Tengchong Hot Sea Scenic Area is located in Qingshui Town, Tengchong City, Baoshan City, Yunnan Province, about 12 kilometers away from the urban area. As a national 5A-level tourist attraction, it is an important part of the Baoshan (Tengchong) Volcano and Hot Sea Scenic Area. Covering a total area of approximately 9 square kilometers, the scenic area is part of the core zone of the National Geopark of Volcanoes and Geothermal Resources. It is renowned for its abundant geothermal resources, boasting 14 geological wonders such as boiling springs, hot springs, and fumaroles, among which more than 10 hot springs have a water temperature exceeding 90°C. The buildings in the scenic area are constructed along the mountains, preserving the style of traditional dwellings in western Yunnan. There are about 4 kilometers of tourist trails, facilitating visitors to enjoy the geothermal landscapes up close.
History and Culture
The development and utilization of Tengchong Hot Sea can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty. According to the Tengyue Prefecture Chronicle, local residents have used the hot springs for cooking food and bathing since 400 years ago. During the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, Hot Sea was listed as one of the "Twelve Scenic Spots of Tengyue" and named "Spring Bath in Hot Springs". The existing cliff carvings of "Zao Tang River Waterfall" in the scenic area were inscribed by Li Genyuan, a famous scholar of Tengchong in the Republic of China era, which witnesses the humanistic history of Hot Sea. In addition, the Dai, Han, and other ethnic groups living around Hot Sea have developed a unique hot spring culture over a long period of time, such as the "Hot Spring Festival" folk activity held every Qingming Festival.
Major Attractions
The Big Boiling Pot
As the core attraction of Hot Sea, it is a circular boiling spring with a diameter of 6.12 meters and a depth of 1.5 meters, with a water temperature of 96.6°C. The spring water boils and churns day and night like boiling water. There is an "Egg Boiling in Hot Spring" experience area beside the spring. Visitors can use bamboo baskets to put eggs and peanuts into the grooves beside the spring for steaming, and they can be eaten in about 15 minutes, which is a characteristic experience project of the scenic area.
Beauty Pond Hot Spring
Composed of multiple open-air hot spring pools, the spring water originates from underground geothermal springs and is rich in minerals such as sulfur, with a water temperature of 42-45°C. Covering an area of about 2,000 square meters, the hot spring area has 6 soaking pools including "Fairy Pond", "Jade Pool", and "Emerald Pool". Surrounded by green trees, it is suitable for leisure and health preservation.
Huaitai Well (Fetal Well)
It consists of two side-by-side hot spring pools, named after the spring orifices that resemble female breasts in shape. The left pool has a water temperature of 88°C, and the right pool has a temperature of 91°C. The spring water is rich in trace elements. According to folk legend, drinking or bathing in this water can help people pray for a child, so it is known as the "Auspicious Spring" in Hot Sea.
Pearl Spring
It is a circular spring pool with a diameter of about 2 meters, named because bubbles continuously rise from the bottom of the pool like a string of pearls. The average water temperature of the spring is 82°C, and the bubbles are mainly formed by carbon dioxide gas. There is an observation platform beside the pool, allowing visitors to clearly observe the peculiar phenomenon of bubble eruption.
Drum-sounding Spring
Drum-sounding Spring is a boiling spring pit and fumarole, with the largest water flow among all hot springs in Hot Sea. Due to the repeated diversion of the spring water, many cavities have been formed. Moreover, as an intermittent spring, the cavities resonate during the intermittent eruption of the spring water, producing a thudding sound like the drumbeat on an ancient battlefield, hence the name "Drum-sounding Spring".
Toad Mouth Spring
Toad Mouth Spring gets its name from its shape resembling an "open-mouthed toad". It is the only pulsating boiling fountain in China. From a distance, it looks like a huge toad. As an intermittent spring, it spouts water regularly like a group of toads spitting water, so it is also called "Toad Spitting Water".
Tour Routes
Classic Tour Route:
1. Scenic Area Entrance → Toad Mouth (Fumarole) → Zao Tang River Waterfall → Pearl Spring → Sister Springs → Huaitai Well → Immortal Bath Pond → The Big Boiling Pot (about 2.5 hours);
Leisure Route:
2. Take the sightseeing bus to The Big Boiling Pot → Experience egg boiling in hot spring → Walk downhill to visit Huaitai Well and Pearl Spring → Final stop at Beauty Pond Hot Spring (about 1 hour for hot spring soaking);
Photography Route:
3. Enter the scenic area at 7:30 a.m. → First photograph the steaming scene of The Big Boiling Pot → Take photos of the bubbles in Pearl Spring and the water mist of the waterfall along the trail → Photograph the light and shadow of Beauty Pond Hot Spring in the afternoon (Best photography time: 1 hour after sunrise, 2 hours before sunset).
Travel Tips
- Best Season: The scenic area is accessible year-round. Winter (November-February) is more suitable for hot spring soaking, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 18°C;
- Clothing Suggestions: Wear non-slip sports shoes, as most trails in the scenic area are stone-paved; prepare swimsuits and bath towels for hot spring experiences;
- Time Arrangement: Visit attractions in the morning and soak in hot springs in the afternoon. Avoid soaking on an empty stomach or immediately after meals;
- Photography Tips: There is heavy mist in the area of The Big Boiling Pot, so take waterproof measures for cameras; the soft morning light is suitable for photographing the mist of hot springs;
- Specialty Purchase: There are shops selling volcanic stone accessories, Tengchong handmade paper (Teng Xuan), and other specialties at the scenic area exit. Bargaining is allowed, and volcanic stone teacups (about 30-50 yuan each) are recommended.
Notes
- The temperature in the hot spring area is high. Do not touch the spring orifices or enter unopened areas to avoid scalding;
- Take a shower before soaking in the hot spring, and enter the pool after adapting to the water temperature. Each soaking session should not exceed 15 minutes to prevent dizziness;
- Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic area; keep the trails clean;
- Children must be supervised throughout the visit. The water temperature for children's hot spring soaking should not exceed 40°C, and the duration should not exceed 10 minutes;
- In case of extreme weather such as heavy rain or earthquake, the scenic area may be temporarily closed. It is recommended to check the weather forecast before traveling.
Transportation
- Bus: Take Bus No. 2 from Tengchong urban area to Hot Sea Scenic Area Station. The fare is 2 yuan, and the journey takes about 30 minutes;
- Taxi: The fare from the urban area to the scenic area is about 30 yuan, and the journey takes 15 minutes;
- Self-driving: Navigate to "Tengchong Hot Sea Scenic Area". The parking fee for private cars in the scenic area parking lot is 10 yuan per day;
- Tourist Special Line: There are special tourist buses from Tengchong Tourist Passenger Station directly to Hot Sea, with a fare of 10 yuan. The departure time is from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (one bus per hour).
Opening Hours
Open year-round, 7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. daily (admission stops at 6:00 p.m.);
Opening hours of Beauty Pond Hot Spring: 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Ticket
Adult ticket: 50 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account of the scenic area "腾冲火山热海" to obtain the latest updates or purchase tickets online.