Therapy

Well, Nepal is briefly back in the global focus. As usual not for the right reasons. And as soon as they were in the spotlight, global focus has shifted elsewhere. And left the Himal nation back where it was: to fend for itself.

Syapru-besi (but also known as Syaphru-besi / Syabrubesi / Sybrubesi) now obliterated, was amongst others known for it's hot spring. I personally visited Syapru (read: walked through) in 2001, on my way to Chilime hot springs. But was too much in a rush to climb the mountain to Chilime than to explore the valley.

Back in 2011 we published on the hot springs north of Kathmandu, 2013 updated. Very much outdated now, odd how links can just disappear.

The Journal of Developement Innovations ([1], 2020) even has a reference to 3 hot springs near the Trisuli river, close to the Chinese border. The article itself seeks to document many of Nepal's hot springs and highlight their potential, be it touristic and/or geothermal.

Then I have a bit (Nov. 25, 2025) on a hot spring at Amachoding, presumably north of Syapru-besi, but near the river, so very much gone now.

'The devastating earthquake of 2015 had damaged the hot spring in Amachodingmo Rural Municipality-5. Devotees have returned after the hot water resumed flowing. Local resident Singi Tamang said that an average of 10–15 people bathe in the spring daily and noted that it is believed to relieve body ailments.

About two decades ago, a rural tourism program aimed at alleviating poverty had supported the construction of a stone stream and a pond at the site. Lalimaya Tamang, 64, a resident of Bungtang, Meghang Rural Municipality-2, Nuwakot, claimed that bathing in the spring cured several of her physical ailments.

Residents Ram Prasad Poudel and Devaki Paudel of Battar, Bidur Municipality, also praised the spring for its therapeutic benefits. Devotees from other districts continue to be drawn to the site'.

Nearby Tatopani (Rasuwa) is having it's own situation: no water.

Fabio Izzo

Local Guide · 291 reviews · 691 photos

4 months ago

Hot springs are not in use anymore.... all of them are empty...

Possibly referring to the same, the Help in Action has an article (maybe 2024?) on how assistance could contribute to the springs running again.

'Following the devastating earthquake in April 2015, which claimed more than nine thousand lives across Nepal, this thermal spring water stopped flowing.

...

The loss of the hot thermal waters has also deprived the inhabitants of Tatopani, and many surrounding villages, of what used to be their only and valuable means of treatment for many health problems: it takes about two hours to walk to the nearest medical services.

...

For this purpose, the technicians are planning to build a well that will reach the depth where the hot water reservoir is currently located and extract it by pumping.

To achieve this goal, a large sum of money will be needed, which can only be obtained through fundraising, applying for grants and with the generous help of all those who want to make their valuable contribution'.

Nearby (relatively speaking) is also the small hot spring up the Langtang valley (Pairo / Pahiro), there's this nice vdo from 3 years back.

alinapalahniuk (in Nepal):

Бо ж вода така.

Вона ні з ким не сперечається, без претензій - просто тече. Обходить усе, що стоїть на шляху, і все одно доходить туди, куди їй треба.

І я останнім часом думаю - може, й нам так варто? Не завжди ломитись через усе з затиснутими кулаками, а іноді просто текти.

Легко і своїм, блін, шляхом.

Залишаючись собою, навіть коли все навколо змінюється.

Непал. Гандакі. Гарячі джерела.

Жовтень 2024.

@scapers.club 🫶🏼

Lush

Elsewhere.

And far from the Himal, Firstpost (May 26) notes 5 lesser known hot springs in India. An example:

'Maharashtra’s Western Ghats are better known for monsoon getaways than geothermal activity, which is exactly why Unhavare remains one of the country’s most underrated natural springs. Located near Dapoli in Ratnagiri district, the hot spring emerges amidst lush greenery and rural Konkan landscapes.

The water is believed by locals to contain medicinal sulphur properties, and the surrounding area remains relatively untouched by mass tourism compared to Himachal or Uttarakhand’s better-known hot springs'.

v.onthemove

#hotsprings #unhavarehotwatersprings #motorcyclediaries #ktm #390duke #ktmindiaofficial #monsoonrides #rainyrides #westernghats #maharashtra #biketrip #ridingpartner #coastalride #bikelife #ktm390duke

Travelsafoot (Dec. 3, 2025) enjoys a hot stone bath; in Bhutan of course:

'When I arrived at the stone bathhouse, an attendant greeted me and explained how everything worked. The tub I’d be sitting in had been filled with clean water, and it was gradually being heated by river stones that had been fired until they were glowing red. They were smooth, dense stones pulled from the riverbeds nearby — the kind that heat evenly and don’t shatter, which is why Bhutanese families have used them for generations.

Once they were ready, those stones were placed into a connected chamber at the end of the tub — the heat moves through the wooden divider, warming the water on my side. If it got too hot, I could use the spigot to add cooler water.

...

Looking back, the hot stone baths ended up fitting into a little theme of this trip — saying yes to different kinds of wellness traditions wherever I found them. I’d started in Delhi with an Ayurvedic massage, and then in Bhutan I kept leaning toward experiences that felt grounded and local rather than polished or “spa-like.”

None of it felt trendy; it felt like stepping into the everyday rituals people actually use to take care of themselves. And honestly, I loved that. Whether it was hot stones, cold showers, herbs, or just the chance to slow down, both baths left me feeling calmer and more present — which is all I really wanted after days of hiking, traveling, and nonstop newness'.

Reboot

Korean youtubers Soontrip list your top Tajik soaks counting down from 7 to 1 in 2 short vdo's (part 1, bubbling under and part 2, the top 3 (both Aug. 21)):

'Here are the exact GPS coordinates for each hot spring: 

7. Avj — (36.926707, 71.493206) 

6. Shirgin-3 — (37.005304, 72.538667) 

5. Samur — (36.9560199, 71.4705377) 

4. Shirgin-2 — (37.005304, 72.538667) 

3. BiBi Fatima — (36.983212, 72.263642) 

2. Garam Chashma — (37.204317, 71.536195) 

1. Shirgin-1 — (37.005304, 72.538667) 💰 Entrance fees are around $2 per person. There are actually three hot springs in Shirgin, located together in the same area. That’s why I introduced them separately as 1, 2, and 3!

S krosnou na Východ (near the Baikal):

"Až řeknu teď, otevřeš oči proti slunku". Ája ve vodě polévkové teploty.

A look at bathhouses.

Weproject (Dec. 2, 2025) notes 10 of the best bathhouses in Astana (Kazachstan). F.i.:

'Unique Saka bathhouses with a pool, where guests are offered exclusive author programs for rebooting and relaxation. The complex is decorated in an ethnographic style and is perfect for relaxing with friends or family.

Never knew that Astana was for bath house enthusiasts!

And it's not only Astana bathhouses in Kazachstan. 

Rachels_Rumanantions (Sep. 2):

'Visiting Arasan Spa (Almaty, Kazakhstan) is a truly immersive cultural experience. Whether that's a good thing or not - that's for you to decide!

At least I could see the humor in the whole naked, awkward experience!

On Reddit (Jan. 2026), a complete explanation on the Arasan. A snippet:

'From here on in it can seem like a maze. If you go downstairs from the changing rooms, you will find where the massage facilities are, as well as a Moroccan steam room, some heated marble rooms and some other places to relax'.

Sauna Channel has a vdo on Bukhara's male hamman, we're now in Uzbekistan. Tradition, heat, bathing.

ajanthabhat

Altyn Arashan was dreamy.

Rain, mist, natural hot springs. It was too perfect weather for me.

#kyrgystan🇰🇬 #hotsprings #altynarashan

Finally, Design Anthology (Mar. 6) looks at hot spring (design) near Dali (Yunnan, China):

'To complement Qing Shan 49, Signyan Design’s studio-run retreat, founder Ke Xie sought out a separate site in the largely untouched, thermally rich village of Xiashankou for a dedicated hot springs hideaway'.

Also known as Qianhe, this lies north of Dali. Dalitrip (translated):

'Qianhe Hot Spring is located at the foot of the mountain and is family-run. It's small, so you don't have to walk far. There's a large swimming pool, and smaller hot spring pools are located by the fields, where rapeseed flowers bloom during the Spring Festival. The prices are quite reasonable, generally around 30 yuan per person. They also provide fresh milk (sweet or unsweetened), which is homemade by the grandmother and considered more reliable than milk from outside.

The hot spring also has an attached restaurant, which is quite good; it's run by the owner'.

wwallerra (Kamchatka)

🧬

Notes

[1]Rai, Santa & Nidhi Bhattarai, Tara & Khatiwada, Durga. (2020). Hot Water Springs (Thermal Springs) in Nepal: A Review on Their Location, Origin, and Importance. 4. 24-42. 

Harness

bethy_the_vt_hiker

The Jhinu Hot Spring ✨️

Amazing... I highly recommend visiting when you are in Nepal 🇳🇵

As usual, quite little to share, especially on topic.

An opinion piece from the Kathmandu Post (May 8):

'Nepal’s hot water springs have great potential as a renewable geothermal energy source that generates low levels of greenhouse gases.

...

The Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS) study on identifying and developing hot springs [2024 report] recognised 41 sites meeting threshold parameters (discharge and temperature), which is noteworthy for geothermal energy development'.

The conclusion is that despite all the pro's, there's still a lot to do before the potential can be harnessed.

seasontech

Hot spring Yamchun🤩

...

#dostuptravel #trip #travelling #travel #tajikistan #tajikistan🇹🇯 #точикистон #таджикистан #памир #pamir #ямчун #yamchun #hotspring

An extensive article on the website Bhutanpilgrimage (Sep. 12) concerning Bhutan's tsachu's:

'The origin of hot springs in Bhutan dates back to the visit of Guru Rinpoche to Bhutan in 746 AD. Because of this, Tshachus are revered and regarded as holy, and as a result, Tshachus are typically located in sacred places.

...

The most popular hot springs in Bhutan are the Chuboog Tshachu and Koma Tshachu in Punakha; the Duenmang Tshachu in Zhemgang; the Khempajong Nye Tshachu in Lhuntse; the Gasa Tshachu in Gasa; and the Gelephu Tshachu in Sarpang.

Bhutanese have used Tshachu for generations for relaxation, bathing, and treating various physical illnesses. The traditional winter custom of visiting Tshachu reflects how seriously the Bhutanese people take their therapeutic practices.

...

A study conducted on the hot springs of Bhutan has classified hot springs based on water temperature as hot-, warm-, tepid-, and cold springs. Only six of the 29 pools from the 10 hot springs are classified as hot springs (temperature: 42°C). While the majority of pools—18 pools—belong to warm springs (temperature range: 35–42 °C), two pools are classified as tepid springs (temperature range: 25–34 °C), and one pool is classified as a cold spring (temperature range: 25 °C)'.

ExPlore with Phub TsheRing (Apr. 24)

Sacred Nude Hot Spring of Guru Rinpoche in Tibet

I would like to share my unique and sacred experience of soaking—completely naked—in the revered Tidrum (also spelled Tidro) Tshachu hot spring in Tibet.

During my first visit to Tidrum Tshachu with a group of clients, I was informed that it's mandatory to bathe without any clothes. In fact, if you enter the spring with clothes on, you’re fined ¥200!

I felt extremely awkward at first—I'd never bathed completely naked in front of others before. But some of my senior clients reassured me, saying, “We all carry the same thing —nothing to be shy about.”

They also reminded me that in traditional Bhutanese culture, it used to be the same practice.I hesitantly removed my clothes, using my right hand to cover myself as I quietly slipped into a corner of the spring, immersing myself up to the neck. To be honest, the scene was quite humorous—we saw all kinds of “pistols” out there, and yes, it’s actually considered disrespectful in Tibetan culture to enter a hot spring with clothes on. One should be especially cautious when getting out of the spring—chances are you might accidentally bump into someone else’s “pistol”

Nowadays, though, many Bhutanese have started wearing underwear while soaking.

According to legend, Tidrum hot spring was created by Guru Rinpoche himself, using his Dorje (vajra). The spring maintains an average temperature of around 40°C and is rich in minerals like sulfur, limestone, bitumen, coal, and others. Tibetan medicine claims that soaking here for at least a week can help with ailments such as gastric disorders, tumors, paralysis, rheumatism, dermatitis, poor blood circulation, and general physical debility…

We visited today

Contagious
Findpengiuns concerning Ala-kul hot spring, high up in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan (Sep. 18):

'Eventually, after 19km, having climbed 1,000m up and 1,400m down, we reached the 'hot springs' village of Altyn-Arashan where our second yurt camp was located. This hot spring was quite different to the Japanese onsen experience: more like a tin shed in a freezing field, which you can only enter for a half-hour slot. But it was actually very good considering it only cost us £4. A hot (sulphurous) bath after 8.5hrs of hiking is not to be sniffed at (not least because it’s quite eggy).

Tasteful hot spring shot.

An Arasan bathhouse, we're in Kazakhstan. Teagan Mayr (Mar. 14) on Penn State Student Media:

'When learning about some of the bathhouse’s history during our walking tour on the first day, my friend Amy and I knew we had to go inside.

...

Following a confusing exchange with employees at the front desk, Amy and I weren’t entirely sure what we were walking into, other than a room full of naked women. We had thought the baths were clothing optional, however, we quickly learned that clothes weren’t allowed.

The bathhouse was filled with women of all ages, shapes and sizes, swimming in a cold pool together. As someone who has body image issues, I was scared to drop my towel and join the women in the pool but after some encouragement I waded in.

For the first time, I didn’t feel sexualized and if anything I felt empowered that I was there for no one but myself. However, I soon perceived that my pool mates were nonetheless judging me…for not wearing a hair net. While there were signs in English throughout the bathhouse the translations were contradictory and confusing. Women in the pool began pointing at us and yelling in a language we didn’t know. They were gesturing at us to put on a hair net. Two women who didn’t speak English helped Amy and me tie up our hair so we could return back to the baths.

Despite being called a bathhouse, the facility actually had only one pool and three floors full of three types of saunas: Eastern, Finnish and Russian. Each sauna has its own rules, with the English translations contradicting the images on the signs. Amy and I quickly made another mistake of wearing shoes into the wrong sauna, and we were promptly met with looks of disgust'.

TheNODmag (Jul. 14) likewise, visits the same bathhouse in Almaty:

'In Almaty, the bath and sauna is an all-in-one ritual: a massage on top of a marble slab, a cold plunge, a hot, steamy sauna, and then a cold bath again makes up the experience at a traditional bathhouse. And the best place to enjoy these saunas is at Arasan Wellness and Spa (or just Arasan).

...

For Indians like me, nudity can feel a bit awkward or discomforting, but the place has a way of making you feel comfortable in your own skin. All around, women of all ages walk about with purpose. Everyone is naked, and nobody cares. Some sport a tea-cosy-like sauna hat on their heads, others sport temporary tattoos made from the leaves of the venik—a small bundle of leaves like birch, juniper, linden or oak—which are part of the Russian steam experience. And their confidence is contagious, so, naturally, our swimsuits are left behind'.

alex_klishina

Это мы уже довольные собой отогреваемся в радоновых ванночках.

Очень сложный, но запоминающийся поход 2024, когда сквозь туман, дождь, снег, борясь с внутренней злостью, ты всё-таки доходишь до такой удивительной красоты.

Finally, the go-to hot spring website,Thermalsprings.ru, has been visiting the central Asian republics and reporting back via Facebook and (sporadically) Instagram. As usual a raft of hot springs are visited, not really experiencing the soaks themselves, all a bit chaotic.

August 2021, Under the ongoing Himalayan orogeny, the unstable structure of the northern Tibetan plateau undergoes intense internal activity giving rise to a non-zonal climate and dozens of hot springs at the earth's rooftop. Every year, when Venus (god of medicine) rises, the 7-day bathing festival starts. All the villagers in the area around Banei village come to bathe in this hot spring to heal body and mind and wash away fatigue and diseases of a whole year. It is an occasion when you see the true nature of these beautiful people. It is for them, I realize, that I circle the mountain and water and wander in the plateau for all these years ...

Bear(-ing)

tsurgan.e

Как на счет горячих источников диких настолько, что в процессе к вам приходит медведь, вероятно, поинтересоваться, как хорошо проходит отдых?

#russia #kamchatka #hotsprings #bear #malka

Hot news from the many hot springs of the Himal. 

And beyond, witness the above (Russia's Kamchatka).

New York Times (Feb. 9) / Greta Rybus has a list of "stunning" hot springs of our globe. On the Himachali hot springs (India):

'Each day at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., a priest named Mahant Shiv Giri performs puja, a set of religious rites, in a small temple at the hot springs near the Gaj River in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

First, he bathes himself in the hot springs, washing his body and face in thermal water. “The significance of bathing is to purify yourself,” he said. “It is a way to mark your attendance in the house of God.”

Many of the other hot springs in Himachal Pradesh are in and around temple structures, too. In the larger town of Manikaran, Sikh and Hindu temples sit snugly against each other on the banks of the Parvati River, sharing the same potent thermal source.

Hot spring Journeys also has a (short) list (Feb. 19) of Nepali hot springs:

'Nestled amidst the majestic Himalayas, Nepal offers not just breathtaking landscapes and ancient wonders, but also a hidden gem - its natural hot springs. Known locally as "tatopani," these geothermal oases provide a unique blend of relaxation, rejuvenation, and cultural immersion.

People from all over the world visit Nepal in order to admire the natural beauty and experience the cultural heritage and diversity of the society and the socio-cultural environment. During their visits, people often use the hot springs for spa and wellness purposes, mostly along the famous trekking routes such as:

• Annapurna circuit (the Ghorepani Tatopani and Bhurung Tatopani - Dana Tatopani)
• Singha hot spring along Myagdi Khola, close to Beni Bazaar
• Tatopani along the Kaligandaki River Valley towards upper Mustang
• Syabrubesi hot spring along the Bhotekoshi River - Langtang Valley
• Kodari hot spring along the Bhotekoshi Nadi (Nepal - China boarder)'.

Hot spring journeys (Feb. 24) again, a list of visits to 5 hot springs in the Kingdom of Druk.

An article from TibetTravel.org (Nov. 6, 2024) concerning the traditional bathing festival as celebrated by Tibeteans.

'The Tibetan Bathing Festival, with a rich history spanning over 800 years, is an annual celebration held in early autumn and lasting for one week. During this time, locals gather by the riverside to bathe and wash clothes, believing the ritual brings good fortune and health'.

Their selling point:

'Additionally, you can take a half-day trip to enjoy Dezhong Hot Spring near Lhasa. Located 119 kilometers from downtown Lhasa at an altitude of 4,300 meters, Dezhong Hot Spring is one of Tibet’s most famous hot springs. With a history dating back 1,400 years, it’s known for its healing mineral waters and stunning alpine scenery, offering the perfect blend of relaxation and natural beauty.

For a more relaxing experience, you can try a traditional Tibetan medicinal bath. This ancient practice uses herbal teas, special minerals, and calming rituals to help relax your body and mind. It is believed to detoxify, restore energy, and bring balance, drawing from centuries of Tibetan healing traditions and Buddhism'.

Rove me has a list (May 23, 2023) of Tibetean hot springs to visit in the upcoming years.

'If you want to relax after a long trip or just a reprieve from the daily routine, the best way to do so is to visit one of the hot springs in Tibet. With over 1,000 hot springs, Tibet can offer you fantastic options for relaxation'.

Oddly, the article then only mentions 2 (or 3)!

ExPlore with Phub TsheRing (Sep. 27, 2024) has a short vdo on the Tibetan hot spring of Tirdum:

'Sacred Nude HotSpring of Guru Rinpoche in Tibet:

Here I would like to share some of my experiences soaking in the very sacred Tidrum/Tidro Tshachu in full naked.

When I first visited the sacred Tidrum Tshachu with my clients,I was told that we shall not soak in with our clothes on and have to pay ¥200 as a fine if we don’t soak fully naked..

I really felt awkward as I never took bath all naked especially in front of many people but my senior clients told me that there’s nothing to fell awkward as we are carrying only one thing and everyone knows about it and on top of that we used same practices in Bhutan in the olden times..

I took all my clothes but smartly used my right hand to cover my front part and then immersed till neck in the corner..

We can see all types of pistols there as it’s an etiquette for Tibetans not to soak in a hotspring with your clothes on.

We should be alert especially when we get out of the hotspring as there’s big chances of kissing someone’s pistol..

But now we Bhutanese started wearing underwear..

Tidrum hotspring is said be created by Guru Rinpoche using his Dorji.

The average temperature of the spring is 40 (degree). It is known to contain sulfur, limestone, bitumen, coal, and other minerals. According to Tibetan medicine, these can alleviate gastric disorder, tumors, paralysis, rheumatism, dermatitis, poor blood circulation, and general debility over a one week stay'.

Mutikonka returns to Kangding (Apr. 10) Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan:

'I debussed at what I thought was the edge of town and hiked a further 2km up more of the same, along a busy road that obviously led to a high school, judging by the number of kids in school uniform traipsing past saying 'hello' to me. I tried and failed to find the plain old hot springs building by the river where I had taken a dip about 15 years previously, but it now looked like it had been replaced by a grand Hot Springs Hotel resort complex'.

Finally, Siberia. The Pinnacle Gazette (Feb. 1) mentions how Tyumen hot spring is closing for a revamp:

'Tyumen's well-known hot spring, Volna, is set for temporary closure starting April 14 until June 16, 2025, as part of significant renovation plans announced by the owners via their official social media channels.

The renovation aims primarily at updating the hot spring facilities, including the modernization of the pool and repairs to the bath complex. "Plans are extensive, but the main goal is to completely update the pool and renovate the bath complex," the owners stated.

...

Interestingly, many locals report visiting the hot springs less frequently, partly due to the relatively high costs associated with them. Journalist Anatoly Kuznetsov recounted his recent trip to one of the thermal resorts during the holiday weekend, expressing disappointment with the experience, indicating the complex dynamics of local attendance versus tourist interest'.

nudeblogru

Делюсь сокровенным.

Был невероятный проект, журнал и фонд - @calvertjournal

Теперь у него есть цифровой архив New East.

Это слепок и фиксация особенной эпохи: гениальные исследования, самые красивые фотографии, культурные особенности регионов, о которых редко говорят. Фонд помогал исследовать, давал гранты и поддерживал изучение от Польши до Дагестана.

The Calvert Journal - это онлайн-издание про культуру в Восточной Европы, Балкан, Кавказа и Центральной Азии.

Выпускался в период с 2013 по 2022 год.

Рекомендую статьи про обряд невесты на Пинеге, к полевой работе над которым имею отношение, 3 статьи про общественную баню, наготу и здоровье и, конечно, санатории СССР.