Tianlongyuan Hot Spring Resort (天龙源温泉度假村)

Have you ever felt like the entire city is weighing on your shoulders? Or that the pressures of life are just getting too much? Well maybe the answer is to escape to the easily reachable, nearby suburbs of Changping just outside central Beijing and find a little slice of pampering in the hot springs of Tianlong Yuan (天龙源).

Tianlong Yuan means “source of the Heavenly Dragon” and the source of thermal vents that feed these hot springs feel like they are warmed from the center of the earth by the heavenly dragon itself. There is a 600 square meters shower and sauna room and an over 900 square meter bathing area.

The main hall is designed in an arch shape and, upon entering your attention will be drawn to the huge stone 'Lotus Pool' in the center. Around the edge are smaller pools with varying temperatures. The water is a mixture of cooler water from the surrounding mountains and heated water from thermal vents beneath the ground. You have the choice of taking a dip in the main swimming pool or relax in one of the many smaller thermal pools available both indoors and outdoors. They even have their own hot springs herbalist on hand to assist with the use of the Chinese medicine pools.

The experts will give you advice on how make the most of the different temperatures and herbal treatments according to your individual condition. However, the best reason to visit Tianlong Yuan is for the wave machine! Beijingers call this place the Beidaihe among the mountains of Yan (an ancient name for Beijing), and with great lighting, realistic waves and no rubbish floating around such as at the real Beidaihe, this is the perfect alternative to the Hebei seaside resort (not to mention quite a bit closer) located just outside the 6th Ring Road. For visitors who stay into the night, there is a live performance at night. However, the absolute highlight of the evening has to be a huge European style water cinema screen. The live shows and cinema viewings start from 8pm.