Tengchong sits on a volcanic field, and at Rehai ("Hot Sea") you walk past steaming vents and the Big Boiling Pot, a pool that bubbles at about 97 °C, eat eggs cooked in the spring, then soak in pools of different temperatures.
- Good for:
- Winter travelers, sore hikers, families, a rest day in a busy trip
Closer to Kunming, Anning's springs run at about 42–45 °C, and the Ming scholar Yang Shen, exiled to Yunnan, rated them the finest hot springs under heaven.
Etiquette and what to know
Chinese hot-spring pools are usually mixed, so bring a swimsuit. Keep each soak to about 20 minutes, drink water, and watch your step on wet stone. Go easy if you have heart or blood-pressure problems.
