Wuyi, the Chinese hot spring city hidden in Jinhua, is directly connected to the Zhejiang-Shanghai high-speed rail and is the first choice for winter travel!

Preface

In the south, which has just entered winter, the temperature has dropped significantly recently. The night wind is so cold that people shiver.

Although I haven’t waited for the first snow of 2020 yet, I have enjoyed the first snow in my circle of friends!

There was a heavy snow in Tiantai, Zhejiang, which was so beautiful▼

Nanjing welcomes its first snowfall, transforming it from Nanjing back into Jinling▼

Source @Audio and Video Weekly

Qingliang Peak near Hangzhou has also seen its first snow.

It is beautiful, but it is also really cold. When it gets cold, You Xiaojun can't help but want to take a hot spring bath.

You may not believe that there is a place called "Huaqing Pool in Jiangnan" just 200 kilometers away from Hangzhou, which can be reached in just one hour by high-speed rail. It is a great place to take a weekend in winter to soak in the hot springs!

It's the first and only "Chinese Hot Spring City" in Zhejiang Province designated by the Ministry of Land and Resources. So great are its hot springs that even high-end Japanese hot spring brands have signed licensing agreements. Now, without having to travel to Japan, you can experience Japanese hot spring therapy right at your doorstep.

Where is this place? It's Wuyi, located in Jinhua, Zhejiang. Hot spring lovers must have heard of its famous name!

But for most people, Wuyi is still a little unknown and not very well known.

Wuyicheck the details

Wuyi boasts beautiful mountains and rivers, and abundant natural resources. Its fluorite reserves rank first in China, and its hot springs are ranked "the best in East China and the best in the country," earning it the reputation of "the hometown of fluorite and the city of hot springs." Wuyi's hot springs are renowned for their abundant water, high-quality water, and moderate temperature. With a temperature of 42-45°C and a yield of approximately 6,000 tons, Wuyi's hot springs contain a variety of beneficial trace elements, earning it the title of "the best in Zhejiang and the best in East China." The Wuyi Hot Springs Tourist Resort boasts a picturesque landscape of alternating hills and plains, with mountains, lakes, forests, springs, streams, and waterfalls. Wuyi's "Xuan Lotus" is one of China's three most famous lotus varieties. Wuyi leads the country in both certified organic tea area and production, earning it the title of "China's Hometown of Organic Tea." The Tangfeng Open-Air Hot Spring Resort (also known as "Hot Spring Villa"), Qingshui Bay Qin Hot Spring Resort, and Xili Hot Spring Bath Bar have all opened.

Recommended month: All seasons

6131 recommendations, 4632 visits

Just a few days ago, Wuyi also welcomed its first snowfall, and the hot springs covered with snow have a different flavor.

Image source: @唐风李恩光

Today, I’m going to recommend Wuyi’s awesome hot springs. Don’t miss this wonderful experience during the cold season.

But, do you think Wuyi only has hot springs? You are totally wrong!

Known as the "Jiuzhaigou Valley of the South of the Yangtze River," this area is nearly three-quarters mountainous and forested, boasting beautiful springs, unique rocks, and deep valleys. It boasts a stunning national forest park, millennia-old covered bridge culture, ancient villages, and local specialties that foodies crave: bamboo rice, meat and wheat pancakes, tofu balls, and Xuanping wontons.

Today, let’s get to know Wuyi and visit this secluded town that is a must-visit in winter.

PART.1 / Where is Wuyi?

China's Hot Spring City

Wuyi has been known as this since the early Tang Dynasty, which means it has a history of at least 1,400 years! Since then, it has belonged to Wuzhou Prefecture, which is now Jinhua.

The specific location of Wuyi is shown in the figure below▼

Wuyi covers an area of more than 1,500 square kilometers, which is a small county in Zhejiang Province. However, despite its small size, it has three characteristics that rank among the best in the whole of China:

1/ Fluorite mineral resources rank first in China in terms of reserves

2/ The production volume of organic tea ranks first in China

The last one is naturally what Wuyi is most famous for, which is the core that makes it always warm inside - hot springs!

Source @Wuyi Tourism

As to why there are such abundant hot spring resources here, it is naturally closely related to the geographical and geological environment, the rich geothermal resources, and the many underground streams here.

Source @Wuyi Tourism

In the 1970s, underground hot spring resources were occasionally discovered when drilling for fluorite mines. After the 1990s, large-scale hot spring excavation projects began, and several hot spring resources with high quality, stable water flow, rich in mineral elements and health benefits were discovered. Since then, Wuyi Hot Springs began to become famous all over the world!

The earlier developed ones include Wuyi Tangfeng Hot Spring, Xili Hot Spring, Yuxingjiao Hot Spring, etc., all of which are excellent natural hot spring resources!

Source @Wuyi Tourism

Hiking expert Xu Xiake has a poem called "Hot Springs"

The sun is rising, and the heat is rising

The whole body feels refreshed and the disease is cured miraculously

I don't envy the birds of Tianchi, I am willing to be a hot spring person

It can be seen that no matter how much a traveler is fascinated by the feeling of being on the road, he cannot resist the temptation of hot springs and is willing to become a hot spring person.

Source @Wuyi Tourism

It turns out that people’s fascination with hot springs is ancient, so coming to Wuyi to take a bath is absolutely the right decision!

PART.2 / What to do in Wuyi

Hot spring bathing is more suitable for B&B

Bathing in a hot spring is naturally combined with staying in a homestay. This time, You Xiaojun specially recommends a homestay for you where you can conveniently bathe in a hot spring and have a good sleep.

Source @Wuyi Tourism

Most of the B&Bs in Wuyi are located in historical buildings in the mountains. While maintaining the original overall architecture, they have been appropriately renovated to become B&Bs full of strong Chinese ancient architectural style, attracting tourists.

Source @Wuyi Tourism

Sleeping in a homestay and soaking in hot springs, this is the right way to visit Wuyi!

① Xin'an Wuxiang Jiyuan B&B

Only a 15-minute drive from Tangfeng Hot Spring, this is a Hui-style building from the late Qing Dynasty. It has traveled through time and distance and appeared in a quiet mountain forest in Wuyi.

The B&B is located halfway up the mountain in the Liantangkou natural village of Wuyi. It is composed of three courtyard buildings spanning four dynasties from the Song Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, which have been renovated and integrated.

The building area is over 1,000 square meters, but there are only 8 rooms designed, leaving a large amount of public leisure space to provide residents with a comfortable mountain life.

It's only a 15-minute drive from here to Tangfeng Hot Spring. The most valuable package on the Internet is 400+ per person. Enjoy the warm winter and get a hot spring ticket for two!

② Jingyuan Dielai Wangjing Hotel

With one room, one courtyard and one hot spring pool, you can soak in the hot springs without leaving home in Jingyuan. It is located in the core area of Wuyi's hot spring town and has even moved the hot springs into the Ming and Qing Ancient Architecture Museum.

Jingyuan during snowfall▼

Source @Jingyuan Xu Kaihua

In 2002, the founder, Mr. Ying Hongbiao, was heartbroken by the scattered and dilapidated ancient buildings at that time. He collected and protected 87 fine ancient houses in Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi and Fujian provinces, moved them here, and carefully arranged them according to the terrain. He then introduced hot springs into every courtyard, forming a unique layout of one room, one courtyard and one hot spring pool.

In addition, this is also the filming location of "Reboot: The Lost Tomb", and it is the same hot spring hotel recommended by the internet celebrity blogger Fang Qi Kiki.

Staying here, you can reminisce about the past and look at the present in a museum-themed atmosphere, encounter a rare and unique lifestyle, and enjoy the fusion of classicism and luxury.

Source @Jingyuan Li Enguang

Hidden ancient village

Life and feelings in Wuyi. Due to its geographical environment and multiple population migrations to the south in history, Wuyi has preserved a large number of ancient villages with Ming and Qing Hui-style architecture, scattered in the mountains and fields within the area. The most famous ones are Yuyuan and Guodong.

Source @Wuyi Tourism

①Yuyuan Village

Yuyuan Village, one of the largest places with the surname Yu in China, is said to be a village arranged according to the layout of "celestial bodies and stars". It has preserved nearly 400 ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is a national cultural relic protection unit and one of the first historical and cultural ancient villages in China.

Among them, the Yu Clan Ancestral Hall, Shengyuan Hall, Yuhou Hall, etc., with their exquisite layout, extraordinary momentum, and magnificent wood carvings, are the essence of the ancient village!

②Guodong Village

Guodong Village is surrounded by green mountains on three sides and is where two streams converge. It is an excellent Feng Shui location and has always been known as the "No. 1 Feng Shui Village in Jiangnan". Its history can be traced back to the Song Dynasty.

There is also a primeval forest next to the village, which has a large number of precious ancient trees. Among them is a thousand-year-old yew tree that requires four people to surround it.

Shuxi Covered Bridge

With over 700 years of history, the covered bridge, an architectural form that embodies the wisdom and artistic achievements of the ancient Chinese working people, is now a favorite among many tourists.

Jinxi Covered Bridge in Kunshan, Jiangsu ▼

For example, Taishun, known as the "Hometown of Covered Bridges in China", has quickly become a popular destination from its previous remote and unknown situation!

In fact, many people don’t know that there is also a covered bridge with a long history in Wuyi - Shuxi Covered Bridge.

Source @Wuyi Tourism

Shuxi is the mother river of Wuyi. According to legend, as long as there is water in the river, rice on both sides will ripen, so it was renamed Shuxi.

Source @Wuyi Tourism

Shuxi Bridge was first built during the Southern Song Dynasty. The existing building was built in 1946 and was rebuilt in the original style during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by a once-in-a-century mountain flood in 2000. Wuyi then quickly carried out reconstruction work, which took only more than half a year. A covered bridge that is basically the same as the original one now spans Shuxi River like a rainbow!

For people who come to Wuyi, whether they are traveling or taking a hot spring bath, the Shuxi Covered Bridge spans the Shuxi River and connects to the north of Jinan. It is magnificent and ingeniously designed. It is one of the symbols of Wuyi and you must visit it!

Niutou Mountain National Forest Park

Peach Blossom Spring in Central Zhejiang

It is called "Huaqing Pool in Jiangnan" because of its extremely rich hot spring resources. Then the origin of "Peach Blossom Spring in Central Zhejiang" is naturally because of Niutou Mountain National Forest Park.

Source @Wuyi Tourism

The forest coverage rate here is as high as 99%. The first peak of Jinhua, with an altitude of 1,560 meters, is located here. The mountains are high and the forests are deep, ravines are continuous, waterfalls are deep pools, canyons and cliffs, ancient trees and strange trees are scattered throughout. It contains rich animal and plant resources and natural forests that are rarely visited by people.

The majestic and precipitous canyons, the breathtaking streams and waterfalls, and the pristine ecological environment create a series of fascinating and beautiful paintings! The Peach Blossom Spring in Central Zhejiang truly lives up to its reputation!

PART.3 / What to eat in Wuyi

The Taste of Wuyi

How can traveling be complete without exploring delicious food? Wuyi’s delicious food will surely amaze everyone who comes here.

Candied Lotus Root

This is the hometown of Xuanlian. Xuanlian is one of the three famous lotus flowers in China. It was listed as a royal tribute in the Qing Dynasty and is an excellent winter tonic.

When you come to Wuyi, you must try a bowl of Xuanlian with sugar, which is crispy on the outside and soft and glutinous on the inside. It is definitely a great enjoyment.