As the nippy winter weather sets a chill on the capital, a relaxing trip to a hot spring is coming into season for pleasure seekers.

There are three areas in and around Beijing worth a visit: a northern hot spring zone centering around Xiaotangshan - once reserved for emperors, Daxing hot spring area and a hot spring zone on the border between the capital and Tianjin.

A prime example of the third choice is Hyatt Regency Jing Jin City Resort and Spa. Located in an economic development area in northern Tianjin called Baodi, it is a 90-minute drive from the capital's CBD.

The resort offers a combination of oriental and Western architectures, seeing medieval castles and white marble sculptures twinned with Chinese redwood decorations.

The springs are a series of man-made pools, filled with natural spring water from the area.

"Everything about the spring water is natural, we just put it in the pools," said Harish Gurjar, assistant director of activities and entertainment of the resort.

It seems they do more than they say though, such as topping up the mineral content with salt to assist tired bodies.

"The colorless sea salt is imported from Latvia. It benefits the skin and bones," said Gurjar, who studied physical health subjects in Moscow for two years and has worked in Caribbean hotels for five years.

Gurjar likens the curative effect of mineral water to how herbal tea can excite the palate and how soft music can comfort the nerves.

"Minerals work inside the body to remove the toxins," he said. "And healing mineral water transforms the negative energy into positive."

There is a selection of spring spas on offer to suit customers with different needs.

Families can enjoy a pool designed for three to four people, while couples might seek out some privacy in a space for just two. Even the larger outdoor pools place a limit on the number of guests to maintain comfort zones.

Sports lovers have access to a gym, badminton courts, bowling lanes and a golf course, while bookworms can enjoy some quiet time in a recreation center with a drink or foot massage. There are 14 executive suite rooms with private hot springs for those on business and finally, a couple of hot marble therapy rooms, for everyone else.

China Daily

(China Daily 12/29/2010)