Debra Li
YOU cannot have your cake and eat it too. While locals have been enjoying a warmer winter, people in North China are having fun skiing. Then, as compensation again, nature offers rich thermal resources for Cantonese. Thanks to that arrangement, Shenzheners can enjoy a leisurely weekend bathing in hot springs that are just a few hours’ drive in all directions.
To the north: Qingyuan
Total distance: 220 kilometers (one-way).
Drive route: Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway, exit at Huocun — Guangzhou’s Second North Ring Expressway, exit at Guangqing — Guangzhou-Qingyuan Expressway, exit at Yinzhan.
Toll fees: 105 yuan for cars (single trip).
Fuel consumption: around 50 liters for a medium sedan.
Qingxin Mineral Hot Spring Resort
Occupying an area of 5.6 square kilometers, the resort features outdoor activities such as horse riding, shooting, kayaking, rock climbing and gocarts as well as hot springs. It boasts the first grass skiing slope in China. At 60 yuan per hour, tourists can experience something similar to real skiing. The more than 60 hot spring pools, with temperatures between 30 and higher than 60 degrees Celsius, are located in fresh natural surroundings that combine Japanese architectural styles with ancient Chinese gardens.
Entrance fee: 90 yuan.
To the north: Shaoguan
Total distance: 390 kilometers (one-way).
Drive route: Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway, exit at Huocun — Second North Ring Road, exit at Shaxi — Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway, exit at Shaoguan South.
Toll fees: 155 yuan for cars (single trip).
Fuel consumption: around 80 liters for a medium sedan.
Caoxi Hot Spring
The largest hot spring resort in Guangdong, Caoxi Hot Spring has more than 130 deluxe villas and 103 pools over an area of 500,000 square meters. Being in the vicinity of attractions such as the Nanhua Temple and Danxia Mountain makes it easy for visitors to go sightseeing. Apart from the more than 1,300 bedrooms plus seven meeting rooms, the resort harbors the biggest restaurant in Shaoguan.
Entrance fee: 100 yuan.
To the northeast: Heyuan
Total distance: 300 kilometers (one-way).
Drive route: Meilin-Guanlan Expressway — Airport-He’ao Expressway — Shenzhen-Huizhou Expressway — Huizhou-Heyuan Expressway.
Toll fees: 180 yuan for cars (single trip).
Fuel consumption: around 50 liters for a medium sedan.
Heping Huayu Hot Spring
Harbored in the heartland of virgin forests in Jiulian Mountain, Huayu Hot Spring is one of the four reasons to tour Heyuan, which is also renowned for dinosaur fossils, a well-preserved ecology and Hakka traditions.
Entrance fee: 138 yuan
To the southwest: Zhuhai
Total distance: 390 kilometers (one-way).
Drive route: Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway — Humen Bridge — Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway, exit at Xiace — Jiuzhou Thoroughfare in the direction of the airport — turn right at the first intersection after passing Zhuhai Bridge.
Toll fees: 115 yuan for cars (single trip).
Zhuhai Imperial Hot Spring
On the western slope of Huangyang Mountain in Doumen County, the Imperial Hot Spring is the first outdoor Japanese-style hot spring in China. With water at 70 degrees Celsius flowing from two natural springs 150 meters underground, the hot springs are rich in minerals and are good for the skin, joints and digestive organs. Quality services and free snacks are offered at the hot spring resort. The facilities also include a four-star hotel.
Entrance fee: 128 yuan
To the west: Yangjiang
Total distance: 350 kilometers (one-way).
Drive route: Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway — Guangzhou’s North Ring Expressway — Guangzhou-Foshan Expressway — Foshan-Paiping Expressway — Kaiping-Yangjiang Expressway, exit at Nalong.
Toll fees: 180 yuan for cars (single trip).
Fuel consumption: around 60 liters for a medium sedan.
Yangjiang Hot Spring Resort
With a long history, the hot spring contains more than 50 minerals that are good for health. A bath here may help beautify the skin, combat obesity and fight chronic ailments like arthritis. A total of 185 luxury suites and 37 villas are available.
Entrance fee: 108 yuan
To the west: Enping
Total distance: 350 kilometers (one-way).
Drive route: Drivers can take the same way to Yangjiang but exit at Enping on the Foshan-Paiping Expressway.
Jinshan Hot Spring
Surrounded by serene greenery in Naji Township, the hot spring resort is renowned for its natural beauty and rich thermal resources. Known as the “No. 2 hot spring under heaven,” spring water at 80 degrees Celsius flows out of more than 300 spouts at the resort. Free-range chicken and local creek fish are recommended delicacies.
Entrance fee: 80 yuan
To the east: Huizhou
Total distance: 190 kilometers (one-way).
Drive route: Meilin-Guanlan Expressway — Airport-He’ao Expressway — Shenzhen-Huizhou Expressway — Huizhou-Heyuan Expressway, exit at Taimei.
Toll fees: 70 yuan for cars (single trip).
Fuel consumption: around 45 liters for a medium sedan.
Longmen Hot Spring
At the foot of Tiantang Mountain in Longmen County, the resort has 45 pools and villas to accommodate more than 300 guests. Surrounded by green mountains, it offers fresh air as well as hot springs rich in iron and other minerals, especially for arthritis patients.
Entrance fee: 80 yuan
