Outdoor hot spring pool
7 min readMinghu Hot Spring and Skiing International Holiday Village Outside of Dalian,a city that has been developing their own hot springs industry for some time, are several high-end resorts that cater more to longer, all inclusive stays. After visiting many hot spring resorts for just the day I wanted to understand what a fully inclusive hotel spa visit was really like and the Minghu Hot Spring and Skiing International Holiday Village did not disappoint.
An hour outside of the city at the base of rolling foothills sits this resort. Billed as a skiresort and since I visited in the middle of winter, snow took center stage in the amenities on offer. Coming in through the gate the first thing I saw was a large play area for kids filled with snow complete with costumed characters dancing around the play equipment.
Surrounding the entrance way was a large waterway that also served as a fishing spot in warmer months.I saw signs pointing off to equestrian areas, the ski slopes and the main club house. The overall theme of this resort was a place that you could come with your family and have more than enough activities to enjoy your time both with them and on your own.
Tourists and locals coming to take advantage of the snow and ice for skiing and other winter sports Deer tendon is one of the most prized cuts that is a must have at any imperial banquet.
Sea cucumber, famous in Liaoning, is another must serve at banquets in the province.
As I was going to spend the night I was very curious about the rooms. Luxury rooms in China have been greatly improving over the years but can be a bit hit or miss when they want to reach an international standard. Here at the Minghu Hot Spring and Skiing International Holiday Village they do not disappoint. The large and comfortable bed was inviting and fitted with soft fluffy linens and brocade adornments. The bathroom was top notch with high-end fixtures. The room included a Chinese style sitting bench with tea service not unlike a kang right out of an imperial palace and the balcony overlooked the entire resort. It is strange what one spends time looking at when they go to hotels, but the little things such as the soaps, mini-bar contents, and the other small amenities are what can make the experience that much better.
After having a very fine meal of local delicacies-sea cucumber, deer tendon and localin-season vegetables-it was time to put the hot springs to the test. After all, that is the job and trying everything is what I came here to do. The first thing that stood out was the waiting area just inside the spa entrance, every guest leaving had a look of complete content on their face,a good sign. After dropping of my shoes to be polished I was handed a pair of sauna slippers and my requisitee-key.
At this particular resort the segregated areas were the most popular. Stepping inside the male-only water zone I had several choices of water therapy. Large showers as always lined the side of the giant room while several sitting areas to relax and sip tea at were stationed all around the area.A very fine steam room sat in one corner while half a dozen varying temperature hot water pools filled the center of the spa area. In the rear were large massage tables where you could have a body scrub and stationed just next to them were several whirlpools. But outside was the more enticing offering. Three very hot but very simple and large private pools were there to soak in and enjoy the cold air and hot water free from your bathing suit. This was the first time I had experienced this in my travels through Liaoning and it was invigorating.
I spent a good two hours in the water zone alternating between the steam room and outdoor pools before the urge to try the rest of what the spa had to offer took hold.I quickly showered up and changed into my flannel pajama suit and met up with one of my female companions inside the co-ed areas. Both of us looked fully relaxed but wanted to really go all in. She suggested we try the dry heat room. We ducked inside the low-ceilinged room lined with bamboo mats and with jade stones on the floor to have a good long sit in the dry warmth. Coming from the cold outside to the dry heat inside nearly pushes you over as you first walk in but the sensation is really something to try. All of your muscle aches melt away and you are warmed all the way through. The real test is to see how long you can take it as your body sweats out all of its toxins and seems to turn to jelly in the heat. When the heat was too much we walked around outside a bit before heading back to the hot room one more time.
On my way out dry heat room for the second time I caught a glimpse of the indoor pool and had to give it a try.I changed and after purchasing a swim cap, something that is required and now has a permanent home in my luggage for such opportunities,I dove into the pool.I love to swim but don’t really like indoor pools. They are often not as enjoyable as I hope-too many kids, too much light, too big so you are swimming with too many people.
Silly I know but when I want to relax I want to relax alone, call me anti-social I guess. This pool however was perfect. Aside from being filled with the perfect temperature hot spring water, the design using dark wood paneling instead of ugly concrete and subtle accented lighting made me stay longer than I was supposed to. Finally, an attendant gently asked me to leave because it was time for them to drain the pool for its nightly cleaning. Hard to argue with that request.
Small details in design are the appeal to the luxury hotels in Liaoning.
Korean and Japanese styles are becoming popular in many hotels in Dalian that cater to tourists outside of China.
After my swim and yet another steam I was too awake to really relax.I poked my head into the relaxation room on offer and as inviting as the dark warm room filled with super soft recliners was I did not want to sit and watch television.I was told that even though the pool was closed the massage facilities were open all night. So off I went.
I wanted to have a true Chinese medical massage and the resort has employed many certified therapists for that purpose.A medical massage is a bit different than those hour long relaxing massages we often get on vacation because a medical massage is more targeted to the pressure points and meridians of your body. The massage begins with you lying on your stomach and starts at your neck and shoulders. Here the most tension resides and getting that tension out helps the rest of the massage easier to endure.I say endure because a therapeutic massage is much more powerful and can be a bit painful as the therapist kneads points on your body where the muscles and joints get the most work. The therapist does make sure not to cause you pain and you can ask him or her to ease up on the pressure if you are uncomfortable.
However, the pain is part of the recovery as the therapist needs to work out the kinks in your body to allow the muscles to return to normal and heal themselves. After the neck andshoulders the therapist will move on to your arms and hands.I particularly enjoy the hand massage since I work at a keyboard all day and my hands end up in knots and the stretching and kneading of the massage feels great. After that you turn over onto your back and your feet are then massaged.
A foot massage is one of the best things you can do to recover from a long day of stress.
In Chinese medical thinking as well as in Western practices, nearly all of the pressure points and nerve endings associated with different organs and meridians of the body can be stimulated at different points on the bottom of your feet. After an hour foot massage you feel like a new person and when combined with a full body massage you are walking on air.
After the feet are taken care of the legs are massaged and stretched. The therapist stretches and bends and pulls on all of your joints to help realign the body and muscles. Next is the abdomen and this part can seem strange. With a fair amount of heavy pressure thetherapist pushes down on different points around your stomach and surrounding area. The idea is to open blocked passageways and aid in the flow of bodily fluids. If you are uncomfortable with this just say so but if you stick through it is well worth it.
With my two hour massage finished so am I.I am spent.I am a shell of my former self and it feels great. My entire body is lose and free. It takes all of my strength just to get to my bed and I am asleep before my body hits the quilt. Sheer bliss.
This bliss is the goal of visiting a hot springs spa or sauna after a11. There are many different therapies you can partake in and many different opinions on which is the best.
