If you’re finding the grey, icy, winter months in Chengdu tough to bear, do like the locals and head for the rejuvenating hot thermal waters that run deep beneath the province. The facilities in Chengdu and the surrounding regions range from scenic outdoor baths to brightly lit, jam-packed indoor pools, all varying in quality and ambience. Hot springs in China can get very busy (and unpleasant) on national holidays and weekends – so be sure to call ahead.
To help you plan your perfect escape, here are some options to thaw out your toes and soak yourself in some local culture:
Howard Johnson Conference Resort Chengdu
青城道温泉（青城国际豪生酒店）
The perfect end to a long hike on Qingcheng Mountain, is the Howard Johnson Resort, just a stone’s throw from Qingcheng Shan high-speed train station. The Qingcheng Taoism Hot Spring has a large indoor pool, 50 outdoor pools, and 4 VIP hot spring villas. In addition, there’s a special spa, traditional food massage, a Taoism wooden bath, outdoor forest spa, and under floor heating. You can either visit for the day or stay in the hotel overnight, they offer breakfast and dinner buffets. An added bonus is that they speak English.
Opening Hours:
Mondays – Friday: 14:00-22:00 | Saturdays – Sundays: 12:00-22:30
Hot Spring Ticket Price:
Normal 258RMB per person (Dianping 168RMB)
Contact:
(028)88988888, (028)87198999
Address:
No.88 Qingcheng Taoqingcheng Avenue, Dujiangyan
都江堰市青城山镇青城大道88号
Getting there:
High-speed train to Qingcheng shan
Around 1 hour and 30 minutes by car
Emei Mountain Lingxiu Hot Springs
峨眉山灵秀温泉酒店
Hot springs are dotted around the base of Emei Shan, which makes it a little difficult to choose just one. But the design, ambiance, and quality at the enormous Lingxiu Hot Springs make it worth mentioning. At dusk, the famous mist of Emei Mountain glides over the springs and multi-colored lights brighten up the place – if it’s too much natural beauty for you…
After a day of hiking the unforgiving stairs of Emei Shan, there’s nothing more relaxing than sitting in a hot pool and taking in that sight… although visibility isn’t guaranteed.
Opening Hours:
14:00-24:00 Entry stops at 23:00
Hot Spring Ticket Price:
Kids 80RMB, Adults 248RMB (138RMB on Dianping)
Getting there:
Highspeed trains run frequently from Chengdu South Railway Station 火车南站 or Xipu Station犀浦站 to Emei Mountain station 峨眉山站. Then take the 12 Bus to Da Jiu Dian Station 大酒店站.
Contact:
Tel:0833-6170666/3079806/3079808
HuaShuiWan Hot Springs
花水湾温泉
If you’re planning on going skiing in Xiling Mountain (or rafting in the summer), this nearby town in Dayi county, is famous for hot springs. Just 20km away from snow mountain and about 75km from downtown Chengdu, many of the hotels here have their own hot spring pools with mountain backdrops. Moreover, in the spring there are decent hikes to be had in the surrounding regions.
Quality and prices of the hot springs vary a lot in Huashuiwan, but the average price for hot spring is from 150-250RMB per person.
Getting there:
There is a direct bus connection from Xinnanmen Bus Station
Around 1 hour and 40 minutes by car
Huashuiwan Haosheng Bailetang Hot Spring
花水湾豪生百乐汤温泉
Opening Hours:
Daily, 09:00 – 23:00
Hot Spring Ticket Price:
Adults from 268RMB (Hua Shui Bay public account from 138RMB) or（Dianping from 136RMB）
Contact:
028-63236666、028-88390666
Address:
No. 2 Wucheng Road, Huashuiwan Village, Dayi
大邑县花水湾武城街2号
Zhongtie Huashuiwan Four Seasons Hot Spring
中铁花水湾四季温泉谷
Opening Hours:
Daily, 11:00 – 23:00
Hot Spring Ticket Price:
Adults 239RMB (Dianping 159RMB)
Contact:
028-88391108、028-88390396
Address:
No.174 Wucheng Road, Huashuiwan Village, DAyi
大邑县花水湾镇武城街174号(近西岭雪山)
Guergou Ramada Hot Springs
古尔沟华美达温泉酒店
Just 4 hours drive from Chengdu, Guergou Ramada hot spring resort is located in the beautiful scenery Lixian. Rooted in the famous Tibetan and Qiang culture corridor in Aba prefecture, the place is rich in folk customs and cultural scenery, bringing a unique cultural experience for every tourist.
The hotel relies on the snow-capped mountain, where you can enjoy natural thermal mineral spring and healing at the same time.
Opening Hours:
Daily, 09:00-22:00
Hot Spring Ticket Price:
Kids 109RMB, Adults 268RMB (Kids 79RMB, Adults 158RMB on Dianping)
Not including an overnight stay in the hotel
Address:
No.33 Wenquan Road, Lixian, Aba Prefecture
阿坝藏族羌族自治州理县温泉路33号
Getting there:
Daily bus from Chadianzi 茶店子 to Guergo 古尔沟
Contact:
Tel: 0837-6826666
Shulechi Hot Spring 蜀乐池温泉
If you don’t want to leave the city, there is a large hot spring destination in Wenjiang, fulfilling the leisure dreams of Chengdu residents during holidays-Shulechi. The hot spring water at Shulechi is drawn from a geothermal source 2,050 meters underground in the Jurassic geological layer. Among the 46 hot spring pools, the standout feature is the parent-child cave hot spring area spanning over 2,000 square meters.
Passing through the“sci-fi sky” and “dreamy river”, entering the cave along the hot spring water, feels like wandering into an underwater dragon palace. It adds a touch of novelty, catering to both children and the “young at heart”.
Most importantly, Shulechi emphasizes the character “乐” (joy), which extends beyond the hot springs. In addition to soaking, guests can enjoy leisure activities such as movie screenings, table tennis, and a children’s playground. Spending Spring Festival here with family is a truly memorable experience.
Shulechi is also the closest hot spring resort to Chengdu city. It features over 40 pools, plus food and kids’ activity zones.
Opening hours:
10 am – 12pm
Hot Spring Ticket Price:
Adults 168RMB from 10am to 4pm (88RMB on Dianping), many opitions are also available
Address:
No. 619, Fenghuang North Street, Wenjiang District
成都市温江区凤凰北大街619号
Tel: 028-82789999
White Horse Hot Spring 隐泉·温泉体验中心
A hidden countryside retreat, on the outskirts of Chengdu (Jintang district), the White Horse Hot Spring derives its name from a local legend. The legend says a farmer caught sight of a horse in the distance, followed it, but it vanished into the ground. The farmer dug into the field looking for the horse, and clear springs emerged, and the village was blessed with fertile soil.
The resort features twenty-one pools, each with different scents and therapeutic properties. Built in antique Chinese style, with carved beams and tranquil gardens, the experience feels both serene and steeped in history.
在氤氲的园林中，游客身着汉服，正置身于园林和汤泉之中，享受一种静谧、私密的自然体验。
Opening hours:
10:00-23:00,entry stops at 22:00
Hot Spring Ticket Price:
kids 99RMB,Adults 316RMB (Dianping Kids 88RMB,Adults 188RMB)
Address:
No.36,Haiquanwan Road. Guancang Sub-district, Jintang County.
成都市金堂官仓街道海泉湾36号
Tel: 028-60217777
Hot Springs Within Chengdu
If you’re looking for a healing dose of thermal waters without leaving the city, Chengdu has several options. These two are our top picks:
Tang Leyuan 汤乐源
Located in the southwest of Chengdu, this bathhouse is modeled after a traditional Japanese onsen, complete with kimono-style pajamas and hot stone rooms. It features both indoor and outdoor pools (indoor areas are gender-segregated) and offers a Japanese-style seafood buffet, plush reclining chairs for overnight stays, and massage services. It’s extremely clean and honestly, a lot of fun!
However, note that the bathhouse requires an original passport for registration and doesn’t allow foreigners to stay overnight.
Opening hours:
24 hours
Hot Spring Ticket Price:
Adults from 359RMB (Dian ping 187RMB),
9am to 5pm, incl. hot spring, lunch, fruit and afternoon tea
Address:
武侯区科园南一路10号
No.10 South Keyuanyi Road
Herijun Hot Springs Hotel 何日君温泉酒店
Right next to Nijiaqiao Metro Station (Line 1), Herijun is popular among Chengdu’s expat community. It’s a hybrid of a bathhouse and hot spring resort, offering hot and cold pools, steam rooms, saunas, comfy movie chairs, and even a children’s area.
Moreover, guests can play Mahjong or cards, and there’s a second, newer location near Wanda Plaza in East Chengdu (净居寺南街88号).
Opening hours: 24 hours
Hot Spring Ticket Price: Around 150RMB
Address:
2-8 Nijia Qiao Lu, Renmin Nan Lu, Section 4, Wuhou District
成都市武侯区人民南路四段倪家桥路2号附8号
Contact:
028 8555 3230
A note on Chinese hot spring etiquette:
Changing rooms and inside pools are usually separated by gender, and some require full nudity, so it’s best to call before you visit if this is something you are not comfortable with.
Outdoor pools are communal, and showering before entering is expected. Some springs may have a strong sulfur smell, a sign of mineral richness thought to have healing properties. That said, the experience varies by location.
Finally, be aware that hot springs can get very crowded during weekends and holidays and may feel more like a human hot pot than a peaceful retreat. Go early if you’re hoping for a more tranquil soak.
🌟🔗 If you’re looking to relax but want a break from natural hot springs, Chengdu also offers a variety of indoor and outdoor swimming pools perfect for all seasons. Whether you’re after a quiet swim or a fun day out with the family, check out our guide to the best indoor and outdoor swimming pools in Chengdu for more options to unwind.
Hi there,
Thank you for your information, very nice to read
May I know which hot spring on the last pic?
I am planing to go in January, which I belive is snowing.
I want to have some outdoor snowy experience like in the picture
Thank you
I was also trying to figure that out from the article. I’m going to Emei Mountain in January.