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 .