temple in the neighborhood, which is free to visit.

Tongjing Hot Springs

Tongjing Hot Spring is home to over 20 hot springs, making it the largest and most concentrated hot spring group in China. As a result, there are many unique small pools including cold-hot dual-springs.

In autumn and winter, the restaurant here serves roast mutton which is sure to tease your appetite and keep your body warm.  (Chen Xiaochun)