• TravelBizNews > News > Asia-Pacific / Travel Trends > Tengchong – China : A popular destination with over 90 hot springs and volcanoes

    Tengchong – China : A popular destination with over 90 hot springs and volcanoes

    November 10, 2013
    Asia-Pacific / Travel Trends
    Tengchong – China : A popular destination with over 90 hot springs and volcanoes

    By Ramesh Tiwari

    Travel BizNews ————

    Tengchong , China : Tengchong County in southwest China’s Yunnan Province is heading to be one of the top destination of spa tourism in recent years.

    More than 5 million tourists visit Tengchong each year including the domestic tourists. Tourism development plans were implemented here since 2006 and the modern airport was operated in 2009.

    Tengchong County,located in Baoshan city in the western Yunnan Province bordering with Myanmar in the northwest , is home to one of China’s most famous volcanic mountainous areas with over 90 hot springs and volcanos scattered through the mountains with several small villages surrounding the main town.

    Tourists from different parts of the world are attracted to visit Tengchong , known as a capital of hot springs and jade . More than 80 hot springs are located only in Rehai scenic mountain valley including Frog Mouth hot spring, pregnant well, pearl spring and glasses spring among others .

    Rehai area in the county is developed as a major centre of hot springs with quality spas and resorts with hot springs and massage treatments around the area. 

    “Tengchong can be a popular attraction in terms of health and medical tourism,”opines Chay Ng, president of Malaysia Chinese Tourism Association.

    Tengchong County in Baoshan city was once a communication hub of the Silk Road and was the scene of battles between the Japanese, invading from occupied Burma, and the combined Chinese forces of nationalists and communists during World War II.

    Different ethnicities live in the Tengchong county and Han, Hui, Dai and Lisu are dominant communities .The culture and attires of Lisu nationality in Nujiang, Tengchong and Baoshan attracts tourists visiting the area and they are regarded as a brave and warm-hearted ethnic community in Yunnan Province of China.

    According to the chief of the Tourism Bureau of Tengchong County Mr. Zhoute, new tourism products including the hot springs are developed and different projects are under construction to develop the area as a major tourist center of Yunnan province.

    Beihai Wetland, 12.5 kilometers northwest of Tengchong County, is one of the first 33 national preserved wetlands as well as the only one nation-level wetland in Yunnan Province. Beihai Wetland Reserve is rich in bio-diversity and various species of plants and animals. 

    Tengchong County is said to be located in an area where the Indian plate meets the Eurasian plate with 99 volcanoes of various sizes in the area surrounding Tengchong.

    The last eruption of volcano occurred in 1639. Tengchong’s volcanoes are inactive but the frequent movement of the tectonic plates has created a large number of hot springs.Tengchong Volcanic Geo Park is popular for its geothermal springs and remains of ancient volcanoes.Most of the volcanoes in Tengchong are said to have formed in the Pliocene and Holocene periods, dating backing to 3.4 million years to 10,000 years ago. 

    “Beautiful hot springs, volcanoes, wetlands, cultural and historical sites, Gaoligong Mountains, finished jade jewelry show rooms and jade carvings and golf clubs have allured growing number of domectic and foreign tourists to visit Tengchong county in recent years,”opines tour guide Ms. Tang Jia .

    Tengchong County is a famous source of numerous herbs used in traditional Chinese medicines and some of them are used in local cuisine.

    As national scenic area, National Geological Park, AAAA level scenic spots, the Tengchong Yunfeng Mountain Scenic Area in possession of popular Taoist temple is developed rapidly to attract more visitors there.The Yunfeng Mountain Spring Health Resort is designed by the famous Japanese architect Kenjo Kuma.

    Heshun , a birthplace of philosophers and a hometown of Jade King ,is said to be the most attractive village in China with ancient temples and buildings of Ming and Qing dynasty.Most of the people of Heshun town are living abroad even today.

    Travellers from USA, Canada, Russia, Mongolia and South-east Asian countries said that they enjoyed visiting the century-old vistas, ancient footpaths with old shops and the largest rural library of China.

    Tengchong Volcanic and Geothermal National Geopark,GaoLiGong International Tourism City and Angsana Tengchong Hot Spring Village are ideal getaway for holiday makers besides other attractions of the County.

    People visiting Kunming, capital city of Yunnan Province of China, either use overnight trains to reach there or take about 10 hours drive from Kunming to Tengchong.Tengchong is connected by air with Kunming and major cities of China and it takes 50 minutes from Kunming by Lucky Air and air services of other airlines .

    Other News

    • Connecting you with the world of travel and tourism

      Media Partners

      Asia Amusement & Attractions Expo 2026

      Theme Park Expo Vietnam 2025

      Asia Pool & Spa Expo , May 10 – 12, 2025 , Guangzhou , China

      KAZAKHSTAN International Exhibition “Tourism & Travel” Almaty, Kazakhstan

      Nihao China- Beyond your imagination

      China extends visa-free

      policy to UK, Canada

      China has decided to extend its visa waiver policy to ordinary passport holders from Canada and the United Kingdom starting Tuesday, when the Chinese New Year begins, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on , saying the move aims to further facilitate cross-border travel.

      According to the spokesperson, ordinary passport holders from the two countries can enter China without visa and stay for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family/friends visit, exchange and transit purposes.The policy will be effective until Dec 31.

      Air India Orders 30

      Boeing 737 MAX Jets

      Air India  has ordered 30 more fuel-efficient 737 MAX jets, expanding its Boeing order book to nearly 200 airplanes across the company’s single-aisle and widebody airplane families. Boeing and Air India  announced an order for 30 fuel-efficient 737 MAX jets at the annual Wings Airshow in Hyderabad.

      The airline finalized an incremental purchase of 20 737-8 jets this month and an order for 10 737-10 airplanes was previously unidentified on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website. Both purchases exercised existing options as Air India expands its route network to meet rising travel demand.

      Air India will operate the new 737-8s, leveraging their dispatch reliability, fuel efficiency and range flexibility on high-frequency, domestic and short-haul regional routes. The airline also plans to deploy the larger 737-10 to maintain operational commonality and carry more passengers at the lowest cost per seat among single-aisle aircraft.

      As Air India expands its fleet and network, Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook forecasts the Indian and South Asian region will need nearly 3,300 new airplanes over the next two decades with 90% of those single-aisle jets like the 737 MAX. ( February 2 , 2026 )

      WTTC chooses  Madrid

      for new Global Office

      London, UK: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced that its Operating Committee has unanimously approved Madrid in Spain as the location for the organisation’s new Global Office.

      Five destinations expressed interest in hosting the Global Office – Dubai (UAE), France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland – with the evaluation criteria based on six areas: office rental and operating costs; the tax, incentives and competitive environment; fast-track visas and work permit frameworks in the destination; government support; cost of living to attract and retain talent; and proximity to international organisations.

      The decision to choose Madrid was endorsed by all 17 members of WTTC’s Operating Committee, following a comprehensive assessment of WTTC’s long-term strategic and operational needs. Members agreed that Madrid offered the most attractive option due to the city’s competitiveness, a more favourable tax environment, government support, easier visa processing for employees and overall lower operating costs. Challenges linked to Brexit, such as constraints on talent mobility, made the UK less attractive as WTTC wishes to further build its leadership position and become even more agile in the sector.

      Madrid was also selected for its strong international connectivity via Madrid-Barajas Airport, competitive business environment, incentives from government, synergies with international organisations in the sector such as UN Tourism and alignment with WTTC’s global mission. The new office will form a central part of WTTC’s worldwide network, supporting its highly-respected advocacy, research and member engagement activities across the globe.

      Bangkok named Asia’s best

      holiday destination for 2025

      Bangkok has been ranked as the best city to visit in Asia for 2025 by Smart Travel Asia, a leading digital travel magazine, based on the opinions of hundreds of thousands of travellers and readers worldwide.

      The city received the highest votes in the “Best Holiday Destination in Asia” category, retaining its top position for the second consecutive year.

      Smart Travel Asia highlighted Bangkok’s strengths as its 24-hour vibrancy and diverse experiences, including food, culture, shopping, and the friendliness of its people, describing it as a “city full of energy and colour, day and night.”

      The city’s dominance stems from several compelling factors. Bangkok has emerged as a paradise for food enthusiasts, offering everything from legendary street food stalls to Michelin-starred restaurants and panoramic 360-degree rooftop bars. Its cultural and heritage sites, including the iconic Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho temples, remain major attractions to international tourists.

      Additionally, from luxury malls in the city centre to the Chatuchak weekend market, Bangkok caters to every type of shopper. Affordability and friendliness also play a key role, as Bangkok remains an accessible living cost destination where welcoming smiles continue to charm travellers.

      In the Smart Travel Asia 2025 rankings, Bali (Indonesia) and Tokyo (Japan) shared second place behind Bangkok, while Seoul (the Republic of Korea) and Luang Prabang (Laos) tied for fourth. Thailand further strengthened its tourism appeal with Chiang Mai placing third and Phuket sharing fifth place with Hong Kong (China).

      Having the three cities, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, in the top 10 highlights the diversity and appeal of Thailand’s tourism offerings for travellers worldwide. — VNA/VNS ( Oct.12, 2025)

      Gulf Cooperation Council Tourism 

      Dubai – As tourism destinations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) continue to grow, involving local communities in destination development has become increasingly vital for long-term success.

      Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 aims for 39.3 million visitors per year, while Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 targets 150 million domestic and international visits, emphasising how tourism is being established as a key element of economic diversification throughout the region.

      At Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, industry leaders emphasised that sustainable revitalisation of destinations must align tourism investments with community partnerships, cultural authenticity, and immersive guest experiences to provide lasting value for both residents and visitors.

      During the session on “Considerations and Implications of Involving Communities in Destination Revitalisation” on the ATM 2025 Global Stage, experts shared insights into building resilience, enhancing local prosperity, and ensuring tourism growth is both inclusive and enduring.

      Arabian Travel Market 2025, held under the theme “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity”,  featured more than 200 speakers across three content stages and welcomes over 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries.

      Messe Berlin India launched 

      to drive growth of ITB India 

      Messe Berlin announces the official launch of Messe Berlin India, a newly incorporated subsidiary that underscores the company’s long-term commitment to one of Asia’s fastest-growing markets. Headquartered in Delhi , the new entity will serve as a strategic base for expanding ITB India and launching future projects tailored to the Indian market. With this establishment, Messe Berlin is reinforcing its vision of India as a regional hub for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable business growth within the exhibition and events industry.

      “Messe Berlin’s presence in India reflects our strategic intent to strengthen our international reach by being where the growth is. India is a key market for us — vibrant, diverse, and full of opportunities. With Messe Berlin India, we are laying down long-term foundations to build strong partnerships, support local industries, and elevate our global platforms,” said Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO, Messe Berlin.

      ITB India, inaugurated in 2023, continues as the flagship event under the new subsidiary. Held annually, ITB India is a three-day B2B travel trade show and convention that connects the global travel and tourism industry with the Indian market. Alongside MICE Show India, Travel Tech India, and the ITB India Conference, ITB India serves as a unique platform to forge new partnerships, strengthen existing ties, and capitalize on the fast-growing potential of the Indian and South Asian travel economies. The show hosts key players from the MICE, Leisure, Corporate Travel, and Travel Technology sectors. The upcoming edition, ITB India 2025, will take place from 2 – 4 September 2025  in Mumbai.

      FACTS —

      Tourism helps in:

      👉Reducing poverty

      👉Reducing Inequalities

      👉Promoting gender equality

      👉Fostering decent work and economic growth

      World Tourism Day 2021: ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’

      In 2019, Travel & Tourism’s direct, indirect and induced impact accounted for:
      -US$8.9 trillion contribution to the world’s GDP
      -10.3% of global GDP
      -330 million jobs, 1 in 10 jobs around the world
      -US$1.7 trillion visitor exports (6.8% of total exports,
      28.3% of global services exports)
      -US$948 billion capital investment (4.3% of total
      investment)