When my husband told me that we were headed for a hot springs park, I thought the early winter had got the better of him. Who would strip down to their swimsuits in 10-12 degrees Celcius temperatures?
As it turns out, a hot springs park is perfect for the winter because the husband, the toddler and I were refreshed, rejuvenated and raring for a return!
The Riyuegu Hot Springs Park and Resort boasts about 150 hot springs pools, team adventure rope course facilities and a spa.
Did he mention the word “spa”? That certainly got my attention.
Riyuegu is made up of three Chinese characters, meaning “sun” (ri), “moon” (yue) and “valley” (gu) respectively. In its entirety, “Riyuegu” refers to a valley with beautiful things in the world.
Having visited hot springs in Malaysia and Thailand, I was prepared for an au naturel environment of craggy rocks and slippery stones.
Instead, Riyuegu is a modern facility equipped with 5-star facilities and staff.
The Superior room we booked was spacious, tastefully furnished and equipped with its own hot springs granite tub. Hot springs right in your hotel room!
We spent some time examining the rectangular tub which resembles the water storage tank at my parents’ 80s-style house.
A note indicates that ONLY the ceramic tap with the red marker runs the natural hot springs water while the other taps ran, well, tap water.
Discolouration marks on the tub were due to the granite’s natural reaction to the hot springs water.
Realistically, the tub could fit 2 adults although you’d be in for a squeeze. We’d probably have to stack the toddler on top of us! 
Hurrying downstairs to meet up with the other family, I was taken aback when I saw that a golf buggy was going to take us to the park, which was opposite the resort.
A very, very busy highway stands between the two – how was this humble ride going to get us there in one piece?
Familiar with the “free-for-all” driving styles on some of China’s roads, this mother’s sigh of relief was audible when we approached an underpass that outwitted the raging speed demons overhead.
Definitely Riyuegu’s best-kept secret because the ride became a fun one as the only traffic we encountered were bicycles or the odd car.
FEEDING THE FISH
A key attraction here, the the renowned Garra Rufu or “doctor fish” from Turkey make up one of the hot springs pool. The kids enjoyed looking at them while the adults mused about the upcoming experience.
As the warm water softens your skin, HUNDREDS of these little fish will swarm around to work their magic i.e. nibble on accumulated dead skin cells and bacteria to silky-smooth perfection. Be prepared for a ticklish sensation!
I personally feel slightly grossed out…
Check out the various ingredients to be found in the hot springs pools:
A DIPPING WE WILL GO
At the Park, we were directed to the locker room with a towel and a pink magnetic wrist tag. The cool-looking tag opens or locks your lockers, which contains a bathrobe and a pair of rubber slippers.
Parents with toddlers may want to bring their child’s own robes as the smallest fits kids 5 years and above. Equipped with showers, toilets and hair dryers, the locker room is a complete powder room. No photography is allowed beyond this point.
Wrapped in robes, we took our first steps into the cold and headed for the pictorial map laying out the pools spanning 90,000 sq M. Although the pool is open until 11 pm, we could only stay as long as dinner time.
In winter, pool temperatures average between 38-42 deg C indicated by LED-powered thermometers mounted above them.
We aimed for pools with less people. Clustered according to themes, we went to the first one themed “Drinks Galore” featuring a lemon burst.
I was mindful of the T.G.I.F. (Toes Go In First) principle. Sensing my cautiousness, the Chinese bathers assured me it wasn’t THAT hot.
It took me a while to get used to the hot water and fully immerse myself in it. But once you’re in, the water is quite comforting and this citrus pool was a nice, refreshing start to uplift your senses.
The next two we sampled were milk and oatmeal straw. The milk bath was every bit as moisturizing as I imagine Cleopatra felt during her heydays. The oatmeal one smelled heavenly and is nothing like the oatmeal breakfast I prepare for my son!
The boy was garbed in a pair of biker shorts and was waist-high most of the time. For safety’s sake, I’d sit on the edge of the pool with him on my lap and gently scoop water onto his body.
I continued to do so until he was wet and slowly eased both of us in. Each pool is designed with stone steps for a safe descent, though pregnant women and the elderly should take extra care to avoid mishaps.
The little tyke appeared to enjoy the “big baths” especially as there were floating bags and wooden scoops for him to play with. He didn’t lack company as the Chinese, who are very fond of children, happily made faces or called out to him.
Soon, we perfected a routine of my going in first to secure a position before Hubby disrobes the toddler, hands him over and gets in himself. Getting out, we reversed our roles to ensure the toddler’s safety and warmth at all times.
BLOSSOMS, BREWS AND BITTERS
We moved on to the teas, consisting of red, green, oolong, scented and specialty types respectively. We found the first three teas mild in flavour while the scented one slightly overpowering.
The “Beer Barrel” theme attracted quite a number of male bathers. A concoction made of the finest, freshly brewed beer gently stirred into hot spring water, the sign promised an “intoxicating and relaxing” dip.
I was attracted to this pool to test out the Chinese practice of giving newborns a beer bath to enhance their wellbeing and found it quite relaxing, albeit with a strong malt odour.
Hubby, of course, enjoyed it as much as the next man – it’s not every day that you get to soak in one of your favourite beverages!
Dusk approached at around 5.30 pm so skipped the wines and headed for “Herbal Garden” where my nose led us to the “dong guai soup”, “ginseng tea”, “peppermint tea”, “lemongrass tea” and “rosemary tea” pools.
Having double boiled quite a few chickens, we let the chicken have its day by stepping into the first one. The phrase “being in hot soup” takes on a different meaning when you’re literally in it!
Our last stop was the “Bouquet”, which has a mix of floral petals. Unfortunately, the floral bath I’d envisioned a la American Beauty did not materialize – probably because we were one of the last ones to get there.
If we should return, I’d head for this pool first when the petals are freshly sprinkled over the water.
THE ONES THAT GOT AWAY
By 6.00 pm, it was pitch dark that we hit the dinner gong earlier and joined in the throng tucking into Chinese cuisine cooked with hot springs water. Tastes the same to me…
Back in our hotel room, my plans for an evening body massage were shelved because the hot springs soak was so relaxing the three of us were snoring by 9 pm!
If we should return, Hubby and I would try out the hot stones (pic, left), the hot sand springs and the mist pool.
In the former, hot spring water flows continuously underneath granite slabs, helping to soothe your aches and pains – backache, anyone?
The hot sand springs promise a pseudo-beach experience in which you are buried under fine sands heated by the hot springs.
As the Park is open all year round, I wondered how visitors would fare in the summer when outdoor and pool temperatures reach a similar high of 39 degrees Celcius!
I was told by the hotel staff that soaking in the hot springs can help one cope better with a hot climate. Guess it works on the basis of “fighting fire with fire”!
A WARM GOODBYE
We ended our weekend there on a sweet note with mine smelling of lavender and other essential oils. Why?
Hubby offered to mind the boy while I spent an indulgent one hour in bliss under the gentle, kneading hands of a Thai-trained masseuse at the Spa center.
I was pampered the minute I stepped into the Spa center – I seriously enjoyed the welcome drink in as relaxing a position as the model above (minus the food!).
Led through some lavishly-decorated prep rooms (with indoor hot springs pools) and shower rooms, I had a washdown before I melted under the hands of the friendly and soft-spoken Chinese girl. Heaven for an hour!
Enclosed in a private room, the full body aromatherapy massage costs about RMB190 (MYR86), which is a real steal in the world of spa treatments, confirming Riyuegu’s promise of “quality spa treatments at a fraction of the price of international chain hotels”.
With that, we bid farewell to Riyuegu…
If you’re visiting Xiamen soon, check out this guide I wrote for Air Macau’s inflight magazine (available in English and Chinese).
Xiamen Riyuegu Hotsprings Resort
1888 Fulian Road, Haicang District, Xiamen
China 361027
Tel: 86 592-6312222
Fax: 86 592-6312345
email: information@riyuegu.com
http://www.riyuegu.com/english/
NOTE: Photos without a watermark are courtesy of Riyuegu Hot Springs Park and Resort public relations department. No, this is not a sponsored post 
