hot springs - beijing style

sort of like 'El Hama' - but different..
we headed north this weekend to check out the hot springs resort where one can supposedly heal his 'body and spirit'. with near to zero degrees temperature, going into 36-41 degrees water is really kind of cool. the nature of the warmth of the water is however, somehow questionable... the whole place is touristic in a very Chinese kind of way. recommendation:
a. go when it is really cold. snowing even.
b. bring along some food and beers
c. take the 188RMB package
d. select the foot massage over back massage
e. try getting there with your own car - busses is a bit to 'mafan' for getting there.


and this...

Two-thirds Beijing's booming hot spring resorts, popular among Chinese, have failed bacteria tests and have been ordered to improve hygiene standards, state media reported Wednesday.
Health inspectors tested the water at 22 resorts and found that only one-third were free from bacteria, the official Xinhua News Agency said.
The tests showed "no bacteria that are hazardous to human health," but the city health bureau is still advising visitors to take showers before and after bathing, Xinhua cited Cai Changjing, head of the publicity office under the Beijing Health Supervision Institution, as saying.
"We have received no reports of people falling ill because of bathing in the hot springs," Cai said.
The resorts are mostly located in Beijing's suburbs and are popular sites for meetings and family outings during holidays.