Revoking Holy Soaking Rights

Oiga and it's seven stars

Off hand, the hot springs in Shannan prefecture (alternatively known as Lhokha / Lhoka) are sort of clustered [1], so I am to be believed:

'In the Shannan area most hot springs are distributed at Oiga of Zangri [county] and the Zegu Lake of Cuomai [Comai county]'.

So, let's start by focusing on the Oiga (or some say Woka) area. The above mentioned footnote reference continues:

'Seven hot springs are scattered as stars on the Oiga grassland of Sangri [Zangri] county'.

Among these seven hot springs it lists are:

• Choiluge:

  'The best known is Choiluge, which legends say is effective on a wide range of diseases',

• Goigoinbang:

  Goigoinbang Spring, which is said to be powerful in treating stomachache'.

• Purbo:

  'Purbo for arthritis',

• Nyima:

  'Nyima spring for eye disease and nasisinusitus' and

• Banggarge:

  'Banggarge spring for skin disease'.

And that's all the info there is out there. 
With only 5 of the 7 listed, it may be worthwhile to see what else there is to be found on the internet. 
This interesting link notes the following: 

'The Woka Hot Springs is represented by 4 hot springs. The first one is Zhuo Rom Hatem Hot Spring. It is well known for the private hot spring for Panchen Lama. It is said that each time when Panchen Lama pass here to worship in holy lake Lhamo La-tso, he will do clearance here. It's also the hottest hot springs in Woka and well known for its cure for disease. In the north of this hot spring, there is a hot spring can treat gastropathy. North to the Woka Zong Ruins there is a hot spring near a bridge. It's the best-like one for local Tibetans. Each start of summer Tibetans will help their their animals to have bath here getting a way from the residual illness and dust in those cold days. Except that people also come here taking bath after the whole day's farm working. Talking and laughing can be seen anywhere. The 4th hot spring is for youth people especially for the lovers. When the sky turns dark, the young couples talk about love in hot spring which is so romantic'.

The Woka Hot Springs is represented by 4 hot springs. The first one is Zhuo Rom Hatem Hot Spring. It is well known for the private hot spring for Panchen Lama. It is said that each time when Panchen Lama pass here to worship in holy lake Lhamo La-tso, he will do clearance here. It's also the hottest hot springs in Woka and well known for its cure for disease. In the north of this hot spring, there is a hot spring can treat gastropathy. North to the Woka Zong Ruins there is a hot spring near a bridge. It's the best-like one for local Tibetans. Each start of summer Tibetans will help their their animals to have bath here getting a way from the residual illness and dust in those cold days. Except that people also come here taking bath after the whole day's farm working. Talking and laughing can be seen anywhere. The 4th hot spring is for youth people especially for the lovers. When the sky turns dark, the young couples talk about love in hot spring which is so romantic. - See more at: http://www.tibettravel.org/tibet-travel-guide/woka-hot-spring.html#sthash.3wELqegu.dpuf

The Woka Hot Springs is represented by 4 hot springs. The first one is Zhuo Rom Hatem Hot Spring. It is well known for the private hot spring for Panchen Lama. It is said that each time when Panchen Lama pass here to worship in holy lake Lhamo La-tso, he will do clearance here. It's also the hottest hot springs in Woka and well known for its cure for disease. In the north of this hot spring, there is a hot spring can treat gastropathy. North to the Woka Zong Ruins there is a hot spring near a bridge. It's the best-like one for local Tibetans. Each start of summer Tibetans will help their their animals to have bath here getting a way from the residual illness and dust in those cold days. Except that people also come here taking bath after the whole day's farm working. Talking and laughing can be seen anywhere. The 4th hot spring is for youth people especially for the lovers. When the sky turns dark, the young couples talk about love in hot spring which is so romantic. - See more at: http://www.tibettravel.org/tibet-travel-guide/woka-hot-spring.html#sthash.3wELqegu.dpuf

This link comes up with the following: 

'In a small pastureland in the Oiga Town there are seven hot springs. The spring water is effective for treating the stomach and eye diseases and welcomed by local people. Of these hot springs, the Choluka [Choiluge] Hot Spring is exclusive for the Dalai Lamas of various historical stages. The hot springs in Oiga boast beautiful sceneries and a unique local floklore. In the spring and summer, flocks of people come here for bathing'.

You have the right to ...
Then the stories become odd. Tibettrip.com adds:

'Oiga, a small town situated in Zangri County, Shannan, is generously bestowed by the natural resource of water. Seven hot springs are dotted on the Oiga Plateau, with three rivers winding through the area and respectively symbolizing the three Buddhas: Manjusri Bodhisattva, Avalokitesvara and Vajradhara. The hot springs are en route to Lhamo Latso and formerly served as the resting and bathing places for Dalai Lamas who made their pilgrimages to the lake. Presently, there are four hot springs open to the public, among which, the one called Choluka is exclusive for Dalai Lamas, while another was once honored by Tsong Khapa (1357-1419), founder of the Gelugpa Sect.
The hot springs, with an average temperature of between 30 C-65 C, are popular with the locals for their effects on preventing and curing diseases. Other than a religious adoration associated with Tsong Khapa and Dalai Lamas , the hot springs are indeed endowed with various microelements and mineral resources, which are indispensable and beneficial to the human body.
Public bathrooms have been erected on the four hot springs by the local government, while numerous small bathing pools are built open in air by the local people, with free charges.

So what have we learnt? The Dalai Lama has his own hot spring? That privilege (if ever enjoyed) has been revoked as since 2003 'Oiga hot springs' (and I suppose Choluka) opened to general public. As opposed to being for exclusive use by religious leaders. Crienglish.com adds:

'The hot springs in Woka township, once exclusively enjoyed by former Tibetan religious rulers, are now serving as a herders' resort in the Tibet Autonomous Region in southwest China. Earlier report says the local government of Sangri county in Shannan prefecture has opened the seven hot springs in the township to the public for free, which, as the Dalai Lamas' personal resort in the past, were traditionally regarded as a forbidden place by local Tibetans.
According to living Buddha Lobsang at the Qulong Monastery, which is opposite to the hot springs, 13 Dalai Lamas bathed in the Zhuoluoka [Choluka] hot spring--the most famous among the seven, on their worshipping trip to the holy lake Lamulacuo. Another hot spring was said to have served Zongkaba, founder of Gelugba, or Yellow Lamaism, a major sect of Tibetan Buddhism. County officials say the hot springs whose water temperature ranges from 35 to 65 degrees centigrade, are rich in minerals, which are believed to be helpful in curing diseases. And the county will further develop the hot spring area, making it a tourism destination'.

Around Shannan

Then from Lhozhag county there are quite a few mentions of Rapp hot springs, but all in Chinese, so possibly this may be off limits to foreigners. Or not often visited. The following picture (from a Chinese language website) is just another of the quite a few out there, the subtitle is that which is fed to me from google translate ...

'Rapp spa with a variety of minerals, bathing or drinking to treat stomach problems, kidney disease, skin diseases, arthritis, fractures, rheumatism, high blood pressure and many other diseases'.

Though most on Shannan's hot springs is very much sketchy:

'In the outskirts of Qusum county is the famous Siu spring' (1)

Piga is a hot spring worth visiting according to roam china.

Finally, Shannan prefecture has another possible hot spring. Tibetmagazine.net underlines the very first reference, alas the link to the article has since disappeared:

'Hot springs in Shannan are located mainly in Oiga in Sangri and Chigu Lake in Comai'

Updated March 2015

Notes:
[1] refers to the anonymous publication entitled Travel Guide to Tibet of China, published in 2003 by China International Press.