Oversight

Warming up in a hot spring in the valley – our first wash in a while!

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We will start off this post with what could be considered the Himal proper. 

East to west.

Hot springs in Bhutan (wanderon, Oct. 18, 2023). Five are listed, are these the most popular?

TrulyBhutan highlights (Jul. 23, 2023) Chubu Tshachu and it's pecularities:

'Within the premises, there are designated compartments for bathing before entering the pools for a soothing soak. However, there are no water taps for direct washing; visitors must use buckets or jugs to scoop water from the pools and carry it to the bathing area. This arrangement proves convenient since the bathing and changing compartments are housed under the same hall. The top pool receives water from the male spring, while the small pool adjacent to the larger one is fed by the female spring. The method of determining the gender of the spring source remains unknown, but the male water flows through a man-made inlet resembling a phallic shape, while the female spring water enters through an inlet formed like a mound.

...

The pools boast an abundance of fresh air and natural light, ensuring comfort even during peak hours. The larger pool offers a truly hot experience, while the upper pool provides a very warm sensation, and the small pool’s warmth is agreeable. Surprisingly, the hot spring pools are primarily intended for body soaking rather than cleansing. Most visitors adhere to this practice, but, as expected, there are occasional deviations. However, complete nudity is not permitted, except for young children. The pools represent a unisex facility, open to individuals of all ages. Men typically wear briefs or boxers, while women, especially the younger ones, wear tops paired with shorts or slacks. This unisex pool characteristic is a distinctive charm of Bhutan’s hot springs, akin to a dry beach, fostering an open and jovial atmosphere. It provides an ideal environment for both the young at heart and those seeking romance'.

pemadeki07

#healingjourney #gasa

You are always with yourself so you might as well enjoy the company 😌

Held

Indian hot springs. Honeymoonbug (Oct. 5, 2023):

'Do you know that there are uncountable hot water springs in India but only a handful of them are touted as the preserved secret of nature? It is because not all the hot springs are discovered by humans. But whatever is discovered either accidentally or non-accidently, they are a retreat to the eyes. Some of the natural hot water spring in India hold mythological value while the rest of them are labeled as religious sites'.

Twenty-three hot springs from all over the country are highlighted, though the photo's are astonishingly not always correct. But with some examples from Meghalaya, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh.

king_ragnor_lothbrok in Sikkim

Here gods used to take bath😌 #hotsprings #earthhotwater #naturecreativity #lachung never forgettable place #highlyrecommend

A primer to Nepalese hot springs of their Mid West as a pdf document:

'You may wonder if there are hot springs in Nepal. Actually, there are so many areas that hot springs gush out mainly in mountainous region of Nepal. The famous areas for hot springs are middle western Myagdi, Kaski and middle eastern Sindhupalchok. In Nepal, almost all Nepali people take a bath for medical purposes and continue to stay for a long time. In the village areas, not only medical purposes, some people go to hot springs in remote places with foods for about 10 days and enjoy camping with their family. Hot springs are recognized as healing spot for many Nepali people. There are not good amenity like Japanese "Onsen". But you can enjoy natural hot springs gushing out from deep under the ground of Himalaya. If you visit the villages in remote areas, you can also enjoy homestay activity'. 

It's from a very informative website though it only covers 10 springs, but all very basic. And natural.

Onlinekhabar (Jan. 17) informs on 5 Nepalese hot springs:

'Moreover, these hot springs often carry cultural and spiritual significance. In some cases, there may be rituals or practices associated with the springs, and visitors may witness caretakers or priests overseeing the sites'.

Tightend

North of the Himal, China.

The Beijinger (Jan. 23) has 7 soaks to shares, from what I presume near Beijing. Are they all naturally sourced?

Asia News Network (Feb. 7) trendwatching: 

'As winter tightens its icy grip, hot spring getaways are growing in popularity across China.

From bathhouses in bustling cities to hot spring resorts in serene rural areas, an increasing number of individuals are seeking the soothing embrace of these warm retreats during the chilly season.

...

Hot springs, with their therapeutic properties and serene ambience, have emerged as a favored choice for those looking to escape the pressures of daily life and rejuvenate their mind and body, said Zhu Keli, founding director of the China Institute of New Economy.

Once considered a simple bathing activity, hot springs have undergone a transformation to emerge as a new form of social experience that integrates various functions such as dining, karaoke and gaming, among others.

This has redefined the way people enjoy hot springs, and turned them into hubs of relaxation, socializing and holistic entertainment, attracting younger people, Zhu added.

“These new hot spring bathing centers provide a comprehensive range of services that go beyond mere relaxation, including movie screenings, gaming facilities, indoor playgrounds and buffet dining,” Zhou said. “The most appealing part for me is the concept of ‘fruit freedom’, allowing patrons to enjoy unlimited pricey fruit offerings such as durians and cherries.”

Young consumers, specifically those born in the 1990s and 2000s, make up more than half of the hot spring market, data from Chinese travel agency ly.com showed.

With rates starting at 300 yuan ($41.7) per visit for such bathhouses, indulging in a session at an all-inclusive bathhouse is not cheap at all, Zhou said. Higher-end establishments often charge more for premium services and exclusive amenities, she added.

...

Moreover, while the northern region of China has traditionally been known for its bathhouse culture, data from Tuniu suggests that people from southern China are increasingly embracing hot spring tourism as a preferred leisure activity.

In November, more than 70 percent of hot spring bookings were made by users from southern regions'.

The blog RachelmeetsChina has a guide (Jan. 22) on finding and experiencing hot springs in China. Albeit commercial operations. A joyful read nonetheless.

iChongqing (Nov. 29, 2023) noted the Third China Hot Spring Industry Expo which took place in Chongqing:

''Throughout the expo, diverse hot spring-themed activities will be held at various hot spring sites across the city. The "Chongqing Hot Spring Bath for Thousands" event will be launched with special offers and benefits for residents'.

hey_juneha at Ramada Guergou

A list of hot springs close to Chengdu (note close can also mean 4 hours (!) drive to the Guergou Ramada). Chengdu-expat (Mar. 1) refers 9 hot springs, quite informative:

'A note on Chinese hot spring etiquette:

Changing rooms and inside pools are usually separated by gender, and some require you to be naked – so it’s best to call before you visit if this is something you are not comfortable with.

Outdoor pools are communal, so shower before entering. Natural thermal springs may smell strongly of sulfur – which is why they’re attributed to having healing properties, but this varies between pools with different mineral makeups. Be warned that hot springs are often very busy during weekends and especially on national holidays – and can feel a little like a human hot pot, so go early to avoid crowds'.

More etiquette (The nanjinger, Nov. 10, 2023):

'Liu had recently booked a stay at a hotel in a scenic spot in Nanjing, one with a private bath on its balcony, offering beautiful views of the scenery while bathing in the hot waters of a local spring. It sounded just what Liu was in need of.

...

Liu’s story has attracted much online attention and media coverage. Among the more pertinent comments; “I also don’t want to be seen taking a bath in a swimsuit. This is obviously the responsibility of the hotel!”.

Apparently Liu became the attraction. 

Toasted

poupou05 

𝐽𝑦𝑙𝑢𝑢 𝑆𝑢𝑢 🇰🇬🤍

#travel #asiecentrale #centralasia #voyageraukirghizistan #kirgizistan #kyrgyzstan #discoverkyrgyzstan #kirghiz #nature #nomad #nomadlife #valleerouge #bassin #hotsprings #sourcechaude #hostel #hotel

Further from the region.

Destination Karakol has a guide page to local hot springs (just the one: Ak-Suu Kench) and banya's:

'There are many banyas & saunas in Karakol. Most of the places features both cold and warm pools, a toasty wood sauna, and hot showers — everything you need to end the day well'.

Finally, a keen reader will have noticed that I have updated the Wakhan / Pamir section of Tajikistan.

I do have a couple of photo's that were access to demand, considering the entry was already at record length.

The first photo (the lead photo of this entry) most probably attributed to Shirgin hot springs.

The second (below) is a seperate location, possibly away from the Wakhan. The drawing should give enough idea of it's location, it's referred to as "near Langar".

ということで、入ってみましたワハン温泉。

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Then a missed-the-final-cut, complete with story. I've only added the English version of the experience:

routed2a at Jelondy 🇹🇯

The old Soviet Sanatorium

...

🇬🇧 An old Soviet sanatorium still in operation, lost in the Pamir mountains.

The place must have been magnificent in its day, and although it has lost some of its splendor today, it has retained a certain charm.

The baths are filled with sulphurous hot springs and are divided into two sections: one for men and one for women.

We therefore live this experience each on our own and completely naked, as is the norm in this type of establishment.

While there's no one in the men's section, it's a very different experience for Anaïs on the other side: women of all ages enjoying a moment of relaxation and sharing out of sight. It's very interesting to see how they interact in this very private setting.

Despite the very rudimentary aspect, we loved it!

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👍🏻: Thanks to Akmal and Alikhon for the rides!

#jelondy #tajikistan #tadjikistan #baths #sanatorium #hotsprings #centralasia #stans #hitchhiking #roundtheworldtrip #travelphotography #polarsteps #tourdumondiste #routed2a