Chicheng Hot Spring Resort is located 7.5 kilometers west of Chicheng County, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, nestled in the valleys of green mountains. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction, known as the "No.1 Spring Outside the Pass". Geologists have praised it as the "Second Best Spring Under Heaven" only next to the Hot Spring in Yuquan Mountain, Beijing. The scenic area features natural hot spring resources as its core. The hot springs are medical-type strontium silicate fluoride springs, containing more than 30 chemical substances and radioactive elements, which have therapeutic effects on various diseases and combine both recuperation and sightseeing value. The area where the scenic spot is located has an altitude of 942 meters and an average annual temperature of 5.7℃, with cool summers, making it an ideal place for summer resort and recuperation. At present, 9 hotels have been built in the scenic area, with a total area of over 50,000 square meters, a construction area of 33,000 square meters, and a garden area of 16,100 square meters. It has 500 guest rooms of various types, 1,200 beds, 16 conference rooms of different sizes, 3 large swimming pools and 2 villas, which can meet the accommodation, conference and leisure needs of different tourists.
Historical Culture
The development and utilization of Chicheng Hot Spring can be traced back to more than 2,000 years ago. In "Commentary on the Water Classic" written by Li Daoyuan in the Northern Wei Dynasty, there is a record that "There is indeed a hot spring north of Yuyang, 300 miles away from Yanjing", which clearly mentions the hot spring here.
Many emperors in history once stayed here. Emperor Jingzong of Liao (Yelu Longxu), Emperor Chengzu of Ming (Zhu Di), Emperor Shengzu of Qing (Kangxi Emperor, Aixinjueluo Xuanye) and others all visited here. Among them, in the 11th year of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Kangxi accompanied his grandmother, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, to stay and bathe here for 51 days. Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's leg disease, which had troubled her for many years, was cured, leaving a good story that "Once the benevolent emperor stayed here, it is indeed the top spring outside the pass", which made the hot spring famous far and wide.
In modern times, Ji Hongchang, a famous anti-Japanese general, left the stone carving "Wash Away Shame" here, endowing the hot spring with red cultural connotations. There are also many historical relics in the scenic area, such as the "Wash the Heart" stele and the "No.1 Spring Outside the Pass" stele erected by Huang Yingsu, the censor of the Ming Dynasty, which witness its profound historical and cultural heritage.
Main Attractions
Zongquan (Main Spring)
Zongquan, also known as Gunchi (Rolling Pool), is located under Yonggui Pavilion and is one of the most representative springs in the scenic area. Its flow rate is 0.516 cubic meters per minute, the water temperature is as high as 68℃, with a total alkalinity of 4.9 and an acidity of 8.0. Rich in various beneficial components, the spring water has special bathing effects on joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and skin diseases such as eczema and urticaria, making it an important place for tourists to experience hot spring recuperation.
Weiquan (Stomach Spring)
Weiquan is located 30 meters south of Zongquan, with a water temperature of 58℃, a total alkalinity of 4.9 and an acidity of 7.8. The spring water is rich in bicarbonate and sulfate, which has significant curative effects on digestive system diseases such as chronic gastroenteritis, cholecystitis and gastrointestinal dysfunction. The spring water can be directly drunk, making it a characteristic spring in the scenic area with both recuperation and drinking value.
Yanquan (Eye Spring)
Yanquan is located on the south hillside opposite the Hot Spring Hotel Building, with a Mingmu Pavilion built above the spring. The spring water is remarkably effective in treating eye diseases. Washing eyes with it can relieve various symptoms of ophthalmia and has a certain improvement effect on myopia and presbyopia. After washing, people will feel their eyes are particularly bright, which attracts much attention from tourists.
Qiguanyanquan (Bronchitis Spring)
Qiguanyanquan is located 120 meters southwest of Zongquan. Through oral administration, nasal inhalation or bathing, its spring water has obvious therapeutic effects on respiratory system diseases such as chronic bronchitis, mild emphysema and bronchial asthma, providing a natural recuperation option for patients with related diseases.
Lengquan (Cold Spring)
Lengquan is close to Zongquan but forms a sharp contrast. Its water temperature is always around 10℃, with a stable water level and never dries up all year round. Surrounded by high-temperature hot springs, the existence of Lengquan is quite a wonder, adding unique natural interest to the scenic area.
Pingquan (Flat Spring)
The water temperature of Pingquan is always around 36℃. Its spring water also contains a variety of beneficial components and has certain recuperation effects. It is another option for tourists to experience hot spring recuperation in the scenic area, suitable for tourists with specific temperature requirements.
Shenlong Corridor
Shenlong Corridor is an aerial pedestrian corridor built along the mountain, with a total length of 200 meters. The corridor winds along the mountain, shaped like a long dragon, hence the name "Shenlong Corridor". The inner walls of the corridor are painted with murals of China's four great classical novels. When tourists stroll along it, they can not only look out at the distant mountains and enjoy the surrounding natural scenery but also feel the strong cultural charm. It is a characteristic scenic spot integrating natural and human landscapes.
Tour Route
Recommended tour route: Scenic Area Entrance → Colored Archway → Stone Step Bridge → Zongquan → Weiquan → Yanquan → Qiguanyanquan → Lengquan → Pingquan → Shenlong Corridor. After entering the scenic area through the entrance, the first thing you see is the colored archway. Walk along the stone steps and pass the small bridge to enjoy the view of hot spring water flowing under the bridge. Then go to Zongquan to feel its steaming scene and learn about its effects. Then walk 30 meters to Weiquan and try drinking the spring water. After that, visit Yanquan, Qiguanyanquan, Lengquan and Pingquan in turn to experience the characteristics of each spring. Finally, go to Shenlong Corridor to stroll and enjoy the murals and mountain scenery. The whole tour takes about 3-4 hours, and you can adjust the staying time according to your interests.
Tour Suggestions
- It is recommended to spend 1-2 days here to fully experience hot spring recuperation and scenic spots.
- Bring swimsuits and swimming trunks. Hotels and swimming pools in the scenic area provide hot spring bathing services, so you can enjoy hot spring baths.
- The climate in the scenic area is cool. Even in summer, it is necessary to bring a thin coat to prevent catching a cold due to the temperature difference between morning and evening.
- Understanding the historical culture of the scenic area and the effects of each spring in advance can enhance the tour experience.
- The water of Weiquan can be drunk. You can bring your own water cup to get it, but be careful that the spring water is hot to avoid scalding.
- The best tourist season is summer (June-August), when you can not only avoid the heat but also enjoy hot spring recuperation.
Matters Needing Attention
- Before bathing in hot springs, you need to know the temperature and effects of each spring and choose according to your own health condition to avoid discomfort.
- The ground in the hot spring area is slippery. Walk carefully to prevent slipping and falling.
- Respect the cultural relics and historic sites in the scenic area. Do not randomly carve or touch steles and other relics.
- Patients with severe heart disease, hypertension and other diseases need to experience hot springs under the guidance of doctors to avoid accidents.
- Take good care of the environment of the scenic area. Do not litter and keep the scenic area clean.
- The water temperature of some springs is high. Be careful when touching directly to prevent scalding.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from Beijing, take the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Expressway to Shacheng Exit, then drive along Baoping Highway to Chicheng County, and drive 7.5 kilometers west to reach the destination; or go to Chicheng from Yanqing along Beijing-Jiangxi Highway. You can also exit from Huapiling Exit of Caoyan Tianlu and drive about 70 kilometers south-east to arrive.
- Public transportation: There are buses from Beijing Deshengmen Long-distance Bus Station and Liuliqiao Long-distance Bus Station to Chicheng. After arriving in Chicheng County, you can take a taxi or local bus to the hot spring resort, which takes about 15 minutes.
Opening Hours
It is open all year round and can receive tourists at any time. The specific opening hours of hotels and hot spring bathing centers in the scenic area are slightly different, usually from 8:00 to 22:00. It is recommended to consult the booked accommodation or the scenic area management department in advance before traveling to get accurate information.
Tickets
It is open for free. Each hot spring bathing center and related service places charge separately.