3 Treasure Cities to Unlock a New Wellness Experience of “Hot Springs + Forests + Cultural Heritage”
When the northern winds are biting cold and the south is damp and chilly, winter wellness doesn’t have to stick to popular destinations. This guide, combining the essence of Trip.com's top travel notes, selects 3 “lesser-known but premium” wellness cities. They offer natural hot springs to warm your body, forest oxygen bars to cleanse your lungs, and a slow-paced cultural heritage to nurture your heart, allowing you to rejuvenate both body and mind during winter.
Longnan, Gansu: Wellness in the Ice and Snow Secret Realm of the “Jiangnan of Longshan”
Known as the “Shaanxi-Gansu-Sichuan Golden Triangle,” Longnan breaks the stereotype of northwest winters with a unique combination of “ice and snow + karst caves + cultural heritage,” becoming a niche winter wellness hotspot on Trip.com. It boasts the elegance of the “Jiangnan of Longshan” and the profoundness of the northwest land. The 14°C constant-temperature karst caves and the -5°C ice and snow wonders complement each other, making it a wellness secret realm suitable for both active and tranquil experiences.
In winter, the top recommendation in Longnan is the light ice and snow hiking in Guangegou. Take the Leigu Mountain cable car through the snowy forest sea, with the 4,154-meter main peak framed by a sea of clouds. Below, dozens of ice waterfalls hang like white jade in the frozen canyon. Frost clings to the boardwalk, and the crunch of snow underfoot blends with the babbling streams to create natural white noise. After hiking, head straight to Wanxiang Cave to escape the cold. This 300-million-year-old karst cave maintains a constant 14°C temperature. Stalactites shimmer dreamily under the lights, and millennia-old inscriptions reveal cultural heritage. Walking inside dispels the chill and offers dual healing from nature and history.
Visitors who love cute animals should not miss the Yuhchuan Golden Snub-nosed Monkey Observation Point. With over 90% forest coverage, it is a natural oxygen bar. Over a thousand golden snub-nosed monkeys leap and play in the snow, their golden fur contrasting with the white snow. Follow the forest rangers for a close-up look at the monkeys’ interactions, instantly healing all fatigue. In the evening, consider staying at a guesthouse near Tianchi in Wen County. The high mountain landslide lake stays unfrozen at 18°C due to geothermal heat, reflecting frost and snowy peaks. Gather around a stove to brew a pot of Biko clear tea and quietly enjoy the ink-wash-like winter scenery.
Don’t miss the culinary wellness either. Dangchang clear soup lamb uses free-range plateau goats, slow-cooked with angelica and codonopsis for hours. The milky broth warms both heart and stomach. Wudu’s mashed potatoes are pounded in wooden troughs until soft and sticky, topped with sour brine or chili oil, offering a taste of rustic mountain flavor that drives away cold and fatigue.
Ningxiang, Hunan: The “Immersive Healing” of a Thousand-Year-Old Hot Spring Town
As one of the three major high-temperature composite hot springs alongside Beitou in Taiwan and Yangbajing in Tibet, Ningxiang’s Huitang Town is a perennial favorite for winter hot spring wellness on Trip.com. From October to April, hotel occupancy rates here often exceed 70%. The 102°C spring gushes hot water rich in 29 trace elements, earning it the title “Xiaoxiang’s Number One Spring.”
Huitang’s wellness essence lies in the deep integration of “hot springs + traditional Chinese medicine.” Resorts like Zilong Bay Hot Spring and Huatian City Hot Spring offer herbal bath packages that infuse angelica, astragalus, and other herbal essences into 39-42°C hot spring water. Soaking for 15-20 minutes promotes blood circulation and relieves fatigue from prolonged sitting. Besides traditional pools, the high-altitude glass pools are popular with visitors. Suspended 30 meters in the air with transparent design, you can gaze at the starry sky amid the steaming hot water, taking in distant mountains and nearby forests for an experience of “body immersed in hot water, mind roaming the world.”
After soaking, explore the surrounding area for a “hot spring + countryside” slow life experience. Stroll along rural trails, breathe in fresh air scented with grass and wood, or visit farms to pick seasonal fruits and vegetables and taste authentic medicinal cuisine. Huitang’s hot spring boiled eggs are a must-try specialty. Place eggs in the hot spring near the spring mouth, and in minutes, enjoy tender whites and soft yolks. The natural minerals combined with protein offer both a culinary delight and therapeutic nourishment.
Changning, Yunnan: The “Black Hot Spring” Wellness Sanctuary at 24°N Latitude
In Changning County, Baoshan, Yunnan, lies a secret spot cherished by Trip.com wellness enthusiasts—the international-grade medical black hot spring. The springs here are rich in beneficial elements like fluoride and radon, showing remarkable effects on joint discomfort and poor sleep. Combined with traditional Chinese medical rehabilitation and dietary therapy, it forms a full-cycle health management system, making it an excellent choice for winter warmth and wellness.
Changning’s black hot spring stands out for its “medical-grade experience.” The multi-million yuan hot spring rehabilitation center introduces international hot spring sports therapy and offers customized herbal bath plans. Pools are clearly zoned for different effects, from dispelling dampness and cold to beauty and skincare. After soaking, visitors can enjoy traditional Chinese medical treatments such as acupuncture and massage, complementing the hot spring therapy to thoroughly relieve muscle tension caused by urban stress.
The surrounding ten-thousand-acre tea gardens serve as a natural oxygen bar, remaining lush and green even in winter, with negative ion concentrations far exceeding those in cities. Walk slowly along tea garden trails, breathe in the fresh tea-scented air, or participate in tea picking and processing experiences to savor the leisure of slow living through hands-on work. In the evening, stay at a tea garden guesthouse and enjoy a medicinal dinner featuring local herbs, such as dendrobium stewed chicken and notoginseng stewed ribs, combining deliciousness and wellness. Pair it with a cup of ancient tree tea to aid deep sleep.
If time allows, visit nearby ancient villages for a stroll. White walls and black tiles reflect the blue sky and white clouds, while villagers’ simple smiles and slow-paced life instantly ease anxiety. Here, there are no noisy crowds, only the warmth of hot springs, the fragrance of tea gardens, and the tranquility of villages—a true “healing sanctuary.”
Wellness Tips
1. For hot spring wellness: soak no longer than 20 minutes at a time, avoid soaking within 1 hour after meals, and drink warm water during the process;
2. Longnan’s winter temperatures are low; for light hiking, prepare non-slip shoes and warm clothing. The karst caves are humid, so bring a light jacket;
3. Changning’s black hot spring is suitable for medium- to long-term wellness stays; a 3-5 day stay is recommended, with better results when combined with traditional Chinese medical treatments.
This winter, say goodbye to crowded popular spots and head to these 3 treasure cities. Immerse yourself in the ice, snow, and cultural heritage of Longnan, relax in the thousand-year-old hot springs of Huitang, and unwind in the tea fragrance and warm springs of Changning, allowing your body and soul to receive the gentlest nourishment in winter.