Tengchong Rehai Scenic Area is located in Qingshui Town, Tengchong City, Baoshan City, Yunnan Province, about 12 kilometers from the city center. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and an important part of the Baoshan (Tengchong) Volcanic and Rehai Scenic Area. The scenic area covers a total area of about 9 square kilometers and is part of the core area of the Volcanic Geothermal National Geopark. It is known for its abundant geothermal resources and has 14 geological wonders such as boiling springs, hot springs, and fumaroles, including more than 10 hot springs with water temperatures exceeding 90°C. The buildings in the scenic area are built along the mountain and retain the architectural style of western Yunnan residences. There are about 4 kilometers of walking trails, making it convenient for tourists to view the geothermal landscapes up close.
History and Culture
The development and utilization of Tengchong Rehai can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty. According to the records of Tengyue Prefecture Annals, local residents had already used hot springs to steam food and bathe as early as 400 years ago. During the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, Rehai was listed as one of the Twelve Scenes of Tengyue and was named "Spring Bathing in Hot Springs." The scenic area still preserves the "Zhaotang River Waterfall" cliff inscription, written by Li Genyuan, a famous figure from Tengchong during the Republic of China period, bearing witness to the humanistic history of Rehai. In addition, the Dai, Han, and other ethnic groups living around Rehai have long formed a unique hot spring culture, such as the "Hot Spring Festival" folk activity held every year during the Qingming Festival.
Main Attractions
Big Boiling Pot
The core attraction of Rehai, it is a circular boiling spring with a diameter of 6.12 meters and a depth of 1.5 meters. The water temperature reaches 96.6°C, and it rolls like boiling water day and night. Beside the spring is a "hot spring egg boiling" experience area, where tourists can use bamboo baskets to place eggs and peanuts into the grooves beside the spring to steam them. They are ready to eat in about 15 minutes, making it a distinctive experience project in the scenic area.
Beauty Pool Hot Spring
It consists of multiple outdoor hot spring pools. The spring water comes from underground hot springs and is rich in minerals such as sulfur, with a water temperature of 42-45°C. The hot spring area covers about 2,000 square meters and has 6 soaking pools such as "Fairy Pool," "Jade Pool," and "Emerald Pool." Surrounded by green trees, it is suitable for leisure and wellness.
Huaitai Well
Two parallel hot spring pools, named because the shapes of the spring mouths resemble female breasts. The left pool has a water temperature of 88°C, and the right pool 91°C. The spring water is rich in trace elements. Folk legend says that drinking or bathing in it can help with conception, making it a famous "auspicious spring" in Rehai.
Pearl Spring
A circular spring pool about 2 meters in diameter, named because bubbles continuously rise from the bottom of the pool like strings of pearls. The average water temperature of the spring is 82°C. The bubbles are mainly formed by carbon dioxide gas. There is an observation platform beside the pool where the peculiar phenomenon of bubble eruptions can be clearly observed.
Guming Spring
Guming Spring is a boiling spring pit and fumarole, with the largest hot spring water flow in Rehai. Because the spring water has changed course many times, many cavities have formed. Also because this spring is an intermittent spring, during the intermittent spraying of the spring water, the cavities resonate and produce a thumping sound, like the sound of drums on an ancient battlefield, hence the name Guming Spring.
Hama Mouth Spring
Hama Mouth Spring is named because it resembles an "open-mouthed toad." It is the only pulsating boiling fountain in the country. From a distance, it looks like a large toad. This spring is an intermittent spring and seems like a group of toads regularly spouting water, also known as "toad spitting water."
Tour Routes：
Classic Tour Route:
Scenic area entrance → Hama Mouth (fumarole) → Zhaotang River Waterfall → Pearl Spring → Sister Springs → Huaitai Well → Immortal Bathing Pool → Big Boiling Pot (about 2.5 hours);
Leisure Route:
Take the sightseeing bus to Big Boiling Pot → experience hot spring egg boiling → walk downhill to visit Huaitai Well and Pearl Spring → end at Beauty Pool Hot Spring (soak in the hot spring for about 1 hour);
Photography Route:
Enter the park at 7:30 in the morning → first photograph the steaming scene of Big Boiling Pot → along the trails photograph Pearl Spring bubbles and waterfall mist → in the afternoon photograph the light and shadow of Beauty Pool Hot Spring (best shooting times: 1 hour after sunrise, 2 hours before sunset).
Travel Suggestions：
Best season: Visitable all year round; winter (November-February) is more suitable for soaking in hot springs, with temperatures of 10-18°C;
Clothing suggestions: Wear non-slip sports shoes, as the trails in the scenic area are mostly stone-paved; bring a swimsuit and bath towel for convenience in experiencing the hot springs;
Time arrangement: Visit attractions in the morning and soak in hot springs in the afternoon; avoid soaking on an empty stomach or immediately after meals;
Photography tips: The Big Boiling Pot area is very misty, so cameras need waterproof protection; morning light is soft and suitable for photographing hot spring mist;
Specialty purchases: At the scenic area exit, volcanic stone ornaments, Tengxuan (handmade paper), and other specialties are sold. Bargaining is possible. Volcanic stone teacups are recommended (about 30-50 yuan each).
Precautions：
The hot spring area is high in temperature. Please do not touch the spring mouths or enter unopened areas to avoid burns;
Before soaking in the hot spring, shower first. After adapting to the water temperature, enter the pool. Each soak should not exceed 15 minutes to prevent dizziness;
Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic area. Keep the trails clean;
Children must be supervised throughout when brought along. The hot spring water temperature for children should not exceed 40°C, and the time should not exceed 10 minutes;
In case of extreme weather such as heavy rain or earthquakes, the scenic area may be temporarily closed. It is recommended to check the weather forecast before traveling.
Transportation：
Bus: Take Bus No. 2 from Tengchong city center to Rehai Scenic Area Station. The fare is 2 yuan, and the journey takes about 30 minutes;
Taxi: Taking a taxi from the city center to the scenic area costs about 30 yuan, and the journey takes 15 minutes;
Self-driving: Navigate to "Tengchong Rehai Scenic Area." The parking fee for small cars in the scenic area parking lot is 10 yuan/day;
Tourist special line: There is a direct special line bus to Rehai from Tengchong Tourist Passenger Transport Station. The fare is 10 yuan, and departure times are 8:00-17:00 (one bus per hour).
Opening Hours：
Open all year round, daily 7:30-19:00 (last entry at 18:00);
Beauty Pool Hot Spring opening hours: 9:00-22:00.
Tickets：
Adult ticket 50 yuan/person.