Thermal springs in the remote mountains of Longsheng
If you have the misfortune to stay in Guilin or Longsheng in a few days of heavy rain, it may be difficult to enjoy a bike ride along the river, an excursion to the karst peaks of the area, or a trip to the rice fields. It seems almost impossible, but the most inviting alternative that the area offers is unknown to locals as much as to tourists, and in addition to the very little information that can be found online, it is a place quite far away and difficult to reach.
In the valleys of Longsheng, where the gorges are too deep to be tamed by the rice fields, and where the rivers flow impetuously, there is an oasis of peace and quiet still little beaten. The thermal springs of Longsheng are (little) famous among the locals for their healing properties for the skin, for muscle and joint pains, and for many other beneficial properties. On these natural springs there is a hotel and an open-air SPA.
The entrance, very cheap, costs 128 CNY per adult (about 16 €) and allows you to enter the spa from 8:00 am to 23:00 pm. The spa complex consists of a series of stone pools that sink into the floor, clinging to a rocky gorge overlooking the large riverbed from above. The stone terraces are immersed in a dense jungle, and on a rainy day like the one when we visited the springs, a thick and thin mist envelops the whole complex in silence.
Throughout the day, only five or six other people orbited the SPA, and the entire area remained at our complete disposal. The pools have temperatures ranging from 58℃ to 35℃, and spending a few hours immersed in the warm embrace of these waters, in the rain, is extremely relaxing. For the most skeptical, we can also testify to having noticed exceptional benefits in the following days, such as the reduction of bruises or skin defects. An experience not to be missed, especially with bad weather that makes the atmosphere even more mystical. The only restaurant inside the SPA is closed, and the only alternative to eat something is a small kiosk selling instant freeze-dried noodles, biscuits, and some other typical local snacks.
The structure is equipped with lockers, showers and towels are provided. The journey to the Longsheng springs takes about 2 hours by car from Guilin. If you can plan this visit in advance, we recommend staying in the nearby town or in the spa hotel.
This content is NOT SPONSORED, but based on my genuine personal experience. Spontaneous opinions, positive and negative, shareable or not, that I hope will help to live better travel experiences. My advice is a guide to lead you through world explorations, but the real journey, you build it!
